NFL Week 2 Preview

Week 1 provided lots of great action starting with Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning slinging 7 touchdown passes to tie an NFL record and ending with the Houston Texans making a crazy second half comeback to beat the San Diego Chargers in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. The Broncos and Baltimore Ravens had a solid first half before the Broncos showed their many weapons and speedy offense to pull away. Sunday afternoon on opening weekend was highlighted by another classic between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. Like the previous two contests, the 49ers had a little more offense as QB Colin Kaepernick put on an offensive showcase and truly is a dual threat. Earlier in the day, the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons had an equally great game with the Saints doing a little more at home to get the leg up on what should be good division race. Finally, among the four highlighted contests; the Dallas Cowboys finally won in their new stadium against the New York Giants. The Cowboys took advantage of multiple Giants' turnovers. However, QB Eli Manning and WR Victor Cruz kept the Giants in the game until the end despite all the turnovers.

Altogether, the opening weekend had four safeties including two in one game and some wild finishes. The Philadelphia Eagles' offense looks as good as advertised. The New England Patriots might not be as good as advertised after nearly losing to the Buffalo Bills. As the focus now turns to Week 2, the 16 teams that are 0-1 will look to avoid an 0-2 start. With my picks, I was able to go 13-3 for a solid start. A last second field goal by the New York Jets downed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Pittsburgh Steelers struggled to do much against the Tennessee Titans. And, as mentioned, the Eagles were on the field and scoring points much of Monday night against the Washington Redskins.

Here are this week's top 4 and the rest.

TOP 4

Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers- The Redskins did not look very good most of the game against the Eagles. Their offense was barely on the field and when it was, it was turning the ball over. They now turn to face a more typical style offense led by Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers. The Packers looked good in defeat as a simply better team edged them. Both of these playoff teams from a year ago do not want to start 0-2 and that should make this game even better. Based on their performances in Week 1, Rodgers will likely move the ball a little better as RGIII still does not look like his dynamic self yet. PICK: PACKERS

Denver Broncos at New York Giants- Manning Bowl III. The first two were good contests as the two brothers kept the scores close with Peyton doing a little more than Eli. It will be hard for Peyton to duplicate his seven touchdown performance while Eli hopes to not throw three interceptions again. WR Victor Cruz looks healthy after a preseason scare and will be a clutch weapon for Eli during this potential shootout. While it looks like the Broncos' offense is even deeper than last year. WR Wes Welker looks to be quickly turning into a key weapon for Peyton and a developing tight end gives them potentially five targets. The Giants running game might be the biggest area to watch. The Broncos will likely try to be a bit more balanced and should be successful getting their duo of backs going while the Giants are searching for something. And...for those worried about the absence of LB Von Miller, it looks like LB Wesley Woodyard might be a suitable replacement until Miller returns. Like the first two meetings, the game is close at the half and then like in Week 1; the Broncos will start to take over the game. PICK: BRONCOS

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday Night)- The AFC North and NFC East the last decade or so has been known for some physical and high pressure divisional games. Last year, it looked like the NFC West is the new "black and blue" division led by the 49ers and Seahawks. Seattle surged late in the season and nearly caught San Francisco for the divisional title highlighted by a complete dominating performance in Seattle by the Seahawks. That game will likely be in the heads of both teams. This game will also give the winner a leg up in what should be a close race again for the division. Homefield is truly important to Seattle because they beat three teams that were probably more talented than them at home with the help of the 12th man. Expect a low scoring affair early before a couple big plays come out in the second half. While the 49ers might be a slightly better team right now, the Seahawks will feed off the energy and watch for HB Marshawn Lynch who has had a couple big games at home the last couple years. It should be a bit closer but Seattle provides an aura for the Seahawks. PICK: SEAHAWKS

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night)- The Steelers got a safety on the first play against the Titans. They were essentially shutout for the rest of the game with a late touchdown that closed the gap in their loss. Now, they must get themselves up for a key divisional clash. The game being in Cincinnati makes it a bit more challenging as they would have had the home crowd to provide a boost. The Bengals made a couple of costly errors and turnovers in Week 1 that cost them a winnable game against Chicago. Offensive line concerns are still apparent and the secondary will be asked to slow Bengals WR AJ Green down enough to keep the score low in this one. Bengals WR Mohammed Sanu might be the x-factor in open field. Steelers find themselves in a close divisional battle before a late score by Cincinnati puts it away giving the Bengals the inside track for the division. PICK: BENGALS

