What We Learned In The NFL: Week 2

Divisional match-ups highlighted week 2 on the 2013 NFL schedule.  AFC North teams looked to get into the win column, Vikings and Bears had another memorable meeting, and the 49ers and Seahawks participated in what was anticipated to be the game of the week Sunday night. Top story lines includes; new stars, old stars, Injuries, mistakes, and tight late game finishes this week in the NFL.  ...

Give The Ball To Eddie!

RAMS @ FALCONS:

• Falcons offense is as good as any in the league when at full strength.  Atlanta WR's lead the team to major lead early in the first half.  
• Rams survived the early surge by Atlanta and competed all game long almost completing a miraculous comeback.  Tavon Austin should be fun to watch all season.
• Although the Rams are probably a year away from the playoffs - teams won't want to see them late on their schedule.
• Players to watch: Harry Douglas (ineffective with White and Jones suiting up), Jared Cook (solid), Tavon Austin (2TD game!)

CHARGERS @ EAGLES: 

• Phillip Rivers is back, and his goto WR is Eddie Royal.  Ryan Mathews stayed healthy for an unprecedented second straight game - who is this guy?
• There couldn't be a more perfect fit for Chip Kelly's offense than with the Eagles.  Mike Vick, LeSean McCoy, and DeSean Jackson look happier than ever - and its showing up on the field.
• Chargers once again surprise the critics with a strong outing - we may have written off Rivers too soon.  
• Players to watch: Phillip Rivers (huge game - is Phil back?), Mike Vick (looks great in C.Kelly's offense), Vincent Brown (forget him - it's all about Eddie)

COWBOYS @ CHIEFS:  

• UPSET ALERT: Chiefs prove once again they are ready to compete with anybody.  Solid play on both sides of the ball will make Kansas City one of the most improved teams this season.
• At least they kept Dez Bryant in the MVP race as a dark horse this season.  Where was Jason Witten?  Tony Romo's still got it.  Too bad what "it" is - is Romo-itis.
  
• Inconsistency will continue to be the story for the Cowboys and Alex Smith finally earns some respect as a starting QB.
• Players to watch: Tony Romo (he is who we thought he was), Alex Smith (another win for the unappreciated QB), Jason Witten (why didn't his BFF give him the ball?)

DOLPHINS @ COLTS:  

• Ryan Tannehill and the 'Phins will challenge for AFC East this year as they start the season winning two games on the road.  Mike Wallace should be happy now as he will see plenty of targets moving forward.
  
• Luck proves he is human failing to lead his Colts to another 4th quarter comeback victory.  Ahmad Bradshaw will make Giants fans sick as he carries Indys ground game all season.
• Impressive win for the Dolphins has them in great position to make surprise push for the playoffs.  Indy will bounce back - but losing at home could come back to bite them come playoff time.
• Matchups to watch: Ryan Tannehill vs Andrew Luck (a wins a win - Ryan takes this one), Lamar Miller vs. Ahmad Bradshaw (Miller still not living up to preseason hype - Bradshaw's play earns him more carries)

TITANS @ TEXANS:  

• Texans display their ability to finish late for the second week in a row.  Houstons opponents should be frightened knowing that there is still plenty of room for improvement for this already strong team.
• Once again the underrated Titans surprise the critics and play a tough divisional game in Houston.  Unfortunately they came up a little short - on the positive side the Tennessee defense should get a little more respect now.
• Texans fans should feel pretty good moving forward as the team should only gain momentum.  Titans will continue to battle all season but Jake Locker's inconsistency will keep them from making a legitimate playoff push. 
• Players to watch: Jake Locker (played well enough to keep the game close but needs to do more), Ben Tate (closing in on a 50-50 split of the carries in Houston), Kenny Britt (Kenny continues to be quiet on and off the field)

REDSKINS @ PACKERS:  

• For the second week in a row the Redskins struggled offensively and defensively.  They dug themselves a huge hole and RG3 picked up decent numbers in garbage time - but he is still not the same guy right now.
• Packers defense contained Griffin and allowed Rodgers to steal the show.  It should come as no surprise that Green Bay once again has one of the most lethal passing attacks in the league.
• The Packers look like contenders for the NFC title while the Redskins look to be one their way to the cellar unless they turn things around quick.
  
