NFL Picks Week 2: Predicting Five Breakout Players
The first few weeks of the NFL season are always loaded with breakout performances that leave fans and analysts wondering "Who dat?"
Week 1 of the 2010 season was certainly no exception, highlighted by Houston's Arian Foster, who ran for a franchise-record 231 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Texans to their first victory over the Colts since 2006.
While Foster's performance was certainly the most notable, he was joined in the ranks of the former-unknowns by the likes of Arizona's Greg Toler (13 tackles), New England's Brandon Tate (184 kick return yards, one touchdown), and San Diego's Legedu Naanee (110 receiving yards, one touchdown).
With coaches around the league still tweaking their lineups, there should be plenty more to come in Week 2.
Hence, here are five players who just might pull an Arian Foster this week and steal the headlines.
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 of 5
Like the rest of his teammates in Tampa Bay, quarterback Josh Freeman is starting to show signs of life.
As a rookie last season, Freeman struggled through typical NFL growing pains, throwing almost twice as many interceptions (18) as touchdowns (10) and fumbling the ball nine times while at times showing flashes of the ability that got him drafted in the first round.
Freeman got himself off to a good start to the 2010 season in Week 1, passing for a solid 182 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Granted, it came against the woeful Cleveland Browns, but some progress is better than none.
Assuming he stays on his feet for most of the game (the Bucs allowed three sacks in Week 1), Tampa should see more improvement out of Freeman against yet another league bottom-feeder–the Carolina Panthers.
LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
2 of 5
Like Freeman, Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy is a sophomore set to blow up, thanks to his immense talent and new opportunity.
With Brian Westbrook gone to San Francisco, McCoy has been handed the keys to the starting job in the Eagles backfield. Some might not see this as such a good thing, considering coach Andy Reid's affinity for aerial attacks.
There's certainly some validity to that claim, considering McCoy took only seven hand-offs in Week 1 against Green Bay, though he averaged five yards per carry.
On the other hand, McCoy was also the Eagles' leading receiver from that game, hauling in five passes for 47 yards.
Which brings up another important point about Reid's coaching style–he loves getting the ball to his 'backs through the air.
Either way, McCoy is a solid bet to break out during Week 2. Whether running or catching, McCoy will be handling the ball plenty against a Detroit Lions defense that gave up 463 yards (362 passing) to another team with a pass-happy offense–the Chicago Bears.
Though it's tough to predict McCoy putting up more than 200 total yards and two touchdowns against the Lions like Matt Forte did in Week 1, he'll certainly have the chance to do so.
Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
3 of 5
As with the Eagles and McCoy, the San Diego Chargers are counting on rookie running back Ryan Mathews to step up his game this weekend.
Like most of the Bolts, Mathews had his fair share of struggles at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night, losing a fumble deep in San Diego territory during the second quarter that led to an easy touchdown for the Kansas City Chiefs.
As LaDainian Tomlinson's replacement, Mathews has some big shoes to fill and he'll have plenty of opportunity to do so, including Sunday's home opener against Jacksonville.
Expect Mathews to improve on his first-game rushing total of 75 yards on Qualcomm turf against the Jaguars.
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Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
4 of 5
Playing opposite Mathews and the Chargers on Monday night was Kansas City Chiefs rookie safety Eric Berry.
As the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft this past spring out of Tennessee, Berry came into the league as a physically-gifted safety with a reputation for laying vicious hits and having a nose for the ball.
While the Chiefs' defense gave up nearly 400 yards of offense to the Chargers, Berry performed well, posting six tackles (five solo) while helping to stifle Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense when it counted most.
Berry should again play a significant part in KC's success or failure this weekend, when the Chiefs face the Browns in Cleveland. New Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme has a penchant for throwing interceptions, amassing 18 picks to only eight touchdowns last year with Carolina and perpetuating a similar ratio in Week 1 with a touchdown and two picks against Tampa Bay.
In short, Berry could very well come up with his first NFL interception (or two) on Sunday.
Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
5 of 5
Eric Berry isn't the only rookie safety ready for the spotlight.
Seattle's Earl Thomas had himself a solid debut at home against San Francisco, chipping in seven tackles (five solo) and helping to limit the 49ers to a mere six points in the process.
Like Berry, Thomas will be in prime position to play an even bigger part in his second NFL game, facing the Denver Broncos and the pick-prone Kyle Orton.
As such, Thomas might well be putting his killer instincts and incredible speed to use on Sunday running back his first career interception.
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