NFL Picks Week 2: Predicting the Top Player Matchups

Football is a team sport, but it is centered on individual matchups. There are many good team matchups in week two, but a team can not win unless the majority of its players win their individual matchups. Randy Moss and Darrell Revis headline the week two player matchups, but here’s a look at that matchup as well as a few others.

WR vs. CB: Randy Moss vs. Darrelle Revis

This is a must-see matchup of arguably the two best players at their positions going head to head. This matchup has been intensified because Revis called Moss a “slouch” and Moss has told Revis he would see a full 60 minutes of this slouch come Sunday. IN what Revis took as a psychological victory, Moss has stated he "prided [his] offseason on staying off Revis Island."

Revis has been asked about his chances of defending such a great receiver, and he appears to like the odds.

"I like them a lot. I'm a very confident player. I've covered this guy before...I just need to focus on my game plan and do what I do best" Revis said.

It has been mentioned that Revis has been suffering from a tight hamstring, but both Revis and Head Coach Rex Ryan have said it is not serious and Revis will play on Sunday.

With hamstring concerns and Revis not being back in football for very long after his holdout, I am expecting Moss to win the battle.

Safeties vs. QB: Troy Polamalu vs. Vince Young

Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu said he was happy to make it out of week one healthy, but he was not happy with the way he performed. A frustrated and focused Polamalu may be the last thing Vince Young and the Titans want to hear about.

However, this is a great opportunity for Young who is looking to put his name up among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Young had a good game last week. Not much was asked of him because the Titans were blowing out the Raiders, but Young threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

If Young can put together a solid performance and lead his team to a win over Polamalu and the Steelers, he may be on his way to having a great season and being mentioned among the elite NFL quarterbacks.

Safeties vs. QB: Matt Cassel vs. T.J. Ward

Matt Cassel may not have been impressive, but he did lead his team to a week one upset over the division-favorite Chargers. Cassel has struggled since coming to Kansas City and has not shown he is capable of being a full-time NFL starting quarterback. After last week’s unimpressive 68 yard passing performance, Cassel will look to rebound and be more productive against the Browns.

T.J. Ward may just be a rookie, but the safety out of Oregon has been impressive. Ward impressed the Browns and their fans throughout the preseason and did not disappoint in week one. In his first NFL game, Ward recorded 11 tackles and forced a fumble. He may not be a household name yet, but Ward posses the talent to be one of the best safeties in the league in a very short time.

RB vs. MLB: Chris Johnson vs. James Farrior

After leading the league in rushing a year ago, Chris Johnson is off to another impressive start. Johnson rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans’ week one win over the Raiders. When facing a running back as talented as Johnson, defenses always try to shut down the run.

Pittsburgh middle linebacker James Farrior will be largely responsible for stopping the Titans’ rushing attack. Farrior recorded eight tackles this week, but is in for a challenge this week.

RB vs. MLB: Arian Foster vs. London Fletcher

After watching Arian Foster run for 231 yards and three touchdowns last week, the Redskins will definitely be trying to limit the Texans’ rushing attack.

The Redskins defense will look to middle linebacker London Fletcher to be a key component in stopping the run. Fletcher recorded 11 tackles in the Redskins’ week one victory over Dallas.

In just his seventh NFL game, Foster lit up the Indianapolis Colts. Foster averaged seven yards per carry and led the Texans to the upset victory.

Foster will be looking to show that week one was not a fluke and that he can be a productive NFL running back.