The first full Sunday of Week 2 brings 14 games, eight in the early window, five in the late window and a prime time finish at Arrowhead Stadium. The schedule includes two matchups between undefeated teams, several clubs already facing pressure to avoid an 0 and 2 start, and major quarterback changes in Minnesota, Atlanta and Seattle.
Here is what matters most before kickoff.
The early window
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
This is the game with the clearest injury driven change. Minnesota will start Carson Wentz after Kyler Murray was ruled out with a concussion. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is also out, while right tackle Brian O'Neill is questionable. Chicago enters the division matchup without a player carrying a game designation.
Both teams are 1 and 0, but their paths into Sunday feel very different. The Bears can attack a backup quarterback at Soldier Field with a healthy defense, while Minnesota must protect Wentz against pressure and find enough offense around Justin Jefferson. Chicago's biggest challenge will be handling the Vikings' disguised coverages and pressure packages without giving away short fields.
The game could turn on early downs. If the Bears stay out of obvious passing situations, Caleb Williams should have chances to create explosive plays. If Minnesota forces long third downs, Brian Flores can make the afternoon uncomfortable.
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
This may be the best game of the early window. Cincinnati arrives 1 and 0, while Houston is trying to recover from a 36 to 31 loss to Buffalo. Joe Burrow dealt with back tightness during the week but is expected to start. Houston will be without Nico Collins, guard Ed Ingram and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
Collins' absence changes the Texans' passing game. Houston will need more from its secondary targets and must find ways to create manageable throws against a Cincinnati defense that can make an offense earn every drive. On the other side, the Texans' pass rush has to affect Burrow without Clowney. If Burrow is comfortable, Cincinnati has enough answers to control the game through the air.
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Baltimore is 1 and 0, but the Ravens will be without Zay Flowers, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and two other defenders. Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson and Trey Hendrickson are questionable. New Orleans lists Chris Olave, Chase Young and Christen Miller as questionable.
The injuries make the line of scrimmage especially important. Baltimore can still lean on Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but losing Flowers removes its most dangerous receiver in space. New Orleans needs to force the Ravens into longer passing situations while protecting Tyler Shough from Baltimore's pressure. If the Saints cannot slow the run early, Baltimore can dictate the entire game.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Both teams are 0 and 1, and Atlanta has the most unsettled quarterback situation on the slate. Michael Penix Jr. is out, Tua Tagovailoa is doubtful with an oblique injury and Cooper Rush is set to start. Guard Chris Lindstrom and cornerback A.J. Terrell are questionable. Carolina will be without defensive tackle Bobby Brown III.
The Panthers should make Rush prove Atlanta can win through the air. The Falcons still have playmakers, but their offensive plan becomes more conservative if the protection is compromised and the quarterback cannot threaten every level. Carolina's opportunity is to win first down, keep the pass rush honest and avoid giving Atlanta easy points through turnovers.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Pittsburgh is 1 and 0, but wide receiver Michael Pittman and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are out. New England is 0 and 1 and will be missing starting cornerback Carlton Davis III and offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover.
The absences in both secondaries create an interesting trade. Pittsburgh loses a top cover player, while New England loses an important corner against a Steelers offense already missing Pittman. The Patriots need Drake Maye to stay composed against pressure and use his mobility without inviting hits. Pittsburgh will try to shorten the game, create negative plays and force New England to sustain long drives.
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Green Bay is trying to avoid an 0 and 2 start after losing its opener. The Jets enter 1 and 0 but will be without safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rusher Joseph Ossai, running back Kene Nwangwu and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Green Bay will not have defensive tackles Warren Brinson or Javon Hargrave.
The middle of Green Bay's defense is the pressure point. The Jets should test it with the run and play action, while the Packers need to create explosive passes against a secondary missing Fitzpatrick. Turnovers may decide this one. Green Bay cannot afford another uneven offensive performance, and the Jets have a chance to validate their opening win against a conference opponent with playoff expectations.
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
One of these teams will earn its first win. Cleveland is without guard Teven Jenkins and has two cornerbacks listed as questionable. Tampa Bay lists wide receiver Jalen McMillan, cornerback Jacob Parrish and safety Miles Killebrew as questionable.
The matchup comes down to which offense handles pressure better. Cleveland must protect well enough to avoid another game built around difficult third downs. Tampa Bay needs cleaner early down execution and more consistency around Baker Mayfield. With both teams 0 and 1, patience matters. The first offense to start chasing the game could play directly into the opposing pass rush.
