5th Down: Week Two

A fantastic week of football, featuring several low-scoring affairs where every yard and play meant something, to some high-scoring tennis matches, to Denver coach Mike Shannahan going for two to win the game in the boldest in-game coaching decision we're likely to see this year, to the stupidest play we're likely to see in ten. AND...my fantasty football team, despite posting the third-lowest point total of the week, won again! Two and oh. Just win, baby!

Last week, I went 10-6. Let's see how I did this week (my earlier predictions in italics):

Panthers 17, Bears 13 - Win. Carolina's defense and their rookie RB Jonathan Stewart played some tough football against a solid team, and the Bears didn't have the offense to counter. Great game, this one. Actual score: Panthers 20, Bears 17.

Titans 20, Bengals 10 -Win. The Titans scored slightly more than I predicted, and Collins played well. Cincinnatti did not. Actual score: Titans 24, Bengals 7.

Packers 27, Lions 10 - Win. Well, Woodson played, and he helped win the game for the pack, intercepting two and scoring once. The Packers had this one in hand early, but the Lions' receivers--especially Calvin Johnson--brought 'em back to within three, but Kitna made too many early mistakes, and they had to throw the ball too much. Actual score: Packers 48, Lions 25.

Jaguars 17, Bills 14 - Loss. Jacksonville was weaker than I thought; their offensive line couldn't create any running lanes. Actual score: Bills 20, Jaguars 16.

Chiefs 17, Raiders 9 -Loss. Raiders coach Lane Kiffen did a heckuva job this week, as Oakland look well-disciplened, and they ran the ball relentlessly and ran it well (rookie Darren McFadden had 160 yards rushing). Kansas City's in for another dire year. Actual score: Raiders 23, Chiefs 8.

Colts 23, Vikings 13 - Win. Saturday did not play, and the Colts left tackle Ugoh was injured in the first half and did not return. It was an ugly game for Indy, but possibly the best game of the weekend for those that love tough, slug-it-out football. If not for the fact that the Vikings' QB Jackson is as ineffecient as they come, then this would have been a blow-out for the Vikes, as their RB Adrian Peterson ran for 160 yards. . Actual score: Colts 18, Vikings 15

Giants 31, Rams 6 - Win. This week, Eli Manning stepped up his game, and the Giants improved over last week; the Rams didn't. Actual score: Giants 41, Rams 13

Redskins 20, Saints 17 - Win. Redskin receiver Santanna Moss is, right at this moment, still catching the ball and scoring against New Orleans' woeful D. The Saints had too many injuries to key players to pull this one out. Actual score: Redskins 29, Saints 24

49ers 13, Seahawks 10 -Win. Seattle yet again loses another wideout for the year, but they found their running game. Still, Hasselbeck has no one to throw to. Actual score: 49ers 33, Seahawks 30

Buccaneers 19, Falcons 17 - Win. Not just too much D--WAY too much. Matt Brady: welcome to the NFL; hope you survive the experience. Actual score: Buccaneers 24, Falcons 9

Cardinals 14, Dolphins 10 - Win. Fins couldn't stop the Arizona Air Express, as Boldin caught three TDs, and he and Fitz both had over one-hundred yards receiving. The Fins have no offense at all. Actual score: Cardinals 31, Dolphins 10

Broncos 28, Chargers 20 - Win. The best play in the first week of the season and the best play of the second week of the season: both for the win, and both against the Bolts. Cutler's playing better than any QB this season. And he's from Vanderbilt. Actual score: Broncos 39, Chargers 38

Patriots 17, Jets 10 - Win. Pats D stifled, and their O developed a running game. Actual score: Patriots 19, Jets 6

Steelers 38, Browns 16 - Win. In adverse weather conditions, the Browns D stepped up, but their offense let them down. Actual score: Steelers 10, Browns 6

Cowboys 21, Eagles 20 - Win. What happened to the both teams' defenses? It was like watching someone play Madden on Playstation 2 with the level set to "Easy." Eagles' rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson's spiking the ball up in the air before he crossed the plain into the end zone has to be the most idiotic play I've seen since Leon Lett played...for the Cowboys. Actual score: Cowboys 41, Eagles 37

My record this week: 13-2--four games better than last week!

My record this season: 23-8