With exception of the Eagles @ Bears tonight, which should be an entertaining game, week 2 is behind us. I'll make my prediction now, Eagles might pull this one out if they can play some D and put some pressure on Cutler. I think they will, and I predict the Eagles eke this one out down the stretch.

The Good:

  • Minnesota Vikings. The last-minute acquisition of Bradford was an excellent decision, as evidenced by his performance last night. Despite losing Peterson in the 3rd quarter, the combination of Bradford's steady performance (22 of 31 in passing, 286 yards, 2 TD's and zero interceptions) and a very impressive Vikings defensive performance has them 2-0 this season.

  • NY Giants. For the first time since 2009, the Giants win their opening 2 games to start the season despite not having a single offense-credited touchdown against the Saints Sunday. Manning had an otherwise solid performance with 32 for 41 pass attempts and 353 yards with no interceptions. The Giants defense looks steady, and if Cruz and Beckham simply do what is expected of them - the Giants could be the stalwarts of the NFC east this season.

  • NE Patriots. The Brady-less Pats move to 2-0, despite Garoppolo's shoulder injury taking him out of the contest in the 2nd quarter. Jimmy G looked great yet again, going 18-27 for 234 passing yards and three touchdowns. The shoulder injury isn't serious, and although it's unlikely that he'll be in uniform Thursday night against Houston, the news is better-than-expected long-term. The bottom line is that Belichick has a 2-week ordeal to negotiate with the potential of having a 3rd stringer assume a starting role for the remaining 2 games of Brady's absence, and there's no doubt that he's making some calls and surveying the weak pool of remaining also-rans out of work to get through the next two weeks. But this doesn't factor considering that even should the Pats lose the next two games - they're still the team to beat. It just means that Brady will come into the picture in week 5 with an incentive to run the tables the rest of the season.

  • Denver Broncos. Their defense continues to win games, even the ugly ones like the game against the Colts Sunday night. Von Miller made the play of the game with forcing the sack-fumble on Andrew Luck, moving the Broncs to 2-0. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Trevor Siemian, but he's held his own thus far with that heralded defense in Denver continuing to play their usual role.

  • Pittsburgh. It was a lethargic opening half of football, but the Steelers continue to figure out how to win not playing their best, and particularly Sunday in not-so-good conditions. They will improve as the season progresses, providing their defense continues to perform. They're 2-0, but face a tough upcoming schedule. They're @ Philly on Sunday, then face the Chiefs, Jets, Dolphins and Patriots the following four weeks.

The Bad

Indianapolis Colts. Andrew Luck might be the highest-paid NFL player in history, but he is not a miracle worker. A great quarterback cannot account for so many bad decisions and a non-supporting cast, which includes much of the coaching staff. They continue to be satisfied with mediocrity, with little idea how to plug the holes in a sinking ship. They've not been good now for far too long with Luck at the helm, heads need to roll there.

NFC West. This division is an absolute dumpster-fire, with the Cardinals holding the matches and gasoline. Seattle loses to the second-worst team in the league, Chip Kelly's only win has come against the second-worst team in the league, and the Cardinals have arguably the easiest schedule of any better-than-average team coming up this season.

The Downright Ugly

Buffalo Bills. There's such a level of dysfunction going on in Buffalo that it's impossible to ignore. Between the husband-wife owners micromanaging the team, meeting with the players in a private meeting with Rex Ryan not invited, to Rex Ryan himself... this soap opera continues to play out in excruciatingly painful fashion for the Bills faithful. Recently fired Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman, on some level, has to be somewhat relieved that he no longer has to be a part of it. Rex Ryan will not make it through the season, although quite frankly it doesn't matter. No competent prospective head coach would want that job with all of the drama going on there with an ineffective, tone-deaf GM and the owners.

Seattle. They've amassed 15 points total through the first two games of the season. Not sure what's going on with Russell Wilson, or the team in general. But losing to the likes of Case Keenum and the LA Rams gives even the most ardent of Seahawks fans reason to worry. The offense clearly is struggling, and that's on Pete Carroll.

New Orleans. The blowback is never good when an 0-2 team's performance is being over-shadowed by players calling out their opponents for cheating. Saints CB Sterling Moore wasted little time taking Odell Beckham Jr to task for numerous offensive pass interference no-calls after the game Sunday in the post interview commentary. It sounds like desperation has already set in in New Orleans, and not even Drew Brees (who surpassed Marino as #3 all-time passing yards Sunday) can help them. I sense a tough season ahead for Sean Payton, who appears resigned to accept that his team will be missing the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season.

    Some updates on notable injuries.

    Garoppolo's injury is a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, and although it is unlikely that he'll start Thursday night, there's a very good chance that he'll be available for their next following game, which is the Bills on October 2nd. So most likely the guy behind center for Thursday night's game will be Brissett. I suspect Garoppolo will dress, but only see action on the off chance that Brissett gets injured.

