We’ve finished two weeks in the NFL season and some teams are in panic mode (hello Dallas), some are in jubilation (welcome to respectability Tampa and Kansas City), some are trying to make major statements about being a contender (we see you Houston and Pittsburgh) and others are trying to round into form (we feel you Indy and New Orleans).
Before I continue…
Music to listen to: Ilyena by The Mars Volta
Let’s get straight to the games
Pittsburgh 19, Tennessee 11: Does Jeff Fisher want to lose the psyche of Vince Young again? What was the point of pulling him from the game? All quarterbacks go through rough periods, especially against the Pittsburgh defense, and you didn’t allow Young the chance to overcome adversity and possibly lead the team to a victory. Its only game two of the year. Fisher pulled a panic move way too early in the season. As for Pittsburgh, they re showing some potential to prove the “Ewing Theory” in full effect. What has kept the Steelers on point this year has been the defense and the return of Troy Polomalu. He’s making an early case for defensive player of the year.
Cincinnati 15, Baltimore 10: This is the reason that I couldn’t have Baltimore in the Super Bowl in my predictions. I just feel that the Ravens’ offense will disappoint them at the wrong time. Granted, it was Baltimore’s second-consecutive road game against a good tem in Cincinnati, but that should have been a win.
Philadelphia 35, Detroit 32: I know Vick looked good and I must eat crow because I didn’t think that he would but how can Andy Reid make him the permanent starting quarterback over Kevin Kolb. That’s a terrible move because you’ve now lost Kolb for the rest of the season. If Vick struggles and he will because every quarterback does, it will be difficult to turn to Kolb and expect him to perform. I know Kolb’s a professional but still, when you know that your own coach doesn’t have faith in you, that’s tough.
Atlanta 41, Arizona 7: This one was very predictable. You have one good team (Atlanta) that was coming home after losing a tough road loss to a better team (Pittsburgh) facing a decent team (Arizona) playing its second straight road game after barely beating a weak team (St. Louis) and traveling across the country to another time zone in the early game of the week.
Miami 14, Minnesota 10: When does Brett Farve not start his first game and what will the reason be. I’m guessing after week 11 when the Vikings host the Packers. Right before the game, Farve will announce this will be his final year and will bow out during the season due to injury.
Kansas City 16, Cleveland 14: Respect to Kansas City for getting a road win and staying focused after the big win in week one over San Diego. I don’t know how to read the Chiefs because they can lose their next six games and it wouldn’t surprise me at all. However, with Denver and Oakland looking vulnerable, maybe the Chiefs can make a run.
Tampa 20, Carolina 7: Respect to Tampa for winning two games, including a division contest but this also shows how predictions can go wrong. I saw more than one writer predict Carolina making the playoffs but that looks like it isn’t going to happen. I just couldn’t predict good things for a team that was relying on Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen as the quarterbacks.
Green Bay 34, Buffalo 7: I didn’t even see the highlights of this game so I have nothing to bring to you.
Chicago 27, Dallas 20: Good job for the Bears finding an offense on the road. Matt Forte is playing inspired football in Mike Martz’s offense. As for the Cowboys, they are what they are. Dallas has been an overrated franchise for years and people are starting to finally come around on it. The problems go beyond the quarterback, the offensive line, the play calling, defense, etc. Its an organization that has never understood how to build a winning franchise and that starts with ownership.
Denver 31, Seattle 14: Both of these teams will be similar the entire season. One week they will look good, the next week they will look bad. Denver just happened to be the winning team this week.
Oakland 16, St. Louis 14: Oakland just needs to stick with Jason Campbell at quarterback.
San Diego 38, Jacksonville 13: Same exact situation as Atlanta/Arizona accept it was the late game.
New York Jets 28, New England 14: See what happens New York when you open up the offense. We’ll know more about the Jets next week when they travel to Miami.
Houston 30, Washington 27: Game of the day proved that the Texans may finally have the resilience that we’ve been waiting to see from these guys for years. The game-tying touchdown catch by Houston’s Andre Johnson at the end of the fourth quarter was one of the best examples of determination that I’ve seen in a long time.
Indianapolis 38, New York Giants 14: The Giants will go nowhere if the offensive line doesn’t improve.
New Orleans 25, San Francisco 22: This may be a win-win situation for both teams. For New Orleans, it was a testament to its resiliency and finding a way to win on the road against an inspired team. Losing Reggie Bush to injury does hurt. For the 49ers, they had some good moments on offense, especially on their last drive. That’s something that can be built on, especially in the NFC West.
Those are my quick thoughts, what about yours?
The Sports Inquirer 
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