Week 2 Wonderings
By Val Thompson
The second week of action in the NFL is so full of surprises, shocks and oddities that I couldn't pick one thing to focus on. Some obvious observations coming from yesterday:
Team with an 0-2 start that still has the best chance: Oakland Raiders. Moss and Company at least competed in both of their losses, which can't be said for most 0-2 teams. Their problem is they're not using their best weapon to full potential. Sure, Randy Moss leads the NFL in receiving yards after the first two weeks, but he has only 10 catches. After tying the game 17-17 against the Chiefs yesterday with a 64-yard touchdown, Moss got just one more pass the rest of the game, for six yards. In the Raiders' final two drives, when they could have taken the lead, they didn't pass to Moss once. The future doesn't get easier, with a trip to Philadelphia next week, but the Raiders are the best 0-2 team in the league, and will probably be the best 0-3 team after next week.
Team with a 2-0 record that still has to worry: This is a little tougher because all five teams that are 2-0 are pretty solid. But Kansas City gets the nod because their defense is suspect. They're ranked 27th in the league in yards allowed and they haven't been tested yet this season. They have decent wins over the Raiders and Jets, but nothing overpowering. They've got one of the better rushing combos in the league, but their winning ways won't continue if Priest Holmes keeps averaging just 80 yards a game and Larry Johnson can't stay out of trouble with the law.
Defense Bailing Out Peyton: Last year it was all about touchdown passes. This year, Peyton has thrown just two in two games (and none in yesterday's win over Jacksonville). But the Colts are still 2-0 because they're defense has allowed just 10 points in the first two weeks (best in the NFL). But the defense is deceptively strong. They actually allow quite a bit of yards (25th in the league), but force turnovers to make up for it. The Colts forced four turnovers against the Ravens and allowed the Jaguars in the red zone only once, when they got a field goal.
What's the Deal with Dillon?: The man who averaged more than a hundred yards a game last year hasn't got a total of 100 yards in the Patriots first two games. In 37 carries, he has just 99 yards, an average of 2.7 a carry. His longest run so far is just 14 yards. Tom Brady is tough, but New England's going to have a tough time three-peating if Dillon doesn't start getting some yardage.
Younguns stepping up: While Dillon and Ladanian Tomlinson have put up sub-par numbers, a couple young running backs are leading the league. The NFL's top rusher right now is rookie Carnell Williams with Tampa Bay. The same man who led Auburn to an undefeated record last season is helping the Bucs start 2-0. In second place is the Steelers' Willie Parker, in his second season. In the first two games, he's already passed his rushing total from eight games last year.
Roethlisberger's Range: The Steeler's quarterback has won 16 consecutive regular season starts. He also leads the league in passing rating (a near-perfect 153.7) and yards per attempt (14.8). Big Ben has been criticized for not throwing the ball very much (his 32 attempts is least in the league among quarterbacks with two starts). But maybe the Steelers should have him throwing the ball more with the start he's having.
Urlacher Finally Living Up: The much-promoted Bears linebacker is on pace to get double-digit sacks for the first time in his career. He's also tied for fifth in the league with 15 tackles. After disappointing Chicago fans the past two seasons, Urlacher seems to be back in his role as a leader on the very stingy Bears defense.
The second week of action in the NFL is so full of surprises, shocks and oddities that I couldn't pick one thing to focus on. Some obvious observations coming from yesterday:
Team with an 0-2 start that still has the best chance: Oakland Raiders. Moss and Company at least competed in both of their losses, which can't be said for most 0-2 teams. Their problem is they're not using their best weapon to full potential. Sure, Randy Moss leads the NFL in receiving yards after the first two weeks, but he has only 10 catches. After tying the game 17-17 against the Chiefs yesterday with a 64-yard touchdown, Moss got just one more pass the rest of the game, for six yards. In the Raiders' final two drives, when they could have taken the lead, they didn't pass to Moss once. The future doesn't get easier, with a trip to Philadelphia next week, but the Raiders are the best 0-2 team in the league, and will probably be the best 0-3 team after next week.
Team with a 2-0 record that still has to worry: This is a little tougher because all five teams that are 2-0 are pretty solid. But Kansas City gets the nod because their defense is suspect. They're ranked 27th in the league in yards allowed and they haven't been tested yet this season. They have decent wins over the Raiders and Jets, but nothing overpowering. They've got one of the better rushing combos in the league, but their winning ways won't continue if Priest Holmes keeps averaging just 80 yards a game and Larry Johnson can't stay out of trouble with the law.
Defense Bailing Out Peyton: Last year it was all about touchdown passes. This year, Peyton has thrown just two in two games (and none in yesterday's win over Jacksonville). But the Colts are still 2-0 because they're defense has allowed just 10 points in the first two weeks (best in the NFL). But the defense is deceptively strong. They actually allow quite a bit of yards (25th in the league), but force turnovers to make up for it. The Colts forced four turnovers against the Ravens and allowed the Jaguars in the red zone only once, when they got a field goal.
What's the Deal with Dillon?: The man who averaged more than a hundred yards a game last year hasn't got a total of 100 yards in the Patriots first two games. In 37 carries, he has just 99 yards, an average of 2.7 a carry. His longest run so far is just 14 yards. Tom Brady is tough, but New England's going to have a tough time three-peating if Dillon doesn't start getting some yardage.
Younguns stepping up: While Dillon and Ladanian Tomlinson have put up sub-par numbers, a couple young running backs are leading the league. The NFL's top rusher right now is rookie Carnell Williams with Tampa Bay. The same man who led Auburn to an undefeated record last season is helping the Bucs start 2-0. In second place is the Steelers' Willie Parker, in his second season. In the first two games, he's already passed his rushing total from eight games last year.
Roethlisberger's Range: The Steeler's quarterback has won 16 consecutive regular season starts. He also leads the league in passing rating (a near-perfect 153.7) and yards per attempt (14.8). Big Ben has been criticized for not throwing the ball very much (his 32 attempts is least in the league among quarterbacks with two starts). But maybe the Steelers should have him throwing the ball more with the start he's having.
Urlacher Finally Living Up: The much-promoted Bears linebacker is on pace to get double-digit sacks for the first time in his career. He's also tied for fifth in the league with 15 tackles. After disappointing Chicago fans the past two seasons, Urlacher seems to be back in his role as a leader on the very stingy Bears defense.
posted by Big Skinny @ 11:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home