A Look Ahead: Week Two

The Carolina Panthers are 0-1 after losing a one-touchdown game in Arizona last week.  The Cardinals, you recall, were 5-11 in 2010, and the Panthers were 2-14.  Not exactly a clash of the titans. 

On the other hand, both teams entered 2011 with promising new quarterbacks, and by all accounts the Panthers’ Cam Newton had a great debut: 24 of 37 for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns.  That’s a daunting performance.  On the other hand, can he be any tougher to beat than Drew Brees?

I expect Green Bay to win this game.  We’re coming off the long week, we have all our weapons, and we’re the better team.  If we lose, it will be a colossal waste of a great opportunity.  Plus, we need to be 2-0 going into Chicago the following week.

Speaking of Chicago, the Bears’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. After upsetting the Peter King Falcons last Sunday, they head to New Orleans to face the well-rested and angry Saints. Like last week’s game with the Bears and Falcons, this is a win-win for us. We’ll be happy to see a notch in either team’s loss column. My natural preference in this case, though, is a Saints’ win.

Elsewhere in our Division… The Buccaneers couldn’t beat the Lions last week.  Perhaps they’ll have better luck at the 0-1 Vikings this week.  And those Lions, meanwhile, host the Kansas City Chiefs, who got it handed to them at home by the Buffalo Bills.  Yes, the Buffalo Bills.  41-7.  That sounds like a 2-0 start for Detroit. 

The best games of the week, meanwhile, come later on Sunday.  The hobbled but victorious Chargers are at New England in a match-up that has postseason implications.  And, on Sunday Night Football, the Falcons host the Eagles.  These are both teams that figure to be playing in January, and the Falcons can’t afford to go down to 0-2 with two consecutive NFC losses.  And, of course, there is the added dimension of it being Vick’s return to Atlanta. 

The Cowboys and 49ers lock horns this weekend.  Remember when that was a great game?

And then there are the Browns in Indy.  Cleveland was a bit stunned at home by the Bengals, and the Manning-less Colts were manhandled by the Texans.  It’s a Conference game, and both 0-1 teams need it.  We’ve all heard the stats about how often 0-2 teams make the playoffs. 

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