There are a few excellent matchups this weekend and we will be treated to Jerry Jones' new toy in Texas. Today, let's look at the early games. We'll look at the late and night games (including Monday night) tomorrow.
Carolina (0-1) @ Atlanta (1-0)
Carolina: I don't think the Panthers could have gotten off to a worse start from an offensive standpoint. QB Jake Delhomme is still the guy but for how long. Sure, it's a worry, but the Panthers have a running game that's among the league's best with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart. For the Panthers to even have a chance, they must stick to the run. That and don't turn the ball over, Jake. The D couldn't stop the run last week and he comes Michael Turner. Yipes!
Atlanta: While QB Matt Ryan did have a good game against the Dolphins in week 1, the bigger concern should be why RB Michael Turner had only 65 yards in 22 carries. That may be a byproduct of the Miami defense which is a decent one. The TDs Ryan threw were to a TE and a RB. Getting the WR more involved in the scoring is a necessity. The health of K Jason Elam could be huge in this divisional battle. Elam has a sore hamstring and he missed two FG attempts last week. Get Turner back on track and all is well in the ATL.
New Orleans (1-0) @ Philadephia (1-0)
New Orleans: Drew Brees. Can he be stopped? The Saints will need the rush a little more to help Brees in this one. This is not a defense that you can just sit back and be one dimensional. If RB Pierre Thomas plays, it won't be much. RBs Mike Bell and Reggie Bush will have to step up if New Orleans is to pull off a win. Bell had an outstanding game against the Lions. The Saints ate up the clock last week and that will serve well in Philly. The defense will have play better than it did in week 1. They did allow the Lions 27 points.
Philadelphia: There's still a remote chance QB Donovan McNabb will start...not buying it. Kevin Kolb should see his first start and the Eagles do have Jeff Garcia as a backup since Michael Vick isn't available. What will make this start tough for Kolb is that the game is in Philly. If he struggles, the crowd will want Garcia. Don't be surprised if that comes to light. The Eagles did manage over 180 yards rushing last week and that may relieve some pressure off of Kolb. The defense is a little banged up but this unit always shows up with its lunchpail.
Houston (0-1) @ Tennessee (0-1)
Houston: Did anyone on the offense even show up last week? The Texans scored only seven points...and that was the defense that scored the points. RB Steve Slaton was held to 17 yards in 9 attempts. WR Andre Johnson had 4 catches for only 35 yards. QB Matt Schaub had a QB rating of 55.9. Who in their right mind would figure that this game will be the one that gets Houston back on track? Not me. Plus, you're going to Tennessee? That's scary and Halloween isn't for another month.
Tennessee: The Titans did every thing to beat the Steelers in week 1, but they left Heinz Field with an L. Outside of the final score, the Titans lost the time of possession battle and that's a battle they must win. And they should this week. You may even see the Titans throw the ball a little more that usual. WR Nate Washington will start this week giving QB Kerry Collins a more than viable deep threat. RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White could both have big games.
Minnesota (1-0) @ Detroit (0-1)
Minnesota: RB Adrian Peterson should have another stellar day. The Saints RB Mike Bell amassed over 100 yards rushing against the Lions D in week 1. QB Brett Favre didn't need to throw for a lot of yards in week 1, AD was all the offense the Vikes needed. It very well could be like that this week. Cleveland did put up 20 against the Vikings and the Lions could duplicate that. The Vikes aren't all that special on special teams.
Detroit: Remember when I said the Vikes special teams weren't that special? Well, that's one area the Lions are definitely better. WR Dennis Northcutt is still one of the league's better punt returners. Field position will be key if the Lions want to even think about a W. But first, stop Peterson. Good luck with that one. The rushing attack is going to have to improve over last week's 20 carries for 33 yards performance. That will be hard to do against the Vikes front four.
New England (1-0) @ NY Jets (1-0)
New England: QB Tom Brady is not all the way back and don't be fooled into thinking he is. But he is still able to bring his team from behind and win a game. The D took a major shot by losing LB Jarod Mayo for a few weeks. We're used to seeing Belichik just reload but the ammo is getting a bit sparse. Brady did rediscover the TE Benjamin Watson and now has another target/toy. That will make the Pats a bit more dangerous.