• Players to watch: Roy Helu (played well in garbage time), Fred Davis(average at best), Jermichael Finely(decent amount of targets)

BROWNS @ RAVENS:  

• Browns offense is bad - real bad.  Even worse they just traded their best player (and #3 overall pick) Trent Richardson.  Outside of Jordan Cameron, and potentially Josh Gordon now that he's back from his suspensions, Cleveland will struggle to make plays on offense all season.  It showed vs. the Ravens this past Sunday.
• The Ravens have a long way to go if they want to get back to the playoffs let alone the Super Bowl.  Its all going to fall on the big money man Joe Flacco's shoulders this year as their offense continues to struggle.
• The Browns seem to be playing for a draft pick already and the Ravens need to figure out a way to move the ball on offense or they will be doing the same thing before they know it.
• Players to watch: Jordan Cameron (most productive player in CLE now with T.Rich gone), Marlon Brown (thriving as teams focus on T.Smith), Terrell Suggs & Ravens D (played more like the SB champs)
  

PANTHERS @ BILLS:  

• How bout them Bills! Huge GW drive led by EJ Manuel with no timeouts with 1min left in 4th quarter.  The Bills defense pressured the Panthers all day - Mario Williams had 4.5 sacks - and the offense can only get better.
• Panthers once again struggle to create enough plays outside of Cam and Steve Smith.  Ron Rivera needs to turn things around quickly or he will be out of a job.
• Things are looking up in Buffalo following an emotional victory while the Panthers face an uphill battle this season trying to dig out of their 0 - 2 start.
• Players to watch: EJ Manuel (looked poised tossing GW touchdown), Cam Newton (he needs some better play calling, and better players), Carolina D-Line (solid but not as impressive as last week)

VIKINGS @ BEARS: 

• As anticipated the Vikings defense stepped up in this tough divisional match-up - making enough plays to keep it close the length of the game.  Dropping 0 - 2 should only motivate A.P. and the Vikes moving forward.
• To our surprise Jay Cutler stepped up and performed well late in a pretty big game.  Leading his team on a GW late practically as time expired will build some confidence - however Cutler may not need it ;).   
• Minnesota shouldn't be overlooked by opponents moving forward with an underrated defense and a few weapons on offense to compliment Peterson.  The Bears defense always makes them a contender - and Cutler always makes us wonder "...perhaps this is the year for Jay?".
• Players to watch: Christian Ponder(couldn't make enough plays - as usual), Cordarrelle Patterson(returned KO for TD), Martellus Bennett(2TDs including game winner)

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Saints Strong with Brees, Payton & Improved D

SAINTS @ BUCS:  

• Tampa Bay's offense continues it's medicore play.  Vincent Jackson is doing his best however Josh Freeman's struggles limit everyones production.  Even Doug Martin has failed to regain last years spark.
• Saints start out 2-0 and whats most impressive is their solid defensive play.  Brees always plays at a high level - having help on the other side of the ball makes New Orleans that much more dangerous.
• The Saints post-season fate will hinge on the effectiveness of their defense - and if their play continues the Saints may be heading back to the SB.  Meanwhile Tampa Bay needs somebody to step up to help regain this teams confidence and swagger.  Paging Doug Martin...
• Players to watch: Josh Freeman (far from an elite QB), Kenny Stills(not enough passes to go around in N.O.), Darrelle Revis & Tampa Secondary (solid performance holding Brees to subpar outing)

LIONS @ CARDINALS:  

