Week 2 in the NFL; check your pulse
Week one in the NFL conditioned even the weak fans to salivate. This
weekend features match-ups across the board where playoff teams from a year ago look to avoid a 0-2 start, the ageless wonder looks to regain his pro
bowl form, and the NFL’s best running back continues to chase history.
The game dominating the headlines is the much anticipated “Manning Bowl,”
where older brother Peyton will welcome Eli and his Giants to Indianapolis
on Sunday Night Football. This will mark the second time the brothers have
met with Eli attempting to even the series with his brother after Peyton and
the Colts took the first game back in 2006. You can be sure that the Colts
defense will look to rebound from a week one embarrassment, surrendering
over 250 rushing yards to the Texans in a loss. The Colts have not started
a season 0-2 since 1998 and with a very tough schedule and division; this
game may determine their season.
After mulling retirement once again this off-season, Brett Favre looks to
rebound from his disappointing week one performance against the Saints as
they look to avoid a 0-2 hole against the Miami Dolphins. Favre and his
teammates were not on the same page as he overthrew receivers and looked
every bit his age. On the other side, Miami enjoyed a week one victory in
Buffalo and look to get off to their best start since 2002. If Favre can’t
get it done, look for an explosive effort out of Adrian Peterson, vying to
reclaim his title as the NFL’s best running back-
Speaking of talented running backs, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans
picked up right where he left off last season with another stellar
performance in the Titans week one victory over the Raiders. Johnson
extended his streak of 100+ yards rushing to 12 games (leaving him two shy
of Barry Sanders‘ record of 14) and will look to continue that success
against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has allowed only three 100-yard
rushers since 2006, an NFL best. As both teams come into this match-up 1-0,
the Steelers will once again lean on Dennis Dixon in place of the suspended
Ben Roethlisberger while the Titans hope to get off to a 2-0 start after
beginning last season with six straight losses.
Perhaps the most anticipated game of his career, Michael Vick will start
under center for the Philadelphia Eagles as Kevin Kolb will watch from
the sidelines after suffering a concussion in the Eagles week one loss.
This will mark the first time Vick has started a game since 2006 and after
coming up short in an exciting second half against Green Bay, Vick looks to
keep the adrenaline pumping as he attempts to keep the Eagles relevant in a
tough NFC East and avoid a 0-2 start against the Detroit Lions. However, the
Lions look to rebound from a controversial loss to the Bears in week one
where it appeared Calvin Johnson caught the winning touchdown with under a minute remaining, only to find out mid-celebration he failed to maintain
possession throughout the catch.
After an entertaining pre-season on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”, the NY Jets failed
to live up to their own expectations in an ugly loss to the Ravens on Monday
Night Football. This week will be the Jets shot at redemption, playing in
front of their home crowd once again, welcoming their most bitter rival in
the New England Patriots. Tom Brady enjoyed a terrific week one win against
the Bengals, throwing for 258 yards and three touchdowns; two to Wes Welker. While the Jets will most certainly be fighting for their division lives, the Patriots young secondary will hope to continue to make things difficult in
the passing game for Mark Sanchez, who struggled mightily in week one,
throwing for just 74 yards.
If these games don’t get you fired up, check your pulse because every living
human being will be glued firmly to their couch this Sunday, expecting
another entertaining afternoon of football.
