NFL Recap - Week 2

We weren't treated to another bizarre ending in week 2 like we were in week 1, but there were some intriguing games that also produced exciting endings.

1. Atlanta 28 (2-0), Carolina 20 (0-2)
While Panthers QB Jake Delhomme only threw 1 INT, it was Falcons QB Matt Ryan that had the better overall game. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez is proving to be a great fit in the offense.
Game Ball: Ryan, 21-27, 220 yds, 3 TD

2. Minnesota 27 (2-0), Detroit 13 (0-2)
Vikings QB Brett Favre is finding out quickly that he doesn't need his famous "gunslinger" mentality when you have RB Adrian Peterson. Peterson didn't break the 100 yd. mark. He's averaging less than 100 yds/game against the Lions. Go figure that stat.
Game Ball: Favre, 23-27, 155 yds, 2 TD

3. Cincinnati 31 (1-1), Green Bay 24 (1-1)
The Bengals D never let the Packers O get on track. Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco did get to make his lame version of the Lambeau Leap. But the guys in stripes did have to hold on as the clock expired on the Packs final drive...inside the Bengals 5.
Game Ball: Bengals DE Antwan Odom. He had 5 sacks of Packer QB Aaron Rodgers. That gives Odom 7 total for the season.

4. Arizona 31 (1-1), Jacksonville 17 (0-2)
The Super Bowl runner-up bounces back with a quality offensive show. Cards QB Kurt Warner did not turn the ball over. Jags QB David Garrard had over 300 yds of total offense and continues to fly under the radar as a quality QB.
Game Ball: Cards RB Tim Hightower, 15 attempts, 72 yds, 1 TD. Maybe Arizona is starting to build a running game. If they can, that makes the Cards really scary.

5. Oakland 13 (1-1), Kansas City 10 (0-2)
One of the most heated rivalries in the league didn't produce much excitement until the final 5 minutes. The Chiefs scored with less than 5:00 to go and the Raiders answered about 3:30 later.
Game Ball: Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell, 7-24, 109 yds, 0 TD. His stats were terrible, but he did lead that drive that resulted in RB Darren McFadden's game winning TD.

6. New York Jets 16 (2-0), New England 9 (1-1)
Looks like Jets DB Kerry Rhodes "walked the walk" after wanting to embarass the Pats. He may have gotten a bit in the heads of the Pats. Pats QB Tom Brady never got in a rhythm and it showed. He missed WR Wes Welker as he was without his "go-to" guy.
Game Ball: Jets defense. No sacks but Pats QB Tom Brady completed less than 50% of his passes, 3 red zones trips by New England resulted in only 3 FG and they held Pats WR Randy Moss to only 4 catches for 24 yds.

7. New Orleans 48 (2-0), Philadelphia 22 (1-1)
The Eagles QB Kevin Kolb got his first start and played well (31-51, 391 yds, 2 TD)...except for the 3 INT. But Philly couldn't establish a running game, but with the Saints O scoring like a pinball machine, it's hard to even think about running the ball.
Game Ball: Saints QB Drew Brees, 25-34, 311 yards, 3 TD. He's the reason the Saints keep marching.

8. Houston 34 (1-1), Tennessee 31 (0-2)
The Titans are 0-2? The D may be missing DT Albert Haynesworth more than we're lead to believe. Plus, Titan RB Chris Johnson had a monstrous game (rushing: 16 att, 197 yds, 2 TD; receiving: 9 rec, 87 yds, 1 TD). The offense had a great game, but disappeared in the 4th. Who saw this coming?
Game Ball: Texans QB Matt Schaub, 25-39, 357 yds, 4 TD. Schaub bounced back from a lousy week 1 performance and lead Houston in its come from behind victory.

9. Washington 9 (1-1), St. Louis 7 (0-2)
The Redskins won a game and the Rams finally scored.
Game Ball: Redskins QB Jason Campbell, 23-35, 242 yds. More importantly, Campbell did not commit any turnovers. Maybe this will give him more confidence.

10. Buffalo 33 (1-1), Tampa Bay 20 (0-2)
The Bills should be 2-0, but let's not bring up last week's game. The Bills showed balance with the offense and forced Bucs QB Byron Leftwich into 2 INT.
Game Ball: Bills RB Fred Jackson, 28 att, 163 yds. The question will be what will the Bills do when RB Marshawn Lynch comes off the suspended list.

11. San Francisco 23 (2-0), Seattle 10 (1-1)
Niners RB Frank Gore gashed the Seahawks D until he had to leave early in the 3rd with an injury. Seahawk QB Matt Hasselbeck also left the game and x-rays were negative.
Game Ball: Gore, 16 att, 207 yds, 2 TD. Even after he left the game, the Niners were in complete control of this divisional battle.

12. Chicago 17 (1-1), Pittsburgh 14 (1-1)
Bears QB Jay Cutler outperformed Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger as the Bears get a 44 yard FG from Robbie Gould to beat the defensing Super Bowl champs. What also helped Da Bears was Steelers K Jeff Reed missing a pair of FG.
Game Ball: Cutler, 27-38, 236 yds, 2 TD. No turnovers either.

13. Denver 27 (2-0), Cleveland 6 (0-2)
Wait a minute. The Broncos are 2-0 and lead the AFC West? It's true. Granted it took a fluke play last week and the leagues worst offense this week in order for Denver to get their two wins.
Game Ball: Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil, 7 tackles, 4 sacks. Browns QB Brady Quinn is probably now his friend on Facebook he saw him so much.

14. Baltimore 31 (2-0), San Diego 26 (1-1)
Ravens LB Ray Lewis stoned Bolts RB Darren Sproles on a critcal 4th and 1 inside the Ravens 10 to seal the deal. The Ravens did allow Chargers QB Philip Rivers to throw for 436 yards.
Game Ball: Lewis, 10 tackles, 2 assists, 1 forced fumble. He still proves every week that he's still at the top of his game despite getting "long in the tooth". I really don't buy that either.

15. New York Giants 33 (2-0), Dallas 31 (1-1)
The Giants spoil Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' unveiling of his new palace and get a last second 37 yd FG from K Lawrence Tynes to take the win. Dallas QB Tony Romo was in a giving host by throwing 3 INT.
Game Ball: Giants WRs Mario Manningham and Steve Smith. Each had 10 catches, over 130 yds, and 1 TD. Maybe the questions of who can Eli throw to will subside...for a week anyway.

This evening's game pits Indianapolis (1-0) v. Miami (0-1). If the Colts can halt the Dolphins running game and make QB Chad Pennington try to beat them, Indy should emerge with a victory.