NFL Week 2 Preview
Week 2 of the 2010-11 NFL season kicks into high gear with a full Sunday lineup including my pick for Game of the Week between the Giants and the Colts. Here I look at all of the week’s matchups that may prove decisive in early divisional positioning battles.
Let’s take a look at each Week 1 match up followed by some free NFL predictions.
SUN, SEP 19 TIME (ET)
Miami at Minnesota 1:00 PM CBS –The Vikings will want to get back on the rails with a win in their home opener after falling to the Saints in Week 1. Tony Sparano’s defense held strong as the Fins notched a win over the Bills. This will be a better test run for the Miami Wildcat as it goes against a very talented Minnesota defense.
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Arizona at Atlanta 1:00 PM FOX – Atlanta will be looking to bounce back from their loss at Pittsburgh and a little revenge could be a motivator after being knocked out of the 2008 postseason by Arizona. Cards’ QB Derek Anderson quelled the uncertainties, throwing for 297 yards and one touchdown. But can he keep it up?
Baltimore at Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS – The Ravens defense came through in one of the hardest-hitting games you will see all season, but now they will face a Bengals team that beat them two times last year. Carson Palmer tossed 345 yards, with nearly half going to Chad Ochocinco, T.O. where are you hiding?
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Kansas City at Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS – In what is likely to be the biggest upset of the season, KC knocked off the Chargers in a soggy showdown at Arrowhead Stadium. Now they will set their sights on the Browns who gave up a chance to start the season 1-0 with a win over the Bucs. This is likely to carry some ill feelings, as the Chiefs have not forgotten when tight end Brad Cottam had his neck broken by Cleveland safety Abram Elam and high by outside linebacker Matt Roth last December.
Chicago at Dallas 1:00 PM FOX – Costly penalties and huge mistakes by the Cowboys allowed the Redskins to escape with a victory in Donovan McNabb’s debut. Jay Cutler started the year off right with a win over the Lions recording two TD passes to one INT. Now will see how he fares against a better Dallas D who should rebound at home.
Philadelphia at Detroit 1:00 PM FOX – I think the Eagles might have found their answer to their QB issues as Michael Vick came off the bench and threw for 175 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing 11 times for 103 yards. Quarterback Shaun Hill who came in for an injured Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson but it was ruled incomplete in the loss. This will be the Battle of the Back Ups.
Buffalo at Green Bay 1:00 PM CBS – It appears the offensive struggles in Buffalo have carried over to 2010. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who wasn’t on his game throwing for just 188 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Eagles, will still be enough to get it done.
Pittsburgh at Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS – The Steelers pulled off its first win without Ben Roethlisberger, but can a defense that held the Falcons to just three FGs contain the likes of Titans RB Chris Johnson who ripped off 42 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders? No, good weather and home field advantage spells win.
Tampa Bay at Carolina 1:00 PM FOX – After falling behind 14-3, the Buccaneers fought back behind QB Josh Freeman who threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers five turnovers resulted in their demise against the Giants. If rushing duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have a breakout day, it could be close.
Seattle at Denver 4:05 PM FOX – Pete Carroll has his Seahawks primed as they upset division rival San Francisco, while the Broncos defense fell apart late in their bout with the Jags. If the Seattle defense can repeat, it’s an early win on the road.
St. Louis at Oakland 4:05 PM FOX –The Raiders defense had some big problems, but were able to sack Vince Young twice. So, if they can sustain that same type of pressure on Bradford, who will be making just his second regular season start, they could forces some turnovers. Both teams will be desperate to get their first win before the season gets away from them again
New England at NY Jets 4:15 PM CBS – The Pats’ days of dominating their divisional foes looked like it might be over. However, after the Jets miserable performance against the Ravens, you have to wonder if by the end of this weekend they fall to 0-2.
Jacksonville at San Diego 4:15 PM CBS – At first glance my thought was that it was unlikely that Jacksonville, a team that concluded the 2009 season with four straight loses, could pull off a road upset at San Diego. However, after last weekend’s results, I am not so sure.
Houston at Washington 4:15 PM CBS – WOW. That pretty much sums up the Texans win over the vaunted Colts and Washington’s surprise edging of the Cowboys. Now the Skins will host its second Lone Star state opponent in as many weeks. Let’s hope the Washington defense is ready for an explosive Texans’ offense.
NY Giants at Indianapolis 8:20 PM NBC – The last time the two faced off — in the Week 1 of 2006, the older Manning came away victorious on his way to winning Super Bowl XLI. This season could be a new and different chapter in The Tale of Two Mannings, as Peyton’s ability to carry the Colts alone, no longer seems viable.
MON, SEP 20 TIME (ET)
New Orleans at San Francisco 8:30 PM – Alex Smith will need to play much better than his Week 1 outing against Seattle if he wants to out-gun 2009 Super bowl winner and MVP Drew Brees in San Francisco’s home-opener. The Saints defense, which held the Vikings scoreless for three quarters has shown mass improvement over last year’s late game fades and should be the difference in this one.
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Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
