Week two of the NFL season offered some blowouts and impressive offensive displays, a number of tight games and important early-season divisional battles. The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots lost a rematch of their Super Bowl victory two years ago, and they succumbed to the Carolina Panthers 27-17 on Sunday.
After battling an injury-laden roster early last season, Carolina finished 6-2 over the last eight games of the 2004 season, causing many to pick the team as an NFC favorite for this season. But the loss of former Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Kris Jenkins for the year (torn ACL) in week one and the prospect of starting 0-2 with the Champs coming into town seemed to derail those prognostications.
That is, of course, until game time arrived.
Trying to avoid consecutive home losses to begin the season, the Panthers - now 1-1 - outplayed the Patriots for most of the game. Carolina won the turnover margin by three to one, committed half as many penalties, and established an effective running game (104 yards) while containing the Patriots' usually-potent running attack to 39 yards.
The Patriots' two touchdowns came as a result of Carolina mistakes, as blown coverage turned a short Troy Brown route into a 70-yard reception that set up the game's opening score. Their other six-point play came off a miserable interception thrown by Jake Delhomme and easily returned all the way by linebacker Mike Vrabel, bringing New England within three points midway through the third quarter.
Carolina, despite Delhomme's inaccuracy, was propelled by halfback Stephen Davis' three touchdowns, kicker John Kasay's two long field goals, and a pesky, physical defense that made Tom Brady look flappable.
New England (1-1) continues its daunting opening schedule next week as they travel to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0).
Highlighting the week's divisional games was the Indianapolis Colts' gritty 10-3 home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was the first of two contests this year between the AFC South combatants. Last October, the Jags proved to be the Colts' toughest divisional foe by handing Indy its only home loss of the season.
To the chagrin of many fantasy owners, this game was ruled by defense. Peyton Manning struggled, completing only 13 of 28 throws with one interception. Running back Edgerrin James' 128 yards powered the Colts (2-0), who scored all 10 points in the fourth quarter, and Indy's defense, which had pressured and finally hobbled Jacksonville (1-1) quarterback Byron Leftwich, made one final stand as the game clock wound down.
The competitive AFC West saw all four of its teams engage in divisional games, beginning with the Denver Broncos (1-1) 20-17 win over the now 0-2 San Diego Chargers in the Mile High City. The Chargers controlled the first half, taking a 14-3 lead into the locker room behind two scores from ball carrier LaDainian Tomlinson, who set an NFL record with rushing touchdowns in 14 straight games.
But the Broncos' defense, highlighted by an interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Champ Bailey in the opening moments of the third quarter, dominated the second half, allowing the Denver offense some scoring opportunities.
The Broncos' offense finally got in the end zone in the fourth, and riding the legs of New York Giants' castoff Ron Dayne, set up kicker Jason Elam to complete the comeback victory with a last-second field goal.
The other AFC West match-up featured the rushing attack of the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) that proved to be too strong for the Oakland Raiders, overpowering the Black and Silver (0-2) 23-17.
Both Kansas City runners, Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, scored touchdowns in the first half, but the Chiefs were held to only two field goals in the second half, setting up the possibility of late-game heroics.
Oakland played well and was led by the home debut of wideout Randy Moss, who had five catches for 127 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown grab. It was, however, the Kansas City defense that did not allow the Raiders to score in the final quarter and especially on the final drive. Oakland had the ball ten yards out with under two minutes to go, but could not muster a touchdown.
Additionally, the two squads were guilty of numerous penalties nullifying big plays which could have altered the outcome.
In other action, the Seattle Seahawks (1-1) scored all of their points in the second quarter but held on to defeat the Atlanta Falcons (1-1) 21-18.
Despite a decided advantage in total yards, the Seahawks could not finish off their opponent at home. But the Falcons couldn't make up the final three points at the end with Michael Vick forced to come on and off the field as he battled hamstring cramps.
