NFL Sunday on Sky Sports: New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers on the road
Monday 18 September 2017 04:33, UK
Week Two's live Sunday night NFL action on Sky Sports sees Super Bowl contenders galore in action in a triple-bill of games.
We are live on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5.30pm for another bumper night of NFL - New England Patriots kick things off, looking to bounce back from their opening-night defeat to Kansas City Chiefs when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints.
Then, the Denver Broncos and their 'no-fly zone' defence play host to the Dallas Cowboys from 9pm, before we see a rematch of the NFC Championship Game from last year as Green Bay Packers face Atlanta Falcons, who play their first game in their new Mercedez-Benz stadium from 1am.
As well as all of that, NFL RedZone will be live on Sky Sports Mix (121) from 6pm. Here's a look ahead to our Sunday night triple-header...
New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints, Sky Sports Action (407), 5.30pm
In 140 characters…
Tom Brady and the Patriots look to bounce back from their opening-day embarrassment against the Chiefs against the Saints and their struggling 'D'.
What's the latest?
Adrian Peterson has this week dismissed suggestions of a heated exchange with New Orleans coach Sean Payton during their Week One defeat in Minnesota to his former team, the Vikings. Peterson has, however, also stated he is frustrated with his role in the Saints offence after having been given only six touches on opening night.
The Patriots, meanwhile, say four players have been ruled out for Sunday's game, including starting linebacker Dont'a Hightower and receiver Danny Amendola to knee injuries.
Stat attack
Tom Brady's completion percentage of 44.4 in the Week One defeat to the Chiefs - 16 of 36 for 247 yards - was his worst when playing a full game since October 10, 2004.
Key battle
Brady has the chance to bounce back in Week Two, coming up against 2016's worst-ranked pass defence. The Saints allowed a league-high 273.8 yards per game through the air, and then followed that up by conceding 346 and three TDs to Sam Bradford and the Vikings to start this season. If there's no improvement on Sunday, Brady will surely be back with a bang!
Live NFL
Game-changer
Brandin Cooks. On March 10 this year, the Patriots acquired the speedy wide receiver from the Saints in a trade. He didn't necessarily set the league alight on opening night with his 88 yards, but they were gained off only three catches, giving fair warning to his big-play potential. It's written in the scripts for him to show the Saints that they were wrong to let him go.
Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Broncos, Sky Sports Action (407), 9pm
In 140 characters…
Can Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott pick up where they left off in impressive Week One showings against a dominant Denver defence?
What's the news?
The NFL is trying to accelerate the timeline in its appeal of a federal judge's injunction that blocked Dallas running back Elliott's six-game suspension over a domestic violence case. As things currently stand though, he plays again on Sunday.
Stat attack
For all of the obvious talent of Broncos starting wide receiver pair Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, they have scored only two touchdowns each in their last 12 games, with Thomas scoreless in his last seven of those.
Key battle
Denver's 'no-fly zone' defence limited Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to only 115 yards passing through the first three quarters of their Week One win. But they eventually did bend, giving up almost double that (and two touchdowns) in the fourth. How they deal with Cowboys QB Prescott on Sunday will be key.
Live NFL
Game-changer
Elliott takes to the field for another week despite this suspension still looming large. The Giants were the unfortunate party in Week One, while it's the Broncos' turn now to stop the sophomore back. A return of 104 yards off 24 carries in the win over New York suggests he isn't distracted by the ongoing legal tussle playing out behind the scenes.
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons, Sky Sports Action (407), 1am
In 140 Characters…
A rematch of the 2016 NFC Championship game between two teams with Super Bowl aspirations once more, played out in Atlanta's new stadium.
What's the latest?
Atlanta's players having been wearing caps all week that includes a new team motto 'All Gas, No Brakes'. They're hoping it provides the motivation in Sunday night's game, bringing a relentless pass rush in pursuit of Aaron Rodgers.
Live NFL
Stat attack
As many as 65 points were scored between these two in that NFC Championship meeting seven months ago - Atlanta holding a lead as large as 31-0 in the third quarter before eventually winning out 44-21.
Key battle
Mike Daniels had a sensational game for Green Bay against the Seattle Seahawks last week, picking up 1.5 sacks and forcing a fumble. He, and the Packers' pass rush, will need to be as fearsome against Matt Ryan to halt Atlanta's explosive offence. Ryan racked up 392 yards and four TDs to see off the Pack and see his side into the Super Bowl last year.
Game-changer
Wide receiver Julio Jones torched the Packers for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the last meeting between the two, though he was held to only 66 off four receptions in the Week One win over the Chicago Bears. Will he show up on the big stage in the Falcons' home opener in their new stadium? Or will this new and improved Packers 'D' keep him quiet?
Week One continues on Sunday with three live games on Sky Sports Action as well as RedZone on Sky Sports Mix - all the action gets underway from 5pm.
For those on the move our NFL Sunday Live blog at skysports.com/NFL will keep you up to date with the all the scores, big plays and spectacular TDs and follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL
