NFL Week Two Thoughts

I always say week two is the hardest to predict, it's when you really start to learn things about different teams and who they are.  It was a tumultuous week two for me, but I think I got a better handle on most teams, with a few exceptions.  There are some teams that continue to confound me (San Francisco), but it was at least entertaining.  Here are my thoughts:

Green Bay Packers def. Buffalo Bills

No surprise here, Green Bay is good and Buffalo is bad.

Cincinnati Bengals def. Baltimore Ravens

This was a surprise for me.  Between the way the Bengals' defense played last week and the way the Ravens played against the Jets last week I thought this was a forgone conclusion.  Cincinnati might give me some problems this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers def. Carolina Panthers

Another big surprise for me.  I thought the Panthers played well against the Giants and I didn't expect the Bucs to do this well.  I'm not ready to bump them up past third in the division at very best, but I will give them more respect going forward.

Kansas City Chiefs def. Cleveland Browns

I'm not very surprised by KC's performance, I knew they'd be decent this year.  I am surprised by the Browns' performance in a home stand, they are in trouble this year even by their standards.  To have two straight games where they have a chance at winning and just disappearing in the second half, I have to blame coaching.  I've been down on Mangini since the beginning, and if I were heading this organization I'd stick Holmgren back on the sideline sooner rather than later.

Pittsburgh Steelers def. Tennessee Titans

No more doubting the Steelers, they are good.  They will be in the playoffs this year, guaranteed.  This defense is performing at an amazing level and winning games with backup quarterbacks, and expect Rashard Mendenhall to be mentioned up there with the better backs in this league after this season.  Things are looking up for them.

Chicago Bears def. Dallas Cowboys

I love to say I told you so, especially with upsets, and ESPECIALLY when I'm picking my Bears.  It was an impressive win, and it was a definitive win.  Dallas played well, I wouldn't panic if I were a fan just yet, though if they do make the playoffs they might not go far.  Back to the Bears, next week will be a real test for this team as Rodgers can play well even under pressure, I've still got my hopes up though.

Atlanta Falcons def. Arizona Cardinals 

I was a bit surprised at just how definitive this was for the Falcons, not sure if they're better than I thought or if the Cardinals are worse.  Still, I think I have a decent handle on these two teams.

Philadelphia Eagles def. Detroit Lions

Again, I was a little surprised at how close this was, but Detroit is good.  They will pick up wins this year, guaranteed.

Miami Dolphins def. Minnesota Vikings

Miami has really impressed me.  Chad Henne aside, they have a tremendous defense.  I wasn't sure how impressed I should have been with them after week one, now I know they are for real.  The Vikings, they'll get better but it might be too little too late.

Denver Broncos def. Seattle Seahawks

The Broncos impressed, especially Kyle Orton who had a great outing and isn't being held back as much by the absence of Brandon Marshall as I had thought.  I still think they're a longshot to make the playoffs, but impressive nonetheless.  The Seahawks are one of the teams giving me fits, I can't figure out exactly how good they are.

Oakland Raiders def. St. Louis Rams 

Oakland is probably worse than I thought they were, and Jason Campbell being benched in the second game is surprising.  They'll be an interesting team to watch as the season plays out.  Still, a win is a win is a win.

Houston Texans def. Washington Redskins

Move over Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub and the Texans are the real deal.  Redskins looked good as well, better than I thought they looked against Dallas.  These two teams could make waves, but the Texans are the ones who will definitely be a force in December.

New York Jets def. New England Patriots

People were ready to write the Jets off after week one, and I told them not so fast.  I stand by that, they are going to be good and the East is going to be tough as nails this year.

San Diego Chargers def. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars are worse than I thought, Chargers are better.  Chargers can still be beat by a good QB and run game, though.

Indianapolis Colts def. New York Giants

I expected the Colts to win, but I didn't expect it to be that one-sided.  Perry Fewell looked very confused by the run, Giants fans better hope he doesn't go with one linebacker against every good QB he has to face this year, if he does teams will do what the Colts did and just run all over him.  They ran over the Giants because Fewell let them, though, Giants fans shouldn't read too much into the rushing stats and neither should the Colts.

New Orleans Saints def. San Francisco 49ers

The game was decided by a field goal?  Really?  To be fair, the Niners I had been predicting all pre-season showed up, but was it an aberration or a sign of things to come?  Were the Niners that good or was my praise of the Saints last week premature?  I guess we'll have to wait to find out.