NFL Week 2 Predictions: 10 Players Who Will Have Breakout Performances
The second week of the NFL season kicks off in less than 24 hours, and a majority of fans are pondering a simple question: Who will be this week’s Arian Foster?
Foster, the young and speedy running back for the Houston Texans, had a phenomenal Week 1 performance against the Indianapolis Colts—garnering 231 yards and three touchdowns.
It was the second-best opening weekend rushing performances since O.J. Simpson’s 250 yards in 1973 for Buffalo against New England.
So, who are the top 10 NFL players likely to have breakout performances in Week 2?
Let's begin...
Honorable Mention: Jacoby Jones, WR (Houston Texans)
1 of 11
The Texans didn’t have to rely on a whole lot of passing in the team’s Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts—thanks in a large part to the lightning-quick legs of Arian Foster—but look for Houston’s receivers to come alive in Week 2.
Jacoby Jones is just one of the Texans targets quarterback Matt Schaub will be passing to this weekend at Washington.
But Jones could easily have a breakout game, depending on how well the Redskins secondary covers Andre Johnson and the running game.
Regardless, look for Jones to have an opportunity to play a vital role in the Texans offense on Sunday against the Redskins.
No. 10: Charles Woodson, CB (Green Bay Packers)
2 of 11
Although the Green Bay Packers secondary forced just one turnover in Week 1, it came at the hands of Charles Woodson—an NFL veteran at picking off passes.
Look for Woodson to have a breakthrough game this weekend when the Packers host Buffalo, as one of the nation’s best defensive backs prepares to make a major statement in Week 2.
No. 9: Matt Ryan, QB (Atlanta Falcons)
3 of 11
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan should be able to muster quite a few touchdowns along with a large number of yards this weekend when the team hosts the Arizona Cardinals.
And although he was highly ineffective in Atlanta’s Week 1 overtime loss, look for Ryan to come to life on Sunday against Arizona.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 8: Mario Williams, DE (Houston Texans)
4 of 11
Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams had a remarkable Week 1 game against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
And Week 2 may be even sweeter for Williams when the Texans hit the road for Washington on Sunday afternoon.
No. 7: Jermichael Finley, TE (Green Bay Packers)
5 of 11
Green Bay third-year tight end Jermichael Finley should be quite a sight to see this Sunday when the Packers host Buffalo.
And although the hype has been surrounding Finley since Day 1 in the NFL, look for him to truly have a breakout performance tomorrow afternoon at home.
No. 6: DeAngelo Williams, RB (Carolina Panthers)
6 of 11
Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is due to have a major rushing performance in 2010, and that game may come tomorrow afternoon when Carolina hosts Tampa Bay.
Although Week 1 had Williams garnering a mere 62 yards on 16 carries, trust me when I say that Week 2 will be a completely different story.
No. 5: Drew Brees, QB (New Orleans Saints)
7 of 11
Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints will be facing San Francisco in Week 2’s Monday Night Football showdown.
And look for Brees to put up some big-time numbers on Monday night as the Saints aim for another championship run in 2010.
No. 4: Dez Bryant, WR (Dallas Cowboys)
8 of 11
Rookie sensation Dez Bryant looked solid in Week 1 for the Cowboys, regardless of Dallas losing the game.
But look for Bryant and the Cowboys to bounce back this weekend when Dallas hosts Chicago, as it’s highly likely the rookie receiver will have two or more touchdowns on Sunday afternoon.
No. 3: Andre Johnson, WR (Houston Texans)
9 of 11
Although Andre Johnson and the Texans passing game took a brief hiatus in the team’s Week 1 victory over the Colts, look for those same receivers to play a vital role in Houston’s week two battle at Washington.
And don’t be shocked when Johnson has a 2010 breakout performance tomorrow afternoon; look for the extremely talented Texans wide receiver to pull in seven or more passes along with two-plus touchdowns.
No. 2: Brandon Jackson, RB (Green Bay Packers)
10 of 11
The Green Bay Packers running game will likely be a major deciding factor this weekend against Buffalo at home.
And that means it’s breakout time for Packers running back Brandon Jackson. Look for Jackson to rush for over 100 yards with at least one touchdown.
No. 1: Michael Vick, QB (Philadelphia Eagles)
11 of 11
It’s time to put Michael Vick’s past in the garbage, as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback aims to do just that this Sunday when he and his teammates face the Detroit Lions.
Look for Vick to do a little of everything (bringing back his collegiate days) as the Eagles will likely be putting up quite a passing performance tomorrow afternoon.
And a stat-line consisting of over 150 passing yards and close to 100 rushing yards may not be out of question for Vick on the road at Detroit.
Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")