After a week of prime-time division matchups, the NFC East’s members will compete against contenders and pretenders from both conferences in week two. The undefeated Dallas Cowboys will face their first road trip as they travel to Arrowhead stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. After an undesired outcome from their contest with the Eagles on Monday night, the Redskins will battle one of the NFC’s best, and travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers. The New York Giants will look to get back on track against Peyton Manning ‘s Denver Broncos at the Meadowlands. And finally, the Philadelphia Eagles will backtrack North on I-95 to protect their house from the visiting San Diego Chargers.
Denver Broncos (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1)
Let’s start with the team with the most to lose in Week 2. The New York Giants suffered an embarrassing defeat Sunday night in Arlington, falling 36-31 in a game that was nowhere near as close as the score dictated; due to the six turnovers by the Giants. Week two’s battle in the big apple will feature the best sibling rivalry in sports. Look away Archie, Peyton‘s Broncos look to improve to 2-0 against Eli Manning ‘s New York Giants. Coming off a route of the 2012 Super Bowl Champion Ravens, the older Manning looks to be in mid-season form after throwing for over 450 yards and seven touchdowns. It is just the opposite for the youthful Eli, who will strive to get back on track after a three interception performance.
If Eli and the Giants hope to steal a win from big-bro and the Broncos, David Wilson will have to assert himself early and often, on top of limiting the type of costly turnovers that limited his team in their Week 1 loss. The Giants must continue the type of defensive pressure they showed in the second half against the Cowboys, including coercing good defensive line play by defensive tackle Linval Joseph. Joseph’s success is integral to a struggling defensive unit as he complements the outside pressure from Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul. While a home win against the best the AFC has to offer is a daunting task, should New York find a way to limit their turnovers, the Giants will have a chance to steal a win at home. Nevertheless, it is looking like a 0-2 start for Archie Manning’s youngest son.
Prediction: Broncos 38 Giants 13
What do we really expect from a team that turned the ball over six times in their first game, and has more holes on their offensive line than Buck-Nasty’s Mom’s underwear? The Broncos will continue their winning ways with a road win over Peyton’s little brother, and continue to display the best vertical offense in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys (1-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
The Dallas Cowboys will veer towards the Bar-B-Cue capital of the world to take on a known foe in an unfamiliar location. Andy Reid has faced the Cowboys at least twice in each of the last 13 seasons, and will pose an interesting challenge for Jason Garrett’s coaching staff. Coming off a dominating victory over the hapless Jaguars in Week 1, Kansas City looks to be on pace to contend for a Wild Card slot in the AFC. The Cowboys dispatched of their rival Giants easily in the Jerry-dome, but will Texas’s favorite sons be able to clean up some loose ends on offense and get the victory in Week 1?
It is no secret that Jamaal Charles is a nightmare for opposing defenses. The question lies with Monte Kiffin’s group. Will the new-look Cowboys Tampa-2 strike fear into their opponents? Or put up as much fight as a wet paper towel trying to stop a billiard ball? Despite forcing six turnovers against the rival Giants, the Cowboys surrendered 450 yards and four touchdowns to Eli Manning, and 118 yards with three touchdowns to Victor Cruz. While Alex Smith and Dwayne Bowe are no Manning and Cruz, the Chiefs offense poses more threat than ever in recent memory with Reid at the helm. The Chiefs will look to utilize their spread offense, and secondary target Donnie Avery in order to spread out the Cowboys Tampa-2 scheme. If Dallas doesn’t close quickly on the ball and put an end to Charles’ day early, a shootout in KC is a realistic possibility. Until Kiffin’s defense can limit an offense to less-than-spectacular yardage totals, expect Cowboys games to be high-scoring affairs.
Prediction: Cowboys 28 Chiefs 27
The Cowboys should be able to eke out a victory against a tough Chiefs team that is still figuring out a new identity. Romo and Witten continued their 2012 successes Sunday night in Arlington, while DeMarco Murray showed that he is capable of giving the Cowboys’ offense another dimension. While both teams are still adjusting to new systems, Dallas’s skill players are a tier above their Week 2 opponents, and should earn a win in a tough road battle.
