The NFL Roundup Week 2 - The Most Fascinating Games to Watch on Sunday

I think it is fair to say that most of the teams in the NFL hit their rhythm by week three of the season. There were a lot of opportunities for a win by most teams and games being a lot closer than they should have been because of mistakes on both sides of the ball. How serious should the first game be taken in the larger vision of a season? I know this time last year there was doubt that Brady was going to have a successful season and a Super Bowl trip not even in the cards. The predictions and hopes run high and while fans hold tightly to the couch pillow watching teams who appear to have never played a game in their life struggle, there is still hope (for some of them). 

Also on just a quick side note...the only real unanswered question for me this week is did Universal Studios design the new cheerleading outfits for the 49ers? Because they are hideous and should be returned, they look like a failed costume idea for the X-men or Black Widow.  Sorry just had to rant on those hideous things, let's get back to what matters most, football and the games that have piqued our interest for Week 2. 

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OUR GAME OF THE WEEK - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

Daniel's Take: This week’s game for me is the much anticipated rematch with the Seattle Seahawks taking a visit to title town against the Green Bay Packers. While the Packers showed a few missteps against the Bears this week they continued the streak of coming into the Bears home and punching them right in the eye. Was it a true test for the Packers? Difficult to say when Cutler only gets one touchdown on 225 yards, against a team that seems to just have his number. More surprising to me was the loss the Seahawks suffer in St. Louis in overtime. Hard to say if you attribute it to rust, bad play calling, or Kam Chancellor having that big of an impact. Maybe the Rams are just that good but I still believe this game was a lot closer than it should have been.

That being said, let’s face facts that the Seahawks struggled on the road last season and looks like they could still have some of the same issues this year. The Packers have been dying to get them in Lambeau Field, taking the “12th man” out of the equation and with Kam Chancellor still holding out could be disastrous for the Seahawks. It could also be an old school shoot out but Russell Wilson’s performance was not all that much better than Cutler's last week but he has been underestimated before. I hope Wilson is ready to run as the Packers Defense looked a lot faster than I remember last season. Rodgers looks to have picked right back up with favorite receiver James Jones proving to be an unstoppable force if given the chance to settle into a rhythm. The Packers are looking for payback and want to put the past few encounters with Seattle far behind them and what better way than a win at home giving them a much better start to the season then years prior. I have a feeling it’s going to be a rough road for the Seahawks this year and Green Bay isn’t the only team out there looking for some payback.

Scotty's Take: What can I say, I called the Seahawks first loss of the season, but St. Louis has always had their number. Seattle has a huge chip on their shoulder and wants to make sure that the league understands that they are still a force to be reckoned with.  With the addition of Jimmy Graham in the off season, the Hawks have a premier Tight End that showed he can change the game at a drop of a dime.  It is hard to forget about BEAST MODE as well, but some teams are finally starting to show that it does not matter how good a Running Back is, they are committed to stopping them.  Green Bay is returning their staggering defense from last season and look like they are up to the challenge to putting the breaks on what could be a top offensive unit this season.  Being lead by Clay Mathews and the crafty veteran Julius Peppers, this defense has committed to stopping the run.  They also have Aaron Rodgers and his group of receivers that are pretty good.  I would say this would be a shoot out for the win, but I see this as a defensive battle and a very low scoring outcome.

John's Take: Thinking back to the playoffs last year, I honestly think Green Bay should have won that game. They embarrassed the Seahawks on the field for most of the contest, dominating Russell Wilson and even exposing some of his weaknesses only to find themselves going home after all was said and done. It was piss poor play calling that cost them the game and this my friends, is the revenge game. You know everyone on that team is still furious about that loss and they will unleash said fury on the Seahawks and I honestly think this one will be pretty damn ugly. They will use the same formula they used to slow down Wilson and Lynch, and punish them dearly in the process. This should be one interesting game to watch. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS

Scotty's Take: The Bills showed last week that they are no joke in the Sexy Rexy era that has taken over Buffalo.  Tyrod Taylor seems to have found a groove and will have to be taken seriously as a passing threat on the offensive end, while the defense has nothing that needs to be changed as they are legit.  With New England rolling into town, I see that Tom Brady has a chip on his shoulder and has something to prove after he got off for cheating.  I can see Brandon Bolden taking the reins out of the backfield for the Pats, but what I expect to see a lot of passes to the back to start the game. It is next to impossible to go against any team that has one of the greatest Tight Ends in the game, so once again, Gronk will light up the defense and showcase his talents.

DETROIT LIONS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Scotty's Take: Minnesota looked just terrible (Charles Barkley Voice) in their season opener and with the distraction of having one of the greatest running backs in the league back on their roster, they are out of sorts.  Adrian Peterson is back and wants to play for a new contract, but his agent has made it apparent that it is not for the Vikings.  But the problem is that AP will have to carry the team to playoffs once again and it may take a while for him to get his groove back after being suspended last season and poor Teddy Bridgewater who I have high hopes for will be left to lead the sputtering offense to any possible points that they can score.  Detroit has something to prove after losing their lead last week to the Chargers, being up 21-7 in the third and losing the game should change their demeanor for this game and knowing that they need to step it up they have all of the tools in place to make a 40 point game look pedestrian.  With Mathew Stafford at the helm, they have a new threat in the backfield named Ameer Abdullah that can make anything happen when he touches the ball.  I don't want to get too hyped about this kid, but my friend at work is all high and mighty on this kid and from what he has shown in the preseason, along with his first game in the NFL, he will be one to watch for in this week's game.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

John's Take: Why on earth would I find any game with the Cleveland Browns fascinating you might ask? The answer is simple, the tale of two quarterbacks that will be on display. We first get to see what Marcus Mariota will do under center after his brilliant game against Tampa Bay and that part alone should be fun. But let's be honest, we're all curious about Johnny Manziel. Is he good? Is he a bust? We still have no clue. After all, he tossed an amazing touchdown bomb in week one, then looked like a mediocre quarterback right after that. This is a big game for him, a real chance to silence the critics and show the world he can start for an NFL team. If this one goes sour...I think it will be the beginning of the end for his storied and short career.