Man, I need to keep up!

I have been all out of whack since the 2008 NFL season has started. From faithfully following the Jets, moving to Ashburn and hopping from one job to another, I've found it difficult to keep this blog up-and-running on a regular basis. Well, I feel I'll be able to do that...and beyond for quite awhile now. Here are my thoughts on Week 2...

1. No team in the NFL is more sick with their first two games than San Diego. Talk about a screw job. (Note: because of their disdain from Ed Hochuli blowing that fumble call, they will pound the Jets on MNF next week and the Bronocs later in the season) It appears that the Broncos have beaten the Dolphins in the race to find their next primetime quarterback as Jay Cutler appears primed to rise to the occasion when called on. With Mike Shanahan calling the plays and Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and Tony Scheffler to throw to, the sky's the limit with this kid.

2. It's not wise for Jon Gruden to stick with Brian Griese for an extended period of time. Once Jeff Garcia is well, he shouldn't hesitate to put him back in there. Every opponent isn't Atlanta.

3. It always gives me a good laugh when the media picks teams like the Minnesota Vikings to go to the Super Bowl. Have these guys every watch Tarvaris Jackson play? It's pretty pathetic that the guy can't close out a reeling Indy squad with a 15-0 lead at home while your stud runner piles up 160 yards on the ground.

4. The Packers are for real. If Aaron Rogers and his supporting cast keep it up, Green Bay may find themselves in the NFC Championship game for the second consecutive season. Also, it may be time for the Lions to start looking for a quarterback for the future because Jon Kitna hasn't been able to do much for Detroit since landing in the Motor City. On another note, Calvin Johnson is as good as advertised. If only Mike Williams and Charles Rogers would have worked out...

5. A week ago, the sky was falling in Washington. Now, after making a 180 on offense, the Redskins don't appear to be easy fodder for the rest of the NFC East. They still won't do any better than the Iggles, 'Boys or Jints, however.

6. With a chance to grab a hold of the AFC East, the Jets faltered while first-time starter Matt Cassell came in and screen-passed the Patriots to a methodic 19-10 victory. I'm not giving any credit to Cassell for this victory, however, as the main ideal that was proved with their latest Jets thrashing was how good the Patriots really are as a team overall. (More on this game later)

7. Giving up Herm Edwards for a fourth-round pick seemed like a steal at the time, didn't it Chief fans? Let's fast forward to today and let me propose this question: Leon Washington or Herm? I'm not going to blame poor Herm for the entire destruction of what once was a decent football franchise, but it's also no coincidence that his presence as a head coach has led to a significant drop off in talent for two NFL teams in the span of seven seasons. Because the NFL operates within the buddy system, Herm will become a secondary coach somewhere once he gets canned in KC, but I digress...On the other hand, Darren McFadden and Oakland's ground game alone looks like it could win maybe 4-5 more games for the Silver and Black while JaMarcus Russell slowly learns on the job. Their defense, however, will make sure that won't happen.

8. Who would have thought the Panthers would be 2-0 without Steve Smith and a rehabbed Jake Delhomme at the start of the '08 season. Also, don't forget Jon Beason is filling in for Dan Morgan, who, when healthy, played like a Pro Bowler. Beason, like the rest of the Panthers' roster, have picked up the slack for the departed as they look to give the Saints and Bucs a run for their money for the NFC South crown. Even though they lost to the Panthers after acquiring a commanding lead on the road, the Bears are no to sleep on, either. They appear to have that fire on defense back and have found a back to replace Thomas Jones in Matt Forte, who has the potential to end up being a better runner than TJ was during his Bears tenure.

9. The way the Cardinals are playing now is how they should've been playing for the past two seasons. For Kurt Warner's sake, let's hope his revival doesn't get short-circuted by a devastating injury ala Tom Brady's MCL and ACL. You have to love what they're doing in Arizona since the arrival of Ken Whisenhunt--they've established a tough, athletic 3-4 defense to go along with an accurate veteran QB who has two dynamic wide outs whom he can sling the ball to. Tim Hightower, as I've mentioned in a previous post, is phasing out the disappointing J.J. Arrington and may find himself in a larger role as the season plays out.

10. As a Jets fan, I'm a little concerned that Buffalo has been able to take care of business against good teams in weeks 1 and 2. The Bills' recent resurgence should give the rest of the AFC's wild card hopefuls a scare as the season progresses. On the other end of the spectrum, the Jags' season will be over before we know it if they fail to get a victory either this week or the next, much like how New Orleans' season was crushed after the first four weeks in 2007.

11. It doesn't seem to matter who plays quarterback for the Tennessee Titans right now because their defense is just to fierce and sturdy to be scored on. Unfortunately, the Bengals wished they had the same fortune of relying on such a unit as Carson Palmer wishes he could catch the first plane out of the NFL's version of Hades.

12. Don't be fooled by the Niners' explosion against the Seahawks--Seattle is just so banged up at the wide receiver position that its forcing Matt Hasselbeck to make uncharacteristic throws. It'll just be a matter of time until they get Deion Branch back in the lineup along with Bobby Wade. As for San Francisco, I'd cherish this moment because the only other team they have any chance of defeating in the future are the...

13. Rams, who looked atrocious for the second straight. Please, St. Louis, fire Scott Linehan and just get it over with--I'm sure Marc Bulger's fragile frame would appreciate the decision. Also, congratulations to the Rams for serving as a doormat to another NFC East opponent.

14. The Browns stink; plain and simple. Their secondary is awful, they can't rush the passer and Jamal Lewis is tripping on himself like it's 2006 in Baltimore. It won't be long before Brady Quinn is promoted from the clipboard.

MNF prediction:

Cowboys over Eagles, 27-20

I'd look for Jason Witten to have more of an impact in this game against the Eagles' young linebacker corps than T.O. or Patrick Crayton while DeSean Jackson will give Adam Jones or whoever's covering him fits. This game will be decided on how much pressure each team puts on the opposing quarterback and I feel Dallas' offensive line, combined with Romo's mobility, gives them the edge over Philadelphia's pass rush. On the other side, the Eagles can't afford to let DeMarcus Ware to tee-off against William Thomas or Jon Runyan, which I think will lead to Greg Ellis AND Anthony Spencer having a field day in the Eagles' backfield in passing situations. Brian Westbrook will make plays because, well, he's Brian Westbrook. But, the Cowboys will be ready in this one as both teams will rack up the points in this highly-intriguing Monday Night Football showdown.