Three key matchups to watch in NFL Week 2

NFL games are not just matchups of two complete teams. They are also a series of individual one-on-one matchups that can ultimately help decide the outcome.

Every Friday, we are going to take a look at three potentially significant individual matchups that will be taking place in Sunday and Monday's games.

Here are the matchups we are looking at for the Week 2 games. 

Will Campbell (tackle, New England Patriots) vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rushers (T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig)

If the Steelers are going to pull off the upset in New England on Sunday, they are going to have to do it with their defense and their pass rush.

The good news for them is that their edge-rushers are very capable of making that sort of impact. Especially based on the way they played a week ago.

Patriots tackle Will Campbell has had some inconsistencies in his young career with slowing down elite pass rushes, and he is going to get a massive challenge in this game.

Not only because he is going to get a healthy dose of both Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, but also because the Steelers are planning on moving T.J. Watt around to different sides of the field this season. Given their depth and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's desire to keep all three players on a "pitch count" to keep them fresh, Campbell is going to be getting tested on every passing play.

Watt and Highsmith were both dominant in Week 1, while Herbig has shown that he can be a disruptive force off the edge.

Campbell's ability to slow them down will play a big role in determining this game.

Aaron Donald (Defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams) vs. New York Giants interior offensive line

It is going to be a big night on Monday as Aaron Donald is expected to make his 2026 debut, completing his comeback into the NFL.

It is also going to be perfect timing, as it comes just after Myles Garrett was put on IR and will miss at least the next four games.

Donald's presence on Monday is not only going to be important for the Rams' pass rush, but it is also going to be significant for the team (and him) to see how much he can actually do and what sort of impact he can realistically make this season.

Donald is one of the best defensive players of all time, and a strong argument can be made that he is the best of all-time. But he is 35 years old and has not played a football game in two years. That should cast some doubt as to what his upside might be this season. If he can come out on Monday night and dominate, it would be a great sign for the Rams.

Shutting him down would also go a long way toward the Giants getting off to an impressive 2-0 start to the John Harbaugh era. 

Ja'Marr Chase (wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Derek Stingley Jr. (Cornerback, Houston Texans)

These are not just two good players; they are two of the absolute best at their positions.

Stingley Jr. has been a first-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons, while Chase has done the same at wide receiver, leading the league in multiple categories. 

Chase is coming off a quiet Week 1 performance, even in the Bengals' win, while Houston is going to be looking to avoid an 0-2 start. 

Joe Burrow's health could be an issue for Chase's impact and production, but the Bengals quarterback looks good to go and should be looking to get his top target more involved.