NFL 2026-27: Second Round Week Games & KPI Metrics

NFL Season Week 2 Overview

It is time for the start of Week 2 of the NFL season in 2026. There were many tight matches and great individual performances in Week 1. Now, it is time to carry on the winning streak or overcome the difficulties of the previous match quickly. Week 2 promises a number of important meetings in both conferences. One can expect to see different styles of play and some tactical battlefields in the upcoming games of Week 2. The outcome of those matches may significantly affect the future standing and confidence of the teams. From Thursday to Monday, there are many blocks of action that are set to decorate the field. The key games, team form, statistics, & key performance indicators are discussed below.

NFL Week 2 Schedule

Date & Day	Fixtures	ET	PT	IST	Venue
Thursday, September 17, 2026	Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills	8:15 PM	5:15 PM	5:45 AM (Next day)	Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Philadelphia Eagles vs Tennessee Titans	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Green Bay Packers vs New York Jets	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Cleveland Browns vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Sunday, September 20, 2026	New Orleans Saints vs Baltimore Ravens	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Cincinnati Bengals vs Houston Texans	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos	4:05 PM	1:05 PM	1:35 AM (Next day)	Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers	4:05 PM	1:05 PM	1:35 AM (Next day)	SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Miami Dolphins vs San Francisco 49ers	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs	8:20 PM	5:20 PM	5:50 AM (Next day)	GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Monday, September 21, 2026	New York Giants vs Los Angeles Rams	8:15 PM	5:15 PM	5:45 AM (Next day)	SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

NFL Key Match Previews

Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills

Date: 17 September 2026 (Thursday)

Time: 08:15 PM ET | 05:15 PM PT | 05:45 AM IST (Next day)

Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

NFL Expected Lineups

Detroit Lions

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Jared Goff
Running Back (RB)	Jahmyr Gibbs
Wide Receiver (WR)	Amon-Ra St. Brown
Wide Receiver (WR)	Jameson Williams
Wide Receiver (WR)	Isaac TeSlaa
Tight End (TE)	Sam LaPorta
Left Tackle (LT)	Penei Sewell
Left Guard (LG)	Ben Bartch
Center (C)	Tate Ratledge
Right Guard (RG)	Miles Frazier
Right Tackle (RT)	Larry Borom

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	Aidan Hutchinson
Left Defensive Tackle (LDT)	Alim McNeill
Right Defensive Tackle (RDT)	Tyleik Williams
Right Defensive End (RDE)	DJ Wonnum
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Derrick Barnes
Middle Linebacker (MLB)	Jack Campbell
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Malcolm Rodriguez
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Rock Ya-Sin
Strong Safety (SS)	Avonte Maddox
Free Safety (FS)	Chuck Clark
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Keith Abney II
Nickel Back (NB)	Roger McCreary

Buffalo Bills

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Josh Allen
Running Back (RB)	James Cook III
Wide Receiver (WR)	DJ Moore
Wide Receiver (WR)	Khalil Shakir
Wide Receiver (WR)	Keon Coleman
Tight End (TE)	Dalton Kincaid
Left Tackle (LT)	Dion Dawkins
Left Guard (LG)	Alec Anderson
Center (C)	Connor McGovern
Right Guard (RG)	O’Cyrus Torrence
Right Tackle (RT)	Spencer Brown

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	Landon Jackson
Nose Tackle (NT)	Deone Walker
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Ed Oliver
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Greg Rousseau
Left Inside Linebacker (LILB)	Dorian Williams
Right Inside Linebacker (RILB)	Joe Andreessen
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Bradley Chubb
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Christian Benford
Strong Safety (SS)	Damar Hamlin
Free Safety (FS)	C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Maxwell Hairston
Nickel Back (NB)	Dee Alford

KPI Comparison

KPI	Detroit Lions	Buffalo Bills
Points Per Game	31.0	36.0
Total Touchdowns	4	4
Total 1st Downs	26	20
3rd Down %	38.46%	33.33%
Net Passing Yards	204	323
Yards Per Pass Attempt	5.3	11.5
Passing Touchdowns	2	2
Interceptions	0	0
Rushing Yards	165	86
Yards Per Rush Attempt	5.0	4.1
Total Yards	371	420
Turnover Ratio	2	2

Analysis

Buffalo starts the analysis with a greater offensive efficiency score, scoring more points and generating more yards. The passing game is also much better statistically for Buffalo. Detroit has the better rushing statistics and is even on first downs and touchdowns. Yet, Buffalo’s +2 turnover ratio and better passing efficiency score make the Bills the better team.

