NFL Week 2 Preview

Shock and Awe. Overwhelming. Heart pounding. Screaming-and-digging-your-nails-into-your-skull.

Call it what you want...the NFL did not disappoint last week.

Opening week in the NFL has always delivered the kind of drama and suspense that football fans can hang their hat on. While there is typically some rust to shake loose and kinks to iron out, teams and players don't disappoint in giving fans either hope or despair as they look forward to the next fifteen games.

2009 began with jaw-dropping individual performances starring Drew Brees, who picked up where he left off last year and fired 6 TD passes, and Adrian Peterson who racked up 180 yards rushing and three TD's despite needing IV's, vomiting, and repairing a gash in his forearm to get him through the game.

Several teams showed their fans and the league that 2008 was not a fluke. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, NY Giants, New Orleans, and Philadelphia continued their firepower and toughness while Minnesota, Dallas, and Seattle showed heart and promise despite playing weak opponents.

If you are the kind of person who relishes in team meltdowns, then you were ecstatic to see Buffalo, Oakland, and Chicago destroy an excellent opportunity to knock off a powerhouse. Denver and San Francisco provided further entertainment when the Niners stunned the defending NFC Champions on their turf, and the Broncos scored in the final seconds on a tipped pass that turned into an 87-yard TD in Cincy.

Week 2 is upon us, and it doesn't look like there is anything to keep you away from the TV once again, including the debut of the Dallas Cowboys in their Texas palace, Cowboys Stadium, as they take on their arch-rival, NY Giants.

• Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-0): FOX, 1pm EST - If you're a Panthers fan, then you have plenty to worry about as the team heads south. Jake Delhomme and Co. looked dreadful last week vs. Philly, and things won't get much easier vs. Atlanta who looked impressive on both sides of the ball at home against Miami. The Falcons are 8-1 at home under coach Mike Smith.
  

• Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Detroit Lions (0-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Last week, Detroit had the honor of facing a missile launcher in the potent Drew Brees who lit them up for 6 TD's. This Sunday, the Lions have the distinct honor of hosting a Tasmanian Devil on crack in Adrian Peterson who violated Cleveland for 180 yards and 3 TD's. Being subjected to this kind of abuse should be against the law.

• Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Starting with the 2000-01 NY Giants, only one Super Bowl runner-up has made the playoffs the following season. Arizona was stunned by the Niners last week at home and will now travel to the East Coast where they lost five times last season. An 0-2 start will not set well with these Cardinals, but this Jags team will be pumped at home.

• New Orleans Saints (1-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): FOX, 1pm EST - Every success comes with paying a price. Philly crushed Carolina last week, but it cost them QB Donovan McNabb who broke a rib. He and two offensive linemen are out vs. a Saints team that is wired with C4 on offense and enjoyed feasting on a rookie QB last week. Eagles QB Kevin Kolb starts his first game.

• St. Louis Rams (0-1) at Washington Redskins (0-1): FOX, 1pm EST - On October 19, 2008, the Rams shocked the league by clubbing Dallas 34-14. That was their last victory and have since lost 11 in a row including last week's disappearing act vs. Seattle 28-0. Expect Washington to hassle Marc Bulger all day due to a weak line while Jason Campbell and Co. feast on the Rams secondary.

• Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0): CBS, 1pm EST - If you live in the Green Bay area and looking for work, check with the security detail at Lambeau Field. Bengals WR Chad Johnson (Ochocinco...whatever) has predicted that he will do the Lambeau Leap if he's able to miraculously score a TD. Blue uniforms should be plentiful in the end zones as should points scored by The Pack.

• Oakland Raiders (0-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-1): CBS, 1pm EST - You might want to consider setting your TiVo for the National Rugby League game between the Brisbane Broncos vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons tomorrow and then watching it Sunday.

• New England Patriots (1-0) at NY Jets (1-0): CBS, 1pm EST - In the past, if anyone slapped the Patriots insults or threats, it was like kicking a sleeping lion in the mouth. This time -- maybe not. These two teams hate each other, and some of the Jets, including head coach Rex Ryan, have slung words towards the Patriots expressing their fearlessness. But, they do actually have the tools and panache to stun the Belichick Boys who are hurting on defense.

• Houston Texans (0-1) at Tennessee Titans (0-1): CBS, 1pm EST - There were high hopes for the Houston Texans to ride their potent offense and swelling defense into the playoffs this year, but this isn't the way to start that journey. They were humiliated by the Jets on their own home turf and now travel to the Music City to take on a Titans team that is seeing red, and rested, after losing to the world champions in OT 10 days ago.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (0-1): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Speaking of "seeing red." Something tells me that the Bills will have red and pewter in their cross hairs this Sunday as they look to unleash their fury on the Bucs after letting the Patriots come from behind last Monday night. Tampa should serve Buffalo well with their seared secondary facing T.O. and Co. This is Tampa's first trip to Buffalo ever.

• Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at San Francisco 49ers (1-0): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Both of these teams entered their season openers drunk on high hopes and enthusiasm. Those pursuits were justified as the Seahawks shutout the Rams while the Niners stunned the defending NFC champ Cardinals on the road. These victories consisted of great defense, big plays, and QB moxie. This will be a great battle.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at Chicago Bears (0-1): CBS, 4:15pm EST - If you are a conceited, gun-slinging veteran QB who has been asked to carry an NFL institution on your shoulders, losing to a bitter division rival is not the way to start. Jay Cutler was horrendous vs. the Packers last week throwing 4 INT's, and things don't get any easier with the world champions coming to town for the first time since 1995. Bears LB Brian Urlacher is out for the year with a dislocated wrist, and Chicago has not won a game without him in the lineup since 1999.

• Cleveland Browns (0-1) at Denver Broncos (1-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - The challenge of getting off on the right foot continues in Mile High. Rookie head coach Josh McDaniels must capitalize on last week's miraculous victory in Cincy with a big win in his home debut. On the other sideline, QB Brady Quinn must bounce back from his uninspired performance vs. Minnesota and prove to coach Eric Mangini that he made the right choice naming him the starter. Denver is 20-5 vs. Cleveland.

• Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at San Diego Chargers (1-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - For most of the franchise's history, the Baltimore Ravens' defense has been their bedrock. Not anymore. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's balanced attack was on full display in their win vs. KC. San Diego stunned Oakland last week but only after letting the Raiders offense...yes, the Raiders...rack up 366 yards. They also paid the price with some significant injuries to L.T. and the offensive line.

• NY Giants (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0): NBC, 8:20pm EST - Whenever these two fierce rivals face each other, the battle is always epic. However, Sunday night is not about these gladiators. The national spotlight will be on the Coliseum. Cowboys Stadium debuts on the national stage and is expected to be filled with over 100,000 unruly and fervent citizens. Don't go anywhere Sunday night.

• Indianapolis Colts (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - There was a day when this matchup would be core material for any stand-up comedian. A powerful, intimidating Colts team vs. a scatter-brained Dolphins squad. Both teams have since gone through dramatic change in leadership and/or philosophy leading to this battle which could very well be decided on who wins the turnover battle. Indy has not lost a regular season game since Week 8 of last season.

STANDINGS

Chris Mortensen: 14-2

Keyshawn Johnson: 14-2

Mike Ditka: 13-3

Adam Schefter: 12-4

Cris Carter: 12-4

Eddie Chinn: 12-4

Peter King: 12-4