Week 2 NFL Preview

AFTER HISTORIC KICKOFF WEEKEND, HERE COMES WEEK 2
 
The opening week of the 2010 NFL season saw close games (a Kickoff Weekend-record 11 games decided by seven points or fewer), breakout performances and stars rising to the occasion.  Among the highlights of Kickoff Weekend:
 
Eleven of the 16 games (68.8 percent) were decided by seven points or fewer, the most such games on Kickoff Weekend in NFL history. 
Houston Texans running back ARIAN FOSTER rushed for 231 yards, the second-highest rushing total ever recorded on Kickoff Weekend (250 yards, O.J. SIMPSON, 1973).
Pittsburgh Steelers running back RASHARD MENDENHALL’s game-winning 50-yard touchdown run in overtime was the third-longest overtime TD run in NFL history.
Chicago Bears running back MATT FORTÉ had 151 receiving yards, the most by a running back in NFL history on Kickoff Weekend. 
Tennessee Titans running back CHRIS JOHNSON rushed for 142 yards, his 12th consecutive 100-yard game.  That is the second-longest streak in NFL history (14, BARRY SANDERS). 
St. Louis Rams rookie quarterback SAM BRADFORD had 32 completions and 55 attempts, both league records for a player in his NFL debut. 
Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING passed for 433 yards, his eighth career 400-yard game.  That is the second-most in NFL history (13, DAN MARINO). 
 
What’s in store for us this week?  Here’s a look at a few interesting storylines heading into Week 2:  
 
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0) at NEW YORK JETS (0-1) (Sunday, CBS, 4:15 PM ET)                
 
One of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries will take center stage at New Meadowlands Stadium on Sunday as the Jets host the Patriots in a clash of AFC East contenders.  Both clubs advanced to the postseason last year, with the Patriots winning the division and the Jets securing a Wild Card berth and advancing to the AFC Championship Game. 
 
New England rolled past the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 by a 38-24 score.  Quarterback TOM BRADY tossed three touchdown passes, including two to wide receiver WES WELKER.
 
"It felt good going out there and playing and trying to contribute to a win," Welker said after the game. 
 
The Jets dropped a 10-9 contest in their opener to the Baltimore Ravens and will look to bounce back in Week 2 and avoid falling two games behind the Patriots in the division. 
 
"It’s hard to make up games," says New York head coach REX RYAN.  "We all saw that New England looked pretty good.  There are no easy games in this league.  New England looks like they’re right at the top, so we are going to have to play our best, no question."
 
HOUSTON TEXANS (1-0) at WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-0) (Sunday, CBS, 4:15 PM ET)                
 
Two teams that got off to good starts will meet in the nation’s capital. 
 
The Texans became the first home team to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in September since 2004 by pulling out a 34-24  victory.  Houston was led by running back ARIAN FOSTER, who rushed for 231 yards and three touchdowns.  He became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 200 yards and three touchdowns on Kickoff Weekend and his 231 rushing yards are the second-most ever in a season opener. 
 
"To come out here in Week 1 against a division opponent of that caliber, it’s a great win for us," says Texans quarterback MATT SCHAUB.  "It’s a great way to start the season off.  It’s a great win for us, but it’s just one.  We have to move on to Week 2 here and get ready to go to Washington."
 
Waiting in Washington are the 1-0 Redskins, who defeated the division-rival Dallas Cowboys 13-7 on Sunday night.  Cornerback DE ANGELO HALL scored Washington’s lone touchdown, forcing a fumble and returning it 32 yards on the final play of the first half. 
 
"I’ve made big plays in my career, but I’ve never had that big of a play as a Redskin," says Hall.  "It felt real good."
 
This Redskins-Texans matchup has some interesting ties.  Texans head coach GARY KUBIAK once played for and coached under Redskins head coach MIKE SHANAHAN in Denver and many of the coaches on the staff are well-known to him, and vice versa.  Washington offensive coordinator KYLE SHANAHAN, Mike’s son, spent the previous four years in Houston, including the final two (2008-09) as the team’s offensive coordinator. 
 
"I’m not sure there are any advantages here," says Mike Shanahan about the familiarity between the coaching staffs.
 
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-0) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1) (Sunday, NBC, 8:20 PM ET)     
 
Sunday night’s matchup on NBC will feature the Manning brothers – quarterbacks ELI (New York) and PEYTON (Indianapolis).  It will be the second time these two meet.  In 2006, the Colts defeated the Giants 26-21 in the first game in NFL history that two quarterback brothers started for opposing teams. 
 
"It is rare that you get to face your brother," says Eli Manning.  "You kind of appreciate that when the National Anthem is being sung and you look over and see your big brother.  That’s pretty special.  You have to try and enjoy it and have fun with it and understand it’s something that doesn’t happen often."
 
The Giants began the season with a 31-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers in the opening of New Meadowlands Stadium.  New York wide receiver HAKEEM NICKS led the way with three touchdown catches and became the first player in more than 20 years to score three touchdowns in the first game at a new stadium. 
 
"It was an historic win for the New York Giants franchise in the new stadium," says Giants head coach TOM COUGHLIN.  "It was an outstanding win for our team."
 
Indianapolis will look to rebound from a rare September loss.  Entering 2010, the Colts had posted a 26-6 (.813) record in the opening month over the past 10 years (2000-09). 
 
"The season is a long haul," says Indianapolis head coach JIM CALDWELL.  "It’s Round One of a 16-round fight.  What we have to do is continue to get better each and every week.  That’s what we’re focusing on." 
 
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1) (Monday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET)     
 
The Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints began their title defense with a 14-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Kickoff Weekend.  The game was a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game and featured the top two scoring teams in 2009. 
 
"We’re not used to 14-9 victories, but we’re used to winning," says Saints quarterback DREW BREES, who threw for 237 yards and one touchdown.  "We like the ‘W.’"
 
With the victory by New Orleans, the defending Super Bowl champion has now won its past 11 season-opening games. 
 
The Saints will travel to San Francisco for a showdown on Monday night against the 49ers. 
 
Both quarterbacks have experienced success on Monday nights.  Brees has won three Monday Night Football starts in a row, passing for 11 touchdowns and one interception for a 151.5 passer rating in those three games.  San Francisco’s ALEX SMITH is 2-0 in his career as a starter at home on Monday nights. 
 
The 49ers will look to rebound after opening the season in Seattle with a loss. 
 
"We can look at the Seattle game for what it is and learn from it, put it behind us and get on with New Orleans," says San Francisco head coach MIKE SINGLETARY.  "I feel we’re going to be a very good football team."
 
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NFL FACTOID
 
Since 1978, when the NFL went to the 16-game schedule, and excluding the abbreviated 1982 season, of the 458 teams which won openers, 243 went to the playoffs and 142 won division titles.  Of the 458 teams which lost openers, 102 went to the playoffs and 60 won division titles. 
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