Week two of the NFL season started on Thursday night when the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens rekindled their heated AFC North rivalry.
The game was a showcase for wide receivers as the Ravens' John Brown caught four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown but not to be out done was Bengals' receiver AJ Green.
Green stole the show scoring three touchdowns before halftime, matching Julio Jones 2017 season total in under 30 minutes of play.
Cincinnati came away with the 34-23 win as Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco struggled to find a rhythm throwing two interceptions and being sacked four times.
Week two continues with an AFC Championship rematch between the Patriots and Jaguars while Aaron Rodgers and the Packers host the Vikings for the first time since Rogers suffered a broken collarbone in week six of last season.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
Minnesota and Green Bay both come into week two with a record of 1-0 but with entirely different stories.
The Vikings opened week one against Jimmy G and the 49ers in a game that came down to the final minutes. San Francisco missed key opportunities in the redzone with a fumble and two dropped touchdown passes. That was the break Minnesota needed as their defense would takeover.
Minnesota's defense dominated with three interceptions, including a pick six, leading the Vikings to a 24-16 win over San Francisco. The opposite can be said for Green Bay.
Green Bay cane out sluggish against the Chicago Bears going down 17-0 at halftime. Rodgers had gone down in the first half with a knee injury but returned in the second half to uproar of cheers.
Rodgers would then lead the Packers to a 24-23 victory that included 17 unanswered points and a game winning 75-yard touchdown pass to Randal Cobb with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Rodgers is listed as "questionable" for the Packers' week two matchup against the Vikings. This leads to speculation he might not play but Rodgers' is resilient and will likely be under center come game time.
A dual between Cousins and Rodgers has been highly anticipated since Cousins signed a then record setting three year $84 million contract. A record Rodgers would break only a few months later when he became the highest paid player in NFL history with a four year $134 million contract including $100 million guaranteed.
Both teams are legit Super Bowl contenders due to the moves they made this offseason.
Minnesota brought in the aforementioned Kirk Cousins while Green Bay focused their attention to the defense by signing Muhammad Wilkerson and drafting two cornerbacks, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, in the first-round.
Green Bay and Minnesota will be locked in a tight battle for first place atop the NFC North which begins this week at Lambeau Field
Expect a back and forth game that is decided late in the fourth quarter. Aaron Rodgers will be on his game, showing once again why he is the most physically gifted quarterback the league has ever seen. Three touchdowns and 300 yards is the bench mark for Rodgers coming off another historic performance in week one.
Minnesota's defense will play a pivotal role in stopping Rodgers and should give Cousins and rest of the offense multiple opportunities to steal a win at Lambeau.
The Vikings' receiving core could be in for a big game against the young secondary of Green Bay. Look for Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen to record a touchdown a piece while racking up at least 80 yards through the air.
A preview of a possible NFC Championship meeting between Minnesota and Green Bay will highlight week two of the NFL season.
Final Score: Minnesota 27, Green Bay 23
Week 2 Predictions:
Ravens vs. Bengals: Bengals 34, Ravens 23 (already played)
Chiefs vs. Steelers: Chiefs 28, Steelers 20
Dolphins vs. Jets: Jets 20, Dolphins 13
Eagles vs. Buccaneers: Eagles 27, Buccaneers 13
Browns vs. Saints: Saints 30, Browns 14
Colts vs. Redskins: Redskins 23, Colts 16
Chargers vs. Bills: Chargers 33, Bills 10
Panthers vs. Falcons: Panthers 26, Falcons 17
Texans vs. Titans: Texans 17, Titans 10
Cardinals vs. Rams: Rams 31, Cardinal 16
Lions vs. 49ers: 49ers 24, Lions 17
Raiders vs. Broncos: Broncos 21, Raiders 20
Patriots vs. Jaguars: Patriots 23, Jaguars 16
Giants vs. Cowboys: Cowboys 20, Giants 17
Seahawks vs. Bears: Bears 17, Seahawks 16
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