NFL Preview: Five Things to Expect In Week Two

1. The Saints will right their ship.

New Orleans played just about their worst possible football in Week One vs. the Colts, and many are predicting a sophomore slump for last year's Cinderella squad.

I don't see it happening.

There's loads and loads of talent on this team, and I'm predicting a huge game for Drew Brees and Co. on Sunday.

The Saints defense isn't much to crow over—I'm surprised they didn't address it with their first-round selection last April—but I don't see Jon Gruden's boys giving New Orleans anything to worry about this weekend.

2. The Jets will fall to 0-2 after being trounced by Baltimore. Everyone will then realize that Eric Mangini is not a genius and that his team was lucky to make the playoffs last year.

I know, I know. I'm really hating on the Jets here.

Frankly, though, I was disgusted by all the attention they received last year after squeaking out nine regular season wins...and only beating one good team in the process.

I've got no problem with Eric Mangini—I just never understood why he was anointed as the league's "next great coach" after one season. Leave it to New York media, huh?

The Ravens are a hungry bunch after giving away their last contest to the Bengals, and I see them destroying a Pennington-less Jets team on Sunday.

3. In one of the season's most anticipated matchups, the Pats will edge out the Chargers on Sunday night.

I guess if I was a believer in Karma, I might change this pick.

I'm not, though—nor do I think that the Patriot offense will be affected by their inability to swipe signals (or whatever it was they were doing).

The Chargers will put up a good fight, and LT is going to go over 100 yards, but the difference in the game will be Tom Brady and Co., who should have no problem finding success vs. the Chargers secondary.

I'm not hesitant to predict another big game from Randy Moss—he's got a lot of stellar performances penned up inside after going through the motions for two years in Oakland.

4. Carolina will prove that Week One was not a fluke, and reestablish themselves as one of the teams to beat in the NFC.

After a frustrating 2006, the Panthers are looking like a well-balanced squad with one of the better offenses in the NFC.

DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster are a formidable tandem, and a resurgent Jake Delhomme has arguably the league's premier receiver to throw to in Steve Smith.

The Panther defense looked excellent last week, holding the NFC's premier running back, Steven Jackson, to just 58 yards.

The Texans, for their part, may finally be ready to shed the "fledgling expansion franchise" label and begin contending in the AFC South...but I don't think they'll be able to beat a Carolina team that has everyone buzzing.

5. It will become even more clear that Brady Quinn should be the quarterback in Cleveland after Derek Anderson plays horribly and the Browns fall to 0-2.

Notice how I phrased that one.

Phil Savage (or whoever has the final say) will probably continue to adhere to conventional wisdom—exercising caution with his first-round QB and not "throwing him into the fire."

Bottom line is, if a guy has what it takes, he has what it takes. A lump or two along the way shouldn't affect the direction of his career.

If it does, well—he wasn't worth the high pick anyway.

As I said last week, Quinn is a warrior with top-notch intangibles. Get him in there, Savage, and give Romeo Crennel a chance to keep his job.