Week 1 of the NFL season was just what any football fan could ask for. The vast majority of the games played last week went down to the wire and 7 games were decided by a touchdown or less. Some teams played better than projected while others worse. And, some teams that no one really expected looked like they could emerge as solid playoff contenders. Was this just a situation where certain teams were "playing above themselves" because it was week 1? Remember, teams did have a whole offseason to prepare for this first game. That's why week 2 is so crucial. Week 2 usually does a good job of separating the good teams from the ones that were able to get a little lucky. It is probably one of the most important weeks of the NFL season. While some teams need to show that they can rebound after a defeat, others need to show that they won't let their heads get inflated by a win. Let's go over the week 2 slate of games.
New England Patriots (1-0) at New York Jets (1-0)
A matchup of division rivals and enough pre game smack to fill a locker room, makes this game the most anticipated matchup of week 2. The Jets looked much improved last week, anchored by a stellar defensive game plan and a clock management offense. Quarterback Mark Sanchez showed poise when it came to completing passes, calmness when it came to converting 3rd downs, and mobility when it came pocket presence.The short passing game is perfect for him this year and the Jets will really be able to find some success with screens and other types of safe throws with New England linebacker Jerod Mayo injured indefinitely. The Patriots on the other hand needed to "win ugly" against the Bills last week. Tom Brady looked in sync with his receivers but the running game couldn't seem to get started. This game will be very close, hard fought and exciting. The fight for AFC East supremacy starts and ends here.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at Chicago Bears (0-1)
The Steelers Defense looked very good against the Titans last week. They shut down a very good running game and forced them to make short throws to move the ball down the field. Jay Cutler is looking at quite a challenge in his first regular season game at home in a Bears uniform. Cutler needs a good performance this week to prevent shout from Bears fans similar to those when Rex Grossman was quarterback. Running back Matt Forte, tight end Greg Olsen, and wide receiver Earl Bennet will need to have productive performances this week as Cutler will try to hit them for a lot of short and intermediate passes. Look for speedster Devin Hester to attack the void left by injured Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu over the top. The Brian Urlacherless Chicago defense will probably have lots of trouble shutting down this Ben Roethlisberger led passing attack that found seams against a tough Tennessee defense last week. If the Bears plan on winning this game, then they may need to score a lot of points.
Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at San Diego Chargers (1-0)
This is another game that should be very interesting. The Ravens defense let up 24 points last week, 9 points above their season average last year. Ray Lewis,Terrell Suggs, and Ed Reed need to prove that it was just a fluke by shutting down this Chargers offense. The Chargers O had trouble moving the ball last week against the Raiders until very late in the game. Darren Sproles will get the majority of the carries in this game because LaDainian Tomlinson has been ruled out with a bum ankle. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this as a recurring theme from here on out-even when LT is healthy. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco looked very good last week (307 yards and 3 scores), throwing out of spread formations to great effectiveness. If he can do it again against the Chargers, then it could lead to a huge win versus a tough conference foe.
New York Giants (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
This is another fantastic NFC matchup for two big time divisional opponents. The Cowboys seem to be the fashionable pick this week, as everyone seems to think that they can upset the Giants. Tony Romo looked good last week, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 scores. The Giants D needs to get a good pass rush to shut down Romo and the ‘Boys offense. If this can happen, Romo won't have the time to make the same downfield completions that resulted in three long scores last week. The Giants will look to establish their bread and butter running game against a Cowboy D that struggled a bit last week. It should be an exciting game as the Cowboys play their home opener in their new billion dollar stadium. While I’m not convinced that the Cowboys can pull out a win, I think it will be close.
