Week 2 NFL primer: Desperation and separation (NFC East game only)
NFL Expert Vinnie Iyer
sportingnews.com
Half the league is really feeling the heat this week, because the Week 1 losers know what 0-2 means -- a very slim chance of making the playoffs. In the past five years of eight divisions, only four of the 60 teams that have made the postseason have started with that mark, or less than 7 percent.
The Chiefs managed to do it last season, so the law of averages is against a team doing it again this season. Looking at this week's games in that match up two 0-1 teams, four teams are about to drop into a dubious hole. That also means eight 0-1 teams need to face tough 1-0 teams.
And you thought we needed half a season to have some separation in the standings -- an eighth will do just fine. On a happier note, let's start with two teams we know will make the playoffs:
Green Bay at New York Giants. Will Eli Manning play? That obviously has a big effect on this matchup. Regardless, I like the way the Packers' defense is playing, and they should have success against either Manning or Jared Lorenzen and running back Derrick Ward. Despite Brett Favre's struggles in Week 1, the Giants' secondary and Osi Umenyiora-less pass rush should give him good shots to connect on deep passes downfield. The Pack may not be pretty in the way they win games this season, but they will prove to be gritty. For the second straight week, Mike McCarthy's team makes a statement that it can contend in a weak NFC. Packers 20, Giants 19.
Dallas at Miami. While the play of Tony Romo is making Cowboys fans think of Troy Aikman, the Dolphins with Trent Green aren't about to invoke the Dan Marino years in their passing game. Miami's defense got smacked around a bit at Washington and will have its hands full with Marion Barber III and Julius Jones. The Dolphins might gear up to stop the run, but that will only leave them vulnerable to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. The Cowboys' 3-4 also should play better for Wade Phillips, and won't need to deal with the same kind of pop and balance. Cowboys 22, Dolphins 13.
Washington at Philadelphia. Last week was a baby step for Donovan McNabb. He showed quite a bit of the old McNabb, but the timing and accuracy were off, and his receivers also had a mediocre day in Green Bay. This week he faces a familiar division foe, and the Redskins' pass defense should help McNabb to get back up to full playing speed. As long as they don't muff multiple punts, the Eagles should be primed for a prime-time rout on Monday . Eagles 28, Redskins 13.
sportingnews.com
Half the league is really feeling the heat this week, because the Week 1 losers know what 0-2 means -- a very slim chance of making the playoffs. In the past five years of eight divisions, only four of the 60 teams that have made the postseason have started with that mark, or less than 7 percent.
The Chiefs managed to do it last season, so the law of averages is against a team doing it again this season. Looking at this week's games in that match up two 0-1 teams, four teams are about to drop into a dubious hole. That also means eight 0-1 teams need to face tough 1-0 teams.
And you thought we needed half a season to have some separation in the standings -- an eighth will do just fine. On a happier note, let's start with two teams we know will make the playoffs:
Green Bay at New York Giants. Will Eli Manning play? That obviously has a big effect on this matchup. Regardless, I like the way the Packers' defense is playing, and they should have success against either Manning or Jared Lorenzen and running back Derrick Ward. Despite Brett Favre's struggles in Week 1, the Giants' secondary and Osi Umenyiora-less pass rush should give him good shots to connect on deep passes downfield. The Pack may not be pretty in the way they win games this season, but they will prove to be gritty. For the second straight week, Mike McCarthy's team makes a statement that it can contend in a weak NFC. Packers 20, Giants 19.
Dallas at Miami. While the play of Tony Romo is making Cowboys fans think of Troy Aikman, the Dolphins with Trent Green aren't about to invoke the Dan Marino years in their passing game. Miami's defense got smacked around a bit at Washington and will have its hands full with Marion Barber III and Julius Jones. The Dolphins might gear up to stop the run, but that will only leave them vulnerable to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. The Cowboys' 3-4 also should play better for Wade Phillips, and won't need to deal with the same kind of pop and balance. Cowboys 22, Dolphins 13.
Washington at Philadelphia. Last week was a baby step for Donovan McNabb. He showed quite a bit of the old McNabb, but the timing and accuracy were off, and his receivers also had a mediocre day in Green Bay. This week he faces a familiar division foe, and the Redskins' pass defense should help McNabb to get back up to full playing speed. As long as they don't muff multiple punts, the Eagles should be primed for a prime-time rout on Monday . Eagles 28, Redskins 13.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:19 AM
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