NFL WEEK 2
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
West
W
L
T
Pct.
PF
PA
AFC
NFC
Div.
COMMENT
San Diego
1
0
0
1.000
24
20
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
The Chargers, who have struggled to get off to fast starts the last two seasons, have beaten the Ravens in San Diego in three of four meetings.
Denver
1
0
0
1.000
12
7
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Kyle Orton passed to eight receivers in opener, but the winning play (Brandon Stokley’s “Immaculate Deflection”) didn’t reach intended target.
Kansas City
0
1
0
.000
24
38
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Quarterback Brodie Croyle is 0-9 as a starter, and the Chiefs have lost 24 of 26 games. They have beaten the Raiders 10 of 12 times, however.
Oakland
0
1
0
.000
20
24
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Looked better in opener than expected, especially on offensive line. Want first-round receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (zero catches) more involved.
North
Baltimore
1
0
0
1.000
38
24
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Have opened playbook a bit in hopes of Joe Flacco becoming more of a playmaker. Chargers’ defensive front will test Baltimore’s young line.
Pittsburgh
1
0
0
1.000
13
10
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Need to prove can establish run, something didn’t do vs. Tennessee. Defense has gone without Troy Polamalu before, but it’s not as effective.
Cincinnati
0
1
0
.000
7
12
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
The Bengals are 0-4 at Lambeau Field, and their very solid secondary will get a real test against a talented collection of Green Bay receivers.
Cleveland
0
1
0
.000
20
34
0-0-0
0-1-0
0-0-0
When Browns play at Denver, it will be a matchup of two former Bill Belichick assistants: Cleveland’s Eric Mangini vs. Denver’s Josh McDaniels.
South
Indianapolis
1
0
0
1.000
14
12
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
With Anthony Gonzalez out for what could be half the season, just-acquired Hank Baskett could see Peyton Manning passes coming his way.
Houston
0
1
0
.000
7
24
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Houston’s new team isn’t very good against its old one. Texans are 1-6 at Tennessee with a four-game losing streak and lost 11 of 14 games.
Jacksonville
0
1
0
.000
12
14
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Maurice Jones-Drew is the focus of Jacksonville’s offense (most carries and catches last Sunday), but Jaguars can’t win being one-dimensional.
Tennessee
0
1
0
.000
10
13
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Will get ball into the hands of running back Chris Johnson early and often. Houston’s defense yielded 190 yards on the ground in the opener.
East
New England
1
0
0
1.000
25
24
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
The Belichick-coached Patriots are 18-2 against quarterbacks facing them for the first time. Only rookie to win initial matchup? Roethlisberger.
N.Y. Jets
1
0
0
1.000
24
7
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Rex Ryan knows how to scheme Tom Brady. Ryan’s Ravens were the only ones to keep the QB under 50% passing in Pats’ 18-1 season.
Buffalo
0
1
0
.000
24
25
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Big test will be how Bills respond from heartache of coming oh-so-close to a major upset at New England. The Buccaneers are vulnerable.
Miami
0
1
0
.000
7
19
0-0-0
0-1-0
0-0-0
For first time in 34 years, Dolphins have their home opener on “Monday Night Football.” Their rookie corners will be tested by Peyton Manning.
--
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
West
W
L
T
Pct.
PF
PA
AFC
NFC
Div.
COMMENT
San Francisco
1
0
0
1.000
20
16
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
49ers love production from defensive end Justin Smith, who, by their count, had four tackles and 13 quarterback pressures in win over Arizona.
Seattle
1
0
0
1.000
28
0
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
Matt Hasselbeck, who missed nine games with back problems last season, looked good. Frequently found John Carlson (six catches, two TDs).
Arizona
0
1
0
.000
16
20
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Because Jacksonville is having problems pressuring the passer, Kurt Warner should have a blink longer to find banged-up receivers.
St. Louis
0
1
0
.000
0
28
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Will look to get running back Steven Jackson more involved in game plan against Redskins. Seattle did a good job of keeping him contained.
North
Green Bay
1
0
0
1.000
21
15
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times in opener and hit hard nine times -- more than twice the per-game average of hits he took last season.
Minnesota
1
0
0
1.000
34
20
0-0-0
1-0-0
0-0-0
Although they got 180 yards rushing from Adrian Peterson, the offense was otherwise meager. Can they pound the Lions like Saints did?
Chicago
0
1
0
.000
15
21
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Look for Jay Cutler and his receivers to be on the same page more often than in opener, when he made his Bears debut with four interceptions.
Detroit
0
1
0
.000
27
45
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Unless left tackle Jeff Backus can slow Jared Allen (NFL-high 57 1/2 sacks since 2004), rookie QB Matthew Stafford is going to feel a lot of heat.
South
New Orleans
1
0
0
1.000
45
27
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Haven’t won in Philadelphia since 1991 (three losses). Offense is facing a defense that allowed just 169 yards in the opener and also scored.
Atlanta
1
0
0
1.000
19
7
0-0-0
1-0-0
0-0-0
Last Falcons-Panthers game, Atlanta’s Michael Turner rushed for 117 yards, four TDs. Now Falcons have more firepower with Tony Gonzalez.
Carolina
0
1
0
.000
10
38
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Panthers are trying to figure out if Jake Delhomme is really as bad as he’s looked in his past two games, when he accounted for 11 turnovers.
Tampa Bay
0
1
0
.000
21
34
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
So far so good for rushing tandem of Cadillac Williams-Derrick Ward. They combined for 159 yards last Sunday and each scored a touchdown.
East
N.Y. Giants
1
0
0
1.000
23
17
1-0-0
0-0-0
1-0-0
On their first three-game road swing since 1994. After helping Dallas open its new stadium, they play at Tampa Bay and at Kansas City.
Dallas
1
0
0
1.000
34
21
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
The Cowboys’ final victory in their old stadium came against the Giants, but New York’s Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress weren’t playing.
Philadelphia
1
0
0
1.000
38
10
1-0-0
0-0-0
0-0-0
Forced seven turnovers against Carolina, but how will they fare against Drew Brees and high-flying Saints, who had 515 yards offense in opener.
Washington
0
1
0
.000
17
23
0-1-0
0-0-0
0-1-0
Here’s a new look for the Redskins: the shotgun. Jason Campbell was productive in it last week, and Redskins might use it more vs. St. Louis.
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