Week 1 in the NFL is a lot like a first date.  For each team and for analysts, things can be a little awkward, they don’t go as planned, we all know no one’s getting laid, and by the end of the night everyone is unsatisfied and still pretty unsure of what they’re feeling.  Week 2 generally takes care of those issues.  After this weekend’s games, we all should have a good idea of who’s for real and who belongs in NFL Europe (like those miserable referee uni’s; disgraceful).

These are 5 must-see games in Week 2: 

New York Giants at Philadelphia

The Giants suffered a heartbreaking loss at home against the Colts last week.  Late mistakes by Eli Manning and penalties throughout the game killed them.  That said, the Giants ran all over the Colts defense, with Tiki Barber having a huge night and Brandon Jacobs breaking out to show he deserves his share of carries this year.  The Eagles kept it close early against the pitiful Texans, but pulled away early in the second half and embarassed Houston.  Philly is an early Super Bowl pick for many experts, although it’s tough to say how they looked last week, seeing as how they played a high school football team.  The Giants, with the toughest schedule in the NFL, are already in a must-win situation.  Expect Donovan McNabb to have a big day, but the Giants defense will control Philly’s run game in this high-scoring shootout. 

Chuck says: New York Giants 30, Philadelphia 27.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

The Bucs were downright embarassed in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, who have re-emerged as the dominant defensive force they last were in 2000.  Tampa still has an excellent team however, with a strong defense of their own.  They have a lot to prove this week, as they were expected to be a contender in the NFC.  Atlanta showed they are back with a vengeance after a sub-par 2005 campaign, with a stunning blowout of the Carolina Panthers last week.  Michael Vick looked under control, and the defense overpowered everything in its path.  Tampa Bay’s only shot at winning this game is to protect quarterback Chris Simms, who was beaten to a pulp last week.  Expect Cadillac Williams to have a big day, but Simms turnovers will be the deciding factor.  Atlanta’s offense has too many weapons, and even if Vick has an off day he can still get 80 yards on the ground. 

Chucks says Atlanta 21, Tampa Bay 10.

Kansas City at Denver

Both of these teams were humbled in Week 1.  Denver, coming off a terrific 2005 season, was outplayed by an iffy St. Louis team, and Kansas City was easily handled by new AFC force Cincinnati.  The Chiefs lost quarterback Trent Green early to a concussion and had to rely on backup Damon Huard to run the offense.  Denver got a poor performance from Jake Plummer, and a quarterback controversy is brewing in Mile High Stadium, with their college-superstar rookie backup Jay Cutler waiting in the wings.  Green is still out this week, so expect the Chiefs to go to Larry Johnson early and often.  He will have a huge day.  But Denver’s defense is still stacked, limiting St. Louis to 6 field goals last week, and will have a similar outing against the Chiefs.  Expect Plummer, with his back to the wall, to put on a show; and don’t forget, Javon Walker is healthy and happy to be a Bronco. 

Chuck says: Denver 27, Kansas City 17.

Washington at Dallas

The other NFC East matchup this week, both teams coming off close losses need a win this week to stay in the hunt for the division title.  Washington lost a close game on what would have been a game-tying score in the final seconds to Minnesota, when John Hall missed a field goal way wide left from about 48 yards out.  Dallas also lost a close game and had the ball with under a minute left in the game down by a touchdown in Jacksonville.  But Drew Bledsoe could not come through in the clutch.  And that is the word of the week for both of these teams: Clutch.  Two more teams with potential quarterback controversies brewing, Bledsoe and Skins quarterback Mark Brunell both showed a considerable amount of ineptitude and age in their games.  Their defenses both looked strong, respectively, but offensive mistakes kept the d’s on the field way more than they should have been.  Clinton Portis made his return from a shoulder injury last week and looked healthy and ready to go.  Terrell Owens had a good day in his Cowboys debut, and also looks healthy and happy, for once.  Both quarterbacks are already on the hot seat, and coaches Gibbs and Parcells are not the patient types.  Bledsoe has been turnover-prone his entire career, while Brunell simply won’t take the risk.  This game will come down to the rushing attack and how each defense handles it.  Expect a barn-burner. 

Chuck says: Dallas 17, Washington 14.

MNF: Pittsburgh at Jacksonville

The Steelers kicked off the NFL season with an as-close-to-flawless victory as you can have against the Miami Dolphins.  They dominated the game in every aspect, with backup quarterback Charlie Batch putting up stellar numbers, and Willie Parker running all over the Dolphins defense.  They looked impressive.  I was also extremely impressed with Jacksonville’s performance against a perennially stacked Dallas defense.  Byron Leftwich was throwing and running the ball very confidently, looking healthier from lat year’s injury.  And brace yourselves, we could all be in for a second Fred Taylor comeback season.  He looked great in Week 1, putting some shifty moves on more than a few Cowboy defenders.  This will be the best game of Week 2, because both teams look like they are clicking already.  The Steelers are going to have their hands full with Leftwich in this game, he is more mobile than he appears and is excellent at picking apart a defense.  But the real selling point for me is the Jaguars defense.  They came up with some very big turnovers against Dallas, and even if Big Ben starts this week, they should have no problem creating the same problems for Pittsburgh.  With the game in Jacksonville, I like the Jags to take this game in a close one.   

Chuck says: Jacksonville 21, Pittsburgh 18.