NFL Week Two: Splitting the real contenders from the lucky upstarts
Two weeks into the NFL season, and while alarm bells are already ringing in Dallas and Minnesota, eight teams stand undefeated. This time last year there were nine undefeated teams, including the eventual
Super Bowl contestants, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. However, the list of the undefeated in week two of 2009 also included four teams, Denver, San Francisco, Atlanta and the New York Giants, who failed to make the playoffs.
Of the eight teams at 2-0, who's real and who's fake? It's not easy to tell after just two weeks, but here are five teams we can say something for sure about. For others, time may have to tell to see what
will happen.
The wannabe contenders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs management must be loving life right now, with their team at 2-0 despite having the lowest payroll in the league. They should enjoy the feeling of being undefeated while it lasts. Despite having
some good young talent, including standout second-year quarterback Josh Freeman, the Bucs will soon find out where they stand in the NFL with upcoming games against the Steelers, Bengals and Saints. The Bucs' two wins, against the Browns and Panthers, came
against two of the worst teams in the NFL. At the end of the day, money talks in pro sports, and until the Bucs spend a little more of it, they'll be watching the playoffs on TV. Their lack of proven depth could come back to haunt them as the season goes on.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are off to their best start in years, and after winning only four games last year, two wins in two weeks must feel like two-hundred. However impressive a win over a quality team like the Chargers
looks, a closer look at that game reveals a win that has a bit of a freak quality. The Chiefs scores all came off of huge plays: a 56-yard TD run, a fumble recovery and return deep in Chargers territory and a 96-yard punt return. The Chiefs did manage to
hold off the Chargers thanks to a good defence, a rabid home crowd and, perhaps most importantly, pouring rain. The Chiefs got the win, but with a healthy dose of luck. A 16-14 win in week two came against a Cleveland Browns team that will be in contention
for the first overall pick in next year's draft. The Chiefs look to be headed in the right direction, but still lack a legitimate passing game, and are still a few years away from playoff football.
The real deals
Pittsburgh Steelers
The difference that one man makes to the Steelers defence is quite incredible. With Troy Polamalu back and healthy, the Steel Curtain is in full effect, and make the Steelers a very dangerous team. Combined
with a running game that is averaging almost 125 yards-per-game, the Steelers D has led the Steelers to two wins over quality opponents in the Titans and Falcons, despite not having their starting quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger will be back in week five,
and he should have plenty of games to shake off the rust. Expect to see the Steelers in the playoffs once again.
Green Bay Packers
With the Vikings at 0-2, the Packers are the overwhelming favourite to win the NFC North, although a primetime game next week against the 2-0 Bear could throw a spanner in the works. Nonetheless, the Packers
have playmakers on both sides of the ball, with Aaron Rodgers helping fans forget about Favre on the offensive side, and Clay Matthews tearing it up (six sacks in two games) alongside 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson on defence.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints haven't blown anyone away this season, but they've shown that they know how to win football games. Despite being outplayed for much of their week two match-up in San Francisco, the Saints came
away with a win that could not be called undeserved. Drew Brees is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league and has so many weapons to choose from. The running game is consistent and dangerous, even without Reggie Bush, with Pierre Thomas carrying
much of the load through two weeks, while the defence continues to force turnovers and make plays. The Saints also have one of the brightest coaching stars in the league in Sean Payton, whose hunger for success hasn't been dimmed by a Super Bowl win.
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