Jets: Two questions. First, will rookie QB Mark Sanchez play as well as he did in week 1? Second, how often will Tom Brady throw in S Kerry Rhodes' direction? If Sanchez can match his week 1 performance, the Jets have a chance. But Rhodes saying that he wants to "embarass" the Pats was not a good move. Jets fans better hope he can back up his words or it's going to be a long day at the stadium.
Arizona (0-1) @ Jacksonville (0-1)
Arizona: The Cardinals won every stat against the 49ers last week...except two. QB Kurt Warner threw two picks and the 49ers won the time of possession. That's all. The turnovers were critical because this offense can overcome the TOP deal. But not last week and this week will be tough going to the east coast. It's just a fact that west coast teams have difficulty going to the east coast and winning games.
Jacksonville: The Jags have been news worthy because of the Tim Tebow "alert". Forgot that. Got to get a win. That may happen this week but the Jags couldn't stop Peyton and the Colts passing attack last week and here comes Warner and the best WR crew in the league. Tall order even though it's a home game. The Jags passing attack must show up this week. They had as many yards rushing as passing last week.
Oakland (0-1) @ Kansas City (0-1)
Oakland: The Raiders could have won against the Chargers in week 1. QB JaMarcus Russell will have to play better this week. Where was WR Darrius Heyward-Bey? Nowhere on the stat sheet, but that's actually not a major issue. The Raiders can rush the ball with RBs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. The defense played well despite the final score. The Chiefs don't pose as much a threat on offense as the Chargers. This is a winnable game for the silver and black.
Kansas City: There are still questions about if QB Matt Cassell will play this week. He's on the injury report as questionable. They will need him as KC managed only 188 yards of total offense last week. They did play the Ravens so that's understandable. And the Chiefs did put up 24 points. But they gave up 38 and over 500 yards. If Cassell is a go, this week may be a bit different on the O side of the ball.
St. Louis (0-1) @ Washington (0-1)
St. Louis: A disastrous start to Steve Spagnuolo's NFL head coaching debut. The Rams were blanked and could do nothing about it. QB Marc Bulger had a completion percentage under 50% and RB Steven Jackson managed only 67 yards. And Jackson was the bright spot on offense. The defense was gashed by the Seahawks to the tune of 167 rushing yards. Not a Spagnuolo trademark.
Washington: Despite losing by 6 to the Giants last week, the Redskins did have a couple of positives. QB Jason Campbell played good. He threw a pick, but his QB rating was 93.6. No pick, it's well over 100. They also managed 85 yards rushing against the vaunted Giants D. And they get the Rams. RB Clinton Portis should visit triple digits and Campbell should repeat his week 1 performance. There's nothing to suggest the Rams can stop them even with Spagnuolo.
Cincinnati (0-1) @ Green Bay (1-0)
Cincinnati: A freak play "beat" the Bengals last week. Not exactly. That's what everyone saw from the highlights. The truth is the Bengals O was good between the 20s and horrible inside of them. Cincy dominated every stat except for the one that counts. I'm putting this out there: The defense did not lose that game against the Broncos...the offense did. I know it's a team game but the O sputtered once they sniffed field goal range. Was like watching the '08 Bengals O. I'm putting this out there, too: WR Chad Ochocinco needs to just play football.
Green Bay: QB Aaron Rodgers against a very underrated D. This is a matchup to watch. If the Pack can move the ball, they win. If they aren't effective moving the ball, they still have a chance. The D did manage 4 picks last week but Carson Palmer does not turn the ball over like Jay Cutler so Packer fans cannot count on them. The D will also have to deal with RB Cedric Benson who's a bit familiar with Lambeau. The Pack may sport the most improved D in the NFL.
That's the last of the early Sunday games. Tomorrow we'll look at the late, Sunday night, and Monday night games.
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments are welcome and encouraged! My only request is that no spam be posted. Spam will be deleted. Thank you for checking out The Sports Commentator. Your information will not be used for any commercial purposes.