Locals In The NFL: Best Matchups To Watch In Week Two

Week two of the 2025 NFL season kicks off tonight!

From Thursday to Monday, there are plenty of intriguing matchups with ties to the state of Utah worth following.

Here’s a look at the top games — including the one we think stands out above the rest.

One week in, how we feeling? 👀 pic.twitter.com/VWjgSkajFV

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2025

Noteworthy Locals In The NFL Week 2 Matchups

Jets vs. Bills – Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. (MT)

The Buffalo Bills shocked the NFL world in week one with one of the craziest fourth-quarter comebacks in recent memory.

Game two comes against an easier opponent, but the local presence remains strong. Buffalo has four locals tied for the most on any team in the NFL. Highland High tight end Jackson Hawes, Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid, Utah safety Cole Bishop, and Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson.

On the Jets is Bingham High standout Jay Tufele.

Lions vs. Bears – Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. (MT)

Two former Utes who missed week one could look to return to action this Sunday as Detroit hosts Chicago.

For the Lions, former Desert Hills star Penei Sewell will suit up, and former Utah two-way star Sione Vaki looks to make his season debut. For the Bears, Orem High linebacker Noah Sewell and Southern Utah offensive lineman Braxton Jones will return to action. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson is ready to hold down Chicago’s secondary.

Jaylon Johnson (calf/groin) full participant again at Bears practicehttps://t.co/98hHK6WPjX pic.twitter.com/vDWEhWgGtM

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 11, 2025

Titans vs. Rams – Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. (MT)

Just one local for each team in the Sunday morning matchup between Los Angeles and Tennessee, but both are big impact players.

The Rams have former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua, and the Titans have former Utah linebacker Cody Barton. Both players started strong in week one and look to keep that momentum going.

Nacua led LA with 130 yards receiving in a win over Houston. Barton led Tennessee in tackles with nine in an 8-point loss to Denver.

Saints vs. 49ers – Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. (MT)

Yet another early Sunday game to look out for will take place at Caesars Superdome.

Former BYU linebacker Fred Warner and the San Francisco 49ers will look to stay undefeated against the New Orleans Saints and their group of locals. NOLA has four players with Utah ties on the roster, but only two will play in week two: Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele and Weber State wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. Former BYU tight end Taysom Hill and former Utah safety Julian Blackmon are both out with injuries.

This game was nearly picked as the game of the week, but Blackmon’s week one injury pushed our actual pick into the driver’s seat.

It’s Jayden vs. Jordan on TNF ✨

WASvsGB – Tonight 8:15pm ET on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bsdsBUbTUk

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2025

Week Two’s Top Game To Tune In To For Locals

Packers vs. Commanders – Thursday, September 11 at 6:15 p.m. (MT)

For the second week in a row, our pick for the top game to watch for local ties is a primetime matchup. The Green Bay Packers host the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football tonight.

For the Packers, former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and two former BYU Cougars, running back Chris Brooks and safety Zayne Anderson, will take the field.

For Washington, former Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner and former Utah kicker Matt Gay will play.

Who will come out on top in the battle of NFL Aggies?

About #LocalsInTheNFL

For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.

Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.

From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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