NFL Week 2: What to watch for on Sunday

The second week of the NFL season is upon us. It started with an upset as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into Charlotte and handled the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.

Now with our attention turned to Sunday and eventually Monday, here’s what to watch for this weekend:

• What do the Pittsburgh Steelers do? I’m one of those people who believed inMike Tomlin and Co. tough to pick them as the AFC North favorite. While I’m not ready to come off that stance after one game, the Steelers need to show up in a big way on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Heinz Field. A loss, and Pittsburgh is 0-2 while the Baltimore Ravens are likely 2-0 after hosting the Arizona Cardinals.

• Are the Chicago Bears going to get right against the Denver Broncos. Optimism is high in Chicago around the Bears, but losing 10-3 in the season opener shook the confidence of many, especially on the topic of Mitchell Trubisky. If the Broncos are able to shut down Chicago behind new head coach — and former Bears defensive coordinator — Vic Fangio, there will be panic in the Windy City. The time is now for Trubisky to put together a quality effort in the uncomfortable confines of Mile High Stadium.

• Do the Miami Dolphins have any pride at all? After being comically blown out 59-10 by the Baltimore Ravens, the Dolphins now welcome in the Patriots. While nobody in the world believes in or expects Miami to win on Sunday, can it show some resolve? Look, the Dolphins have a new, first-time head coach in Brian Flores and a program which will take years to develop. The first step is creating a culture and a mindset. None of that is happening if the game is over by the national anthem.

• Finally, how do the Oakland Raiders play after looking terrific against the Broncos in Week 1? Oakland is on a short week and now plays the Kansas City Chiefs, who enter the game as a seven-point road favorite. The Chiefs are without Tyreek Hill but still have the reigning MVP in Patrick Mahomes. Can the Raiders prove they are going to be a better team by either hanging with or outright beating Kansas City on their own turf? If Oakland finds a way to take down the Chiefs, it’s time we pay more attention to Derek Carr and Jon Gruden.