Waddle's World

Week One was a disaster for the Jets - not only did they get drubbed by the Patriots, they also got Chad Pennington banged up. It looks like Pennington is doubtful for this weekend's tussle with the Ravens.

Pennington may wanna take a pass against this Ravens defense that is none too happy with their Week One loss to the Bengals. Kellen Clemens, welcome to the big leagues ... now buckle up for the next three hours. It is vital for the Jets to establish the run and keep the pressure off of Clemens, or a hobbled Pennington. Unfortunatley, Thomas Jones is still struggling with a calf injury. This has disaster written all over it for the Jets. As for the Ravens, they've gotta take care of the football ... they turned it over four times against a suspect Bengals defense. Willis McGahee ran strong in his Ravens debut and should see the ball even more in this one. This game comes down to the Jets' ability to protect their quarterback and the football. I don't think they'll be able to do either... no camera necessary, I see this one clearly ... All Ravens this weekend!

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A bitter rivaly renewed in Denver as the Raiders come to town this weekend. It's been a one-sided story recently with the Broncos winning seven of the last eight in this series by a combined score of 191-82. Thats what we call "DOMINANCE". The Broncos may be in for a little rougher ride this Sunday if LAST Sunday is any indication. Josh McCown led the Raiders to three touchdowns, a huge day considering they scored 12 offensive touchdowns all of last season. McCown was a pleasant surprise completing 30-of-40 passes for more than 300 yards and two scores ... unfortunately he also threw two picks and fumbled three times, but who's counting? Equally surprising was the Raiders defense getting pasted by the Lions. The Broncos will be quite a challenge as well. As I expected, Jay Cutler looks to be developing nicely, and his rhythm with Javon Walker will continue to improve. Travis Henry was as good as advertised in the Broncos' zone blocking system and should get a ton of touches in this one. I think the recent trend continues in this rivalry. Lane Kiffin's Raiders aren't prepared to hang with Denver just yet. I like the Broncos at home.

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The Eagles try to bounce back this weekend as the Redskins come to town. Donovan McNabb's return to the Eagles' lineup was less then stellar, completing 15-of-33 for 184 yards a touchdown and a pick. And until McNabb gets back to full speed, Brian Westbrook must continue to be the focal point. He is one of the best combination backs in the league and should be able to handle the load. Don't worry, Philly fans, your defense will continue to show up. Last week, they held Brett Favre and the Packers to 215 yards and no offensive touchdowns. The 'Skins will be a much bigger challenge, though. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts pounded the Dolphins for 157 rushing yards, and they will be asked to do the heavy lifting again in this one as Jason Campbell continues to develop. I have to admit, I was a little shocked by the Redskins' offensive success last week, but I'm not sure it carries over this week. The Eagles should be prepared for their home opener ... they better, cuz their fans have been known to eat their young! I like Philly at home.

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It's outta the frying pan and into the fire for the Chargers. After a hard-fought victory over the Bears in Week One, this week they head to Foxboro to face the Patriots, a team that ended their season last January. If the Chargers are to get to 2-0, they're gonna have to get more from LT. Tomlinson was held to 25 yards rushing on 17 carries last week by the Bears. Expect the Patriots to mimic the Chicago game plan and use a lot of eight-man fronts. In doing so, Belichick will encourage Phillip Rivers to try and beat them through the air. Rivers would be wise to once again look in the direction of Antonio Gates, who is too much for backup James Sanders to handle. As for the Pats, I expect Tom Brady to air it out and play catch with his new toys. Last week, Moss, Welker and Stallworth combined for 16 catches for 263 yards and two scores. If he's given time, Brady will get the best of the Charger secondary. And by the way, if you were gonna cheat, cheat against these Chargers, not the Jets. Ya don't need to cheat to beat the Jets. I like the Patriots at home.

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In his first game as the Falcons field general, Joey Harrington completed 25-of-32 passes. Unfortunately, two of those completions ended up in arms of the guys in the purple jerseys, and both resulted in Viking touchdowns. It won't be a whole lot easier this week, as the Falcons face an angry group of Jags. Jacksonville took it on the chin last week, at home, as the Tennessee Titans racked up 282 rushing yards on one of the best front sevens in the AFC. The Falcons will try and repeat that performance with a heavy dose of Jerious Norwood and Warrick Dunn. Trust me, they won't have the same type of success. In fact, the combo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew will be the story in this one. They will shred a Falcons defense that was torched by Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson. The Jags get back on track this week.

