Tuesday Morning Running Back Week 2: Owens, Marshall and Cassel Too!

If I had one wish, just one wish that could be granted at any time during the NFL season, I'd wish to watch the Broncos/Chargers game instead of the Patriots/Jets game on Sunday afternoon.

While it is true I'm a Patriots fan, I found that game to dull, lifeless, and devoid of any excitement, other than Merriweather's pick that set up the Patriots only touchdown.

It also didn't help matters that from the Jets and Patriots I switched to a Steelers/Browns game that was even worse.

The Chargers/Broncos game had everything you wanted in a football game, back-and-forth play, unbelievable performances, and gutsy playcalling by one coach.

In catching 18 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, Marshall certainly was the receiving star of the day in the NFL, but two other things that happened in this game overshadowed his performance,

First, a blown call by referee Ed Hochuli gave the Broncos a chance to tie the game on their final drive.

When a quarterback's arm goes forward and loses the football without throwing it, it should be ruled a fumble.

In this case, it wasn't, and the Broncos were given new life by a man in a stripped shirt.

It also didn't help matters that Hochuli admitted his mistake to Charger coach Norv Turner after the game.

Although a blown called helped them tie the game, the Broncos should still be commended for not settling for the tie.

Mike Shanahan's gutsy playing calling and Jay Cutler's poise in finding an open Eddie Royal paid off, and gave the Broncos a thrilling one-point victory.

However, that game was not the only thriller around the NFL in Week Two, as the bullet points will now tell us.

• Memo to Norv Turner: The next time a wideout torches your defense, don't be afraid to stick a quick safety on him to minimize the damage.
• Not to be outdone by the game in Denver, the final Monday night game in the history of Texas Stadium was a real barnburner as well. There were seven lead changes and four plays of over 40 yards, highlighted by a 72-yard score by Terrell Owens.
  
• Oh yeah, the Cowboys won 41-38 on a one-yard run by Marion Barber with a little under four minutes remaining.
• Whoops of the week goes to Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, who made a rookie mistake on an easy touchdown by forgetting to cross the plane of the end zone with the ball in his hand.
• I'm starting to deeply regret the fact that I drafted Jamal Lewis, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow during my fantasy draft.
• While watching the pathetic performance of the Browns' offense, I turned into Nancy Kerrigan after she was attacked. Why, Why!
• Not surprisingly, I'm 0-2 in fantasy football this year.
• Even though the Raiders only had a grand total of 55 yards passing, they were able to defeat the Chiefs because the real Darren McFadden finally showed up.
• Unfortunately for Lane Kiffin, it's no longer a question of will he fired this season, but it's a matter of when will he be fired this season. Al Davis's motto isn't "just win, baby" for nothing.
• Speaking of coaches on the hot seat, it's about time the Bengals seriously consider canning Marvin Lewis. They just can't get it together.
• If anything, the Redskins proved they are resilient during their win on Sunday. That was heck of a throw by Jason Campbell to Santana Moss for the go-ahead score.
• The Bills are now 2-0 for the first time since 2003. That's more surprising than Tom Brady being out for the season.
• To further prove that we are living in a bizzaro world of quarterbacks this season, David Garrard has already thrown as many picks (3) as he did all of last season, and it's only Week Two!
• Maybe Al Davis should take over the Rams for one week. The offense is horrid, and the defense is worse than a mediocre Pop Warner team.
• Scott Linehan should be the NFL coach on his way out, not Lane Kiffin.
• Don't look now, but the Giants are for real. The Super Bowl was no fluke, and they are awfully solid in every phase of the game.
• From the people that brought you duh, NBC's Tiki Barber is trying to state his case for the Giants having the best offensive line in the NFL, said so because he knew from experience.
• Aaron Rodgers was 24/38 for 328 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. Who misses Brett now in Packer nation?
• How bad is it for the Lions? After watching his team give up five sacks and three picks, two that went for defensive touchdowns, a Lions fan took off his Calvin Johnson jersey and threw it on to the field in disgust.
• Panthers QB Jake Delhomme only threw four 128 yards, but the important thing is that he led the cats to a last-second victory.
• The Bears must be feeling a lot of pain, both physically and mentally these days. It isn't often that you cough up a big lead and lose your most exciting player in the same game.
• If the Vikings could just find an offense, they probably would have won. You can't let the Colts hang around.
• It can't help Matt Leinart's confidence that Kurt Warner has led the Cardinals to a 2-0 start for the first time since God knows when.
• It also seems like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are a lot more comfortable with Warner around.
• I wanted to start the Ravens' defense this week in fantasy, but because of Hurricane Ike, I couldn't, and I had to settle for the pathetic and vastly overrated Seahawk defense that let me down again. 33 points allowed to the 'Niners at home? Give me a break!
• Well, Matt Ryan got his welcome to the NFL moment against Tampa on Sunday, as well as coming to the realization that not every defense is like the Lions.
• He wasn't flashy, but Matt Cassel did his job, coupled with a strong effort by the Patriots defense, and not surprisingly, the Pats won.
• My prayers go out to those of you affected by Hurricane Ike. May you find solace in your family and your favorite football team.
• Finally, I once again like to apologize to those of you who were offended by my comment on Johnny Mathis last week. He still has a rabid fanbase and more power to him for still be able to sell out concerts and sell records. See you next week.