Week Two Could Be's (9/16/09)

Could Be Great:

QB: Carson Palmer vs Cleveland -- Palmer should be able to get things done against a Browns secondary which gave up four touchdown passes to Ben Roethlisberger in week one.

RB: Reggie Bush vs Tampa Bay -- The Colts did a good job forcing the Saints away from the run last week, but look for Bush to get more than 16 touches and total more than 45 yards against the Buccaneers.

WR: Marvin Harrison vs Tennessee -- Harrison did well in his 12th career season opener -- four catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, but his counterpart, Wayne, outperformed him (seven catches for 115 yards and two scores). Manning seems to have started a little inner-team competition between the two studs, I expect Harrison will catch up to Wayne against Tennessee.

Could Be Good:

QB: Matt Leinart vs Seattle -- Leinart should be over his 'first game' jitters and will get back on track at home where he's never thrown less than 200 yards.

RB: Rudi Johnson vs Cleveland -- I'm not trying to pick on the Browns defense by thinking two Bengals will do well, but it's hard to ignore what Rudi Johnson has done against them. He's scored nine times in the last nine meetings against Cleveland and has top 125 yards rushing in four of the last five.

WR: Reggie Brown vs Washington -- Brown was unproductive week one with just one catch, but as the most targeted Eagles receiver, he shouldn't be held down for too long -- I expect his coming out party to be Monday night.

Could Be Bad:

QB: Marc Bulger vs San Francisco -- Did you see the Niners defense on Monday? Leinart didn't expect that. And niether will Bulger, who might struggle for room to throw behind a shaky o-line.

RB: DeAngelo Williams vs Houston -- Carolina will need to use the air of Jake Delhomme's passes to get upfield, because the Panthers won't get much done on the ground. Houston's defense held Larry Johnson and the Chiefs to only 72 yards rushing week one -- it could be a long day for the Williams and Foster duo.

WR: Lavernues Coles vs Baltimore -- Coles had seven catches and two touchdowns against New England, but with Pennington in pain and the Ravens on the schedule, I don't expect much from anyone in a Jet uniform this weekend.