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Obviously it's been a very difficult week for the Buffalo Bills. They come to Pittsburgh after a heartbreaking, last-second loss to the Broncos in Week One. They are also dealing with the emotional trauma of the devastating spinal cord injury to Kevin Everett. And, Everett wasn't the only Bill to go down with an injury last Sunday. Buffalo took a hit in the secondary, as both corner Jason Webster and saftey Ko Simpson went down and have been ruled out for this game. And that is where Ben Roethlisberger will focus his attention. Big Ben looked sharp last week against the Browns, throwing for four scores. Granted, it was the Browns, but Roethlisberger looks healthy and poised for a big season. The Bills will rely on rookie running back Marshawn Lynch to carry the load, but ultimately, J.P. Losman is gonna have to make some throws for Buffalo to stay in this one. I don't expect that to happen. Mike Tomlin has his troops fired up and ready for their home opener. The Steelers will have no trouble with the Bills.

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The game of quarterback roulette continues in Cleveland. One week you're the Browns starting quarterback, the next week, you're a back up for the Seahawks. Such is the life of Charlie Frye. And with Frye now exiled to the sidelines in Seattle, its Derek Anderson's turn to take a beating behind that Cleveland offensive line. If I'm Brady Quinn, I'm not real eager to trade in my clipboard just yet. Last week was a comedy of errors for the Browns, as they were sacked six times and turned it over THRICE against the Steelers. And if the Cleveland secondary was impressed by Ben Roethlisberger, wait until they get a peek at Carson Palmer and his arsenal of weapons. This one should end up like the last five Bengals-Browns tilts: With the Bengals on top. ... BIG ... Last year, the Bengals outscored the Browns, 64-17, in their two meetings. These Bengals may get 64 in this game alone. Something tells me Romeo wishes he was still coordinating that Patriots' defense.

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I'm still trying to figure out how the Packers won last Sunday. The Green Bay offense racked up 215 yards and failed to reach the endzone, yet they come away with a 16-13 victory over the Eagles. I've been trying to tell all of you that Brett Favre is no longer the top story in Green Bay these days. Yes he's a future Hall of Famer and will own most of the passing records when he finally steps aside, but its that Packers defense that is getting all the attention, and rightfully so. They harassed Donovan McNabb for three hours last Sunday, and it wont get any easier for the "hefty lefty" this weekend. I'm a few credits shy of my medical degree, but I'm guessing Eli Manning's not physically able to go this weekend, and that means its Jared Lorenzen's turn to run for his life behind that Giants' O-line. No Brandon Jacobs, means no support. Look for the Giants to do what they do best, and that's drop back and chuck it. My prediction, more pain for the Giants, and a better day for Favre. The Cowboys put 45 on Coughlin's Crew last week. Brett will find the endzone more than once in this one. I like the Packers.

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After beating the Chiefs in their home opener, the Texans are looking to start 2-0 for the first time in franchise history. Let's cut to the chase ... it's not gonna happen. They travel to Carolina this weekend to face a Panthers team that looked like a Super Bowl contender in their opener. Jake Delhomme threw for three scores, DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams combined for 156 yards rushing, and Steve Smith, well, he's Steve Smith. And listen, Matt Schaub looked great last week against K.C. - 16-of-22 for 225 and a score. But Matt, these aren't the Chiefs. It's Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker, Kris Jenkins ... this is a nightmare, my friend. If they can slow down Steven Jackson and the Rams IN St Louis, they should have no trouble with you and your Texans. OK, that's a little rough, I actually think the Texans are gonna have a solid season this year, but they're in over their head here. I still have my reservations about these Panthers, but if they continue to play like they did last Sunday, they're gonna make some noise in January. First thing's first, though, Panthers advance to 2-0.

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For the first time in the Sean Payton era, the Saints were held without an offensive touchdown in their opening game loss to the Colts. Now, there is no shame in losing to the defending Super Bowl champs in their dome, but no touchdowns? That had to be one of the biggest shocks in the opening week of the season. Don't expect the Saints to stay down long ... not with the Buccaneers on the other sideline. And not with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush in their huddle. The Bucs are no longer stout up front. Last week, the Seahawks rushed for 139 yards. That number could be even higher this week. As for the Bucs' offense, look for Jeff Garcia to air it out. He is the perfect fit for Gruden's West Coast offense, and he has to like his chances with Joey Galloway squaring off with Jason David. Once again, it looks like Cadillac is in the shop. Sore ribs may keep the oft-injured Williams on the sidelines for this one. I know what you're thinking ... this one's a blow out ... the Saints have way too much for the Bucs. Well, I agree the Saints will win, but this will be a dog fight and questions about Drew Brees and the fellas will remain!