The Pick: Buffalo Bills

Philadelphia Eagles vs Tennessee Titans

Date: 20 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST

Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

NFL Expected Lineups

Philadelphia Eagles

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Jalen Hurts
Running Back (RB)	Saquon Barkley
Wide Receiver (WR)	DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver (WR)	Dontayvion Wicks
Wide Receiver (WR)	Makai Lemon
Tight End (TE)	Dallas Goedert
Left Tackle (LT)	Jordan Mailata
Left Guard (LG)	Willie Lampkin
Center (C)	Cam Jurgens
Right Guard (RG)	Tyler Steen
Right Tackle (RT)	Lane Johnson

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	Jalen Carter
Nose Tackle (NT)	Jordan Davis
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Moro Ojomo
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Nolan Smith Jr.
Left Inside Linebacker (LILB)	Zack Baun
Right Inside Linebacker (RILB)	Jihaad Campbell
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Jalyx Hunt
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Riq Woolen
Strong Safety (SS)	Marcus Epps
Free Safety (FS)	Andrew Mukuba
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Quinyon Mitchell
Nickel Back (NB)	Cooper DeJean

Tennessee Titans

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Cam Ward
Running Back (RB)	Tony Pollard
Wide Receiver (WR)	Carnell Tate
Wide Receiver (WR)	Wan’Dale Robinson
Wide Receiver (WR)	Calvin Ridley
Tight End (TE)	Gunnar Helm
Left Tackle (LT)	Dan Moore Jr.
Left Guard (LG)	Peter Skoronski
Center (C)	Austin Schlottmann
Right Guard (RG)	Fernando Carmona
Right Tackle (RT)	JC Latham

Defense        

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	John Franklin-Myers
Left Defensive Tackle (LDT)	Jeffery Simmons
Right Defensive Tackle (RDT)	Jordan Elliott
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Jermaine Johnson II
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Owen Pappoe
Middle Linebacker (MLB)	Cody Barton
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	James Williams Sr.
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Cor’Dale Flott
Strong Safety (SS)	Amani Hooker
Free Safety (FS)	Kevin Winston Jr.
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Alontae Taylor
Nickel Back (NB)	Marcus Harris

KPI Comparison

KPI	Philadelphia Eagles	Tennessee Titans
Points Per Game	24.0	10.0
Total Touchdowns	3	1
Total 1st Downs	10	11
3rd Down %	42.86%	33.33%
Net Passing Yards	182	127
Yards Per Pass Attempt	8.1	4.4
Passing Touchdowns	3	1
Interceptions	0	0
Rushing Yards	136	68
Yards Per Rush Attempt	5.4	4.9
Total Yards	339	208
Turnover Ratio	0	-1

Analysis

The Eagles put up more points, total yards, and rushing yards, and had a higher passing efficiency. The Eagles were also able to throw three touchdown passes without being intercepted. The Titans were unable to move the ball consistently and produced fewer yards. Using these 12 KPIs, the Eagles will have a better offensive output in this game.

The Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Green Bay Packers vs New York Jets

Date: 20 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST

Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

NFL Expected Lineups

Green Bay Packers

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Jordan Love
Running Back (RB)	MarShawn Lloyd
Wide Receiver (WR)	Christian Watson
Wide Receiver (WR)	Jayden Reed
Wide Receiver (WR)	Matthew Golden
Tight End (TE)	Tucker Kraft
Left Tackle (LT)	Jordan Morgan
Left Guard (LG)	Donovan Jennings
Center (C)	Sean Rhyan
Right Guard (RG)	Jacob Monk
Right Tackle (RT)	Zach Bako-Bewele

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	Karl Brooks
Nose Tackle (NT)	Javon Hargrave
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Devonte Wyatt
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Lukas Van Ness
Left Inside Linebacker (LILB)	Edgerrin Cooper
Right Inside Linebacker (RILB)	Zaire Franklin
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Barryn Sorrell
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Keisean Nixon
Strong Safety (SS)	Evan Williams
Free Safety (FS)	Xavier McKinney
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Carrington Valentine
Nickel Back (NB)	Javon Bullard

New York Jets

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Geno Smith
Running Back (RB)	Breece Hall
Wide Receiver (WR)	Garrett Wilson
Wide Receiver (WR)	Adonai Mitchell
Wide Receiver (WR)	Omar Cooper Jr.
Tight End (TE)	Mason Taylor
Fullback (FB)	Andrew Beck
Left Tackle (LT)	Olu Fashanu
Left Guard (LG)	Dylan Parham
Center (C)	Josh Myers
Right Guard (RG)	Joe Tippmann
Right Tackle (RT)	Armand Membou

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	Kingsley Enagbare
Left Defensive Tackle (LDT)	T’Vondre Sweat
Right Defensive Tackle (RDT)	Harrison Phillips
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Will McDonald IV
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Demario Davis
Middle Linebacker (MLB)	Jamien Sherwood
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Kiko Mauigoa
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Nahshon Wright
Strong Safety (SS)	Dane Belton
Free Safety (FS)	Malachi Moore
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Brandon Stephens
Nickel Back (NB)	Jarvis Brownlee Jr.

