NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week two matchup between the Bengals and Ravens in Cincy.

Jclombardi highlights Packers headlines.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Packers vs Bills Preview:BASICS–The teams: The Green Bay Packers (1-0) vs. the Buffalo Bills (0-1). Time: Sunday, Noon Wisconsin time. Place: Lambeau Field, Green Bay. TV coverage: CBS.  Prediction–Bills are simply not talented enough to spring an upset. While the Packers suffered a surprising loss at lowly Tampa Bay last season, they won't make the same mistake in their home opener Sunday.  Packers 31, Bills 10.

Terrible Rodgers Looks to Rebound: For 34 games (including playoffs) into Rodgers' tenure as the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback, his team had never won in spite of him the way they did last week. "I played terrible. It was probably about as bad as I could play, so that’s a good thing. It’s got to get better," Rodgers said after he went 19-for-31 for 188 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for a 73.1 rating or almost half of his preseason rating of 141.2. "I missed a lot of throws that I make in my sleep. But we made just enough plays to win.”

Notebook: Hawk Back on Defense–Bills will run the ball meaning the Packers will use their base defense which features A.J. Hawk. Plus, the Packers are shorthanded on the defensive line with Mike Neal unlikely to play. Those items and much, much more from Friday.

Coaches Not Worried About Rookie S Burnett’s Tentativeness: Packers safety Burnett has demonstrated superior ball skills and coaches expect him to become an aggressive tackler as he gets more comfortable.

Headlines Summaries:

Packers pay Giacomini to stay on: Packers really did want to keep tackle Giacomini in their program and away from the Minnesota Vikings. In perhaps an unprecedented move in Green Bay, the Packers agreed to pay Giacomini an extra $2,300 per week.

BILLS WEEK: Friday update – 5 are questionable: LB Desmond Bishop (hamstring), LG Daryn Colledge (illness), FB Korey Hall (hip), DE Mike Neal(side/rib) did not participate in practice and are questionable for the game. CB Brandon Underwood(shoulder) was limited and is questionable. Charles Woodson and Chad Clifton practiced and are ready to go. Colledge came in sick this morning and will be monitored. Bryan Bulaga would start at LG if Colledge can’t go.  FB Hall torqued his troublesome hip on Thursday but will be given the 48 hours to get ready for the game.

Notebook: The Woodson move becomes common turnover weapon: Packers forced only one turnover in last Sundays season-opening victory at Philadelphia, but that lone turnover was perfectly executed and has become commonplace for Charles Woodson.

Goska column: Bills futility on third down contributes to losing ways: Third-down conversion rates arent as telling as some of the other statistics bandied about in football circles. But know this: teams that convert at a rate of less than 30 percent over the course of a season rarely emerge with a winning record.

Packers' Wynn on return: 'It felt like getting drafted again': The second-year defensive lineman didn't survive Green Bay's final roster cut downs, but was quickly asked back after Justin Harrell was lost for the season to a torn ACL.

Packers notes: Wells doesn't being center of attention on telecasts: The center wore a microphone during the season opener, something he says the league will have all centers do during high-profile games, and he's not happy about it.

Oates: Packers' prospects could be grounded without backfield help.

Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson already made one mistake by keeping only two halfbacks on the roster, and he's compounding his error — and jeopardizing the team's chances for a special season — by not getting an experienced backup.

Packers' Hawk wants to be more than role player: The fifth-year Green Bay linebacker and former No. 5 overall pick did not play at all on defense in the season opener, and his agent is suggesting he would welcome a trade.

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week two matchup between the Bears and Cowboys in Dallas.

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week two matchup between the Chiefs and Browns in Cleveland.

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week two matchup between the Bucs and Panthers Sunday in Carolina.

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week two matchup between the Steelers and Titans in Tennessee.

1. DeMarcus Ware/Julius Peppers Attack: Two of the most intimidating, fierce pass rushers the game has to offer.  No doubting whether or not these All-Pros will show up Sunday.  Although they play different positions in different schemes, DeMarcus OLB in the 3-4, Julius DE in the 4-3, they both have the same idea in mind: Get to the QB as soon as possible.  As much as I would like to see them generate pressure and invade backfields, in the back of my head I’m hoping they don’t knock out the opposing signal caller.  Who wants to see Todd Collins or Jon Kitna?  Whoever has the more eventful, disruptive afternoon could go a long way in determining which team is victorious at the end of the day.

2. RB’s Becoming WR’s: Matt Forte and Felix Jones are two of the best at catching the ball out of the backfield.  They are their best when getting their hands on balls via the air, rather than balls via the ground.  Both featured playmakers present mismatch problems for the opposing LB’s.  There will be many opportunities for Forte and Jones to take advantage of during 3rd down passing situations.  Watch out for screens, especially with Forte and the Bears.  Chicago loves to dial up the screen pass not only with Forte, but with Chester Taylor.  Don’t forget Marion Barber is a viable threat as well.  These backs are all more than capable of making a big play, creating a big moment that could swing the momentum.

