Week 2 NFL Preview: Johnson vs. Flores, Kincaid's Rise, and the Titans' Struggles

Week 2 NFL Preview: Johnson vs. Flores, Kincaid's Rise, and the Titans' Struggles

Welcome to another week of football action! After an explosive Week 1 that featured some of the highest-scoring games in recent memory, we're heading into Week 2 with a more nuanced and strategic focus. This week, I'm breaking down seven key storylines that will define the early weeks of this NFL season.

Let's get to it!

1. Ben Johnson vs. Brian Flores: The Schemer Heavyweight Fight

The stage is set for a classic clash between two master tacticians in Week 2, when the Chicago Bears face off against the Minnesota Vikings in what promises to be a tactical chess match.

Ben Johnson and Brian Flores are two coaches who have spent years studying each other's game plans. Their first encounter came during their respective days as assistant coaches at New England and Miami, where they developed their strategic philosophies from the ground up. Now, after years of watching and learning, these coaches are finally going head-to-head in a high-stakes environment.

Johnson has been running the Bears' offense since 2023, first as coordinator with the Lions and then as head coach in Chicago. He's shown an ability to adapt his system based on what he sees from opposing defenses. In this matchup against Flores' Vikings defense, we're going to see how much Johnson can leverage his experience and communication-heavy approach.

Flores' defense has become notorious for its unpredictability and aggressive blitz packages. In Week 1 against the Packers, he sent more than 70% of his blitzes on Jordan Love's dropbacks. That aggressive pressure strategy is going to be tested by Johnson's quick snaps and condensed formations.

"Johnson knows Flores well, and he's been successful against him in the past," I wrote in my analysis. "The Bears' offense is designed to meet this kind of pressure head-on with speed, structure, and flexibility."">

The key for Johnson will be how he utilizes his pre-snap communication and quick snap strategies to neutralize Flores' blitz-heavy approach. We're looking at a game where both coaches will be forced to adapt, and the team that can adjust better will have a major edge.

2. Houston's Offense Could Be a Game-Changer

The Houston Texans are entering Week 2 with renewed hope after their Week 1 performance against the Buffalo Bills. While they ultimately lost 36-20, there were encouraging signs in how their offense functioned under coordinator Nick Caley.

One of the most significant improvements was the team's running game. With the addition of David Montgomery and a stronger offensive line, Houston managed to gain 60% success on runs between the tackles against Buffalo, a number that ranked second-best in C.J. Stroud's career. This is a major step up from their performance over the past three seasons, where they ranked dead last in rushing success rate.

The Texans' ability to establish a solid running game is going to be crucial for their offensive identity moving forward. It takes pressure off Stroud and makes him less vulnerable to big plays on the defensive side of the ball. As the season progresses, we'll see how they continue to build on these fundamentals.

However, there's still work to be done. The Texans' pass protection was inconsistent, particularly with their offensive line struggling against pressure from the Bills' front seven. With a Bengals defense that will likely employ similar tactics in Week 2, Houston must find ways to protect Stroud while maintaining their run-first identity.

3. The Bengals Defense: Beyond the Fumble Luck

While Cincinnati's defense may have been defined by its four fumble recoveries against Tampa Bay, it's important not to overlook what the team did outside of those lucky plays.

The Bengals effectively neutralized Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield by forcing him into checkdown situations. They managed to get pressure on him through a variety of pass rushers, including a rookie second-round pick making his NFL debut. The defense also mixed man and zone coverage looks with middle-of-the-field help, making it difficult for Mayfield to find open receivers.

What stood out most was the Bengals' tackling ability. In a league where missed tackles have been a significant issue, Cincinnati's defense held their ground and made plays in the open field. This is a critical component of any strong defense, and they're showing signs of improvement in this area.

Their defensive performance will be put to the test when they face Houston in Week 2. If the Texans can maintain their run-first approach and avoid giving up big plays, they may have a chance to compete with a Cincinnati defense that's showing promise beyond just the luck of the draw.

4. Dalton Kincaid: The Bills' Secret Sauce

The Buffalo Bills' offense has been one of the most talked-about units in the league this season, and it's largely due to the emergence of tight end Dalton Kincaid. In his first game with the team, Kincaid recorded five receptions for 130 yards, the most receiving yards of his career and the most by any Bills tight end since 1967.

