ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD
Donovan McNabb watched the fourth quarter from the sideline.
AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
At the end of the day ... order had been restored in the universe.
Well, at least in the NFC.
The last two NFC champions, Carolina and Philadelphia, are among the favorites (you can throw Atlanta in there, too, if you'd like) to represent the conference in Super Bowl XL. Many prognosticators have one or the other winning in Detroit. But both lost their openers last week, and there they were Sunday, perhaps not panicking, but standing on the edge of a dreaded hole named 0-2 that only two teams (Dallas in 1993 and New England in 2001) have escaped and gone on to win the title.
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb took a helmet to the chest in last Monday's loss at Atlanta, leaving his status for Week 2 in question. And there were doubts whether the Eagles had completely put their tumultuous offseason behind them. The Panthers, meanwhile, lost by three at home to the inspired Saints, lost DT Kris Jenkins in the process and had defending world champion New England coming to town. Carolina, which climbed out of a 1-7 crater last year to contend for the playoffs, was poised to stumble out of the blocks yet again.
After Sunday, though, we can wait a while before we worry about these two teams again.
Both clubs made statements Sunday, winning games they "had" to win, if a Week 2 game can hold such importance. The Eagles crushed the 49ers, though the ease with which they did so may say more about the level of competition than it does Philly's level of execution. And the Panthers held off the Patriots to avoid dropping two straight at home to start the year. When you knock off a team, a dynasty, that has lost just four games in two seasons -- and do so by 10 points -- simply put, that's saying something.
Speaking of verbal communication, there was something of a major development toward the end of the Eagles-49ers game: McNabb and Terrell Owens spoke cordially. To each other! And based on their expressions, they seemed to enjoy the conversation. Sure their personal relationship probably is dysfunctional, at best, but there is no denying how well they function together on the field. Sunday, McNabb tied his career high with five touchdown passes, two of which went to T.O. If they stay healthy, each should again merit MVP consideration and lead Philly to another division title.
If the Eagles are the NFC's version of the Patriots in terms of philosophy, Carolina is the equal to the champs in terms of physical toughness. On offense and defense, the Panthers are just plain aggressive. Nasty, even. QB Jake Delhomme is a poor man's Tom Brady in the way Carolina's offense and team responds to him. You can't explain how he makes plays. He just does. Leave it at that.
With the Vikings and Packers 0-2 and the Falcons having been grounded by the Seahawks, the hierarchy of the NFC stands as it did before the season started: It's still the Eagles, Panthers -- maybe the Falcons -- and everyone else.
BYRON BATTERED
By Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
Getting defensive
Swathed in more ice than the body of Ted Williams, bearing huge discolored splotches and limping noticeably, Byron Leftwich settled in front of a locker stall following a 10-3 defeat, looking like one oversized 250-pound welt. Had the Colts been charged with assault and battery by the local constabulary, the prosecutor would have only had to present a naked Leftwich to the jury, and deliberations would have lasted maybe 30 seconds.
PRIME TIME HQ
By Jeremy Green, ESPN Insider
Instant analysis
The Jaguars (along with the Bills) have one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL. ... The 49ers will never be great with John York as their owner. 49ers fans know where I'm coming from on this one. ... Willie Parker is getting a lot of hype, but the Steelers' offensive line needs to be getting a lot of hype, too. ... J.P. Losman is going to struggle. He played well last week, but he still has a lot to learn, and he has never seen a defense as good as the Bucs.
DESPERATE IN DENVER
By John Clayton, ESPN.com
Heart of a Champ
Desperation settled into the Denver locker room at halftime. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, under pressure because of grumbling that he doesn't do a great job communicating a complicated defensive scheme, altered his game plan. The Broncos were going to go for all-out blitzes in the second half. These weren't going to be those tricky, fire-zone blitzes in which one or two defensive tackles drop into coverage. These were the real deals.
PRIME TIME HQ
By Rick Spielman, ESPN Insider
Random thoughts
Cincy looks like the real deal in these first two games. Marvin Lewis has done an excellent job getting the personnel he needs to win. ... Indy can win games with a strong defense and not always have to depend on the offense. ... Kyle Orton was very impressive today. He seems to be handling the situation very well. They need to stick with him. ... Houston may be in the same situation with David Carr that Baltimore might be with Boller -- decision time.
WINNING WITHOUT STYLE
Gang green goes blue collar
Same way beggars can't be choosers, the desperate can't be picky. The Jets looked awful in their opener at Kansas City and would have been in for an even worse week than last had they lost at home to Miami. So while they didn't look a whole lot better, particularly offensively, in getting back to .500, the important thing is they are there. New York can get its style points another day. The Jets are just relieved to have had more points than the Dolphins.
Pennington
In terms of the standings, the Jets are in the best position possible -- a four-way tie with the rest of the AFC East. As far as the offense's execution under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, they acknowledge they are far from where they would like to be, and realistically it's at least going to take the rest of this month, and perhaps longer, for Chad Pennington to truly get comfortable running the scheme.
Defensively, at least the players were where they were supposed to be this week -- one of the reasons the Chiefs' offensive line had such an easy time with Donnie Henderson's D last Sunday was because players often were out of position to begin with. Properly aligned, New York held Miami to 66 yards rushing and Gus Frerotte to 20-of-43 passing.
The quarterback position for the Jets will continue to be scrutinized in the next week and beyond until such time when Pennington's arm strength reaches the "average" level again. He showed beautiful touch on his first touchdown pass, to Laveranues Coles in the right corner of the end zone, but at times Sunday he looked like Steve Walsh throwing the football, like when Justin McCareins had to stop and wait for a 37-yard completion on the first possession.
