NFL Week 2: Breaking Down Sunday's Biggest Matchups to Watch

Week 2 of NFL action is set to begin, and now teams have a better idea of what to expect from their opponents. This one-game sample size can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how the teams and coaching staffs prepare for each other.

However, no matter what your game plan is, execution requires the help of superior athletes winning their one-on-one matchups.

As defensive coordinator Rob Ryan used to say when I played for him, great players make coaches look smart.

For this week, we'll focus on some of the rising stars in the NFL going head-to-head in important games. Plus, we'll take a close look in the trenches to find out if one of the best units from a year ago can continue its dominance against one of last season's worst units.

How much of a difference can a year and a few new faces really make?

Miami’s rebuilt offensive line faces biggest challenge to date

Both the Dolphins and Bills pulled off impressive Week 1 upsets. Buffalo's defense forced three turnovers against the Bears and will look to continue its success up front with one of the better collections of pass-rushers in the league. Last year, the Bills finished second in sacks behind the Panthers, with 57.

This offseason, Miami invested heavily in upgrading an offensive line that gave up more sacks than any other team in the league in 2013.

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Miami’s offensive line received a lot of praise in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, but it wasn't quite as dominant as the numbers would suggest. Tannehill was only sacked one time—compared to 32 pass attempts—but the Patriots were also very conservative in putting the pressure on the young QB.

When the Patriots did perform stunts or send pressure, they often had success getting Tannehill off the spot and forcing errant throws.  

New England rarely put stress on the weak link in the unit—the two guards—though, which also worked in favor of the Dolphins. Much of the pressure came directly up the middle and against the two bookends, Ja’Wuan James and Branden Albert.

James is an outstanding rookie who looks like a future Pro Bowler, and Albert was Miami's big free-agent acquisition this offseason. Both of those roster moves seem to be paying off early; they looked excellent in one-on-one matchups all day long in Week 1.

As you can see here, the Dolphins demonstrated the ability to give their quarterback some time and a clean pocket on several occasions by getting the upper hand in individual battles.

NFL.com

NFL.com

Despite what seemed to be very good protection, Albert issued an apology to Tannehill in the second quarter of Week 1, as reported by NFL.com's Jeff Darlington. "We need to keep you cleaner," Albert said. "We need to do a better job."

The signal-caller shrugged off the apology, though, saying Week 1's contest felt "like a day off." This sort of interaction could be the symbolic difference in mentality between 2013 and now. 

But the Bills are a different animal up front than what Miami faced against New England.

Defensive end Mario Williams is a physical freak with long arms and a long torso who also happens to be both incredibly fast and incredibly strong. He's accumulated double-digit sacks every season in Buffalo thus far.

But this entire unit is dangerous.

The last time these two teams met, the Bills won the game 19-0 and tallied seven sacks on the day. They held Tannehill and Co. to 2-of-14 on third-down conversions with constant pressure throughout.

Look for this game to serve as a gauge of just how good this Dolphins offensive line really is. Was Week 1 a fluke, or can their new additions make a huge difference? 

CB Joe Haden vs. WR Brandin Cooks

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In a game where both teams are looking for their first win, there could be one matchup that makes the difference.

Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Antonio Brown toasted the entire Cleveland Browns secondary, including one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL in Joe Haden. Ben Roethlisberger racked up 365 yards through the air while completing 67.7 percent of his passes.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Joe Haden had the worst opening day of any cornerback in the league to play at least 25 percent of their team’s snaps. Specifically in coverage, however, Haden allowed just two catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. He was only directly targeted on three occasions.

Haden has built a strong reputation as one of the league’s elite cornerbacks for his impressive foot quickness and ability to shadow the opponent’s best receiving weapon. He was so good last year that even though he was going against the other team’s best weapon, he only allowed 55.6 percent of those passes to be completed.

Meanwhile, rookie receiver Brandin Cooks, whom Haden should see plenty in Week 2, had an outstanding debut performance in Week 1, showing off his incredible speed (ran a 4.3-second 40 at the combine). But his route running, toughness and reliable hands were most surprising.

Against the Falcons, this first-round selection had seven catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Drew Brees showed a lot of confidence in the youngster early and continued to look his way throughout the game. It helps to have a head coach like Sean Payton, who loves to figure out ways to exploit matchups and best utilize his playmakers. 

In this play, the Saints show a 3-by-1 look before motioning a guy to the single-receiver side. This pre-snap adjustment puts the Falcons safety in a bind, and he is not sure where to line up. Cooks, who is now turned into the slot in a 2-by-2 heavy look, is given a free release up the seam, where he must find the sweet spot in the zone coverage.

NFL.com

NFL.com

NFL.com

Keep in mind that it takes a lot of speed for Cooks to find this soft spot before cornerback Desmond Trufant can get back to defend it.  

It should be interesting to see how the Browns adjust to all the shifting and pre-snap movement the Saints are likely to use.

If the Browns are smart, they will keep Haden on Cooks rather than the slower possession receiver, Marques Colston. The rookie has home-run potential in this offense, and Haden is clearly the most qualified to shut him down.

Tight end Jimmy Graham is undoubtedly the Saints’ best weapon, but his size advantage is just too much for Haden. It will likely take a bracketing between two players to slow down Graham.

Despite a poor Week 1 showing, Haden is still one of the few shutdown corners in the NFL, and he has the skill and foot quickness to keep up with the speedy rookie. If the Browns can use him to shut down Cooks, it should allow them to double-team Graham all game, which is basically the only way to slow down this matchup nightmare.

Desmond Trufant vs. A.J. Green

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

In a league that places emphasis on the passing game, a Bengals vs. Falcons contest presents a very exciting matchup.

A.J. Green has established himself as one of the most dangerous weapons in the entire league. His long legs, balance, body control and catching ability make him perhaps the most effective deep-ball threat in the NFL, behind only Calvin Johnson.

Despite defenses going to great lengths to slow Green down, he always seems to make a huge play downfield. Just take a look at how Green manages to get the best of this matchup against one of the league's best corners, Patrick Peterson. 

In Week 2, Green should receive a considerable dose of Desmond Trufant, the Falcons’ top pick in the 2013 draft, who seems to be developing into the next great NFL cornerback. He is ultra-competitive and one of the most physically gifted players in the league.

It would be wise to have Trufant follow Green all over the field whenever possible. You want your best cover guy to be on your opponent's best target.

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Green has a decided size advantage and would likely win most jump-ball matchups, but Trufant is sneaky and has the speed to close the gap on any separation Green may create. He also is great at seeking the ball, which makes targeting him even more dangerous.

But as mentioned earlier, Green doesn’t really need separation to make plays.

With receivers Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert out with injuries, the Falcons will be able to focus more of their attention toward the obvious No. 1 target.

If Green can be contained, the Falcons should be able to compete in Week 2. The strategy to stop one of the best in the game will likely involve shifting the coverage toward Green, along with a variety of looks and double-teams.

On the other side of the ball will be rising star Julio Jones. Both Jones and Green have been indirectly competing with one another since their days in college. Expect both guys to be looking to show up the other and prove they are the better receiver.

Ryan Riddle is a former NFL player and currently writes for Bleacher Report.