Week 2 Preview

Week 1 was so altogether disappointing for Packer fans that it’s natural to feel impatient for Week 2.  So let’s move on!  

The Packers kick off all Week 2 action in the NFL as they host the rival Bears at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.  It’s a short week, to be sure, but it’s short for both teams.  And at least we get to stay at home. 

If a game can be a “must win” in only the second week of the season, I would say that that’s the case for Green Bay against Chicago.  To start the season 0-2, with both losses coming in-Conference, one of them in-the-Division, both against likely playoff contenders, and both of them home games – that is a devastating scenario.  I have no doubt that the Bears are conscious of their opportunity to come up here and bury us already in September.

Chicago looked good in their opening day win, though admittedly against one of the worst teams in the league from last year.  The Packers, meanwhile, did not look bad in their loss so much as they looked frustrated. 

I don’t expect the Bears defense to be as effective at stifling the Packer offense as San Francisco was.  I do worry, though, that Chicago may be at least as effective against our defense as the 49ers.  That suggests a shootout.  And it also suggests that the team that wins the turnover battle will likely win the game.  On both of those counts, I like our chances.  I expect to see Green Bay bounce back to .500 in Week 2. 

By the end of the week, such a 1-1 record might tie us up with the rest of our division.  Obviously beating the Bears would result in a tie with them (advantage: Packers).  The Lions, meanwhile, have to play the 49ers now, and they have to travel to the West Coast to do it.  I cannot imagine the Lions winning that game.  And, finally, the Vikings travel to Indy.  I can imagine that game going either way.  I like the Colts’ chances, and obviously I’ll be rooting for them.  Still, Minnesota gets the easiest draw of the week in the NFC North.  Wouldn’t it be ironic for the Vikings to be alone at the top of the Division?!

Elsewhere, the Saints-Panthers is an interesting match-up.  New Orleans was surprised and embarrassed at home, and now they need to head to Carolina to face a division rival.  Indeed, New Orleans’ profile for the first two weeks looks very much like ours, except that they’re must-win game two is on the road. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers are also going into that match-up with a must-win intensity, for they have already lost to one division opponent (Tampa Bay) in Week 1.

Which brings us to the Bucs’ trip to New York.  Here, again, we see parallels with our own circumstance.  The Giants, like the Packers and Saints, were favored at home last week, but lost.  Now they have to avoid the 0-2 hole.  New York has already lost a division game, and Tampa Bay represents a second in-Conference game for them.  They can’t afford the loss this Sunday, but they will have the time and preparation advantage over the Buccaneers.

Two 1-0 teams meet in Philly when the Ravens visit the Eagles.  While both teams won last week, Philadelphia looked awful, while the Ravens looked awesome.  Also, Philly lives with the cloud of insecurity in that both its quarterback and its coach seem to be on the hot seat. 

Another inter-Conference contest of Week 1 winners pits the Broncos against the Falcons.  Not the most important game of the week, but certainly among the most interesting. 

Another interesting game will be the Jets at Pittsburgh.  New York solved its preseason troubles and looked great in their Week 1 win.  Pittsburgh, meanwhile, returns home 0-1.  The statistics are familiar: it’s very rare for a team to make the playoffs after an 0-2 start.  So Pittsburgh will be playing with urgency, while the Jets may be feeling pretty loose.

Finally, RGIII should enjoy another week of hype and a 2-0 start as the Redskins visit the Rams. If you go into New Orleans and win, how do you not win in St. Louis, right?