NFL Week 2: Colts Fall To Browns 27-19

Week 2 wasn't nearly as bad as Week 1 for the Colts, but the results are exactly same as they fell to the Cleveland Browns Sunday 27-19. There were some glimmers of hope for the Colts, especially early on, but the offense couldn't mount a touchdown drive until the game was out of reach, and turnovers once again killed any chance they had. QB Kerry Collins had two more turnovers, a fumble and an interception, both in the fourth quarter and both leading to field goals.

The game started off well for the Colts, as Collins led two pretty good drives out of the first three, but they couldn't punch it into the end zone, settling for field goals on each, keeping the Browns in the game. As Colts fans see time and time again, the defense can only slow down the opposing offense for so long before they inevitably give up the long drive. This time around it was an 11 play, 6:11 minute TD drive, capped off by a 16 yard Colt McCoy TD pass, the first Browns touchdown against the Colts since 2002. McCoy finished the day 22/32 for 211 yards and the one TD pass.

The Colts actually looked pretty good running the ball Sunday, with Joseph Addai and Delone Carter combining for 110 yards on 25 carries, and Addai had four catches out of the backfield as well. Collins spread the ball around more than last week against the Texans, but like Week 1, couldn't mount a touchdown drive until the fourth quarter, when the Colts were down 15 points, a 6 yard pass from Collins to TE Dallas Clark. The Colts struggled once again on third downs, converting just 4 of 14 attempts, well below what they did under Peyton Manning.

This is the first win for the Browns over the Colts since 1994, which is also the last time the Colts started the season 0-2. Things don't get any easier next week, as defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh comes to Lucas Oil Stadium, in a game that should see the Colts as double digit underdogs.

Week Two of the NFL season looks pretty lopsided on paper, but there are several games that look to be mildly intriguing. Here's your full slate of games, along with lines and picks for each game:

Seahawks (+14.5) at Steelers, 1:00 PM, FOX: A huge line for a team that was blown out in Week 1 by the Ravens, but no worries for a Steelers team that will want to take their frustrations out on somebody. Steelers 34, Seahawks 9

Ravens (-6) at Titans, 1:00 PM, CBS: This line seems quite a bit low, as the Ravens looked like the best team in the NFL last week, while Tennessee struggled in a loss to the Jaguars last week. The home opener in Nashville will not go well for the home team. Ravens 26, Titans 9

Jaguars (+9) at Jets, 1:00 PM, CBS: I think nine points is just about right for this matchup, maybe a point either way. The Jets, after their dramatic comeback victory last week against the Cowboys, should be able to hand the Jaguars, who struggled last week with new Quarterback Luke McCown. Jets 25, Jaguars 15

Cardinals (+4) at Redskins, 1:00 PM, FOX: In probably the most unlikely matchup of two 1-0 teams, the Redskins look for their second win against the Cardinals, who got torched for several big plays last week against the Panthers. I'll take the home team against another traveling across the country to play an early game. Redskins 22, Cardinals 20

Raiders (+4) at Bills, 1:00 PM, CBS: Another matchup of two 1-0 teams who had pretty bad 2010 seasons. The Raiders, like the Cardinals, have to go across the country and play the early game. Buffalo blew the doors off of the Chiefs last week, so I think they may be a bit over-confident. I'll take the Raiders behind the running of Darren McFadden. Raiders 22, Bills 15

Buccaneers (+3) at Vikings, 1:00 PM, FOX: Both of these teams lost in Week 1, but I watched a fair amount of both games, and I don't understand this line. I'd have set the line at 3 points the other way, so I'm going with Tampa and not looking back. Buccaneers 27, Vikings 22

Bears (+7)  at Saints, 1:00 PM, FOX: The Bears looked really good last week in shutting down the NFC South Champion Falcons, and now get their shot at the second best team in that division, the Saints. Drew Brees and the Offense looked in mid-season form last week against the Packers, but their 34 points weren't enough to keep up with the Super Bowl Champions. I'll take the Saints, but look for the Bears to cover. Saints 21, Bears 19