    Adrian Peterson suffered a torn meniscus in his right leg yesterday against the Packers, and although the Vikings haven't divulged much info regarding his status - it's very unlikely that he'll be playing anytime soon, and even if he does - he certainly won't be at 100% before midseason at the earliest.

    In other news, Pete Carroll and his Seattle Seahawks have just been slapped with a huge fine for violating the league's off-season no-contact OTA policy. The organization was fined $400k, Carroll fined $200k, and the team has been stripped of a 5th-round draft pick next season. This marks the third time that Carroll has overstepped the no-contact rules in the off-season and the league has decided that enough is enough. Gotta love that Pete Carroll - he never met a rule that he felt didn't apply to him.


    Tough night for the Bears. I was really surprised that they struggled the way they did, especially after punching the Eagles defense in the face on their second offensive series of the game. I really thought it would be a tussle at that point.

    It's hard to be overly critical of the Birds, protection could've certainly been better in spots... but the kid continues to impress. The only real criticism I have is his unwillingness to avoid getting hit, which really concerns me. He's a big athletic guy, got some mobility for a big guy, but he's not invincible and he needs to avoid making himself an open target.

    That aside, and accounting for the fact that the first two games of his career haven't exactly been against two of the better defenses in the league, he still shows an enormous ability to read defensive schemes and make adjustments on the fly. He's got a great arm, he's got the touch to float the ball and lead an open receiver, and he just plays an intelligent game.

    And he'll need all of that on full display Sunday when Pittsburgh comes to town, because it won't be a pillow fight like the first two games have been. The first two games have given him a chance to find his footing, but the next two games will up the challenge to a completely different level. Not just for Wentz, but for the defense especially.


    Uh, yeah... I'll trade away and unload Chip Kelly's underachievers, trade away future picks for some poe-dunk kid from somewhere out in no man's land, plan to have him watch/learn, then get my draft picks back by trading to a desperate Vikings team, start the kid, and light the city of Philadelphia on fire!
    Sure, I could have predicted that! LOL

      PA-PLAYA Eagles @ Bears tonight, which should be an entertaining game

      It wasn't.

      Trying to figure how the Eagles were able to have a QB on the field for almost every down.....going both directions....both halves. Cheaters, they must be.

      Demarcus Ware, broken arm. But Broncos are the deepest team in the NFL at that position.

      professor

      As much as I'd prefer to not be grateful for the advantages due to someone else's misfortune, the primary person we can credit for Wentz being in Philly is Teddy Bridgewater.

      That said, Sam Bradford might also benefit greatly from the situation. And I sincerely hope he does. I didn't care for what I saw of him in Philly, but that had 1000 times more to do with an arrogant, look-at-how-great-i-am head coach than Bradford's perceived lack of talent. Who knows - Bradford might not take full advantage of a different coach and a different atmosphere in Minnesota, but at least he's being utilized the way his style of play compliments. And the same could obviously be said of Wentz... two games, however impressive they were, doesn't define a season. He's not quite Canton material yet. And it will get tougher for him as the scouts from the other teams get more tape on him and spot potential tendencies and weaknesses. Right now - he's enjoying the luxury of not having but a 2-game history for them to refer to.

      But I am optimistic... no reason not to be, Chip Kelly was essentially run out of Philadelphia and for good reason. I think Pederson is showing a steady hand as a new head coach, and I for one appreciate the change of pace, but not half as much as the defense!

      One thing however I have noticed... Pederson seems to be cut of the same throw-first, run-second mold as Reid was. Maybe that has more to do with a struggling front line that can't control the line of scrimmage, but if this kid is going to have any chance to be successful this season - we can't ignore running plays. Our rushing yards last night were superficially inflated because we were essentially killing the clock for almost the entire last quarter. That's not gonna make life easy for him against better defensive teams. Then again, depending on what comes of the looming appeal - that might be the only option we have this season.

      Well... if there was ever any doubt that John Elway did the right thing by letting Brock Osweiler walk at the end of last season - that doubt was removed Thursday night.

      So 4 years, $72 million... $12 million to sign and $37 million guaranteed... failed to put his team in a position to score a single point, and got seriously upstaged by a 3rd stringer who had all of 10 days to prepare for his very first start.

      Yeah, Osweiler might have a little overrated going on there. The Broncos defense made him look a whole lot better than he is, all the way to the bank no less. Have fun with that, Houston.

      But... not-so-good news for New England. As well as Brissett played, he has a torn ligament in his thumb, his throwing hand thumb, and will need surgery. So Garoppolo will either play next Sunday, which could very well end up being the case, or maybe Belichick will prove that he can win with a receiver behind center. Either way, I'm still thinking the Pats go 4-0 without Brady. And considering the magnitude of the feat, should it come to pass, it will elevate Belichick to a completely different dimension.

      I mean - if you're a Pats fan - it's almost like you don't want to win this last game without Brady. It's been that good already.

        PA-PLAYA

        No, we'll take the win. Brissett played with the injured thumb and after the game did not have any ice or bandage on it. Luckily Buffalo sucks and we'll be playing at home.