Houston Texans (0-1) at Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Both of these AFC south teams could really use that first W on their records. The Titans are undoubtedly disappointed that they couldn't step up to the plate and beat the super bowl champions on national TV in the NFL season opener. Titan running backs Chris Johnson and Lendale White really need to get that Tennessee rushing game going against this Houston Defense, which allowed just short of 200 yards rushing last week. They should be able to. The Texans are trying to rebound after a somewhat unexpected loss to the New York Jets. Again, rushing is key as running back Steve Slaton needs to show that he's not simply a one-year wonder. Last weekend, he got shut down the Jets defense. However, this Titan defense is a couple notches better, especially against the run. But if Slaton is gonna be a good running back and not simply an average one, he needs to show the world that he can run against a tough defense.
New Orleans Saints (1-0) at Philadelphia Eagles(1-0)
This could be a game of top tier NFC contenders. While I believe that the Eagles are the real deal, I think this game will show that New Orleans is not. New Orleans allowed 27 points to the LIONS. If they can allow that many points to the Lions, then the Eagles offense (even without McNabb who likely won't play) will be able to dominate this New Orleans defense. The only question is whether Kevin Kolb will let the offense do work or will he try to use this opportunity as an audition for a starting job elsewhere. If he does and happens to throw a few senseless picks, then expect Jeff Garcia to step in and execute the offense like he has so many other times for an injured Donovan McNabb. The New Orleans offense will probably put up some big numbers, but Drew Brees won't have anything close to the 6-touchdown day that he did last week. The Eagles secondary is far superior to the Lions and despite the plethora of receiving options that Brees has to play with, he won't be able to torch this defense for over 300 yards.
Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Have you ever been curious about how if feels to have a 300-pound lineman run full speed into you while plowing you into the ground? If so, then ask Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner. He was hit 8 times last week and for a guy as old as he is that's just begging for an injury. The Cardinals O-Line needs to show that they care about their quarterback, and this is the game to do it. If they can defend Warner, then look for the offense to put up some good numbers. Larry Fitzgerald is looking for a 100 yard receiving day and if Tim Hightower can be an element in the passing game like he was last week (12 receptions, 121 yards) then Kurt Warner should be able to fire on all cylinders. A healthier Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston should also go a long way in getting this offense back up to speed. The Jacksonville D-Line needs to get good pressure to prevent that from happening, and I think that they could be capable of it. While the Jacksonville running game looked good enough last week, Maurice Jones-Drew ran for 97 yards and a score, the passing game was very limited. The addition of wide receiver Tory Holt was supposed to help out the passing game. Against this Cardinals defense, Holt and Garrard should be able to hook up for quite a few completions.
Oakland Raiders (0-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
I have a statement and a question for you. Statement: The Raiders looked surprisingly good last week on Monday Night Football. Question: Was it a fluke? I'm unsure. The defense for the Raiders looked very good as they made LT a nonfactor in the game and made Phillip Rivers and the rest of this San Diego offense really work to pull out a last second win. Richard Seymour's presence on the defensive front was key in helping the Raiders make that Monday Night Game close and he should be able to stifle Larry Johnson. I have zero confidence in this Kansas City Defense and even the sub par Raiders offense should be able to embarrass them. Raiders running back Darren Mcfadden will look to exploit openings in this Kansas City defense while a potential start by KC quarterback Matt Cassel will help in getting the passing attack a little more vertical.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)
I figured that the Packers would be at least decent this year, but last week they looked good. Can they have a repeat performance of last week? I'm not sure yet, but fortunately for them they don't need to. Cincinnati is still a sub par team. Last week, they couldn't get their offense together for more than one touchdown even with Chad Ocho Cinco more involved. Green Bay should shut down the Cincy offense with ease. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is looking at a potentially great week here against the Bengals, who haven't made the key steps that they need to make to improve their defense.
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Detroit Lions (0-1)
It has been 634 days since the last lions win in a regular season game. Don't expect them to break that streak on Sunday. Adrian Peterson ran all over the Browns defense and should be able to have a repeat performance against the Lions. In fact, I'm predicting enough rushing yards to go around that both Peterson and backup Chester Taylor should be able to get 100+ yard games. That's not gonna be pretty for Detroit fans. The Lions offense will only go as far as quarterback Matthew Staffords arm will take them, and Stafford still has yet to throw an NFL touchdown. This Vikings defense is tough, but if the Lions are able to get decent field position based on a big special teams play (much like the Browns) then Stafford may be able to get that first TD under his belt in front of the home fans.
