Week 2 in the NFL

Last week, I checked in with a respectable 11-5 record, and scored 99 out of a possible 136 points (72.8%). I'm not liking many of these games, but we'll see how the action unfolds.


Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 PM

When is life tough for a head coach? When your starting quarterback goes down with an injury, and will be out for 2-4 weeks. When is life tougher? When that same QB sends the coach on a wild goose chase, and threats of suicide are reported. But Jeff Fisher doesn't have time to dwell on the difficulties of Vince Young, as the Titans look to improve to 2-0 with a win over the Bengals. I think the Titans are the better team, and I actually like Kerry Collins as a fill-in starter from time to time. Going against all of that, I'm picking the Bengals because ... well, I don't even know why. I just think it's their week, OK?

Prediction: Cincinnati (6)

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions, 1 PM

Maybe there is life after Favre! Aaron Rodgers looked pretty poised last week, as he should have: he had plenty of time to study the last three seasons, as he got splinters in his ass watching ol' #4 sling it into quadruple coverage. The Packers contained a one-dimensional offense last week, as the power run-oriented Vikings were held below 20 points. This week, the aerial attack of the Lions will get grounded.

Prediction: Green Bay (11)

New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins, 1 PM

The Saints nearly lost to Brian Griese last week before managing to hang on for the win. New Orleans won't remind anyone of the 1985 Bears on defense, but they could put up a ton of points on offense, even with the injury to Marques Colston. I know people accused Joe Gibbs of being out of touch with the flow of the game when he returned after a long break in 2004. Still, last week against the Giants, 'skins coach Jim Zorn made Joe Gibbs look like a mastermind. Outside of a drive to close the first half, Washington looked impotent when they had the ball. I think they'll get better, but the Redskins defense will allow more points than their developing offense can muster.

Prediction: New Orleans (5)

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 PM

Well, so much for the Raiders leaving the past few years behind them. The franchise that is now 19-62 since Super Bowl XXXVII ended (.235 winning %) doesn't look like it has changed that much. They were trounced by the Broncos on Monday Night Football at HOME. "Commitment to Excellence"? Try "Commitment to Embarrassment". There's no need to get into the awkward Al Davis/Lane Kiffin/Rob Ryan triangle. Kansas City is definitely rebuilding, but at least they're not a franchise in ruins like Oakland. I think Larry Johnson and Dwayne Bowe will break out this week in a big win for KC.

Prediction: Kansas City (13)

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers, 1 PM

The Bears finally re-discovered what has worked so well for them: send the QB out there and tell him not to f**k up, pound the ball, and rely on the defense to hold down the other team. Of course, that works a lot better when the defense is playing well, like it did in Indianapolis. Running back Matt Forte looks like an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, and Kyle Orton avoided any disasters. Sprinkle in a few big plays in the return (and maybe passing) game from Devin Hester this season, and the Bears might just be a sleeper for a playoff spot. The Panthers pulled off their own shocker last week in San Diego against the Chargers. I think the Panthers are in the same boat as Chicago. This week, I think the absence of Steve Smith will catch up to the Panthers, and they won't have the deep passing game to expose Chicago.

Prediction: Chicago (10)

New York Giants at St. Louis Rams, 1 PM

OK, I don't think the Giants are going to make the playoffs. I like their offense, but I don't think their defense is as good as they were last year, and they won't catch fire again. Still, the Rams are absolutely dreadful. Donovan McNabb and his pedestrian receiving corps abused St. Louis defenders all game long last week. Rams QB Marc Bulger was constantly harassed, and the offense sputtered. There's no reason to think the Giants can't render the same punishment on the Rams.

Prediction: New York (14)

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 PM

The Bills enjoyed their first opening day win since 2005 with a thorough beating of Seattle. Buffalo will face some much stiffer competition this week in Jacksonville. The Jaguars can't afford to fall to 0-2 in a loaded AFC South, and I think they will pound the football early and often against an undersized Buffalo defensive line. On the flip side, Jacksonville might be able to shut down Buffalo by stopping Marshawn Lynch on first and second down. I like the Jaguars a lot in this game.

Prediction: Jacksonville (12)

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings, 1 PM

This has to be the most intriguing match-up of 0-1 teams for this week. Both teams have serious aspirations about the playoffs, and both are in improved divisions. The Colts not only lost to the Bears last week - they got handled. Some of that may have been due to Peyton Manning being rusty. The Vikings need more from QB Tavaris Jackson and the passing game before anyone punches them in for the postseason. In a crucial early season game, I'll take the team who's won more big games in recent years.