• Stafford and Calvin connected early but let off the gas and couldn't hold off the Cardinals.  It's too bad the health of Reggie Bush is likely to be a season long issue - he makes that offense much more explosive.
• Cardinals offense has made enough progress to now be capable of winning games.  Their defense will always be underrated but they keep 'Zona in just about every game they play.  Michael Floyd is becoming a favourite target in the red-zone.
• Lions need to find another option outside of Calvin Johnson (and Reggie Bush) if they are going to return to the playoffs this season.  Arizona may actually steal Detroit's wildcard spot if their offense continues to make strides.
• Players to watch:  Calvin Johnson vs. Patrick Peterson (Calvin scores 2TDs/Peterson completes a pass), Reggie Bush (dinged up and DNF), Tyrann Mathieu (didn't show up on the highlights but played his part in W)
  

JAGUARS @ RAIDERS:

• Wow! Jaguars are in serious trouble.  Maurice Jones-Drew may never return to his pro-bowl form, while Chad Henne is not good enough to win games with this average cast of players around him.  
• Darren McFadden, Terrelle Pryor and the Raiders win their home opener and give their fans something to look forward too.  The commitment to Pryor as the starting QB makes Oakland much more challenging for opposing defenses to prepare for as well as creates some desperately needed excitement for Raider Nation.
• Niether the Jaguars or the Raiders catch a break with their match-ups this weeks.  Jacksonville faces the red hot Seahawks while the Raiders travel to Denver on Monday night to face arguably the best team in the league.
• Players to watch:  Terrelle Pryor (did enough for the team to get the W), Run DMC(hasn't had a breakout game yet - but it's coming), Cecil Shorts (at least Henne gives him a few opportunities each game)
  

BRONCOS @ GIANTS:  

• The Giants ground game continues to be M.I.A., they can't protect the football, and their defense is getting torched.  With those WR's and the talent on defense they should be playing better.
  
• Bronco's offense already looks in mid season form.  Peyton Manning has more weapons than he has ever had in his career.
• Accustomed to slow starts the Giants should remain contenders in a wide open NFC East.  Bronco's are due for a letdown at some point this season but that Manning guy won't be satisfied with anything less than a Super Bowl
• Matchups to watch: Manning vs. Manning (big brother bests lil bro again), Giants WRs vs. Broncos WRs (Edge goes to Denver WRs), Giants Pass Rush vs. Bronco's Pass Rush (Eli looked flustered while Peyton was throwing with mustard)

49ERS @ SEAHAWKS:  

• The GAME OF THE WEEK turned out to be a dud.  Seahawks dominated the 49ers thanks to an insane crowd, a great defense, and one Beast of a RB named Marshawn Lynch.   The best rivalry in football right now may not be exactly that - as Seattle has easily handled San Francisco the last two times they came to visit.
• Talk about night and day for 49ers offense.  What happened to Kaepernick - where was Boldin?  Also why is it that Lynch always finds success against such a "strong" Niners defense.
• 49ers need to have a bounce back game following the embarassing defeat while Seattle's SB dreams are very alive thanks to the record setting pace the defense is on.  
• Players to watch: Anquan Boldin(couldn't get going as Seahwaks shut 49ers down), Golden Tate(lets be honest - hes an average slot receiver), Russell Wilson vs. Colin Kaepernick (Russell takes this one - mostly due to his defenses dominance)
  

STEELERS @ BENGALS: 

• Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and Big Ben are good but they aren't good enough to carry this offense without some help from the O-line.  Where is the famed Steelers defense?
• Bengals have added more weapons on offense this season to compliment Dalton and Green.  Rookie Gio Bernard should add an extra dimension to Cincinnati's arsenal.  
• Bengals didn't exactly seem elite on Monday night but a win over a divisional opponent is always a big deal.  The AFC North looks as open as it has been in over a decade - Cincy looks ready to take advantage.
• Players to watch: Antonio Brown (showed his frustration during game), Ben Roethlisberger (he still can be an elite QB - but not on this offense right now), Giovanni Bernard (Hey Rook, welcome to the NFL! 2TD game puts his name on the map)

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