KPI Comparison

KPI	Green Bay Packers	New York Jets
Points Per Game	22.0	23.0
Total Touchdowns	2	2
Total 1st Downs	19	19
3rd Down %	25.00%	16.67%
Net Passing Yards	353	215
Yards Per Pass Attempt	9.2	9.0
Passing Touchdowns	2	0
Interceptions	1	0
Rushing Yards	66	152
Yards Per Rush Attempt	3.1	3.9
Total Yards	453	367
Turnover Ratio	-1	+1

Analysis

The Green Bay Packers have a better passing game and have created more yards in all. But the New York Jets created 152 rushing yards, while the Green Bay Packers created just 66. Moreover, the New York Jets did not have any interceptions and had a positive turnover margin. Their offense and ball handling gave them the metrics advantage in this NFL match.

The Pick: New York Jets

Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs

Date: 20 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 08:20 PM ET | 05:20 PM PT | 05:50 AM IST (Next day)

Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

NFL Expected Lineups

Indianapolis Colts

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Daniel Jones
Running Back (RB)	Jonathan Taylor
Wide Receiver (WR)	Ashton Dulin
Wide Receiver (WR)	Josh Downs
Wide Receiver (WR)	Keenan Allen
Tight End (TE)	Tyler Warren
Left Tackle (LT)	Bernhard Raimann
Left Guard (LG)	Quenton Nelson
Center (C)	Tanor Bortolini
Right Guard (RG)	Matt Goncalves
Right Tackle (RT)	Jalen Travis

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	Arden Key
Left Defensive Tackle (LDT)	Grover Stewart
Right Defensive Tackle (RDT)	DeForest Buckner
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Laiatu Latu
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Jaylon Carlies
Middle Linebacker (MLB)	Akeem Davis-Gaither
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Bryce Boettcher
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Sauce Gardner
Strong Safety (SS)	A.J. Haulcy
Free Safety (FS)	Cam Bynum
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Charvarius Ward
Nickel Back (NB)	Justin Walley

Kansas City Chiefs

Offense

Position	Starter
Quarterback (QB)	Patrick Mahomes
Running Back (RB)	Kenneth Walker III
Wide Receiver (WR)	Rashee Rice
Wide Receiver (WR)	Xavier Worthy
Wide Receiver (WR)	Tyquan Thornton
Tight End (TE)	Travis Kelce
Left Tackle (LT)	Kahlil Benson
Left Guard (LG)	Kingsley Suamataia
Center (C)	Creed Humphrey
Right Guard (RG)	Mike Caliendo
Right Tackle (RT)	Jaylon Moore

Defense

Position	Starter
Left Defensive End (LDE)	George Karlaftis
Left Defensive Tackle (LDT)	Chris Jones
Right Defensive Tackle (RDT)	Khyiris Tonga
Right Defensive End (RDE)	Cooper McDonald
Weakside Linebacker (WLB)	Drue Tranquill
Middle Linebacker (MLB)	Nick Bolton
Strongside Linebacker (SLB)	Jeffrey Bassa
Left Cornerback (LCB)	Nohl Williams
Strong Safety (SS)	Jaden Hicks
Free Safety (FS)	Alohi Gilman
Right Cornerback (RCB)	Kristian Fulton
Nickel Back (NB)	L’Jarius Sneed

KPI Comparison

KPI	Indianapolis Colts	Kansas City Chiefs
Points Per Game	23.0	31.0
Total Touchdowns	3	4
Total 1st Downs	17	23
3rd Down %	30.00%	52.94%
Net Passing Yards	149	184
Yards Per Pass Attempt	5.4	6.8
Passing Touchdowns	1	2
Interceptions	1	1
Rushing Yards	102	220
Yards Per Rush Attempt	5.1	5.8
Total Yards	268	392
Turnover Ratio	-1	+1

Analysis

Kansas City is better in most KPIs. In terms of points scored, first downs, passing yards, rushing yards, and total yards, the Chiefs performed better than their opponent. The Chiefs were also very efficient on third-down plays. Indianapolis was good in rushing efficiency, but low in offense and turnover differential makes Kansas City the better option.

The Pick: Kansas City Chiefs

Conclusion

Week 2 of the NFL is yet another test for all the teams in the league. Early-season performance will tell us a lot about how each team is faring in terms of strengths and weaknesses. The week has several interesting games that require varied game plans from teams. Statistics of teams will serve as good points for analyzing offensive and defensive plays. Some key statistics may give us some context ahead of each game. But then again, football is a tricky game; it is always uncertain.