Rookie DT Alan Branch was inactive again and will have his injured hand checked again this week with hopes he will play for the first time this week.

Atlanta
The pass rush got off the ground, with DE John Abraham, DT Grady Jackson, and DT Jordan Babineaux all posting sacks. Babineaux, who continues to start in place of Rod Coleman, had two. Coleman is expected to miss at least another week as his knee recovers from a scope. First-round pick DE Jamaal Anderson didn’t appear in the box score, despite starting, and is off to a slow start in making an impact.

SLB Michael Boley led the team with 8 solo tackles, including one on special teams. MLB Keith Brooking had 7 solo tackles. Demorrio Williams returned as the starter at WLB and had 4 solo tackles, but rookie Stephen Nicholas saw some work there too and had a solo tackle.
Chris Crocker was inactive again with a bone bruise, but is expected back this week. Jimmy Williams may still remain the starter at FS.

Baltimore
MLB Ray Lewis was back in the starting lineup, posting 7 solo tackles and his first pick of the year. WLB Bart Scott, led the team with 8 (7 solo).

FS Ed Reed shared punt returns with reserve WR Yamon Figures. Reed also had a solo tackle and his first pick of the season.
The pressure came from the secondary on blitzes, as no one in the front seven had a sack. Nickel corner Corey Ivy, reserve S Gerome Sapp and SS Dawan Landry all had a sack.

DE Trevor Pryce broke his left wrist in the game and is expected to miss 3-5 weeks. Dwan Edwards replaced him on Sunday and should while Pryce is out.

Buffalo
Without Keith Ellison or Coy Wire, the Bills moved Angelo Crowell back to WLB and started John DiGiorgio, who impressed at MLB in the preseason, to SLB. Paul Posluszny remained the man in the middle and led the team with 12 tackles (5 solo). Crowell gets a bump as long as he remains at WLB. At FS, Jim Leonhard impressed again, grabbing his second pick and posting 7 tackles (5 solo). He looks locked in as the starter this year.

DE Aaron Schobel had his first sack of the season.

Carolina
A typically aggressive front four continues to generate little pass rush and helped the Texans achieve their first 2-0 start. With little threat elsewhere, DE Julius Peppers is focused on. Peppers had the only real QB pressure of the game and 2 solo tackles. Part of the problem is there is no rotation to keep the starters fresh outside. Rookie Charles Johnson remains inactive, and Stanley McClover, battling a groin and upper leg injury, was inactive once again too. Kindal Moorehead, with the least potential of the group, has the only sack for the team this season. Look for them to turn it around this week against a Falcon offense that is struggling and has allowed a league-high 13 sacks through two games.

Things started well for the Panthers. After a TD on their first drive, SS Chris Harris forced a fumble that CB Ken Lucas recovered. That led to another TD, and although the Texans responded to make it 14-7, Lucas appeared to have a pick deep in Carolina territory. However, it was overruled as incomplete on replay. HOU went on to score 24 unanswered points. Nate Salley remained inactive with a knee injury and Marquand Manuel remains limited to special teams, so Deke Cooper looks like he’ll hold on to the FS job for now. Cooper had 5 solo tackles.

SLB Thomas Davis and WLB Jon Beason each had a team-high 8 tackles. All of Beason’s were solo, including one on special teams.

Chicago
For the second straight week, the Bears contained one of the elite RBs in the league. Larry Johnson looked slightly better than SD MVP Ladainian Tomlinson the previous week, but with no help in the passing game, LJ had just 55 yards on the ground. WLB Lance Briggs led the way with a team-high 12 tackles (11 solo), including his first sack of the season and forced fumble. Briggs also recovered a fumble forced by CB Charles Tillman. MLB Brian Urlacher had his first sack since 2005 among his 9 tackles (8 solo). DT Tommie Harris had 2 sacks and Tillman tipped another pass that new FS Danieal Manning picked off. Manning replaced Mike Brown, who was lost for the season in Week One.

The Bears blocked a FG for the second consecutive game, this time by reserve DE Israel Idonije.

Cincinnati
One of the top scoring games in NFL history featured little noteworthy on defense. SS Dexter Jackson had the only turnover, a pick. DE Justin Smith led the team with 9 tackles (6 solo).

MLB Ahmad Brooks left the game in the first quarter with a groin injury. Caleb Miller replaced him. Lemar Marshall remained the starter at SLB with Rashad Jeanty inactive again.

CB Jonathan Joseph left with a wrist injury and did not return.

Cleveland
SS Sean Jones had 7 tackles (5 solo) and a pick. FS Brodney Pool suffered a concussion during the game. Michael Adams replaced him, and dinged his wrist during the game, but remained in.

Rookie CB Eric Wright led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo, including 2 on special teams). On the other side, Leigh Bodden had a pick.

ILB Andra Davis has been replaced by Leon Williams in certain pass packages. Since the game was a shot out and ILB D’Qwell Jackson was briefly hurt, but returned, Williams saw plenty of action. Williams and Jackson had 5 solo tackles each, while Davis had 3 (1 solo).

OLB Antwan Peek again started in place of Willie McGinest, who is still a few weeks from returning with a bad back. Similarly, CB Gary Baxter remained inactive with bad knees.

