By TLarner
The first week of the 2010 NFL season is in the books. There were many exciting performances, as well as upsets, disappointments, and controversy. As we continue the rollercoaster ride to the Super Bowl, lets prepare ourselves for Week 2.
New & Notes
Bear’s defensive end Julius Peppers was fined $5,000 for a hit on Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. Peppers was penalized for hitting Stafford in the helmet.
San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson has an opportunity to have his six game suspension reduced to four games. Jackson is still holding out from the Chargers, but if he is traded to a new team by next Wednesday, the three game suspension for being on the roster exempt list can be lowered. He is also facing a three game suspesion for violating the substance-abuse policy. Jackson pleaded guilty to a DUI in February.
Green Bay center Scott Wells will be wearing a microphone this Sunday during the game against Buffalo. This is so television networks can hear the sounds on the field. The umpire used to wear a microphone, but since his position has been changed to the offensive backfield, many thought they wouldn’t be able to pick up as much sound. Wells fears that this will allow other teams to pick up quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ play calls.
Injury Report
Browns’ quarterback Jake Delhomme missed practice again on Thursday. He has been wearing a walking boot since injuring his right ankle against Tampa Bay. Delhomme may be a game time decision, with Seneca Wallace taking all the snaps in practice this week.
Our new favorite defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has been limited in practice all week with an ankle injury. In a related story, Coach Shanahan has been suffering from more headaches.
Kevin Kolb and linebacker Stewart Bradley both failed to pass their concussion tests on Wednesday. Michael Vick has been named the starter for this weekend’s game against Detroit.
Green Bay running back Ryan Grant will miss the rest of the season with an injured ankle. Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn will replace Grant. The team also signed Dimitri Nance off of Atlanta’s practice squad.
New York Jets’ defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was placed on injured reserve. Jenkins tore his ACL in his left knee during the loss to Baltimore. He missed most of last season with the same injury. Linebacker Calvin Pace is also out with a broken foot.
Percy Harvin’s status is uncertain for this week’s contest against Miami. The Vikings’ receiver was placed on the injury report, citing a hip injury as the problem. Harvin also missed significant time in the preseason due to migraine headaches.
Indianapolis Colt safety Bob Sanders may miss the remainder of the season. What else is new? Sanders had surgery on a torn biceps muscle this week. He had the same operation his other arm last year. Sanders has played in 48 games in his seven years with the Colts, and has missed 49. He signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract after being named the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, but has been more of a liability since signing the deal.
Game of the Week: New York at Indianapolis
My Week 2 Game of the Week is the “Manning Bowl”. The New York Giants travel to Indianapolis for this Sunday’s late game. Older brother Peyton defeated Eli in their first meeting in September of 2006. In the Colts’ 26-21 victory, Peyton threw for 276 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. Eli had 247 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in a losing effort.
Indianapolis is coming off a stunning loss to the Texans in Week 1. Houston ran all over the Colts defense. Arian Foster exploded out of the gates with 231 yards and three touchdowns. Peyton had an amazing game, but was unable to lead his team to another victory as we have seen him do plenty of times before. He completed 40 passes for over 430 yards and three scores.
In Eli’s first game of 2010, he was able to lead the Giants to a 31-18 win over Carolina. He threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, all to Hakeem Nicks. However, the box score also says he threw three interceptions. Yes, the Panthers caught three of Eli’s passes, but all were off of dropped passes by his receivers.
Key Matchup: Joseph Addai vs. Ahmad Bradshaw
Last week, well, all of last year, the Colts’ rushing offense was far from great. While Peyton has won many games with his arm alone, a more balanced offensive attack may have been what Indy needed to beat Houston. Joseph Addai ran for only 44 yards on 10 carries against Houston. And for the Colts’ defense, stopping the run should be a big priority this week during practice. They gave up 257 yards on the ground, with the majority gained by Foster.
The Giants named Ahmad Bradshaw the starter over Brandon Jacobs this offseason. Bradshaw had 20 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown against Carolina. I expect the Giants will start the game with a heavy dose of Bradshaw to expose the Colts’ weakness. If the Colts are again unable to halt the opposing running backs, Eli may be able to tie the series.
Prediction
The Indianapolis Colts are in danger of falling to a dismal 0-2 to start 2010. On the other hand, the Giants have a chance to take a two game lead over Dallas and Philadelphia in the NFC East. New York has a ground game that can once again give the Colts’ defense nightmares. However, I believe Indianapolis will have done enough work in practice to solve their problems with the rushing defense. Peyton may not complete 40 passes this week, but we’ll see enough of his arm to once again beat his little brother. Both teams will end Week 2 with a 1-1 record.
