By TLarner
The season keeps on rolling as Week 2 is almost in the books. We saw many stars shine, and many more fade on Sunday. Tonight’s game is sure to keep us on the edge of our couches and recliners.
Quarterback Controversy in Philly
Kevin Kolb was out this weekend while recovering from last week’s concussion. Michael Vick looked great in relief of Kolb last week, and started his first game since 2006 yesterday. And it looked like he hadn’t missed a step. Detroit also had to use their reserves as backup QB Shaun Hill got the start for the injured Matthew Stafford. Vick began an offensive showdown with the Lions by connecting with receiver DeSean Jackson for a 45-yard score. Lions’ rookie running back Jahvid Best answered with a rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Best got the best of the Eagles’ defense by then taking a 75-yard screen pass to the house, making the score 17-7 Detroit. Then, the Eagles took charge with four unanswered touchdowns. Vick showed his elusiveness throughout the game that made him a threat in Atlanta. He was able to shake multiple pass rushes, and found Jeremy Maclin for a score before the half. Eagles’ running back LeSean McCoy had three rushing touchdowns, including a 46-yarder in the fourth quarter. Detroit made it interesting in the end, as Best, who is one letter away from being a “Beast”, found the end zone again. Hill later hit Calvin Johnson for a touchdown, narrowing the deficit to three as the Lions trailed 35-32. Detroit then recovered an onside kick with less than two minutes remaining. Fortunately for Head Coach Andy Reid, the Philadelphia defense shutdown Hill on fourth down to end the threat. Vick finished with 284 yards and the two touchdown passes. Now all the buzz around Philadelphia is who should Coach Reid start next week, Kolb, the future of the franchise, or Vick, who has been on fire in the past two games?
How ’bout Them Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys fell to an 0-2 start after their loss to Chicago on Sunday. Quarterback Tony Romo had another disappointing game as the Bears won 27-20. Romo finished with 2 interceptions, while Jay Cutler is looking hot in his second game, going 21-29 with three touchdowns. Also note that neither team was able to effectively run the ball. Chicago’s defense made an early statement when corner Charles Tillman jarred the ball loose from receiver Miles Austin, and D.J. Moore was able to pluck the ball out of the air before it hit the ground. However, Dallas answered with a 62 yard punt return by rookie first round pick Dez Bryant to take a 7-3 lead. After Cutler threw a touchdown to Greg Olsen, Dallas took 14-10 lead when another rookie, Chris Gronkowski, caught a one-yard TD pass from Romo. Devin Hester made a beautiful one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone, and the Bears went up 20-14. Cutler, who ran Mike Martz’s offense to perfection, then found Matt Forte for another touchdown. With a 27-17 lead, the Chicago defense strips Dallas receiver Roy Williams to end a must score drive.
Jets’ Offense Ready for Takeoff
The New York Jets recovered from a one point loss to Baltimore by easily handling their division rival New England. While Mark Sanchez looked rather awful last week, he shined against the Patriots. Sanchez threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, and Jerricho Cotchery each caught a touchdown. Ladainian Tomlinson lead the ground game with 76 yards and Shonn Green added 52 yards. Tom Brady looked good early, hitting Randy Moss and Wes Welker for touchdowns in the first half. Following Moss’s one-handed touchdown catch, Jets’ corner Darrelle Revis left the game with a hamstring injury, and is expected to miss a week or two. In the second half, Brady was picked off by Antonio Cromartie and Brodney Pool. In the fourth quarter, Jason Taylor sacked Brady, forcing a fumble, which was scooped up by linebacker David Harris, sealing the Patriots’ fate. While Sanchez was sharp in Week 2, the New England defense is considerably weaker than that of the Ravens. I’m looking forward to see if he can continue this level of play against a stronger opponent.
Game of the Week Results
My Week 2 Game of the Week ended just the way I had expected. There was no looking back for Indianapolis as they defeated the New York Giants 38-14. Did anyone really expect the Colts to fall to 0-2 to start the 2010 season? Not with Peyton Manning calling the shots. Even as adults, little brother Eli is still getting beaten up by his older brother.
In my Key Match-up, I stated the team who ran the ball better would win the game. In their Week 1 meeting with Houston, not only did the Texans gash the Colts’ defense on the ground, Indy couldn’t run the ball. Last night, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown sparked the ground game with a combined 161 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries. Compare those numbers to the loss against Houston, when Addai had only 44 yards on 10 carries. Peyton was his typical self, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He spread the ball around as Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, and Reggie Wayne all caught a touchdown pass.
Eli was smothered by the pass rush of Indianapolis. Star defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis each had two sacks. Each also forced Eli to fumble the ball on a sack. Defensive tackle Fili Moala recovered Freeney’s forced fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Eli was able to find Mario Manningham in the third quarter and Hakeem Nicks with less than 10 seconds left in the game for touchdowns. Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 89 yards, but Brandon Jacobs only had eight yards on four carries. In his frustration, he threw his helmet, which ended up about 10 rows in the stands. Peyton is now 2-0 against Eli and both teams end Week 2 at 1-1.
