9) Is Minnesota’s new offense a force to be reckoned with?
One of the most surprising developments from Week 1 was how good Sam Bradford and the Vikings’ offense looked. They didn’t exactly face a true test going up against the Saints, but fans had to have been encouraged seeing Sam Bradford sling the ball all over the field.
Bradford was deadly accurate, completing 27-of-32 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns. His chemistry with wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs looked on-point. Rookie running back Dalvin Cook rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries and appears locked into a workhorse role. Minnesota will be challenged more against the Steelers in Week 2, so it will be interesting to see if their new offensive approach finds success again.
10) What will Adrian Peterson’s role be in the Saints’ offense?
Adrian Peterson knew he was going to have to share carries with Mark Ingram in New Orleans, but he likely expected more than six touches a week. That was his entire workload in a loss to the Vikings last week, and a lot of that had to do with the Saints falling behind early. Peterson has dismissed the notion that he was frustrated with head coach Sean Payton for not giving him the ball more, but he obviously expected a bigger role. He should get one in Week 2 against a Patriots team that was gashed on the ground by Kansas City in Week 1. Rookie Alvin Kamara also saw a big workload in Week 1, and that will likely continue in Week 2.
11) Just how bad are the Jets?
Before the season even began, there was already talk about the Jets being the worst team in NFL history. That could be a stretch. Remember, the Lions went 0-16 less than 10 years ago. Not winning a single game during an entire NFL season is rare, and New York will probably catch some team off-guard at some point. That’s not going to happen in Oakland in Week 2, so the question is how ugly it will get. Todd Bowles and company might not like the answer, though this could help their efforts in securing a high draft pick next year.
12) Can Kirk Cousins and Terrelle Pryor get on the same page?
If Cousins wants to convince teams he should be the highest-paid quarterback in the league when he hits free agency next summer, he’ll have to put his Week 1 performance in the rearview mirror. He threw for 240 yards, one touchdown and one interception and did not look sharp in a loss to the Eagles. A lot of that had to do with Pryor dropping some balls that would have led to huge plays, and the wide receiver later took the blame for the loss. The Cousins-Pryor connection is one Washington fans expect big things from. It could take a few games before the two start really clicking, especially with a road game against the Rams looming this Sunday.
13) What can we expect from Jay Cutler?
Cutler joined the Dolphins late in the offseason, but he’s already familiar with Adam Gase’s offense from the time the two spent together in Denver. After an unexpected bye in Week 1, Cutler will be making his debut with Miami on the road against the Chargers in the intimate setting of the StubHub Center. The 34-year-old’s 2016 season with the Bears was cut short because of a shoulder injury, but he is said to be at 100 percent health after undergoing offseason surgery. Cutler has great weapons on offense led by wide receivers DeVante Parker and Jarvis Landry. If Miami’s offensive line can protect him, there’s no reason to think he’ll be a huge step down from Ryan Tannehill.
14) How will DeShone Kizer handle his second big AFC North test?
DeShone Kizer had a tough assignment for his first career NFL start: facing the Steelers in Week 1. He performed quite well all things considered. The numbers weren’t eye-popping (20-of-30 for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception), but the former Notre Dame quarterback helped the Browns keep things close against Pittsburgh despite being a 10-point underdog. Kizer will face an even tougher test on the road this week against a Ravens team that just made Andy Dalton look like a fool in a 20-0 shutout of the Bengals. The results could be a bit rougher for Kizer in Week 2.
15) Will Andy Reid stick it to his former team?
Andy Reid is known for putting together some outstanding offensive game plans (see: Week 1 trouncing of the Patriots in New England), and he has to be feeling a little extra motivation going up against the Eagles this weekend. It has been nearly five years since Reid was fired by the Eagles, and he remains one of the better coaches in football. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is on its second head coach since parting ways with Reid. Would they have been better off keeping him? That’s a question Reid will look to answer for them in Week 2.