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Philadelphia is 1 and 0 and enters as the largest favorite in the early window. The Eagles will be without outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, while Tennessee has two defensive players listed as questionable.
The Titans need to make this a low possession game. That means controlling the ball, limiting explosive plays and forcing Philadelphia to execute repeatedly in the red zone. The Eagles have the stronger roster and more ways to win, especially if their offensive line controls the game. Tennessee's best path is to create takeaways and keep the score close into the fourth quarter.
The late window
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Both teams are 1 and 0, but Seattle will be without starting quarterback Sam Darnold because of a glute injury. Guard Anthony Bradford and safety Ty Okada are also out. Arizona is missing cornerback Garrett Williams and has six players listed as questionable, including two guards and three defensive backs.
The quarterback change puts more responsibility on Seattle's defense and running game. Arizona should crowd the line, challenge Seattle to win outside and test a new starter with disguised coverage. The Cardinals' own protection questions could keep Seattle's pass rush involved. This could become a field position game where one takeaway swings the result.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
The most urgent game of the late window features two 0 and 1 division rivals. Washington will be without tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo and linebacker Frankie Luvu. Dallas will be without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker.
The matchup has the highest listed total on Sunday's board, and the offensive talent supports that expectation. Dallas needs to protect its defense by sustaining drives, while Washington must keep Jayden Daniels out of obvious passing situations. The Cowboys should test Washington's secondary with George Pickens and their outside receivers. Washington can answer by stressing Dallas with Daniels' movement and designed runs.
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
San Francisco is the biggest favorite of the day. Miami enters 0 and 1 and will be without edge rusher Chop Robinson and linebacker Ronnie Harrison. The 49ers are 1 and 0 after beating the Rams in Australia and have only one player ruled out.
Miami has to create explosive plays to avoid a long afternoon. San Francisco can control possession with its running game, motion and yards after the catch, especially against a Dolphins defense missing Robinson. The Dolphins' path is to make the 49ers chase speed across the field and turn the game into a scoring race. If San Francisco establishes the run and plays from ahead, the matchup tilts heavily toward the home team.
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Las Vegas is 1 and 0, while the Chargers are already under pressure after an opening loss. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is doubtful with a knee injury, and quarterback Aidan O'Connell is questionable for personal reasons. Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey is questionable with a rib injury, while offensive lineman Trey Pipkins and defensive back Elijah Molden are out.
Bowers' status changes how Las Vegas attacks the middle of the field. Without him, the Raiders need more from their wide receivers and running game. The Chargers must protect Justin Herbert against a defense that can create pressure, and McConkey's availability matters in the short passing game. The urgency is greater for Los Angeles because an 0 and 2 start would make the next stretch of the schedule far more difficult.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Jacksonville enters 1 and 0 with no injury designations. Denver is 0 and 1 and will be without wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., while running back RJ Harvey is questionable.
The Jaguars' health is a real advantage at altitude. Jacksonville can test Denver horizontally, force the defense to tackle in space and make the Broncos defend a deep group of playmakers. Denver needs its defense to create short fields and its offense to stay efficient on first down. If the Broncos fall behind and become one dimensional, Jacksonville's pass rush can take over.
Sunday Night Football
Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Kansas City closes the day at 1 and 0, while Indianapolis is trying to avoid an 0 and 2 start. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Mansoor Delane are questionable. Kansas City will be without tackle Josh Simmons and defensive back Chamarri Conner. Indianapolis will be without receiver Ashton Dulin, and running back DJ Giddens is questionable.
The Colts need to stay balanced and keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline. That becomes much harder if Kansas City scores early and forces Indianapolis into a pass heavy game. Jones' availability is the most important injury to monitor because he changes the interior matchup on nearly every snap. For Kansas City, the goal is simple: protect Mahomes, make Indianapolis defend the entire field and force the Colts to answer in a loud Arrowhead environment.
The three games that define Sunday
Vikings at Bears has the biggest quarterback change and immediate division impact. Bengals at Texans has the strongest combination of star power and urgency. Commanders at Cowboys offers the most explosive rivalry setup, with both teams trying to avoid an 0 and 2 start.
The injury news will keep changing through the inactive announcements, but the shape of Sunday is already clear. Healthy contenders have an early opportunity to separate, backup quarterbacks are being asked to win important road games, and several teams will leave Week 2 facing immediate pressure.