NFL Wrap-Up (Week 2 Version)

Here are my thoughts from Week 2 of the NFL season, based purely on what I was able to see, and since I was at a bar all day drinking and watching football, that was a lot!

Game of the Week

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos. No question whatsoever. This game had it all; big plays, special teams, backups performing admirably (Darren Sproles), brilliant homecoming (Brandon Marshall), Ed Hochuli, and well, blown calls by Ed Hochuli. Add to that a malfunctioning replay system and this game had it all. San Diego was robbed. Honorable Mention to Philly at Dallas, although that game was amazing as well.

Best Team Performance

Dallas Cowboys. They showed the NFL that they are currently the best team in the league with a scintillating 41 - 37 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. This game could have gone either way, but Dallas outscored Philadelphia 17-7 in the second half, when the defenses finally showed up at the game. Tony Romo was 25-37 for 312, including a big play to T.O., and Jason Witten with 7 catches for 110 yards. If the defense can make the big plays everyone is expecting them to, watch out. They did sack Donovan twice on Philly's last series. Plus, they have our Patron Saint.

Least Impressive Team Performance

This is difficult, but I am going with the Miami Dolphins over the Kansas City Chiefs this week. Miami wins primarily because they gave up a 79 yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin on Arizona's third play from scrimmage after the Cardinals lined him up in the slot to get 1-on-1 coverage by a linebacker. I mean, its not like Boldin has ever done anything in this league for the Dolphins to worry about.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

Brandon Marshall, WR - Denver. So many great performances this week, but Marshall had the second highest total of catches in a single game in NFL history, with 18, for 166 yards and 1 TD.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)
Jon Beason, LB - Carolina Panthers. 11 tackles against the Chicago Bears, plus he seemed to get stronger as the game progressed. The entire Carolina defense took their strength from him and became better and better throughout the game. Plus, Big Beast perpetrated the first 7th Floor Crew-on-7th Floor Crew crime in NFL history when he recovered G-Reg's first fumble of the game.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

Darren Sproles - San Diego Chargers. Felix Jones also had quite a weekend, but Sproles 103 yard Kickoff Return for a TD, coupled with his catch-and-scamper in the 4th quarter which felt like a return, takes this weekly honor. Two excellent weeks for former LDT backups (see Turner, Michael from last week).


Goat of the Week

I was sooooo going to award this to Greg Olsen, who fumbled the ball away twice leading to two scoring drives for the Panthers in their 20-17 victory of my Chicago Bears, but I couldn't because of ....

Hit of the Week

Ed Hochuli's hit on the entire Charger Nation when he blew his whistle. If you don't know what I am talking about, quit reading .... NOW!

Breakthrough Performance

Since I prefaced them last week, and since they both showed up strong this week, this award goes to Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson, although Jackson was a bit boneheaded by throwing the ball away before actually entering the endzone. Both of them have served notice that they are receivers to be reckoned with in this league, now, not in the future, but now. Royal had 5 catches for 37 yards, but he scored the last TD, and the game winning two point conversion. Strong confidence in the kid from Jay Cutler. Jackson had 6 catches for 110 yards, and the now infamous bauble.


In realty this award should have gone to Darren McFadden for his 164 yards rushing, or to Jonathan Stewart for his breakthrough performance against the Bears, but I'll just leave them in the "keep a close eye on" category for now.

Finally

Reggie Bush, RB - New Orleans Saints. Since he scored again, I will leave him in again, simply so I can post another picture of Kim Kardashian.

Impact Injury

Bob Sanders, S - Indianapolis Colts. On a team already reeling from offensive line woes, the last thing they needed was to lose the heart and soul of their defense, which is exactly what happened.

Team Rising

Carolina Panthers. At 2-0, the Panthers have made an impressive opening salvo for surprise team of the year, even without Steve Smith. They have started to hone their running attack with Jonathan Stewart, and Smith will make the offense that much more explosive once he returns from suspension this week. Throw in a solid defense and the most underrated coach in football, and Carolina could be looking forward to a playoff berth.

Team Falling

Seattle Seahawks. From a perennial playoff foundation from the NFC West to a potential doormat in the league. They have started 0-2, and have lost to Buffalo and San Francisco. They need to get moving fast, or else everyone else out west could pass them (except St. Louis, they suck).

Best Teams

1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Denver Broncos

Worst Teams

32. St. Louis Rams
31. Miami Dolphins
30. Kansas City Chiefs
29. Cincinnati Bengals
28. Seattle Seahawks

Don't worry, I am sure the Raiders will return after they no longer face the likes of the Chiefs.

Preview - Game(s) of the Week

3. New Orleans at Denver - Denver looks prolific on offense, and they don't look like they can stop anybody, which means points and points galore in this game. It should be very exciting for football fans.

2. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Philly proved its mettle last week, barely losing on the road. Elite teams return those type of favors by beating other elite teams at home. Pittsburgh is looking to solidify its ranking at the top of the entire AFC.

1. Dallas at Green Bay - The winner gets the early lead for home field advantage in the NFC, plus we get the chance to see just how good the Packers' offense can be under Aaron Rodgers, who has already played pretty decently against Dallas once in his career.

Last Week's Trivia Answer
The ever-immortal Michael Bishop was the last QB prior to Matt Flynn to throw a touchdown on his first ever NFL attempt (or at least that is what my sources tell me).

Trivia
To keep up the rookie theme, DeSean Jackson is only the second WR in history to amass two consecutive 100 yard receiving games to start his NFL career. Who was the first? Please no online searches, and place your guesses in the comments. Answer provided next week.