Week 2

And what have we learned?

Week 1 brought us the return of the Tom Brady two-minute drill, an OT win for the Super Bowl champs, and a career came for Drew Brees with six TDs. My picks last week were off and on but I chock that up to a few running backs shaking off the cobwebs and just some general new season jitters. Week 1 is an anomaly, completely unpredictable and, as that last second Broncos win showed us, all together ridiculous. Here are a few lessons I've taken from the first weekend of NFL football.

The Steeler's running game needs work.
With strong performances from Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, and Hines Ward, there wasn't much running room for Fast Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, literally. The Titans stood up to both backs allowing only 25 rushing yards between them. Look for the Bears to give them just as much trouble even without Urlacher.

The Chargers are not as good as everybody thinks.
For the past few years every announcer begins the season by saying that San Diego could very well be in the Super Bowl this year but something always keeps them out. LDT may be past his prime and now that he's splitting time with Sproles, who stole the show last week, he'll get even less touches.

The Bears are screwed, except for Devin Hester.
Without Urlacher and with the jury still out on Jay Cutler, Chicago's future is at best uncertain. Most of Cutler's four interceptions came because his receivers weren't running the right routes. Hester is the only one out there who knows what he's doing and look for Cutler to use him a lot.

A West Coast resurgence may be in order.
With tough performances from the 49ers, Raiders, and Seahawks last week, players who play a Hail Mary from the Pacific could be top points earners this year. Hasselbeck and Julius Jones came up big against the Rams last week and the Raiders should have won on Monday night if not for a called back TD by rookie Louis Murphy. JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders' platoon of three running backs should whoop up on the Chiefs this week and the San Francisco/Seattle game should be one of Sunday's best.

We're only in Week 2.
Just because TO didn't show up to play last week and Santana Moss didn't get any touches doesn't mean they won't be big point earners down the line. Hold onto Steve Slaton, Michael Turner, Larry Johnson, and Pierre Thomas.

Don't be afraid to start:

* QB Trent Edwards: He played a hell of a game on Monday and should have led the Bills to victory if that kick returner would have just held onto the ball.
* WR Terrell Owens: He'll be looking for his first TD with Buffalo and Edwards will be more than happy to appease him.
* RB Steven Jackson: He sure is on a terrible team but Washington's defense is nothing to shout about. He'll get six at least.

Riding the pine:
* QB Carson Palmer: Green Bay's defense is coming off a four-interception game against Chicago and don't expect them to let up for the Bengals.
* WR Steve Smith: There's trouble in Carolina at the quarterback position (see the video above) and what's a good wide out if he has nobody to throw to him?
* RB Marion Barber: Barber was allowed just 56 yard on 27 attempts in his last two game against the Giants.

Till next week, GO COWBOYS!