Five matchups that will define NFL Week 2: Can Bengals bottle up Steelers?
In perhaps the NFL's most openly contentious rivalry, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are both seeking control.
Animosity is still simmering between the two teams after last season's wild-card game, in which Antonio Brown was knocked out of the game on a hit that led to a three-game suspension still in effect for Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. That was just the most notable recent flare-up: The NFL doled out more than $200,000 combined in fines for the teams' last two meetings.
On Sunday, both sides will try to tap into their aggression without succumbing to it.
"Everybody knows the fines that are associated with this game," Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams told reporters this week. "Everybody knows the professional hatred we have for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Bengals have with us. Everybody’s heard the Twitter fights and things of that nature that we’ve had in the offseason.
"Guess what? This Sunday, that comes to a head, and the cameras will be watching. It will be our will versus their will, and we will see who breaks first.”
Brown again will be a focal point, and the Bengals will need cornerback Adam Jones to keep his cool. Jones also drew a costly late penalty in last season's playoff game and later accused Brown of faking his ailment.
But Williams also could play a significant role. In rushing for 143 yards on 27 carries last week, the veteran ball carrier showed he can keep Pittsburgh balanced. He also helped the Steelers stay out of obvious passing situations, which led to conversions on nine of 14 third downs.
Cincinnati's run defense was lacking in Week 1, when it gave up 152 yards on the ground to the New York Jets. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther says he believes the team has a quick fix, but it all comes back to discipline.
Here are four other matchups to watch in Week 2:
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. Packers defensive line
Even as the Vikings play coy about their quarterback situation, there's no mystery to Minnesota's offense for the Packers. Everything runs through Peterson.
Green Bay has reason for confidence, as it held Peterson to 3.5 yards per carry in two contests last season. Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon couldn't find any running room against the Packers last week and finished with just 39 yards on 21 carries.
Stopping Peterson before he gets started is likely the best hope for disrupting Minnesota's game plan. Inside linebackers Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez, a rookie, are both stout against the run but can struggle when moving laterally.
Peterson knows he'll face loaded boxes, as the Titans kept him to just 31 yards on 19 carries last week. But he said this week he saw opportunities for big plays that he didn't capitalize on.
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant vs. Redskins secondary
Both Dallas and Washington might need to be more flexible when they renew their rivalry Sunday.
For the Cowboys, that means rediscovering Dez Bryant in the passing game. Bryant had just one catch on five targets against the Giants, as quarterback Dak Prescott largely relied on safe throws to tight end Jason Witten and wide receiver Cole Beasley. With the offense averaging just 4.4 yards per play - fifth-worst in the NFL last week - Dallas has to establish its top receiver as a more consistent threat.
The Redskins, meanwhile, have to decide how often to have cornerback Josh Norman follow Bryant. Norman remained on the left side of the field against the Steelers to disastrous results, as wide receiver Antonio Brown pulled down eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns against cornerback Bashaud Breeland.
Washington will have to provide additional help in some form, as it likely will need to roll its coverage to Bryant. Prescott, however, will have to pull the trigger on occasion to open opportunities for the run game.
Colts QB Andrew Luck vs. Broncos LBs Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware
Indianapolis has already seen how one hit to Luck can change everything.
In a 27-24 win over the Broncos last season, Luck suffered a lacerated kidney that would keep him out for the remainder of the year. Keeping Luck protected will be paramount throughout the season, but especially on Sunday against Denver's tenacious pass rush.
Luck has a knack for making plays right even with a pass rusher closing in, as he took 11 hits in last season's game against the Broncos but remained efficient on long, sustained drives. He could look to wide receiver Donte Moncrief to imitate Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers' supersized receiver who found success in Week 1 by boxing out the Broncos. Tight ends Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle also could provide security after combining for three touchdown catches last week.
Luck likely will find himself on the move often against the Broncos' blitz-heavy attack. Forcing double-teams on Miller only opens up opportunities for Ware, who showed in Week 1 he can still consistently win in those scenarios.
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chiefs CB Marcus Peters
Peters and the Chiefs are well aware of Hopkins' game-breaking ability. The Pro Bowl receiver's two-touchdown performance in Week 1 of last season served as a rude welcome to the NFL for the defensive rookie of the year, who did manage to reel in an interception on his first play.
Even in a diversified Texans offense, Hopkins remains the most dangerous threat. His ability to haul in jump balls and contested catches make him a trusted target when the offense stalls.
Peters, however, has shown a propensity for making offenses pay when he picks up on a telegraphed pass. Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler can occasionally lock onto his target, and Peters has remarkable closing speed on the ball.
With wholesale changes to the offense after Brian Hoyer threw four interceptions in a 30-0 wild-card loss to Kansas City, Houston enters this game with a healthier balance than last year. Rookie Will Fuller provides a needed additional threat in the passing game, and Bill O'Brien should remain devoted to the run with Lamar Miller in the fold.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwart on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
GALLERY: Week 2 watchability rankings