Tuesday Ten: Reviewing NFL Week 2
Here is a list of 10 important things that happened during Week 2 of the NFL season.
1. Two-week MVP -- There's a lot of unsubstantiated talk of New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis as the hands down best cornerback in the NFL. The New York Post even said he should go straight to the Pro Bowl after two games.
There's a lot of season left to play -- Revis could get hurt, the Jets' pass rush could fail and expose him, teams could adjust by watching film -- but there's no question his production after the first two weeks of the season is the best in football, maybe at any position.
The third-year player worked hard in the offseason and it's paying off.
He limited Randy Moss and Andre Johnson, two of the top five NFL receivers, to eight catches, 59 yards and an interception.
Their combined numbers in their other games: 22 catches, 298 yards, two touchdowns.
Upcoming for Revis, who excels at jamming receivers at the line despite giving up inches and pounds: Roddy White, Marques Colston, Terrell Owens and Steve Smith.
2. Rams' offense stinks like horse manure -- The Jets haven't allowed an offensive touchdown in two games. Yes, one of them was against the Patriots -- they didn't have Wes Welker, and Tom Brady doesn't have the swagger he did before his injury -- but still impressive.
More glaring is the fact that the St. Louis Rams have scored seven points in their first two games, or 3.5 points per game. Those of you thinking they're better than we thought after losing 9-7 to Washington ought to know better.
3. No Packing it in -- I know the Green Bay Packers allowed Cedric Benson to run wild against them Sunday, and that Rams RB Steven Jackson topped 100 yards against the Redskins, but don't expect Jackson to do the same against Green Bay this week.
The Packers may be missing both their starting safeties, but their corners are more than good enough to cover the Rams receivers 1-on-1 (perhaps 1-on-2?). Remember, that's the secondary group that embarrassed Jay Cutler during Week 1.
Jackson is the only player that can hurt them, and they limited second-year running back Matt Forte of the Bears to 55 yards on 25 carries in Week 1 after Forte had arguably the best season of any rookie running back last year. Plus, Jackson benefited from a 58-yard run. I know they played flawed defense up front working out of their new 3-4 scheme and are not 100 percent along the line right now either, but the Packers don't give up many big plays on the ground.
Expect the horrid Packers' pass protection to stay in max protect and dink their way down the field with Aaron Rogers.
4. Big Apple Kingpins -- The Giants and Jets are both 2-0, but I still think the Giants are the better N.Y. team thus far. The receivers, the team's only true question mark, have been a strength.
Steve Smith looks like a top 15 fantasy option at WR -- no, not that Steve Smith -- and Mario Manningham looks much improved. And Sunday night's win in Cowboys Stadium was huge. They could be the last undefeated team.
5. Aching defenses -- The Steelers aren't as good as advertised right now. They missed a couple key field goals in a loss to the Bears one week after lucking out against the 0-2 Titans. And still no Troy Polamalu, one of the three biggest impact missing defenders early in the season:
1) Polamalu to Steelers' D
2) Bob Saunders to Colts' D
3) Albert Haynesworth to Titans' D
2) Bob Saunders to Colts' D
3) Albert Haynesworth to Titans' D
Cutler and the Bears' WRs looked decent against the Steelers Sunday. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson looked like the greatest of all time. The Miami Dolphins and the Wildcat offense forced the Colts to play defense for more than 80 plays and about 45 minutes.
6. Sinking Seahawks -- One year after a record-setting injury season where the Seahawks were on their ninth WR, they have 12 starters injured, including their top offensive lineman Walter Jones, their quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, former Super Bowl MVP WR Deion Branch and fullback Justin Griffith.
Hasselbeck broke a rib after getting speared in the side by 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis and likely won't play Sunday against the Bears.
7. Moving up -- The Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens all played better than I expected and are 2-0. The Cincinnati Bengals, too, are a miracle touchdown from their own 2-0 after upsetting Green Bay. The Falcons and Saints have to compete with each other in the NFC South.
I expect the 49ers and Ravens have the clearest shot at maintaining their division leads.
8. Moving down -- The Tennessee Titans looked abysmal on defense, particularly on passing plays, on their way to an 0-2 start (after winning the first 10 games last year). the Jacksonville Jaguars, too, are more pathetic than a meal of lukewarm Swiss cheese to a homeless man with no shelter.
Every division but the NFC East had an 0-2 team.
The Dolphins look like their fall from grace came swiftly. The Rams and Lions are unexpectedly bad, and the Bucs and Browns shockingly so -- those are the four worst teams in football to this point.
9. Fantasy: three to start -- Marion Barber III strained a muscle for the Cowboys last week. Felix Jones, part of a three-headed monster at RB, figures to carry a heavier toll and rack up yardage.
Eagles TE Brent Celek has emerged in his third season out of Cincinnati, catching 14 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Celek will get lots of catches, particularly if Kevin Kolb starts in place of the injured Donovan McNabb again as expected. Kolb will need a safety valve short and has already shown he looks for Celek.
Bills RB Fred Jackson will get one final shot to prove himself before incumbent starter Marshawn Lynch returns from a suspension. Jackson has been a gem of a fantasy player early in the season and his pass catching ability makes him a great play against the New Orleans Saints.
10. Fantasy: three to sit -- Jaguars WR Tory Holt has been blanketed by opponents the first two weeks, and frankly, he's not explosive any more.
Steelers RB Willie Parker is no longer Fast, he's no longer scoring touchdowns and he's no longer featured in the offense. Dump him or trade him.
Baltimore WR Mark Clayton caught 5 passes for 77 yards and a TD in Week 1. Don't expect the same production from Clayton the rest of the way -- Joe Flacco is spreading the ball around nicely to take advantage of matchups. Clayton had one catch last week.
Just for kicks: Everybody loves making predictions. Here are a few of mine for Week 3 against the spread or over/under the total. Keep in mind these predictions are for entertainment only and that I do not condone illegal wagering.
Tennessee Titans (H) +3 over New York Jets
Houston Texans H) -3.5 over Jacksonville Jaguars
Detroit Lions (H) +6 over Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers -6.5 over St. Louis Rams (H); total u41
Minnesota Vikings (H) -6.5 over San Francisco 49ers
Chicago Bears -2 over Seattle Seahawks (H)
Cincinnati Bengals (H) +4 over Pittsburgh Steelers; total o37
Indianapolis Colts +2.5 over Arizona Cardinals (H)
Kansas City Chiefs +9.5 over Philadelphia Eagles (H)
Carolina Panthers +9.5 over Dallas Cowboys (H)
Houston Texans H) -3.5 over Jacksonville Jaguars
Detroit Lions (H) +6 over Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers -6.5 over St. Louis Rams (H); total u41
Minnesota Vikings (H) -6.5 over San Francisco 49ers
Chicago Bears -2 over Seattle Seahawks (H)
Cincinnati Bengals (H) +4 over Pittsburgh Steelers; total o37
Indianapolis Colts +2.5 over Arizona Cardinals (H)
Kansas City Chiefs +9.5 over Philadelphia Eagles (H)
Carolina Panthers +9.5 over Dallas Cowboys (H)
Atlanta Falcons +4 over New England Patriots (H); total o44.5
Buffalo Bills +6 over New Orleans Saints
Buffalo Bills +6 over New Orleans Saints
Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher
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