Detroit Lions 48 – Kansas City Chiefs 3
The Lions (2-0) have beaten two teams that contended for and made the playoffs last season. It’s definitely time for people to recognize them as a contender for the NFC North title. Matt Stafford has been healthy and he’s been hooking up the Calvin Johnson really well so far. The other young guys on this team, especially Jahvid Best, have looked great early. The Chiefs (0-2) look a lot like the team we thought they were going to be last year. There’s not a lot of depth on the Chiefs and they just don’t look ready to contend again, even in a weak AFC West.
Buffalo Bills 38 – Oakland Raiders 35
The Bills (2-0) have put up 79 points in their first two games. That’s not a typo. The real test for Ryan Fitzpatrick and company will come at home in Week 3 against the New England Patriots. The question, obviously, is if the running back combination of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller can keep averaging 190 yards per game, and if Steve Johnson and David Nelson can keep catching the ball as much as they have been.
The Raiders (1-1) beat a bad Denver Broncos team and lost to a surprising Bills team. Nothing too surprising here. Darren McFadden finally brings some solid running to the backfield. If the Raiders could only draft based on something outside of 40-yard dash times, they might have something here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 – Minnesota Vikings 20
The Buccaneers (1-1) get their first win, and Josh Freeman appears to be settling in nicely again this season. He threw for 243 yards on 22/31 and 1 TD and 1 INT. If the Bucs can continue to build on their run game, this could be a team to watch coming out of the South. The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints haven’t looked indestructible.
The Vikings (0-2) have not played considerably well in the first two weeks, but somehow managed to lost by a combined 11 points in their first two games. If Donovan McNabb can step up his game and get some more of his receivers involved, it should push this team to at least an 8-8 record. If he keeps playing like a player on his way out, it might not be long till we see Christian Ponder.
Saints 30 – Chicago Bears 13
Drew Brees is quietly looking like his old self – he hasn’t thrown a pick through his first two games after throwing 22 last season. However, if the Saints (1-1) want to be a dominant team, they are going to have to fix their run game. I don’t know what Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas need to do, but they aren’t exactly lighting things up for anyone.
The Bears (1-1) lose a week after beating a Falcons team that people don’t think will be better than the Saints. They have the same problem as the Saints. Matt Forte is a very good running back and if they don’t get him more involved (26 carries, 117 yards, 0 TD through 2 weeks), Jay Cutler and company could have a long season.
Tennessee Titans 26 – Baltimore Ravens 13
I’m not sure if there was some hangover for the Ravens (1-1) big Week 1 victory or if Matt Hasslebeck might actually still have some arm left in him, but the Titans (1-1) looked decent and the Ravens did not. If Hasselbeck can continue to throw the ball even half as good as he has in the first two weeks, all the Titans will need is a boost from Chris Johnson. He got paid, and now he’s averaging 2.2 yards/carry. Uh oh.
Cleveland Browns 27 – Indianapolis Colts 19
I think it’s safe to say that Peyton Manning means a lot to the Colts (0-2), but there is no excuse for how poorly this defense is playing. The Browns (1-1) have a lot of young talent, and look to be bringing things together, but it’s still pretty early, and I don’t expect that it will continue.
NY Jets 32 – Jacksonville Jaguars 3
The Jets (2-0) are either playing good defense, or Luke McCown is really bad….or both; definitely the second one. I do know that Mark Sanchez is going to have to play better football if the Jets want to compete with the one man show named Tom Brady that’s partying in their division right now…no, seriously. Have you seen this guy this season!? What lockout!?
Pittsburgh Steelers 24 – Seattle Seahawks 0
The only two things you need to know about this game – the Seahawks (0-2) only ran the ball 13 times and the Steelers (1-1) look really pissed that they got embarrassed in Week 1. That leads me to two more thoughts. First, the Seahawks need to run the ball, duh. Second, anyone who plays the Steelers in the near future, should probably bring extra ice.
Washington Redskins 22 – Arizona Cardinals 21
Are the Redskins really 2-0? I can’t bring myself to write anything.
Green Bay Packers 30 – Carolina Panthers 23
We could discuss the defending Super Bowl Champs lighting up the scoreboard (and allowing a whopping 476 yards per game on defense!), but I’d rather talk about Cam Newton. His stat line (seriously) is 52/83, 854 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT…that’s on pace for (and yes, I know he won’t keep it up) 416/644, 6832 yards, 24 TD. What’s that Mel Kiper? No, I think he’ll be able to hang at the next level. Thanks for your opinion, though. (Cue Tim Tebow praying to get out of Denver!)
Dallas Cowboys 27 – San Francisco 49ers 24 (OT)
I can’t bring myself to say anything nice about Tony Romo and his “heroic” effort to come back with a rib injury. He cracked one rib, he’s making a ton of money. He’ll live. One more note – Alex Smith might actually have figured this whole NFL thing out…but we’ll see.
Patriots 35 – San Diego Chargers 21
Speaking of QBs having great seasons – have you seen Brady’s stats so far? He’s on pace to throw for like a million and a half yards. He’s pretty good. If they can get this running game off the ground (so to speak), I’m not sure we won’t see another 18-0 run to the Super Bowl. Oh…and the Chargers don’t look half bad either.
Houston Texans 23 – Miami Dolphins 13
Matt Schaub is pretty good. Andre Johnson is very good. Arian Foster is good, oh and so is Ben Tate. The Texans might have finally figured out this whole defense things too. The AFC South goes through Houston.
You think the Dolphins regret that Reggie Bush decision? I bet they do. They’re 0-2 and I think the current regime, along with Chad Henne might be playing their last season in Miami. Write that down, it’s true.
Broncos 24 – Cincinnati Bengals 22
Kyle Orton is having a good season thus far, and Willis McGahee is running like he still has something in the tank. The Broncos might be better than I originally thought, but they aren’t going to be worth spending 500 words on here…so I won’t.
I do want to talk about Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Dalton has a 105 QB RAT with 413 yards and 3 TD and no INT. This kid might be the real deal. I’m a big fan of proven winners coming into the NFL and doing it at this level. I think that the Dalton/Green combo should prove a good basis for a hopeful future in Cincy.
Falcons 35 – Philadelphia Eagles 31
If Michael Vick hadn’t gotten hurt, this game probably would have ended with the Eagles getting the victory. Too bad that’s not how it happened – now Vick is out indefinitely with a concussion, the Falcons and Eagles are both 1-1 and the “Dream Team” looks to be in some serious trouble…and it’s early in the season. Gross.
NY Giants 28 – St. Louis Rams 16
Did the Rams miss Steven Jackson or did they miss Steven Jackson? With him in this game, it would have been a completely different game. The Rams would have been able to control the clock, Sam Bradford wouldn’t have had to throw 46 passes, and the Giants would have been on their heels. But, as we all know, that’s not how it happened. And now the Rams are 0-2 and the Giants are 1-1. So the cookie crumbles.
Later this week (tomorrow?), I will be posting by NFL Week 3 Preview. Stay tuned!
Questions, comments, have a better idea? Email me (outsidepressureblog@gmai.com) or comment below.