Washington Redskins (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Following Monday night’s surprising loss to a truly rejuvenated Eagles’ team, the Redskins would love to regroup in Week 2. Unfortunately for Skins’ nation, a trip to Lambeau Field was not what the doctor ordered. Symptoms expected for the franchise reeling from their embarrassing loss to division-rival Philadelphia include but are not limited to: a 0-2 record, swelling of defensive yards given up, and stagnation of a potent offense that struggled in its first showing since last season’s playoff loss against Seattle. Washington’s Week 2 opponents enter this contest with the same record, and equal desire to right a sinking ship. After falling to the San Francisco 49ers for the second consecutive meeting, the Packers will look to regroup in their home opener.
Aaron Rodgers does not take losing lightly. Title-Town USA is the home of Wisconsin’s favorite sons, who may have fallen slightly out of favor after a disappointing battle by the bay. After LeSean McCoy gashed Washington for over 180 yards in prime time, expect rookie Eddie Lacy to factor heavily into the Packers game plan on Sunday. Also facing the NFL’s worst secondary of last season, Green Bay’s offense should dominate an inexperienced defensive unit from opening kickoff to the closing whistle. Washington’s only hope to succeed in their conference matchup lies with sophomore rusher Alfred Morris. Morris struggled in Week 1 against the Eagles rushing for just 45 yards as his team was playing from behind early against Philadelphia. If Morris can find his groove and set the tempo the Redskins will have a chance at an upset. Regardless, if the Skins’ defense cannot hold the Packers offense to a reasonable output, it will be a long Sunday afternoon for Mike Shanahan and Redskins’ nation.
Prediction: Green Bay 38 Washington 20
Washington does not have the offensive firepower to keep up with the explosive Packers offense. Randall Cobb Jordy Nelson , and James Jones lead a prolific passing attack that should leave the Redskins’ underperforming secondary in shambles. Week 2 should be a cakewalk for the NFC North favorites.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) vs. San Diego Chargers (0-1)
Jubilation in Philadelphia; Chip Kelly’s Eagles defeated the division champion Washington Redskins on Monday night football. Kelly’s professional career is off to a brilliant start as the former Oregon skipper led the Bird-Gang to an impressive road-win in prime time. Next on the docket for the undefeated Eagles is a Chargers team that couldn’t hold on long enough against a talented Texans team that overcame a 21-point third quarter deficit in a 31-28 victory in San Diego. The Chargers must travel across the country in time for Sunday afternoon’s battle in the land of brotherly love, and face Kelly’s Eagles in their home opener.
With the first victory of the season under their belts, Philadelphia’s offensive weapons of Michael Vick DeSean Jackson , and Mccoy will look to repeat their efforts from Monday night in a slugfest with the Chargers. With rookie linebacker Manti Te’o unexpected to play this weekend, the Chargers should pose little resistance to Coach Kelly’s juggernaut of an offensive scheme. If San Diego cannot force the Eagles’ into frequent passing situations, expect the control not only the tempo, but the Chargers as well. On defense, the Eagles must pressure Philip Rivers early and often to disrupt an offense still finding its rhythm. The Chargers will hope to let Ryan Mathews run wild over Philadelphia’s front seven, but that game plan may prove impossible should the latter continue its stalwart play from Week 1. The Eagles should dispatch of the woeful chargers easily, and improve to 2-0.
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 35 San Diego Chargers 13
Had Chip Kelly not taken his foot off the gas in Philadelphia’s Week 1 drubbing of Washington, the Eagles may have broken the Redskin’s scoreboard. Expect the first year Coach to try and impress his home crowd his home debut and the Eagles will fire on all cylinders jumping out to an early lead on San Diego. Philadelphia should cruise to an easy home victory while continuing to display one of the most explosive offenses in football.