What makes Kincaid's performance so special is not just the numbers but the way he operates in the offense. He's not your typical tight end who just catches short passes. Kincaid can run routes like a wide receiver and create big plays downfield, which is something that hasn't been seen from tight ends at this level since the days of Travis Kelce.

His ability to work in multi-TE sets and make plays against both zone and man coverage shows that the Bills are using him to his full potential. This approach has made them more versatile and unpredictable, especially when facing teams with smaller defensive backs who might not be prepared for his skills.

As the Bills face the Detroit Lions in a Thursday Night Football matchup, we're going to see if Kincaid can continue to make plays against a defense that's struggling with coverage issues. His presence in the formation will force defenses to account for him as both a receiver and a blocker, giving Buffalo more options on offense.

5. The Titans' Offensive Struggles

The Tennessee Titans' Week 1 performance was one of the most concerning for any team in the league. After what looked like a promising start to the season, their offense appeared completely out of sync against the Jets.

Quarterback Cam Ward was out of rhythm with his receivers and had trouble getting his reads right in the pocket. The offensive line, which has been a concern in recent years, struggled even more in Week 1. Starting tackle JC Latham was penalized twice, while rookie Fernando Carmona looked overwhelmed in his first career start at right guard.

What was most troubling about the Titans' performance was how disorganized everything seemed. The team couldn't establish a running game or create any sort of rhythm with their passing attack. Even Ward's ability to scramble, which he did four times (tied for his season high), wasn't enough to save them from a lackluster showing.

With the Titans facing Philadelphia in Week 2, they'll need to make some serious adjustments. The Eagles' defense is one of the most formidable in the league, and it's going to be difficult for Tennessee to compete without fixing their offensive issues.

6. Detroit's Secondary Vulnerability

The Detroit Lions have been one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL since their 2025 season, but their defense has been a mixed bag this year. The secondary, in particular, is showing signs of being vulnerable.

Against the Saints in Week 1, Detroit relied heavily on zone coverage to protect their older corners, D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin. This strategy was somewhat effective, but it left them exposed when the Saints adjusted and started throwing deep passes. The Lions' secondary was caught off-guard by receivers like Chris Olave and Bryce Lance, who were able to get separation in the open field.

The speed of these players is a major concern for Detroit's defensive scheme. In a game against Buffalo on Thursday Night Football, they'll need to find ways to slow down Josh Allen's quick throws and his ability to make plays after the snap. Their secondary will be put to the ultimate test when facing a quarterback who can create big plays with his mobility.

7. Trevor Lawrence's MVP Potential

In Week 1, the Jacksonville Jaguars' offense exploded for 34 points against the Browns. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was a standout in that game, throwing for significant yardage and making crucial plays downfield.

Lawrence's performance was particularly impressive given his recent struggles with the pass in earlier seasons. With new receivers like Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, he's found a rhythm that's making him a legitimate threat on any given play. His ability to throw accurately while moving around the pocket shows that he can be a game-changer when properly supported.

Against a defense that's lacking key players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, Lawrence and the Jaguars will have their opportunity to prove themselves. However, they'll face some tough competition in their next few games against teams like the Bengals, Eagles, and Texans. If they can maintain this level of play, Lawrence could indeed be a serious contender for MVP.

Five Extra Inklings

There are always a few extra thoughts that pop up when analyzing these matchups:

• The Bears might consider trading for Joey Porter Jr. The Steelers' cornerback has been sidelined in Week 1, and if he's available in the trade market, Chicago could make a move to improve their defense.
• 13 Personnel hype may be overrated. While the Bills' success with 13 personnel is impressive, it's unclear how sustainable this approach will be across the league.
• The Ravens offense may have peaked early. Their Week 1 performance was explosive, but injuries and inconsistencies could affect their long-term prospects.
• Giants' offense might be underrated. With Jaxson Dart playing well and the offensive line performing solidly, they could be a bigger threat than many expect.
• The Cardinals are going to be better than most predict. Despite their loss to the Chargers, their overall approach under Mike LaFleur shows promise for the season ahead.