NFL Week 2

So who has the advantage early in the season? Offenses or defenses?

A casual look at Week 1 seems to reveal that defenses are way out in front earlier on, but the numbers suggest otherwise.

During Week 1 six teams scored 30 or more points, and five scored 10 or less. In 2006, one team scored more than 30 but six were held to 10 or fewer, including three who were shut out. So a case could be made there is more offense this season.

What does Week 2 hold? Get ready for blowout city. In 2006, Week 2 saw nine teams held to 10 or fewer points, but six scored 30 or more, including two in the 40s. Thirteen of the 16 games were decided by a touchdown or more, and a 14th was decided by six points.

Looking back at Week 1: Tough week for the NFC front-runners. The Colts smacked the Saints around last Thursday night, the Chargers overcame the Bears in one of the more physical games I've seen, the Seahawks looked pedestrian at times in beating the Bucs, the Eagles were done in by an abundance of mistakes at Green Bay, and the Cowboys' defense - despite a fine collection of talent - looked vulnerable against the Giants. ... It will be interesting to see what sort of discipline is handed down to the Patriots for their spy tactics against the Jets (and likely other teams, including the Packers last season). For consistency's sake, Commissioner Roger Goddell needs to suspend Coach Bill Belichick and dock the team a high draft pick. I don't know that a fine does much good given the amount of money in the league these days.

Story of the week: The miraculous recovery of Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a spinal injury in the Bill's loss to the Broncos in Week 1. The prognosis has gone from Everett fighting for his life to likely being paralyzed to there being a good chance of him regaining most of his range of motion.

GAMES OF THE WEEK
San Diego (1-0) at New England (1-0): The Chargers' brutal early season schedule takes them to Boston, where the Patriots will be happy to play football after a week of talk about their video games. San Diego proved its defense is for real against the Bears, but the Patriots' attack is up a few levels. The secondary is the weak link of the Chargers' D, and the passing attack seems to be the biggest strength of the Pats' O. The keys: Can San Diego do something the Jets could not in Week 1 - rush QB Tom Brady, and can the Chargers control the clock with RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who was stopped in his tracks by the Bears defense?

Indianapolis (1-0) at Tennessee (1-0): It was Chris Brown, not Vince Young, who sank the Jaguars with a big game in Week 1. If the Titans knock off the other AFC South Superpower in back-to-back weeks, they will stamp themselves as a contender. One difference, they have to defend Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne this week, not David Garrard, Earnest Wilford and Matt Jones. The Colts have the teams speed on defense to spy on Young and limit the havoc he creates better than most teams.

GAMES OF THE WEAK:
Kansas City (0-1) at Chicago (0-1): First one to 10 wins.

Atlanta (0-1) at Jacksonville (0-1): Will a pass be completed - the correct team?

New Orleans (0-1) at Tampa Bay (0-1): Maybe the pirate ship in the end zone at Raymond James Stadium will hijack Drew Brees and Reggie Bush - that would give the Bucs a chance against a team that's mad and coming off a 10-day gap between games.

UPSET SPECIAL:
Dallas (1-0) at Miami (0-1): Miami hung tough with Washington on the road. Dallas raised some questions in its victory over the Giants. The Cowboys should win, but I think the Dolphins defense will have something to say about that and surprise.