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How about the intriguing matchup in Nashville this weekend between the Colts and Titans. In Week One, I'd say the Indianapolis Colts were most impressive. The Tennessee Titans the most surprising. While the Colts' defense was dominating the Saints' high-powered offense, the Titans running backs were shredding the stout Jaguars' front seven. Chris Brown led the way with 175 yards, as the Titans racked up 282 rushing yards. Expect them to keep it on the ground in this one. Vince Young is finding life in the NFL is more difficult when you lose your top two receivers from the year before. Young still looks uncomfortable in the pocket and indecisive with his decisions. The quick first steps of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis should keep him jumpy. This may surprise you, but Peyton Manning has struggled against the Titans recently. In fact, Indy and Tennessee split last year's two-game series. I have a hard time believing that trend will continue. Manning has way too much firepower for these Titans. The Colts maintain their top spot in the "Waddle Power Rankings" ... quite an honor, ya know. I like Indy big.

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A good NFC West battle in St Louis this weekend as the Rams host the 49ers. This one should be a ground war. The Niners still rely heavily on Frank Gore to carry the load, and he should find room to run against these Rams. They ranked 31st in the league in run defense last year and picked up where they left off, allowing the Panthers to rush for 186 yards in Week One. Look for the Rams to play a lot of eight-man fronts and force Alex Smith to beat them through the air, something he hasn't proven capable of just yet. Expect the Rams to keep it on the ground, as well. They need to get all-world runner Steven Jackson on track. Last week against Carolina, Jackson rushed for just 58 yards and put it on the ground twice. And, with Orlando Pace now out for the season, the Rams' O-line is a mess. No need to expose your $65 million quarterback to a beating this early in the season. I'm still not buying the Niners as the "surprise team" of 2007, but they are improved. Not improved enough to beat the Rams at home, though! I like Steven Jackson and crew to get back on track.

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A nice matchup in Miami this weekend, as the Cowboys bring their high-flying offense to town for a meeting with a Dolphins defense that suffered a little whiplash in Washington last weekend. We knew that the Fish would struggle to score points with Trent Green operating behind a less-than-stellar offensive line, but who saw the Redskins racking up 400 yards of total offense against this Miami defense. And trust me, it wont get any easier with Dallas coming to town. Tony Romo and his Cowboys put 45 on the board against the Giants. ... OK, it was the Giants, but they were awesome. IF given time, Romo has proven he can't get it done. But, like all inexperienced quarterbacks, he struggles when pressured. If the Cowboys can run it effectively with Barber and Jones, the Dolphins have no chance. To be honest with you, I don't give the Dolphins much of a chance, anyway. While the Cowboys won't match last week's 45-point effort, 20 should be enough to get past the offensively-challenged Dolphins. I like the Cowboys on the road.

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A Week Two battle in the Motor City for first place in the NFC North. It's the Lions hosting the Vikings for supremacy in the division. Alright, I can't keep a straight face. Neither of these teams will seriously challenge the Bears for the division title, but both are improved this year. It took all of one week to find out that Tavaris Jackson isn't quite ready for prime time, but his rookie running back Adrian Peterson is the real deal. Peterson has 1,500-yard-rusher written all over him, and with Chester Taylor banged up, he should see the majority of the carries. The Vikings' O-line should have no trouble creating space for Peterson against this Lions' front seven. The question is, can the Vikings' defense slow down the talented Lions offense? We know Jon Kitna has a strong arm and a great trio of receivers, but can he stay upright. Kitna was sacked more than any QB in the league in 2006 and was taken down twice more last week in Oakland. The Lions have no chance of running the ball against the Vikings' top-ranked run defense, so look for them to air it out. So as I pass on my wisdom to you, the football fanatic, I remind you that the "trend is your friend". And the trend says the Vikings have beaten the Lions six straight. Make that seven in a row. I like Minnesota.

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Anyone interested in the Seahawks and Cardinals? ... I thought so. Week One confirmed my early thoughts about both of these teams. When healthy, the Seahawks are still the best team in the West and a threat in the postseason. The Cardinals are a young team that will go as far as their quarterback and defense take them, and neither is ready for the bright lights of the NFL. Leinart was erratic in the opener against the 49ers and still looks overmatched at times. He has a dynamic duo on the outside in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but hasn't found a rhythm with them yet. As for the Seahawks, they should have no trouble moving the ball against this Cardinals defense. Shaun Alexander should mow down the Arizona front seven, and Deion Branch will run wild through a suspect Cardinals secondary. On paper, this is a blowout, but it is Week Two, and the veteran Seahawks aren't firing on all cylinders just yet. ... I still like the Seahawks.