The Bengals marched into Lambeau Field and cut the cheese
Big Up’s:
Chris Johnson, RB, Tenn- Both Johnson and Frank Gore (see below) absolutely tore it up in Week 2. Johnson gets first daps. He galloped all over the Houston Texans defense to the tune of 284 total yards (197 rushing and 9 catches for 87 receiving) while adding 3 total (1 receiving) touchdowns to boot. What’s more impressive is the amount of ground Johnson had to cover in all three-touchdown scampers. He took two third down carries 91 and 57 yards to the house as well as a 69-yard touchdown reception. The 91-yarder can be viewed here. At the 22-second mark look to the top of the video and see the damage the kid can do with a limited amount of rushes. He is arguably THE fastest player in the NFL and simply electric when in open space.
Frank Gore, RB, SF- After posting an embarrassing 22-carry -30 yard performance in week 1, Gore bounced back in a very big way. Much like Chris Johnson, Gore’s knack for the big play on Sunday helped catapult him to a monstrous 207 yards on the ground. He was able to score on runs of 80 and 79 yards, while shouldering the load for an otherwise stagnant 49er offense. Gore looked real good on Sunday. He showed quicks and explosiveness that flashed resemblances of his 2006-07 breakout campaign. If the 49ers can run the ball this effectively for the remainder of the season, they could seriously surprise in the NFC West. D. Wash was all over this one right here.
Andre Johnson, WR, Hou- Another player who had a hard time getting things going in week 1, “Dre” showed everyone why he is one of the games elite wide receivers with his outstanding week 2 performance. His 10-catch, 149- yard, 2-touchdown smackdown of the Titans defense was highlighted by a catch that was simply amazing. Catch of the year so far.
Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC- Members of one of my fantasy leagues will surely roll their eyes at the last two selections as they will probably feel I’m just trying to show too much love for players on my very own team. But when players haul down catches like this I find it hard not to take notice. Bowe posted modest yardage totals in week 2 but hauled in a touchdown pass for the 2nd consecutive week and figures to be a huge part of the offense going forward as mentioned here. The Chiefs are going to be playing from behind A LOT this season, meaning Bowes yardage numbers should start to improve as the weeks go by.
“The Other” Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, WR, NYG- Before the season began I was pretty vocal in crowning rookie wide receiver Hakeem Nicks as the heir to Plaxico Burress’ 9mm throne in the Big Apple. However, injuries to Nicks as well as Dominick Hixon have allowed Smith and Manningham to prove their worth in a very big way. The duo combined for 20-catches, 284-yards and 2-touchdowns. Manningham summoned his inner Antonio Freeman circa the year 2000 to pull in a circus grab in the endzone as the Giants stifled the Cowboys in the Big D home opener.
Low Down Dirty Shame:
New England Patriots- Is this really the changing of the guard in the AFC East? The Jets had Tom Brady and company pressured and confused all game long and it resulted in a huge early season victory for the New York Jets. What surprises me the most is that this may be the first time in a very long time a team talked smack before a big game versus the Pats and actually walked into the stadium on game day and laid the wood, sending Belichick and his red ass to his knees. Pretty impressive. The Jets never backed down. Not before, during or especially after the game. This is the 2nd straight week this Rex Ryan scheme has shut down a high-powered offense. I know its only week 2 but early season games don’t get much bigger than the one played in New York…errrrrrrr New Jersey on Sunday.
Jemarcus Russell- QB, Oak- I know the Raiders won but Russell looks absolutely horrendous. He is showing all the signs of being the next big quarterback BUST and it really irks me. Why this team let go of Jeff Garcia just before the season began is beyond me, but it would not surprise me if that roster move ends up costing this team 2 or 3 wins this season. His line on Sunday read 7 for 24 for 109 yards against a Chiefs D that would give up points to some high school offenses. His completion percentage on the season now stands at a herculean 35%. Yeah, not so good. Oh well, a W is a W right Bruce? Right?
Steve Slaton, RB, Hou- One of the best stories of last season, Slaton has really struggled to break stride in the early goings of the season. After week 2’s debacle, Slaton now sports a season line of 26 carries for 51 yards and zero touchdowns. Whats more concerning are his 3 fumbles that have left Texan fans wondering if last year was a fluke. I say not so fast as the Texans have faced run stuffing defenses hereto start the season (Pittsburgh, Tennesee) and the game on Sunday turned into a downfield shootout rather than a ground and pound slugfest. Those in fantasy leagues, I would consider this an ideal buy-low opportunity for a player with enormous upside. Don’t tread lightly.
Green Bay Packers- Man did they make a lot of people look stupid in week 2. The Packers played the Bengals at home in Lambeau in what could have been regarded as the lock win of the week by many standards. In typical NFL fashion, the underdog Bengals rose to the occasion and stole one from the Cheesehead nation, leaving many people scratching their heads. Stud wide receiver Greg Jennings was held without a reception while the defense allowed the Bengals to move the ball seemingly at ease. Quite unfortunate since this defense played so well in week 1 and has the potential to be one of the NFL’s elite units this season. Chalk it up to the rigors of a long season, but a few more of these gimme losses and the Packers will be shredded Wisconsin Cheddar come December.
Speed Round: 30 words or less. Go!
Tony Romo- You had us all fooled sir. He is what he is and I don’t think he will ever truly become a game changing quarterback.
Jessica Simpson- Completely unrelated I promise. But I find this article particularly entertaining. Especially the following quote, "she would cry herself to sleep at night, using (her dog) as a pillow.”
Brian Westbrook, RB, Philly- Tweaked an ankle. Surprise, surprise. I’m taking the under of 10 games played for him this year.
Drew Brees, QB, NO- Seems like he could throw for 300-yards in a stray jacket. This is getting out of hand.
Arizona Cardinals: Just when everyone was trying to jump off this bandwagon, the team goes bananas in Jacksonville. I’m staying firmly seated.
Philip Rivers, QB, SD- On the surface the numbers looked great in week 2. But a late game interception deep in their own territory proved to be too much to overcome.
Jerry Jones- A billion dollars just to lay an egg. Gotta love those NBC cut away shots to Jones' luxury suite showing him powdering his nose after every big Giants play.
Washington Redskins- A team that really needed to make a statement against a paltry St. Louis Rams team, the ‘Skins were barely able to get out of the game with a W.
The Nostradamus Effect:
Adrian Peterson will have MORE rushing yards this season than Ladainian Tomlinson and Jamal Lewis combined. You heard it here first.
-MJK
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