NFL Week 2: Games to Watch

Week 1 was great. From record-breaking performances (see Brady, Tom; Newton, Cam) to down-to-the-wire games (Lions@Bucs, Panthers@Cardinals, Cowboys@Jets) to unexpected wins (Bills, Bengals, Jaguars), the first weekend of NFL football was well worth the wait. With lots more where that come from for us every weekend through January, I'm anxious to see what's still behind the curtain.

Here’s a look at a few of this weekend’s best games.

Bears (1-0) @ Saints (0-1) – The Bears looked good beating the Falcons in Atlanta last week; the Saints looked good in defeat at Green Bay but couldn’t slow down the potent Packer offense. The teams hook up this week in New Orleans as the Saints kick-off their home schedule. Brian Urlacher is back from three days of bereavement after the passing of his mother, but it won’t be enough as the Saints put it in high gear this week.

New Orleans 31, Chicago 24

Cardinals (1-0) @ Redskins (1-0) – Arizona travels to D.C. to take on the Redskins in this battle of surprising undefeated teams … at least so far. It’s just one game, but both of these teams will definitely take it. The Cardinals gave up 422 passing yards to Cam Newton in Week 1 so Rex Grossman may have another good day against a porous pass defense. Kevin Kolb will have a tougher time against the fly-to-the-ball Skins defense. Advantage: Redskins.

Washington 17, Arizona 16

Chargers (1-0) @ Patriots (1-0) – This one may be the marquee match-up of the week. The Chargers are coming off a lackluster but resounding beatdown of the Vikings, holding Donovan McNabb to 39 passing yards. Pitiful. And Tom Brady and the Patriots put up 500+ passing yards on the Dolphins in a Monday night victory. Whichever defense plays better wins this game. Plus we’ll see if the Chargers’ special teams coverage has improved in a week. The Pats take it at home.

New England 31, San Diego 27

Eagles (1-0) @ Falcons (0-1) – Michael Vick returns to the Georgia Dome, a place he used to call “my house.” It’s now Matt Ryan’s domain. It will be interesting to see who is more popular with the crowd. Vick is beloved in Atlanta, but I’m sure Matty Ice will have the edge once the game starts. And the Falcons’ offensive staff no doubt will have studied what the Rams did to the middle of the Eagles’ defense in Week 1. Expect to see lots of Michael Turner pounding up the middle. In the battle of the birds, the Falcons take it.

Atlanta 24, Philadelphia 20

As for Missouri’s hometown teams, unfortunately, I have them both losing again this weekend. The Chiefs go to Detroit and face a hot, young Lions team, and the Rams head to New York to take on the football Giants on Monday Night Football. Sorry guys, but it’s going to be another rough weekend.

Enjoy the weekend, NFL fans. Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve