The NFL’s Week 2 schedule for the 2024 season is packed with exciting games, and we’re here to provide all the essential information for the weekend ahead.
NFL Nation reporters highlight the key factors for every game, while analytics writer Seth Walder offers a bold prediction for each matchup. The ESPN Stats & Information team shares crucial stats and betting insights for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) gives a detailed game projection. Fantasy expert Eric Moody identifies fantasy football X factors, and analysts Kalyn Kahler, Moody, and Walder provide final score predictions for all games. This comprehensive guide has everything you need to prepare for an action-packed weekend of NFL football.
Dive into the complete Week 2 lineup, featuring the Buccaneers seeking payback against the Lions and an epic quarterback battle between Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes. The week wraps up with a “Monday Night Football” showdown between the Falcons and the Eagles on ESPN. (All game times are Sunday unless otherwise specified.)
Saints storyline to watch: Starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore left the Week 1 victory over the Panthers early due to a hamstring injury. Rookie corner Kool-Aid McKinstry, a second-round draft pick, stepped in and is expected to start if Lattimore is unavailable. Additionally, the Saints may face further changes on the offensive line, as starting left guard Lucas Patrick suffered a toe injury against the Panthers. This is not ideal with a matchup against a Cowboys defense that recorded six sacks in Week 1.
Cowboys storyline to watch:** The Cowboys’ last game at AT&T Stadium resulted in one of their most crushing playoff losses, a 48-32 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on January 14. However, they enter Sunday’s game with a 16-game regular-season home winning streak, their second-longest in team history (1979-81). Last season, they outscored their home opponents by 172 points, the largest single-season differential in team history. If they extend the streak to 17, they will start 2-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2007-08.
Stat to know: The Saints and Cowboys have both forced multiple turnovers in three consecutive games dating back to last season, tied for the second-longest active streak in the NFL, behind the Giants’ four-game streak.
Bold prediction: Saints quarterback Derek Carr will pass for over 300 yards. The strong performance in Week 1 wasn’t just due to the Panthers’ struggling defense. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak utilized motion, play-action, and rollouts for Carr — strategies he previously lacked — which proved effective. The Saints’ offense is stronger than it appears.
Injuries: Saints | Cowboys
Fantasy X factor:Â Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The Saints’ defense held QB Bryce Young to only 9.6 fantasy points in Week 1, but it’s unlikely to repeat that success against Prescott. Prescott’s performance was limited in Week 1 due to a large lead against the Browns, finishing with 11.4 fantasy points, but he averaged 25.2 points per game at home last season. See Week 2 rankings. — Moody.
Betting nugget: The Saints are 27-13 against the spread (ATS) as road underdogs since 2014 (5-4 ATS under coach Dennis Allen). Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Cowboys 28, Saints 20
Moody’s pick: Cowboys 23, Saints 14
Walder’s pick: Saints 27, Cowboys 24
FPI prediction: DAL, 62% (by an average of 4 points)