Pennington, though, probably eased some concern about his reconstructed right shoulder by going 7-for-7 during an 80-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drive that made it 17-7. The Jets' offense rediscovered its identity, running 34 times to 32 passes and committing no turnovers, though New York did fumble three times, including once by the usually reliable Curtis Martin in the second quarter on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line.
But in the grand scheme of things, the Jets couldn't care less how they looked in victory. They just know they're not looking at 0-2 right now.
"Pretty doesn't win," Herm Edwards said. "We want to win, and we found a way to win a game."
"It was certainly a blue-collar win," said Pennington. "It wasn't 'do or die,' but in my opinion, we prepared like this was a game we needed to win."
TALKING POINTS
Ravens find Wright is wrong, too
OK, so it was a mistake to pronounce the Ravens a better team with Anthony Wright (left) at quarterback rather than the injured Kyle Boller. Really, what team is better off with its No. 2 QB? If the backup were better, he wouldn't be backing up, right?
In this case, it doesn't matter who is under center for Baltimore, the Ravens are going to be overmatched when their offense is on the field. Baltimore has scored 17 points in two games. They have a bye this week before playing host to the Jets on Oct. 2. It'll be a long vacation, but for the sake of the Ravens' playoff aspirations, hopefully they'll make the most of it.
Chargers facing a long, difficult road
Chargers QB Drew Brees, a Pro Bowler last year, passed for only 175 yards against the Broncos. Remarkably, LaDainian Tomlinson (left), a 100-catch back two years ago, hasn't caught a pass in either of the first two games.
San Diego doesn't win in Denver, so a loss to the Broncos -- even these Broncos, who did a heck of a lot to lose it themselves (including nullifying a punt return for a touchdown by coming onto the field to celebrate during the return) -- is somewhat excusable, considering the history of this series.
What this does is make Week 1's home loss to Dallas that much more painful for the Chargers. You remember, don't you: The Chargers couldn't score in the red zone late, mainly because they didn't have tight end Antonio Gates, who was serving a team-imposed one game suspension? Four of San Diego's next seven are on the road, including at New England, at Philly, and at the Jets. The Chargers? Unless they make an immediate U-turn, they're on their way to an extended vacation.
Down goes the NFC North!
This time last year Daunte Culpepper (left) was tossing five touchdowns just about every week. Sunday, he threw five picks, giving him eight for the season. As good a player as Culpepper is, you just don't lose the most explosive wide receiver in the game (Randy Moss), one of the best centers in the game (Matt Birk), and the offensive coordinator under whom you became an MVP-type and just keep going. And that defense Minnesota purchased in the offseason wasn't worth a you-know-what against Cincinnati.
As for rival Green Bay, the significant homefield advantage the Packers once enjoyed surely is gone if the overhauled Browns, in just their second game under new coach Romeo Crennel, can come into your crib and steal one.
At East Rutherford, N.J.: The Saints played inspired football last week. Expect more of the same this week, as the team will dedicate the season to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. With that said, it's important not to undervalue the talent on this team, especially on offense. The Giants will have a tough time keeping QB Aaron Brooks and RB Deuce McAllister under wraps.
New York is coming off a season-opening win, but it's important to note that big plays on special teams and a stout run defense played big roles in that victory. Improvements need to be made on offense and that means QB Eli Manning must continue to progress.
Redskins at Cowboys, (9 ET, ABC)
These long-time NFC East rivals both won their openers, but the Redskins are looking at an uphill battle if they are to go 2-0. Dallas returns home following an impressive road win in San Diego.
With an upgraded defense, a "bell-cow" running back in Julius Jones and the efficient play of veteran QB Drew Bledsoe, this team finally has coach Bill Parcells' signature on it. Conversely, Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is still searching for an identity in his second go-around with the team, and his quick hook of QB Patrick Ramsey -- in favor of veteran Mark Brunell -- is just another in a long line of setbacks.
SUNDAY'S PLAYMAKERS
Passers
Donovan McNabb, Eagles: 23-29, 342 yds, 5 TDs
Brett Favre, Packers: 32-44, 342 yds, 3 TDs
Carson Palmer, Bengals: 27-40, 337 yds, 3 TDs
Trent Dilfer, Browns: 21-32, 336 yds, 3 TDs
Receivers
Terrell Owens, Eagles: 5 rec, 143 yds, 2 TDs
Chad Johnson, Bengals: 7 rec, 139 yds, TD
Darrell Jackson, Seahawks: 8 rec, 131 yds, 0 TD
Randy Moss, Raiders: 5 rec, 127 yds, TD
Rushers
Shaun Alexander, Seahawks: 28 att, 144 yds, TD
Thomas Jones, Bears: 20 att, 139 yds, 2 TDs
Carnell Williams, Bucs : 24 att, 128 yds, TD
Edgerrin James, Colts: 27 att, 128 yds, 0 TD
OUCH, BABE
Michael Vick, QB, Falcons
Left game vs. Seahawks after clutching his hamstring on fourth-quarter scramble.
Byron Leftwich, QB, Jaguars
Taken for X-rays on his left leg after loss to Colts. Left game briefly but returned.
David Akers, K, Eagles
Left game vs. 49ers in first half with hamstring injury. Did not return.
Albert Haynesworth, DE, Titans
Left game vs. Baltimore late in third quarter with apparent knee injury.
Marcus Pollard, TE, Lions
Left game vs. Bears after helmet-to-helmet collision with safety Mike Brown
WEEK 3 SCHEDULE
Sunday, Sept. 25
Carolina at Miami, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati at Chicago, 1 p.m.
Cleveland at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Tennessee at St. Louis, 1 p.m.
Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Oakland at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
New Orleans at Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Arizona at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
Dallas at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m
New England at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m.
N.Y. Giants at San Diego, 8:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 26
Kansas City at Denver, 9 p.m.