St. Louis Rams (0-1) at Washington Redskins (0-1)
St. Louis truly looked horrible last week. They were the only team in the NFL to get shut out in their season opener. Whatever excitement there was surrounding this team before last week is already a distant memory. Running back Steven Jackson needs to get going for this team to win a game and quarterback Marc Bulger needs to start living up to that big contract if he plans on keeping his job. Unfortunately, for the Rams neither of those things will happen on Sunday against this very good Redskins defense. It would not surprise me if they actually got shut out again. The Skins offense, especially running back Clinton Portis, need to have a breakout performance and make a statement if they have any aspirations of making the playoffs this season. Look for quarterback Jason Campbell to open things up a bit more and find Santana Moss and Chris Cooley downfield.
Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
The Panthers didn't look too great last week. Jake Delhomme played horribly and when your quarterback throws 4 picks it kills any chance for the rest of the offense to really find a rhythm. Delhomme needs to play better this week and allow his playmakers (Deangelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Steve Smith) to make the plays for him. The Falcons offense looked balanced and effective last week. Matt Ryan played solid, mistake free football. I'd really like to see running back Michael Turner get in good game against this strong Panthers run D to help solidify himself as one of the elite runners in the game. This is another important early season divisional matchup that will help carve a path atop the NFC South standings.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (0-1)
The Buffalo Bills were probably the biggest surprise of last week. The offensive line played well enough Trent Edwards and company to move the ball effectively against the Patriots defense. If that wasn't just a fluke and the offensive line is better than everyone thought they would be, than the Bills will be able to take full advantage of all of the talent they have at the skill positions. The Bucs secondary will have trouble stopping the Bills, as they got torched by the Cowboys for 3 long touchdowns. Fortunately, Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward should be able to run effectively on this Bills defense that gave up alot of yards last week. If the Bills can move the ball against this Bucs D and shut down the Bucs offense then they should be looked at as a possible wild card contender.
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
The Seahawks D should be very satisfied with themselves as they went on to shut out the Rams last week. But, for some reason I think that they'll have trouble with 49er running back Frank Gore this week. Gore, coming off a dismal 30-yard performance last week, needs to really step up in order for this offense to click. The Seahawks offense should be in for quite a battle against a Mike Singletary coached 49ers defense, who really limited a high powered Cardinals offense last week. Patrick Willis is the best linebacker in the NFL and stud linebackers have a tendency to shut down productive offenses.
Cleveland Browns (0-1) at Denver Broncos (1-0)
The Browns only kept last weeks’ game against the Vikings close because of some explosive special teams plays. The offense looked stagnant and Brady Quinn really needs to show that he deserves to be the starter. He will have the perfect opportunity this week against a lackluster Broncos defense. The Broncos barely snuck away with a win last week. If it wasn't for an unbelievable Brandon Stokely catch, the Broncos would be 0-1. If they have trouble putting points on the board against both Cincy and the Cleveland, then Denver fans can expect very little from this team this season.
Indianapolis Colts (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)
The Colts earned a hard fought win last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne looked fantastic as they connected for 10 completions, 162 yards, and one TD. That’s impressive, but without Anthony Gonzalez on the other side, Wayne won't be able to get as wide open this week. The Colts will need to establish a solid running game if they plan to win, and while I think that they are capable of it, the Miami D will give them some trouble. Don’t expect a Colt’s 100-yard rusher. The Dolphins wildcat looked ineffective last week against the Falcons. Pat White should be able to run it more effectively, but if he doesn’t then this Dolphins team loses a big element of their offense.
-D.Wash
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