Sunday Six Pack: Week Two

Jarrett Behar

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We’re with you every Sunday to provide the Sunday Six Pack, an article featuring six of the biggest storylines heading into each and every week of the season. Keeping tabs on these events will keep you prepared and informed throughout the season – just don’t drive within six hours of reading this. With that in mind, let’s take a look at week one’s Sunday Six Pack:

Can #1) Rusty RG3

The rusty return of Robert Griffin III probably shouldn’t have surprised anyone.  The Redskins didn’t score any offensive points in the first half and Griffin threw two interceptions.  Although he rebounded to finish with 329 passing yards and two touchdowns, 169 of those yards came with the Eagles comfortably ahead in the fourth quarter and content to give the Redskins the middle of the field while the clock ran.  Now, Griffin gets a slightly short week having played Monday night and heads to Lambeau to face a Packers team that was shredded for over 400 yards by a fairly stationary Colin Kaepernick last week.  It will be interesting to see if RG3 can shake off the rust and similarly capitalize or if the Packers use their bruised defensive egos and a trip home to right the defensive ship.

Can #2) Megatron vs. Peterson

Patrick Peterson shut down Chris Givens (two receptions, 27 yards), but this week faces a slight uptick in competition with Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson.  The last time these two faced off Megatron torched Peterson for ten catches and 121 yards.  Peterson took some solace in the fact that he held Johnson out of the end zone.  Last week, the Vikings were able to hold Johnson to just four receptions for 37 yards, but at the expense of giving up huge chunks of yards to Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.  Look for Megatron to bounce back and maybe even add a touchdown to his blazing of the young Cardinals defensive back.

Can #3) Paging Doug Martin

Although he got into the end zone last week, Doug Martin found the Jets front seven is nothing to sneeze at.  The Muscle Hamster was held to just 65 yards on 25 carries and two receptions for -1 yards.  He should have an easier time this week against a Saints defense that overachieved at home against the Falcon,s but gave up 77 yards to Steven Jackson, including a 50-yard rip.  With Josh Freeman continuing to struggle, look for the Buccaneers to lean heavily on Martin – he’s a top running back play this week.

Can #4) Henne For Your Thoughts

Things look pretty grim when you turn to Chad Henne to be your savior, but anything has to look better than Blaine Gabbert, who failed to lead the Jaguars past their own 36 yard line at home against the Chiefs last week.  That shocking display of ineptitude would be hard to equal again.  You wouldn’t start Henne outside of a deep 2QB league, but his presence under center bodes well for Cecil Shorts who was invisible last week until Henne entered the game in garbage time.  In addition, hopefully the stronger arm of Henne will open things up a little for Maurice Jones-Drew, who will look to improve on an uninspiring 45 yards on just 15 carries last week.

Can #5) Dolphins and Colts and Running Backs, Oh My!

Lamar Miller averaged 0.3 yards per carry last week.  Ahmad Bradshaw is clearly not back in full football shape yet and was ticked for a timeshare with Vick Ballard until Ballard tore his ACL in practice this week.  Now we get a battle between two 1-0 teams that struggle to run the ball.  Miami has an underrated front seven that locked down Trent Richardson last week, so Bradshaw’s biggest impact in this game may be his pass protection skills.  On the flip side, Miller has a chance to get going against a Colts defense that made Terrelle Pryor the only 100 yard rusher on Sunday, but he is going to have to be more decisive and the Dolphins offensive line is going to have to revert to its early preseason run blocking form.

Can #6) The Manning Drinking Game 

Based on last week, if you did a shot every time a Manning threw a touchdown pass, you would have been in serious danger of alcohol poisoning.  Peyton and Eli combined for 11 touchdown passes last week (12 if you count the one Eli threw to Brandon Carr) and with the Broncos missing both Von Miller and Champ Bailey this week, that trend looks to continue.  The Giants defense actually played fairly well last week, only giving up one extended touchdown drive to the Cowboys and no big plays, but Peyton, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas present a whole other ball of wax.  Having lost MLB Dan Connor to a neck injury, the Giants will struggle to cover Julius Thomas after having given up eight receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns to Jason Witten last week.  This one should be a real brotherly shootout.

Enjoy a great day of football!

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