5 matchups that will define NFL Week 2: Richard Sherman out of comfort zone
Richard Sherman might finally be in the marquee matchup expected of a shutdown corner.
In the Seahawks' Week 1 loss to the St. Louis Rams, Sherman shifted from his traditional role patrolling one side of the field to move into the slot. If Sherman reprises that role Sunday, he'd be squaring off against the Green Bay Packers' most explosive target in Randall Cobb.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll refused to reveal his plans for Sherman but said he liked what the switch brought to the defense.
"Putting Richard inside it allows him to use all of the savvy and the instincts that he has," Carroll said. "He's a marvelous player in terms of awareness, and vision, and anticipation and all of that, and that position in there does call for those opportunities in zones and all kinds of different things that you do there."
The Packers have been reticent to test Sherman, avoiding him completely in last year's season opener. Sherman intercepted Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the NFC Championship game last year and thereafter was mostly left alone, even after injuring his elbow in the second half.
If Sherman can act as an eraser, it will assist a Seahawks secondary in desperate need of help following a Week 1 gashing. Rams quarterback Nick Foles completed seven passes of 20 yards or more, including a game-tying 37-yard touchdown strike, against Seattle.
Cary Williams and DeShawn Shead, who took over Sherman's role on the outside, have little room for error with Kam Chancellor still holding out. And Packers receivers James Jones and Davante Adams are capable of making them pay for any lapses.
Here are four other matchups to keep an eye on in Week 2:
New York Jets WR Brandon Marshall vs. Indianapolis Colts CB Vontae Davis
Marshall and Davis tested each other as teammates with the Miami Dolphins, and the two reportedly scuffled in a 2011 practice.
But the cornerback has earned the wide receiver's admiration through his emergence in Indianapolis.
"Vontae is super patient now," Marshall said, according to NJ.com. "That wasn't the case back then. He's always been a smart guy, but it seems like he's locked in on every single play now. His focus is on an all-time high. He's always been super talented. That's never been the issue with him. It just seems like he's finally put it all together, and that's a scary thing for a wide receiver."
In his first game with the Jets, Marshall proved he's still an imposing figure. He overpowered Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden for six catches, 62 yards and a touchdown in the Jets' 31-10 win. He also ripped the ball away from Browns safety Tashaun Gipson after an interception.
Davis now shadows the opposing team's top receiver throughout games. Blanketing Marshall on Monday night would boost his profile as a possible shutdown corner.
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski vs. Buffalo Bills' pass defense
The Bills' plans for defending Gronkowski might be the most discussed matchup of the week - in part because no one knows exactly what to expect.
The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to fulfill their pledge to be physical with Gronkowski, allowing him to score three touchdowns in the Patriots' 28-21 victory. Bills coach Rex Ryan hasn't divulged much about his defensive plan, but don't expect him to give Gronkowski as many free releases as the Steelers did.
Buffalo limited Colts tight end Dwayne Allen to three catches for 17 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, but Gronkowski is a completely different challenge and can't be left to linebackers in coverage. Ryan also faces a much higher risk from New England if he blitzes as consistently as he did against Indianapolis.
The Bills might need to employ multiple approaches to limit Gronkowski, but cornerback Stephon Gilmore has lobbied to be part of the plan. Though the 6-6, 265-pound Gronkowski dwarfs the 6-1, 190-pound Gilmore, the Bills' top cover man has the tools to stick with Gronkowski downfield.
Cincinnati Bengals RB Jeremy Hill vs. San Diego Chargers LBs Donald Butler and Manti Te'o
Wide receiver A.J. Green might be the most closely monitored member of the Bengals' offense, but Hill is the player to follow to get a true sense for the unit's health.
Hill scored two touchdowns but averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in a 33-13 Week 1 win against the Oakland Raiders. Offense coordinator Hue Jackson called out the second-year back and challenged him to make more plays.
It's little surprise that Jackson would push Hill, as the running back might be the most important piece of his offense. The north-south runner keeps Andy Dalton out of difficult scenarios and allows Giovani Bernard to be the team's all-purpose back.
Butler and Te'o both do their best work against the run. If they can't prevent Hill from reaching the second level, the Chargers will be hard-pressed to derail the Bengals' offense. And if Hill can't shake the somewhat-stiff Butler and Te'o, Jackson will single him out for another week.
New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Atlanta Falcons CB Desmond Trufant
This matchup might not be seen throughout Sunday's contest, as Falcons coach Dan Quinn hasn't pledged to have Trufant trail Beckham for the game. But it still is an opportunity to see of the league's best young receivers against one of its rising corners.
After catching just five passes for 44 yards in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, Beckham is looking to recapture the form he displayed at the end of last season. The Giants move Beckham around and should be even more proactive about finding opportunities for him on Sunday.
But the Falcons could mirror the Cowboys' approach of keeping two safeties deep or shading coverage to Beckham's side. In that case, the Giants might have to find a way for Beckham to do his damage after the catch.
Atlanta has an asset in Trufant, who recognizes that he might have to beat Beckham when the ball is in the air.
"You just have to be in the right position and find the ball," Trufant said of stopping Beckham, according to ESPN. "You have to get up first because he can jump. You just have to get up first and go attack the ball."
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