NFL Notes: What’s up with LT?
Here are some quick-hit observations of the first two weeks of the NFL season, and some things you can expect in the coming week of action:
- Uh, what’s up with LaDainian Tomlinson? While he had a slightly better week against the Pats in Week Two, it was still massively below expectations, and he was held out of the endzone. Obviously, an early big deficit against the Pats cost him, but a YPC of 1.9 isn’t what you were banking on.
- Peyton Manning wasn’t able to come close to duplicating his big Week One and he had his streak of 190 straight passes without getting picked come to an end.
- Tony Romo is another QB whose numbers slipped significantly in Week Two, although at least he wasn’t intercepted as he was in the season opener. Still, 14-for-29 for 186 yards isn’t good enough. And it won’t get any easier this week in Chicago.
- Speaking of the Bears, Cedric Benson broke free last week for 101 yards on 24 carries. He still hasn’t scored this season, but that should change this week, even though Dallas’ struggling defense has been at least decent against the run.
- In Week Two, Drew Brees rebounded somewhat from a crappy first game, but he’s still vastly underperforming so far. At home this week against a Tennessee club that is weak against the pass, Brees should break out.
- Chad Johnson was sick last week, with 11 receptions for 209 yards and a pair of TDs. He’s already pulled in 16 passes for 304 yards and scored three times this season. Expect more of the same against Seattle this weekend.
- After a middling first game, Jeff Garcia came up big in Week Two, completing 10-of-16 for over 240 yards. He tossed a pair of TD passes and was not intercepted (and has yet to be picked this season). He’ll find the going much tougher this week, however, against a Rams’ team that sports an excellent pass defense.
- Orlando Pace hadn’t missed a game in either 2004 or 2005, but he missed half the season last year, and this year, it’s one and done.
- I’m not impressed with Jon Kitna so far this year. Of course, it doesn’t help when he’s being pile driven into the ground as often as he’s been.
- After rushing for 175 yards in Week One, Chris Brown was held to just 34 against Indy in Week Two. He should find a happy medium against the weak run defense of the Saints.
- Adrian Peterson of the Vikings came back down to earth (20 carries, 66 yards) last week after his impressive debut in Week One. Against KC, I expect him to split the difference.
- Matt Schaub enjoyed a very nice season debut, and then built on it last week. Against the Colts, however, he will have a much rougher go of it.
- Alex Smith struggled in Week One against ‘Zona (15-for-31 for 126 yards), but was much more efficient vs. the Cards (11-for-17, 126 yards). He still hasn’t thrown a TD, but he has not been picked yet either. He’s a horrible bet vs. the Steelers this week, however.
- So much for Eli Manning (shoulder) missing a month. But then again, maybe he should have taken a week off. Against the Packers, he crashed after a huge opener in Dallas. Manning should rebound against the Redskins this week.
- J.P. Losman was better in Week Two (15-for-25, 154 yards, no TDs or INT), but he’s still been pretty rancid this year. And he has to play in New England this week. Ugh.
- Wasn’t Jason Campbell supposed to be improved this season? Well, he showed improvement in Week Two, but I wouldn’t call him improved, per se. If he can’t get it done this week against the NFL’s worst pass defense in the Giants, however, you may as well put him up against the wall.
