NFL Week 2
New England, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis are rolling. Oakland, Cleveland and Kansas City are limping along. But in the ultra- balanced NFL, all that could change in a week. Times staff writer Sam Farmer looks at 10 things in the NFL to watch for heading into Week 2:
Tennessee two-step
1. Indianapolis couldn't stop the run for most of last season, although -- with four new defensive starters -- the Colts now appear far more stout. Another test comes Sunday at Tennessee, and the Colts have struggled in the past to keep the Titans' ground attack in check. Indianapolis gave up at least 200 yards rushing last season four times -- twice against Tennessee. The Titans gained 214 yards at the RCA Dome, then 219 yards in a rematch at home. And there's no indication their ground game is slowing down; they ran for a franchise-record 282 yards in 49 carries in a 13-10 victory at Jacksonville.
Still super?
2. A lot of pundits picked New Orleans as a Super Bowl team. But the Saints were less than impressive in their season opener at Indianapolis, scoring just three points on offense and getting torched by Peyton Manning in the second half. Things should be a bit easier Sunday at Tampa Bay, seeing as the Saints will be coming off nine days' rest and swept the Buccaneers last season. If New Orleans loses, it will take a lot of steam out of its Monday night game against Tennessee the following week.
Dangling Chad
3. New York Jets fans cheered when their quarterback, Chad Pennington, hobbled off the field and was replaced by backup Kellen Clemens in the loss to New England. Pennington later limped back into the game, injured right leg and all, and attempted a quarterback sneak near the goal line. It failed, and it was painful to watch. Clemens, a second-year pro who hadn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game until Sunday, could get the starting nod at Baltimore. Rumor has it they play a little defense down there.
Options, options
4. Not only does he have a cannon arm, but Denver quarterback Jay Cutler did a nice job of mixing in option runs. That included a gutsy pitch back into the end zone to Travis Henry, bailing the Broncos out of trouble, and later a successful keeper on fourth and two to keep the winning drive alive. Oakland defenders will be studying that tape for their matchup Sunday at Denver.
Nothing special