Packers (-10) at Panthers, 1:00 PM, FOX: Cam Newton had one of the best rookie debuts in NFL history, but that was against the Cardinals defense. Now he gets to deal with Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson. Should be a Packers blowout. Packers 27, Panthers 6

Browns (-2) at Colts, 1:00 PM, CBS: Are the Colts really that bad that they are home underdogs to the Browns? Those other Pro Bowlers on the Colts need to step up in Peyton Manning's absence, especially those guys on the defensive side of the ball. I think the Colts get it done against a Browns team still learning under new Head Coach Pat Shurmur. Colts 17, Browns 13

Chiefs (+8.5) at Lions, 1:00 PM, CBS: The Lions looked mighty impressive last week winning in Tampa, and it looks like this is the year they will find themselves back in the playoffs. This week, however, Calvin Johnson is a gametime decision, and the Chiefs can't possibly be as bad as they played last week. Lions in a close win. Lions 26, Chiefs 23

Cowboys (-3) at 49ers, 4:05 PM, FOX: If it weren't for two bone-headed plays by QB Tony Romo, the Cowboys might have had the most impressive win in Week 1, but they blew a 14 point, 4th quarter lead for the first time in franchise history against the Jets. Now they travel to San Francisco, who struggled to pull away from Seattle last week until Ted Ginn scored twice on special teams. Dallas should have no problems this week, and win going away. Cowboys 27, 49ers 18

Bengals (+3.5) at Broncos, 4:15 PM, CBS: The team that lost at home in Week 1 is a Field Goal favorite against the team who won on the road in Week 1? Look for Cedric Benson to have a big day against a defense that got run all over last week. Bengals move to 2-0 on the young season. Bengals 32, Broncos 17

Texans (-3) at Dolphins, 4:15 PM, CBS: The Texans looked quite impressive manhandling the Manning-less Colts in Week 1, while Tom Brady had his way with the Dolphins defense. Arian Foster returns this week as well, but is he 100%? Miami can't fall two games behind in the AFC East, so I think they pull off a last-minute victory in the best game of the day. Dolphins 35, Texans 34

Chargers (+7) at Patriots, 4:15 PM, CBS: These two teams know each other quite well, and we should expect this to be a back and forth, down to the wire type game. I don't think either defense will be able to slow the opposing offense down, as both Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers should have monster games. Being that the game is in New England, slight edge to the Patriots, who just seem to always pull games out in Foxboro. Patriots 35, Chargers 30

Eagles (-3) at Falcons, 8:25 PM, NBC: Michael Vick returns to Atlanta, where I'm sure we'll see quite a few black #7 jerseys inside the Georgia Dome. The Falcons were stymied last week by a very good Bears defense, and the team with the best record in the NFC is staring at an 0-2 start. Playing on the fast surface should be to the Eagles advantage, as Vick wins his homecoming in a close one. Eagles 30, Falcons 28

Rams (+7) at Giants, Monday 8:30 PM, ESPN: It looks like Sam Bradford is going to play, but Steven Jackson will not be 100%, if he plays at all. Giants can't fall two games behind either the Eagles or Redskins, the team they lost to in Week 1. The Rams aren't quite "ready for primetime" yet, and the Giants will take advantage. Giants 27, Rams 9

Any optimism that Gary Brackett and Ernie Sims might be able to suit up for the Indianapolis Colts for Sunday's clash with the Cleveland Browns should be gone by now. The Colts surprised many by declaring both out on Wednesday, and nothing changed in Friday's injury report.

Brackett, Sims and Peyton Manning all are officially out of Sunday's game, while Robert Mathis' neck injury continues to remain problematic for Indianapolis. Mathis has missed two practices this week, participating on a limited basis on Thursday before missing Friday's practice.

All other players who appeared on the injury report this week - Tyler Brayton (knee), Kavell Conner (foot), Brody Eldridge (knee), Eric Foster (knee), Dwight Freeney (rest), Anthony Gonzalez (hamstring), Reggie Wayne (rest) and Blair White (back) participated in a full practice on Friday and are expected to play.