Prediction: Indianapolis (9)

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 4 PM

After taking a hold slap from reality in 2007 and finishing 5-11, the 49ers entered this season with lowered expectations. The 49ers have been looking for the right quarterback to lead the team since Jeff Garcia left after the 2003 season. Former #1 overall pick Alex Smith has been a complete bust, and is now out for the season. Things won't begin to look up in the bay area until San Francisco has someone competent under center. The Seahawks have their quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck, but do they have anyone who will get open so he can throw the ball? Nate Buerlson is out for the season, Bobby Engram is out for this game, and Deion Branch is listed as doubtful. At least Seattle coach Mike Holmgren should only need to get a touchdown or two out of his offense, as the 49ers are just that bad.

Prediction: Seattle (16)

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4 PM

Falcons players, coaches and fans could not have dreamed of a better week 1. Top draft pick Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown on his very first pass, Michael Turner set a franchise record for rushing yards in a single game, and Atlanta crushed Detroit. On top of that, a blackout was avoided. All of that has to make you ask: is this just the beginning? Or, was that the highpoint of the season? Tampa Bay may be in the middle of the first quarterback controversy of 2008. Jeff Garcia isn't entirely healthy, but even coach John Gruden hinted that the reason he's out may not entirely be health related. I just have a feeling that Atlanta is in for a letdown game after such an uplifting week 1 victory. Plus, Tampa Bay gets to enjoy homefield advantage.

Prediction: Tampa Bay (7)

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos, 4: 15 PM

The Chargers had one of the worst weeks of any team in the league. Not only did they lose in the last seconds on Sunday, but they lost their best defensive player for the year when Shawn Merriman went down with an injury. The Broncos were the complete opposites, as they pounded the Raiders on Monday Night. I actually think Denver is a playoff team this year. Unfortunately, San Diego has had their number as of late, and have swept the season series the last two years. The Chargers are still the kings of the AFC West until proven otherwise, and have more talent then Denver. Don't expect San Diego to leave this game in the balance late in the 4th quarter.

Prediction: San Diego (1)

New England Patriots at New York Jets, 4:15 PM

Has there ever been a win that went less noticed than the Patriots' one over the Chiefs last week? Of course, everyone gets a pass, especially when the defending league MVP is knocked out for the season halfway through the first quarter. Football fans have asked the question for years: is Bill Belichick a genius for setting up a great "system" where most any player can succeed? Or, is Tom Brady the main reason there are 3 Vince Lombardi trophies in Foxboro? This week will mark the beginning of a season which will answer that question. The Jets are looking to dethrone the Patriots as the AFC East leader. A lot of people are already handing a playoff spot to the Jets and writing the Patriots off. The Patriots hate the Jets for a plethora of reasons. New York may very well finish ahead of New England in the standings, but I don't think the Patriots are about to let the Jets take one more step at their expense.

Prediction: New England (4)

Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 PM

Miami was actually competitive last week against the Jets before running out of time. Then again, the Dolphins looked competitive early on in 2007 ... and they finished 1-15. The Dolphins are, at best, a 4-12 or 5-11 team. They have a few years to wait before they can even expect to compete for a playoff spot. The Cardinals have experienced plenty of lean years, and are now looking to take that next step. The Seahawks are a year older and struggling with injuries, so the NFC West looks to be wide open. This may be Arizona's year to break through. I could see this being a blowout, with Cards QB Kurt Warner and his many weapons dissecting Miami's defense.

Prediction: Arizona (15)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 PM

The Steelers have owned the "new" Browns since their inaugural 1999 season, and have won the last 9 meetings between the two teams. Pittsburgh looks like the strongest team in the AFC, especially with Tom Brady's injury, and the shaky week 1 performances of the Colts and Chargers. The Browns were steamrolled by the Cowboys last week in a game where they were looking to make a statement. Still, if the Browns' offensive line can give QB Derrick Anderson enough time, he should be able to make enough big plays in the passing game to win. The real question is whether or not the Browns can contain Pittsburgh when they have the ball. I look for this game to be a shootout.

Prediction: Cleveland (2)

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys, 8:30 PM on Monday Night

The Eagles were on the good end of the most lopsided game of week 1. But they were playing the Rams, so it's tough to really gauge how good they will be. With a healthy Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia should be back in the playoffs. Dallas looks like they're going to maintain their title as "Best team of weeks 1-15", as they got off to a great start with a convincing win over Cleveland. Dallas just has too many weapons on offense for the Eagles to keep up with. Running back Marion Barber is banged up, but the Cowboys have 1st round rookie Felix Jones waiting in the wings.

Prediction: Dallas (8)

Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans, POSTPONED until November 9

For what it's worth, I had Houston for 3.