THE REST

New York Jets at New England Patriots (Thursday Night)- Regardless of record, most times recently these games have been close. The Jets pulled off a shocking last second win in Week while the Patriots had their own late 4th quarter comeback as well. Patriots QB Tom Brady continues to work with a young offense and that will make this one probably close again. In a tight defensive battle, the Patriots do enough as the better team. PICK: PATRIOTS

St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons- Falcons HB Steven Jackson faces his former team for the first time. The Falcons fell short in New Orleans and with large aspirations, they will not want to start 0-2. The Rams are still a young and growing team and their speed might be able to hang with the Falcons. While the front seven of the Rams is starting to prove themselves, the secondary might have matchup issues based on how Falcons QB Matt Ryan positions all his weapons. A few holes here and there that will appear will allow for a couple big plays that will be the difference in a fairly close game at times. PICK: FALCONS

San Diego Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles' offense came alive on Monday night after questions were circulating during the preseason. They might not be Oregon yet but with weapons on the field like HB LeSean McCoy and WR DeSean Jackson they could be tough to slow down. The Chargers came out early as fast as the Eagles on Monday night but they were not as sharp in the second half as they let the Houston Texans back in the game and lost on a late field goal. Thus, this one could feature fast starts by both teams with a similar second half for both as they both take the foot off the gas a little. The Chargers' run game might be the difference here as they lack the balance of the Eagles, who should be able to put up a few scores again. PICK: EAGLES

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts- They both won close games last week and could be set for another. This one features two quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 in the 2012 NFL Draft. Colts QB Andrew Luck had an amazing if not record breaking rookie season leading his team to the playoffs having a safety net in WR Reggie Wayne. While Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill went through more rookie struggles but has his own top target now in WR Mike Wallace. While those passing duos should do decent to well, it should be interesting to see how the running game compare especially with the Colts' banged up a bit there. QB Andrew Luck works similar magic as last week and leads a big 4th quarter drive that puts this one away. PICK: COLTS

Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills- The Bills came up just a little short against the Patriots while the Panthers played the Seahawks close. They are fairly evenly matched with young and agile quarterbacks and some room for growth overall. Likely a fairly low scoring, defensive type of game early before a couple scores in the second half with Buffalo holding on late. PICK: BILLS

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears- The Bears escaped with a win last week while the Vikings let one slip away. This will be a crucial divisional contest early in the year. Vikings HB Adrian Peterson has recently found some success against a normally tough Bears' defense. The balance of the Bears on offense makes them a little better and a turnover by Vikings QB Christian Ponder in the second half might seal their fate. PICK: BEARS

Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs- Both teams had a good start to the year. Defensively they played well especially the Chiefs. Thus, this probably won't become a game in the 30s. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid while with the Eagles has had a lot of success against Dallas and his knowledge of the team should help. An array of good players at home should be enough for the Chiefs to shock some with a solid win. PICK: CHIEFS

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens did not start their title defense the way they envisioned. They are still trying to replace some key players on both sides of the ball and drawing a divisional foe will keep this game somewhat close. The Ravens do enough take advantage of some Browns' mistakes to win. PICK: RAVENS

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans- The Texans were pushed to the limit on Monday night in San Diego. They could be tested again if they don't establish a good balanced attack early on. A lot of the pressure goes to Texans QB Matt Schaub who continues to lack the killer instinct and big game moments. The Titans' defense surprises the Texans a little bit during the first half before the Texans start to spread the ball around and pull away. PICK: TEXANS

Detriot Lions at Arizona Cardinals- This one features possibly the two best receivers in the NFL and look for lots of passes their way. Both should have good games. They will play close, swap leads, and set up a winning drive for the team with the ball late. That will probably be the Lions and they are doing well so far to get a running game going again. PICK: LIONS

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The Saints' high powered offense seems to lack the same juice away from home. Add in the fact that this is a divisional game against a team angry about letting a game slip away and this could be a closer than expected battle for much of the day. Saints QB Drew Brees is still a top 5 quarterback and that will be the difference as he gets a couple timely scores to secure the win. PICK: SAINTS

Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders- Normally, a contest like this doesn't come along until after Thanksgiving. A game with the number 1 pick in the next NFL Draft possibly on the line. It is very likely that these two teams will be near the bottom of the league during this year. They both have holes but the Raiders are a bit more complete and should do enough in all areas to separate themselves and win. PICK: RAIDERS

The big game this week will be on Sunday night as a potential NFC title game preview will take place in Seattle. Revenge will be on the 49ers' minds while the Seahawks will continue to seek respect. The Manning Bowl III should be another good battle. While half the league will be looking to avoid an 0-2 start; something that could put a dent in teams' playoffs dreams. Another week ahead as teams start to show whom will be contenders and whom will be pretenders.