3. 3-4 Defense Gives Jay Cutler Fits: 4-12 career record against the 3 defensive lineman front and 4 linebacker strategy.  2-6 as the Chicago Bears starting QB.  Leaves a bit of room for concern and doubt, now does it?  Especially when you consider how good the Dallas defense at every position besides safety.  To beat the 3-4 Jay needs to take what the defense gives him.  That’s not Cutler’s M.O. a.k.a. his “Method of Operation”.  He has to pick his spot carefully, then and only then once he’s established the short-intermediate passing routes, should he go deep and take a chance.  First things first, attack with simplicity and keep the Cowboys unit on the field as long as possible by converting 3rd downs.  To beat this 3-4 Jay will have to incorporate Hester more and target the open short-area receiver.  The safety valve is a winner in this contest.

4. Nimble, Assertive Signal Callers: Watch Cutler or Romo play, you get the feeling these guys don’t trust their offensive line for one moment.  And who would?  Why would you not be on the run playing behind these shoddy lines.  Regardless, just cherish the privilege it will be to see two of the most talented, risky, and competitive gunslingers in the game today.  They will roll the dice and look foolish from time to time, but they will also take that same gamble and make a sensational play out of nothing.  Nonetheless, I believe whichever QB makes more plays with his feet, will come out on top Sunday.  Many have said its the QB with less turnovers/mistakes, well yes that’s obvious, but I don’t think that will take more emphasis over the scrambling ability factor.  Watch theseQB’s improvise and run out of trouble and in to trouble a lot.  This part of the game will be the difference maker offensively.

5. Rock-Solid Jason Witten: Steady.  Consistent.  Reliable.  Why only three catches, seven targets against Washington? In order for Dallas to maximize its skill offensively, control the clock, and put up points -it all begins and ends with the involvement ofWitten .  I think he’s going to be a prime time player against Chicago’s bend but don’t break defense.  He holds the key to whether or not the ‘Boys win this game ugly or win it rather convincingly, quite smoothly. Witten is a big-time weapon, go-to guy in the clutch, and Tony Romo and OC Jason Garrett need to realize this soon and utilize him accordingly.  Tough, durable possession that can move the chains on 3rd downs.  You know what that equates to?  A tired Chicago defense.  The more you go to Witten the more worn down the Bears unit will be.  He’s the one who sustains drives, Dallas better get back to basics.  Dez Bryant, a rookie in his first NFL game, got more looks than him.  Forget the fancy new toy at WR, and return to old Mr. Reliable.  Witten is the all-important X-factor, the possible key to avoiding a potential, unexplainable 0-2 start.

To find out my Chicago-Dallas prediction, winners ATS check out: Week 2 NFL Picks

For more Bears coverage/insight check out: Bears Gab

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week one matchup between the Rams and Raiders Sunday in Oakland.

The Rams will try to get their first win of the season and even up their record at 1-1 as they head on the road to face another vulnerable team in the Oakland Raiders.

TV

The game will be shown live in St. Louis because it is an away game, but not if you live in Oakland because it must not be a sellout.  But, if you are outside the Oakland market but not quite to Los Angeles, you will get the game.  It's weird, just check out the map. Sorry LA fans, if you would get any game I thought it would be this one, but not this time.

What to Watch For

• Sam Bradford – The Rams franchise player and cornerstone threw the ball 55 times in Week 1.  Expect him to throw less and much less toward Mark Clayton as he is certainly going to draw Nnamdi Asomugha.  Bradford has not faced a corner of Nnamdi Asomugha's class.  Will Bradford challenge him or just throw to the other side of the field and to the tight ends and running backs?

• Steven Jackson – Jackson hurt his knee in Week 1, so it will be interesting to see how he reacts in Week 2.  The Raiders gave up a ton of rushing yards to Chris Johnson and the Titans in Week 1, so the Rams should look to take advantage of the Raiders weak run defense.  Can Ken Darby get some carries to help the Rams wear down the Raiders?  Oakland bit hard on Tennessee's play action, so the Rams must make the Raiders fear the run to have open receivers down-field.

• Corner Depth – Will the Raiders spread out the Rams like the Cardinals did in Week 1 – exposing their lack of depth at corner?  The Rams were forced to put in injured and out of position players to cover all the receivers and were burned for it.  They had to get out of their successful defense and got hurt.  Will the Raiders employ the same strategy?  Can the Rams stop the multi-WR sets with a week to get ready for them?

• Mark Clayton – Clayton had 10 catches, a career high, in his first game with the Rams.  As I said above, he should draw Nnamdi Asomugha and his catches will probably drop significantly.  Can Laurent Robinson bounce back from another injury and step up with the chances he will get opposite Asomugha?

The Rams struggled to find a way to win against the Arizona Cardinals, a team that is accustomed to winning both in the regular season and in the playoffs.  The Raiders are not as seasoned as the Cardinals and got blown out in Week 1.  If the Cardinals were ripe for the taking in Week 1, the Raiders are almost over-ripe.  Will they bounce back from the blowout against Tennessee, boldened with the Black Hole behind them?  Or will they turn over if the Rams take an early lead?  This is a great chance for the Rams to play a team that is equally as downtrodden in the past few years as they are.  If the Rams are going to win 4-6 games this season, this is a game they must win.

Sports Gab Network Editor Matt Loede previews the NFL Week two matchup between the Jags and Chargers Sunday in San Diego.