NFL.com analysts provide bold predictions -- spanning everything from team-based takes to fantasy forecasts -- for Week 2 of the 2026 season.
NOTE: All statistics come courtesy of Next Gen Stats, unless otherwise noted.
Travis Hunter gets his first career interception.
After his two-way rookie season was cut short due to injury in 2025, Hunter appears to be reinventing himself as primarily a cornerback in 2026. In the Jaguars' 34-10 beatdown of the Browns last Sunday, he played 27 snaps on defense to just four on offense. The former No. 2 overall pick out of the University of Colorado returns to the Centennial State this week to take on the Broncos at Mile High. That's just 27 miles south of his old college stomping grounds in Boulder, where he racked up seven INTs in two seasons. I predict Hunter will pick off Bo Nix for his first NFL interception.
After ghosting fantasy owners in Week 1, Colston Loveland leads all tight ends in receiving in Week 2.
The No. 10 overall pick in last year's draft took off like a rocket in the back half of his rookie campaign, building colossal hype for Season 2. But the bandwagon hit a pothole in Week 1. Despite Chicago racking up 59 points and 552 yards at Carolina, Loveland somehow finished the game without a single catch. It was a bizarre disappearing act, especially considering the tight end comfortably paced Bears pass catchers in snaps (60) and routes run (33). I think the pendulum emphatically swings back in Loveland's favor this Sunday against the division-rival Vikings. With Brian Flores blitzing his face off, Minnesota's defense puts serious stress on opposing offenses. However, the aggressive approach leaves the Vikes vulnerable to chunk gains, as evidenced last Sunday by Jordan Love's 387 passing yards, including eight explosive plays (20-plus yards). Facing pressure from all angles, Caleb Williams will seek an easy outlet. Insert the 6-foot-6, 241-pound mismatch nightmare in the No. 84 jersey. After putting up a donut in the season opener, Loveland eats like a king in the home opener, leading all tight ends in receiving yards in Week 2.
NFC East rivals combine to eclipse 1,000 total yards of offense.
Nothing like an old-school rivalry game where the loser goes to 0-2 -- and 0-2 in the division -- to get the offensive juices flowing. Both the Commanders and Cowboys have capable quarterbacks, productive pass catchers, solid running backs and -- perhaps most important to this take -- lackluster defenses, particularly in the back end. These squads combined for 750 and 808 yards in their two matchups last year; who says they can't reach 1K this week in Big D?
Christian McCaffrey is crowned homecoming king.
In their homecoming after a triumphant odyssey to Australia, the 49ers will pummel the Dolphins, 38-16 -- the same outcome and score from the clubs’ meeting in Super Bowl XIX. Just as Hall of Famer Roger Craig did to those Dolphins (with three total touchdowns), the 49ers’ current dual-threat deluxe, McCaffrey, will terrorize Miami, topping 200 scrimmage yards and logging four total TDs, including at least one receiving score. The latter makes history, as CMC breaks a tie with Marshall Faulk for the most career receiving touchdowns by a running back in the Super Bowl era.
Chiefs' newest playmaker carries K.C. to 2-0.
In a surprisingly close game vs. Indianapolis, Kansas City RB Kenneth Walker III rushes for more than 150 yards for the second straight week and adds two more TDs on the ground. The rest of the AFC is forced to confront the fact that the Chiefs have found a new way to win.
Drew Lock earns his first road win as a starter since ...
After leading the Seahawks to a dramatic comeback victory in relief of the injured Sam Darnold last week, Lock delivers again with Seattle’s QB1 sidelined. The journeyman heads to the desert and tames the upstart Cardinals, throwing three touchdown passes to earn his first road win as a starter since his Broncos beat the Panthers in December of 2020.
Jaguars receiver finishes the week as the WR1 in fantasy.
The last time Parker Washington faced the Broncos' elite defense (in Week 16 of last season), he caught six passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. Child's play. He's become the true WR1 in Jacksonville's offense and will be even better this Sunday in Denver. Let's call it eight catches, 160 yards and two touchdowns to finish as the WR1 in fantasy and lead the Jaguars to a road win.
Giants tight end makes history.
Isaiah Likely piled up eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns in a dazzling debut for Big Blue, but he's not stopping there. The former Raven has another pair of scores against the Rams on Monday night, becoming the first tight end in NFL history to record at least four TDs in his first two games with a new team.