For the visiting Cleveland Browns, linebacker Titus Brown (ankle), defensive back Eric Hagg (knee) and offensive lineman Tony Pashos (ankle) missed practice all week and are listed as out for Sunday. Receivers Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring) and Carlton Mitchell (finger) are both probable, while the defensive backfield trio of Dimitri Patterson (ankle), T.J. Ward (hamstring) and Usama Young (hamstring) are all probable as well.

Week 2 brings the Cleveland Browns into Indianapolis for the home opener, who struggled about as much as the Colts did last week in losing 27-17 to the Bengals, at home. The series between the Colts and Browns has been lopsided as of late, with the Colts winning the past 5 meetings, going back to 1994. The last three meetings, however, have been defensive struggles, all close Colts wins. In fact, the Browns failed to score a touchdown in all three meetings, and haven't scored one on the Colts since 2002. Possible good sign for Sunday? The last meeting in 2008 needed a Robert Mathis strip/sack/scoop touchdown to win 10-6 in an ugly, ugly game.

The Browns have a new coach this season in Pat Shurmur, who was the Rams Offensive Coordinator the past two seasons, and was the Eagles QB coach for 10 years before that. He replaced Eric Mangini (who I never knew how he got that job to begin with). The Browns are led by second year QB Colt McCoy, who seemed to be hand-picked by team President Mike Holmgren, and feature Madden '12 cover boy Peyton Hillis. The last time the Colts saw defensive captain Scott Fujita, he was in Miami celebrating a Super Bowl victory with the Saints. He's now the anchor of a young Browns defense that should improve as the season goes along.

Since I can't adjust for opponents yet, here's how both teams did last week in Week 1:

Some thoughts:

• Turnovers will, once again, play a critical role in the outcome of the game. The Browns didn't force a turnover last week, but did have four sacks of Bengal QBs, which is a huge concern now with Kerry Collins. I'm already at the point where any sack I assume will jar the ball loose. I see it as a minor victory when he holds on.
• The Browns defense wasn't that great against either Andy Dalton or Bruce Gradkowski, which is a good sign that maybe the Colts passing game can be a little more effective. I'm looking to see if Collins can get anyone other than Reggie Wayne involved in the offense. That will be a signal to me that this team has a good chance of winning.
• The Browns were good at RB Success Rate, but had a fairly high Yards / Carry last week, meaning they probably allowed a couple big gainers, but were pretty good at the point of attack. Maybe we'll see Donald Brown this week, since he was MIA last week. The Colts will need to have success in the running game to help slow down the Browns pass rush.
• On the other side of the ball, both the Browns Offense and Colts Defense really struggled in all the drive related stats last week, meaning it's tough to tell who will have the upper hand. Last season, we saw a giant improvement on the defensive side when the Colts played at home, so I'd like to think they won't be nearly as bad this week. Playing without Gary Brackett won't help though.
• The Browns were pretty successful in the red zone last week, so for the Colts to win they'll have to continue to force them into field goals. I haven't checked, but I feel pretty confident that there might be only one or two people left from 2002, the last time the Browns scored a TD against the Colts. If the Colts do that again, it should be a good day inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
• Slowing down Peyton Hillis, especially early on, will be imperative. I expect them to pound it with him often, so getting him down is crucial.
• It's not specifically in the stats here, but not allowing a special teams touchdown to Josh Cribbs. It'll be tough enough for the Colts to win by just letting the Browns offense score the points. Adding in another element scoring points, and it becomes damn near impossible. Pat McAfee just needs to boom the kicks out of the back of the end zone.

Before I started writing this, I had every intention of picking the Browns to win, and I still think they have a really good chance to do so. In fact, I see them as a Jacksonville clone, in that they'll control the clock, and on third down and X, they'll run X + 1 curl routes in front of the DBs to gain first downs. The "paper-cut" offense. McCoy is very accurate, so if the Colts aren't playing up on receivers, it'll be a long day.

However, after going over these points, and remembering how the team came out in Week 2 last year (defense especially), I think the Colts will win this weekend. It won't be pretty, but I think they get a win. It's probably the homer in me coming out, but dammit I want to see this team win.

Colts 17, Browns 13