Best of the Rest
Here are my predictions for the rest of Week 2 (Home team in italics):
Green Bay over Buffalo
Minnesota over Miami
Kansas City over Cleveland
Dallas over Chicago
Atlanta over Arizona
Carolina over Tampa Bay
Philadelphia over Detroit
Cincinnati over Baltimore
Tennessee over Pittsburgh
Seattle over Denver
Oakland over St. Louis
Houston over Washington
New England over New York Jets
San Diego over Jacksonville
New Orleans over San Francisco
Last week’s results: 8-8
Have any NFL Splinters? Share them here.
Here’s hoping the microphone that Wells wears will be on a seven-second delay.
Did the Eagles change the shade of green they are wearing? Or are my eyes starting to change?
Cincy over Baltimore? Whoa! The Ravens will have a hangover huh? YOu are probably right. I haven’t heard much talking all week from Chadley or T.O. – nothing to get Lewis and company motivated.
I am dreading Sunday night. The Colts coming off a lost? Does NOT bode well for the Giants.
You could not write a funnier script than the one that is playing out with “Fat” Albert Haynesworth. His teammates should start nicknaming themselves Dumb Donald, Weird Harold, Mushmouth and Rudy. “Hey, hey, hey…It’s Fat Albert, and I’m gonna sing a song for you….”
Casey —
Yes … the Eagles are going with a lighter green on the jerseys and helmets … plus the wings are silver. This is a bit of a retro look for them … I like it … almost the Jaworski days.
Carolina over Tampa? Isn’t backup QB, Jimmy Clausen, getting the start for the Panthers? Usually first starts for rookies are “not pretty”.
I hope you’re wrong, T, with that Seattle over Denver pick … In Denver. That would mean that Petey Carroll has his crap together … and we don’t like Petey Carroll. Furthermore, it would mean that Josh doesn’t have his crap together … and I suppose that would be OK. Seeing Tim Tebow struggle would be nice though.
I’m thinkin’ the Browns inch by KC since they’re playing at the Dawg pound.
Indy will beat NYG … guess I see it like Casey sees it.
Wally’s surprise of the week: Bears over Dallas … you heard it here first. Don’t ask me how or why … it’s a gut feel call 😉
Wally – the Bears over the ‘Pokes is not that much of a reach especially if the Staubach wannabe keeps slinging the ball 75% of the time on first down.
I like picking the underdogs for a game or two. Yes, Baltimore had great defense against the Jets, but Sanchez is no where near the level and experience as Carson Palmer. And I would take Cedric Benson over Shonn Greene and an aging L.T. any day. After Seattle handled the 49ers, I don’t think they will have a problem against a less talented Denver. Carolina will run all over Tampa Bay with Williams and Stewart. Matt Moore is expected to start, too.
The Eagles’ new uniforms are the 50th anniversary of the 1960 team, which won the NFL Championship. I also liked the sky blue and bright yellow 75th anniversary uniforms Philadelphia wore a few years ago against Detroit.
WALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great call on da Bears! More misery in Big D!
T – are the Bengals going to finish this? Whoa!
Yeeeeeeessssss! Lovie Smith beats Wade Phillips in the “Battle of the DimWits”.
Bears almost had to play the perfect game to win. Cutler was GOOD. No big mistakes … Romo made those.
This Michael Vick thing is driving me nuts. Please, please somebody justify why Kolb is getting the start over him. Is there some game I’ve missed where Kolb just picked apart a defense and looked like Joe Montana? Vick can make something out of nothing.
Mike Greenberg had a great comment in regards to Andy Reid: “One of the most dangerous things to do in sports is to try and justify a decision you’ve already made.”
If Vick wasn’t throwing the ball well in the pocket, I’d go for this. But he is sitting and making throws when he should (novice alert). Secondly, when that pocket breaks down and only when it breaks down, he eludes tackles and gains positive yardage.
This is tearing me up. I am sticking by my word: Andy Reid is waiting for Kolb to mess up to save face. Obviously an injury wasn’t enough. This has been the plan from day one. Why in the heck would they sign Vick in the first place? I’m calling a conspiracy just like Michael Jordan secretly being suspended from the NBA (ok – that’s a little too far). I think Goodell has put a time constraint on when Vick can take back over.
Props to Vick (who I still dislike immensly, which is hard to tell from these comments) for sticking to the script in interviews.
Kolb is the quarterback of the future. He’s the guy Reid drafted to replace McNabb. He sat in the bench and learned and waited for his opportunity. Last season, Kolb started two games. He threw for over 300, nearly 400 yards in each of those games. Yes, he did throw 3 picks against the Saints, but that was after a few days practicing with the first team. Now, Kolb has had a whole year to prepare. I believe Vick was signed because of the wildcat hype. They thought he would be their change of pace player that can run or throw in the wildcat. Like Dawkins, the Eagles wanted to get rid of McNabb before he went down hill (both moves were mistakes). The first year may not be the prettiest, but if the o-line holds up, I think Kolb can evolve into a quality starter. Yes, I would like to see Vick play more if he is going do what he did yesterday, but Kolb is the starter for the next few years.