All Out Blitz: Week 2

Week two of the NFL season is now in the books with some of the top teams from last season starting off 0-2.   This week’s All Out Blitz recaps the week two games and takes a peek at what’s in store for week three. 

How can a team control the ball for over 45 minutes, yet lose the game?  Feel free to ask the Dolphins as they did just that against Indianapolis on Monday night.  The Colts had no answer for Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat offense of the Dolphins, but a couple of dropped touchdown passes by Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn, one on the final drive of the game and the other which led to a field goal, sealed the Dolphins fate against the Colts.  Now neither drop was an easy catch, but they have to be made.
 
Carolina Quarterback Jake Delhomme silenced some of his critics with a good performance in Atlanta this weekend.  However, they still lost and have to travel to Dallas to play on Monday night next week.  A potential 0-3 record is staring them in the face.

 Once again this week, the Vikings looked like they were protecting quarterback Brett Favre.  They were playing an inferior opponent in the Detroit Lions – a team they knew they would beat with a good running game alone.  So Favre didn’t have to take many deep drops and look to throw the ball down the field.  He finished a very pedestrian like 23-27 for only 155 yards.  Just a 5.7 average per completion.  They can afford to do that against bad teams, but will need much better productivity against opponents that can put points on the board.

 What is more surprising, Cincinnati beating Green Bay on the road or Packera star wide receiver Greg Jennings catching zero passes?  Jennings was on the injury report with a wrist injury, and one has to wonder if that wrist was bothering Jennings just a little more than the Packers let on.

 JaMarcus Russell has to be the worst QB in the NFL right now.  He went 7-24 for 109 yards on Sunday against Kansas City, and somehow the Raiders won.  Russell really shouldn’t be starting in the NFL, but that would require Al Davis to admit he made yet another mistake, so you know that’s not going to happen.

 Perhaps the New York Jets are for real.  They shut down another opponent on defense.  Darrelle Revis is looking like the best cornerback in football, as he took WR Randy Moss out of the game on Sunday.  Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots offense looked completely out of sync.  I know not having WR Wes Welker active had to hurt, but replacement Julian Edelman had eight catches for 98 yards, pretty similar numbers to what Welker might’ve had, so I don’t think you can blame the loss on not having him.  New England should be 0-2, they were given a gift by the Bills in week one.  If you own Tom Brady, you are praying they figure out what’s wrong, and soon.

 What a difference a week makes for the Philadelphia Eagles.  A week ago they forced turnover after turnover from the Carolina Panthers, this week they were crushed by the New Orleans Saints.  Sure not having Quarterback Donovan McNabb hurt, but he doesn’t play defense.  QB Drew Brees had no problem slicing up the Eagles defense.  WR Marques Colston was the number one target this week catching two touchdowns and close to 100 yards receiving.  The Saints have offensive weapons galore, and will be no fun for teams to play.  As for the Eagles QB situation, it doesn’t look like McNabb will play in week three either, and Coach Andy Reid has already stated that Kevin Kolb would get the start once again in his absence.  Kolb’s numbers looked pretty good on Sunday, 31-51 for 391 yards and three interceptions, but asking what is essentially a rookie QB to go punch for punch with that offense is just asking too much.

 What an ugly game in Washington on Sunday.  The Rams could only manage one touchdown, and the Redskins only three field goals.  If not for a fumble by Rams WR Donnie Avery (second one in as many weeks), the Rams might’ve actually had a shot to win this one.

 The Arizona offense woke up against Jacksonville.  It’s nice to have all of your offensive weapons completely healthy now isn’t it?  Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston looked good on Sunday allowing Kurt Warner to get into a groove.  Warner did leave the game in the third quarter with a right shoulder injury, but the injury is not considered serious and the Cardinals considered putting Warner back in the game once the score got closer but decided they didn’t need to.  Warner should be good to start this week.

 Matt Hasselbeck was hurt on Sunday trying to dive into the end zone.  This should not come as a shock - sort of has to be expected when it comes to Hasselbeck.  The injury seems eerily similar to the one that Donovan McNabb suffered as Hasselbeck fractured a rib when he was hit after a run.  One has to think Hasselback won’t be able to play this week.

 Pittsburgh WR Santonio Holmes wants to be considered an elite wide receiver.  Well, to be considered a top flight number one, you can’t drop a half dozen passes including one in the end zone.  That is exactly what Holmes did against Chicago on Sunday.  Pittsburgh should have won this game, but between the dropped passes by Holmes, and the missed field goals by Jeff Reed, they gave a game away.

 Tony Romo went back to his careless ways Sunday night in Dallas.  Romo threw three interceptions all of which were his fault, costing the Cowboys a game they probably should’ve won.  That being said the Cowboys defense which led the NFL in sacks last season has yet to produce one this season.  They have yet to force a turnover also.  In other words, they have yet to make a play.

 How can you control the ball for over 45 minutes yet lose the game?  Feel free to ask the Dolphins as they did just that against Indianapolis on Monday night.  The Colts had no answer for the Wildcat offense of the Dolphins, but a couple of dropped touchdown passes by Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn, one on the final drive of the game and the other which led to a field goal, sealed the Dolphins fate against the Colts.  Now neither drop was an easy catch, but they have to be made.

This post was written by TFSF