Remaining Scores from Sunday
- Buffalo-7
- Green Bay-34
- Miami-14
- Minnesota-10
- Kansas City-16
- Cleveland-14
- Arizona-7
- Atlanta-41
- Tampa Bay-20
- Carolina-7
- Baltimore-10
- Cincinnati-15
- Pittsburgh-19
- Tennessee-11
- Seattle-14
- Denver-31
- St. Louis-14
- Oakland-16
- Houston-30
- Washington-27
- Jacksonville-13
- San Diego-38
Monday Night Football
Tonight, the New Orleans Saints travel west to face the San Francisco 49ers. The Saints were able to sneak past the Vikings last week in the first game of the 2010 season. The 49ers were preseason favorites to win the NFC West, but were manhandled by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. San Fran Coach Mike Singletary has been vocal about his belief that his 49ers can take down the Super Bowl Champions.
Drew Brees and his offense was quiet against Minnesota. If the 49ers’ defense plays like they did last week, expect Brees, Reggie Bush, and Marques Colstonto light up the scoreboard. However, linebacker Patrick Willis of San Francisco is arguably the best defender in the NFL, and he won’t give up without a fight. Running back Frank Gore is looking to get the ground game running on all cylinders.
I expect a rather easy victory for the Saints. Offensively, they have too many weapons for the 49ers’ defense to cover. Bush, Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Jeremy Shockey are all big time threats for Brees to connect with. Pierre Thomas was effective on the ground last week, too. The Saints’ defense, which specializes as causing turnovers, will give opposing quarterback Alex Smith headaches. “Who Dat?”
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Game of the week? Hmpf! A return of Eli in the headlights that’s what it was. And here I thought that look left us the moment David Tyree made the HELMET CATCH! Oh gee, it’s been so long since I thought of that moment frozen in time. I couldn’t control myself. 🙂
Holy cow! Who was the QB masquerading in the Sanchez uniform yesterday?
” Patrick Willis leads the league in Holy Smoke Plays”.
Yes, Jon Gruden!! Thank you for making Monday Night Football interesting again.
Where did the 49ers come from? They had a good defense and were able to move the ball on offense. The Saints barely win another one. I know a W is a W, but how much longer can they last playing such close games? Not the 20 point victories they had last year. 49ers drop to 0-2, does that make next week a must win if they still plan on winning the NFC West?
Nasty Bills stat – they have not accounted for 300 yards passing in 56 games. Maybe Fitzpatrick will throw to Evans. How does Lee Evans get just one pass thrown in his direction? Actually, how does does Evans remain composed. Would anyone blame him if he exploded at a press conference?
How is it that the Cowpokes cannot run the ball. Aren’t they supposed to have a great line and great backs?
Any surprise that Revis has a hamstring injury? Duh! Why don’t you show up for camp and condition with the rest of the guys.
Casey, I saw that stat during the game Sunday (one moment when I was awake on the couch), and it wasn’t surprising. Offense hasn’t been a strong suit of the Bills since the days of Kelly. Even elements that worked, like the no huddle, have been pushed aside. And last year’s acquisition of TO and refusal to throw to him, well, what can you say? Everyone said TO was a problem, etc, but he can’t score if you don’t pass to him. So the Bills stink. I would hope for a 0-16, but they’ll probably screw up that record and get a win or two along the way.
If this keeps up, the Bills are in danger of being moved … to Toronto, LA, San Antonio … who knows. The value of the franchise will be quite low … and prime for pickin’. Or maybe they will merge with the Lions to possibly create a .500 ballclub :). Seriously, I feel bad for Bills fans … great fans and tradition in that area of the country … you deserve better!
I don’t think the Bills can move until Wilson dies (although that could be any day). Maybe the Bills and Tigers can be the start of a football minor league system.
Even though I am not a big Bills fan, I do find myself rooting for them because they are the local favorite. I would be upset if they moved because I do enjoy going to Buffalo, tailgating, and watching good ole football. I hope they can get a good draft this year and turn things around.
T – Edwards is benched and Fitzpatrick elevated to starter. How long will that last? Would Jeff Garcia be an upgrade?
Jaysus, Casey, Jerry Garcia would be an upgrade, but you’d have to dig him up first.
In that case, would we consider even JaMarcus Russell an upgrade in Buffalo? There are plenty of guys around the league the Bills could go after. If Clausen becomes the full time starter in Carolina, Matt Moore would become expendable. Did the Bills try to get Leinart after he was released? Bruce Gradkowski has done pretty good in Oakland, and may even start over Jason Campbell. Campbell is another name Buffalo could have pursued in the offseason. When Roethlisberger comes back, maybe Pittsburgh would give up Dixon. Vick’s contract in Philly is up after this year, will they try to sign him? Even Shaun Hill did really good against the Eagles on Sunday in place of Stafford for Detroit. I am glad to see Fitzpatrick start. I do like him better than Edwards. If we can sign or trade for a QB, that would save our first round pick for a good offensive lineman.
The Bills need …. Brady Quinn. Yes, the “Mighty Quinn” is looking for a fresh start and a team that won’t yank him after a few series. Ya don’t want Jamarcus …. million dollar arm, two cent head. Leinart now one of the back-ups for Houston.