After a wild week one, it’s going to be hard for week two to top it. But I forsee some real gems this week

SCOTT JACOBS

Talk about perfect timing: last week after the Dolphins laid a giant ‘fan base crushing, o my god was 2008 a fluke like’ egg, CBS shifted their coverage to the forgotten Broncos-Bengals snoozer.  The Bengals had just scored to take a 7-6 lead in one of those games that only seemed relevent because 1) it was an NFL game,  2) everyone wanted to see how the Broncos would play after their trainwreck of an offseason, and 3) after getting to know the sorry Bengals on Hard Knocks, it was a curiosity to see how they would play.

The Broncos got the kickoff and took it to their 13 yard line. There was 28 seconds on the clock, and Denver’s careen towards, “how did they become this bad, this quickly,” was nearing completion.  And then Brandon Stokley happened.  And Gus Johnson reminded us why he’s the worst announcer at calling a boring game, but the absolute best at calling a close one.

Kyle Orton went back to pass, heaved the ball high in the air to disgruntled WR Brandon Marshall.  Bengals CB Leon Hall batted it up in the air, and then to the delight of sports fans everywhere, the ball landed in the trusted mitts of Stokley who raced down the field for a stunning 87 yard touchdown.  The Broncos celebrated like they had just won the AFC West, and the Bengals had that, “not again,” look plastered all throughout their sideline.

Gus Johnson, screaming like a lunatic, reminded us that even when games are boring, there is always that potential for something epic to occur.  And that’s why sports are great.  In the last  game on earth that you’d expect a play like this to happen, it did.  Denver’s prayer was answered with a fluke tip that landed in the hands of a somewhat forgotten receiver, who raced to daylight like his hair was on fire.  Unless you were a Bengals fan, and trust me they have to be dropping like flies these days– this was the type of play that blew your mind and made you smile.  I sat there shaking my head for a good five minutes, in disbelief at the history I had just watched.

Will history be made this weekend?  We can only hope.  Here’s our week 2 picks.

Patriots 35 Jets 17
New York Free Safety Kerry Rhodes wants to embarrass the Pats on Sunday.  Doesn’t he know any better?  You don’t give Bill Belichick and his staff any bulletin board material.  The only team getting embarrassed this week will be Gang Green.

Falcons 24 Panthers 9
Hard to believe the Panthers were 12-4 isn’t it?  Matt Ryan will hit his targets this week and the dirty birds roll to a 2-0 start.

Packers 24 Bengals 17
As a coach your greatest challenge is motivating a team after a devastating defeat.   Unfortunately for the Bengals, after their debacle against Denver they have to go to Green Bay, to face a Packers team, feeling real good after ruining Jay Cutler’s Bears debut.  No matter what Marvin Lewis has to say, this one looks like another “L” for the Bengals.

Titans 30  Texans 13
It’s the battle of Houston’s past versus Houston’s present.  The Texans showed nothing last week against the Jets– at home nonetheless– to make me think they can compete with the Titans– who played the Steelers neck and neck last Thursday. I like the Titans in a rout, in a game the Texans won’t want to remember.

Vikings 19  Lions 17
Will power is a powerful thing, and methinks the Lions are going to come out flying in their home opener.  But patience is needed, and the Lions look doomed to another loss, even if this one will be closer than people think.

Cardinals 23 Jaguars 20
Arizona travels to the east coast for a 1 p.m. game, one that most people will probably pick them to lose.  I think Kurt Warner and Co. bounce back strong in North Florida and win an entertaining game.  Great seats still available.

Eagles 35  Saints 24
Donovan McNabb finally has the plethora of playmakers he’s been dreaming of for all these years.  But if he doesn’t play on Sunday, all those threats will be rendered moot against an explosive New Orleans offense.  Drew Brees is going to throw for a ton of passing yards, but that’s only because his team will be playing catchup all day.  McNabb plays, Philly wins.  McNabb sits, take the Saints.

Raiders 15  Chiefs 7
JaMarcus Russel has to be one of the most inaccurate QB’s I’ve ever seen.  But the Raiders played solid defense, and held their own against the vaunted Chargers on Monday night.  I think Richard Seymour has another big night, and Michael Bush and Darren McFadden run wild as the Raiders, yes the Raiders, get a nice road win at Arrowhead.

Redskins 27 Rams 13
St. Louis got skunked 28-0 in week 1 by the Seahawks, and few people batted an eye.  Boy is there work to be done in the Show Me State.  The Rams score this week, but the Redskins coast to an easy win.

Bills 24 Buccaneers 10
Buffalo never should have lost to New England on Monday night.  They played too well and all week they had to hear about it.  This week they take that anger out on the Bucs, who got lit up like the skies of four of July last week against Dallas.  Expect T.O. to have a huge game against a questionable Bucs secondary.  No blowups– for now.

Seahawks 20 49ers 17 OT
Big early season game in the forgotten NFC West.  Shaun Hill led an impressive drive last week to beat Arizona, but for most of the day their offense looked anemic.  The Seahawks are finally healthy, and I like them a hair more. GIve this one to Josh Brown after he boots a 37 yarder in OT to win it.

Steelers 16  Bears 13
I’m not buying the Cutler hype until he proves that he can win big games.  I just don’t see that happening this week even without king Troy manning the middle for the men of Steel.

Ravens 27 Chargers 20
The Chargers did not look impressive on Monday night, and the Ravens all of a sudden have a legitimate offense to go with that stifling D.  Ravens ruin San Diego’s home opener in a big early season win.

Broncos 16 Browns 9
The Broncos 2-0?  After that offseason?  Yeah, what the heck.

Cowboys 31 Giants 26
These games are always entertaining.  With a raucous Cowboys Stadium on hand to see that scoreboard, the Cowboys win a shootout over Eli in a hard nosed, physical war.

Colts 27  Dolphins 17
The Colts didn’t look that great against the Jags, but Miami looked atrocious in Atlanta, and barely managed to not get shut out.  This is a bad tune up game to right the ship.  Manning has a field day, Colts romp.

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