Dallas
Thanks to the defense forcing five turnovers, the team was able to come from behind twice for a road victory in Miami. CB Anthony Henry had two picks, while both safeties, FS Ken Hamlin and SS Roy Williams had one each.

OLB Greg Ellis remained inactive due to problems with his Achilles’ tendon and rookie Anthony Spencer started in his place again. Spencer had 4 solo tackles. CB Terence Newman remained inactive with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. He tested the foot in pregame, but it was decided against him playing. Jacques Reeves again started in his place. As expected, Jay Ratcliff replaced Jason Ferguson, who is done for the year, at NT. Ratcliff had a fumble recovery.

Gun aficionado and former Bear DT was signed this week. Johnson is suspended for half the season, so he won’t be eligible until Week Nine. The loss of Ferguson surely contributed to the decision, but Johnson has the quickness to offer value on the edges of a 3-4, as well.

Denver
DE Elvis Dumervil remained the starter at RDE and had his third career multi-sack game. He posted his first two sacks of the season. Starting LDE John Engelberger had 4 solo tackles. Simeon Rice saw limited snaps as a situational pass rusher and posted one assist. Rookie DE Jarvis Moss had his first career sack, on which he forced a fumble, and another solo tackle. Rookie Tim Crowder was inactive again with an ankle sprain. He is expected back at practice this week. Rookie DT Marcus Thomas had his first career pick on a diving catch of a ball deflected by SS John Lynch.

WLB Ian Gold led the team with 9 tackles (8 solo). MLB D.J. Williams had 8 tackles (5 solo).

CB Champ Bailey had his first pick of the season on an ill-advised throw from his own end zone by OAK QB Josh McCown. Bailey also had 4 solo tackles, including one on special teams. On the other side, Dre’ Bly was burnt for a long TD by OAK WR Jerry Porter, but when the team went to Porter again in closing seconds of a tied game, Bly got his first pick as a Bronco to preserve the tie in regulation.

Detroit
MLB Paris Lenon led the team with double-digit tackles for the second consecutive week. He posted 11 (2 solo). There was a Boss Bailey sighting, as the beleaguered former second round pick had one of the best games of his injury-riddled career. Bailey had 6 tackles (5 solo), including a solo sack and sharing another with DE Kalimba Edwards. Edwards now has 2.5 sacks for the season. However, Edwards had to leave the game in the fourth quarter after turning his right ankle and was replaced by Corey Smith. On the other side, DE Dewayne White slowed down after his brilliant debut. He put some pressure on in the pass rush, but failed to tally a sack. He had 4 tackles (1 solo).

Second round pick Gerald Alexander was pushed in to a starting role at FS when Daniel Bullocks was lost for the season. On Sunday, he was the playmaker they desperately need in the secondary. Alexander had 5 solo tackles, a pick, and batted another pass to DT Shaun Cody for an interception.

Green Bay
Reserve DT Corey Williams has been quite a fantasy producer through two games. He had his second sack Sunday and also picked up an interception on a tipped pass. DE Aaron Kampman had the only other sack for the Pack, his first of the season. Kampman suffered a rib injury during the game, but is expected to play this week. CB Al Harris still wore a brace on his right elbow he hyperextended in Week One.

MLB Nick Barnett led the team with 7 tackles (3 solo).

Houston
A week after last year’s first pick, DE Mario Williams, led the defense, this year’s first round pick, DT Amobi Okoye, was the star. Okoye had the first two sacks of his career among his 4 solo tackles, including forcing his first fumble on one. Williams, on the other hand, killed his IDP owners a game after his breakout, posting just one solo and one pass defensed. Obviously Williams needs to show a little more consistency before being a ‘must-start’ type of player. DT Travis Johnson was inactive due to a foot injury and replaced by Jeff Zgonia.

The Texans surprisingly matched up CB DeMarcus Faggins on CAR WR Steve Smith, who beat Faggins regularly. However, Faggins forced a fumble on a kick-off that was bounced back to the end zone for a TD. Freer to gamble with less difficult assignments, CB Dunta Robinson had his second interception in as many games, as well as 4 tackles (3 solo). Despite the additions of Michael Boulware and Will Demps, Von Hutchins got the start at FS with C.C. Brown moving to SS. Hutchins made a case to hang on to the job while leading the team with 11 solo tackles. He also broke up a pass. As Boulware’s strength is as a tackler, and he’s a liability in pass coverage, his opportunity no longer looks as promising. He did have a nice open field tackle on kick coverage. Demps appears ahead of Boulware, as Demps actually saw some time at safety.

Indianapolis
After a strong performance in his first game, rookie Freddie Keiaho was inactive with a dislocated right elbow suffered during the game. Tyjuan Hagler started in his place at WLB and had 5 tackles (3 solo) and a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. SLB Rob Morris was inactive with sore ribs. Rocky Boiman started in his place and had 1 solo tackles.

FS Bo Sanders had a huge game, leading the team in tackles with 11 (7 solo) and posting 2.5 sacks. The shared sack was with MLB Gary Brackett.

Jacksonville
A secondary already thin at safety took another hit when Gerald Sensabaugh aggravated a shoulder injury that may require season-ending surgery. Sammy Knight replaced Sensabaugh, who started at SS with first-round pick Reggie Nelson starting at FS. Knight finished with 7 solo tackles. Knight seems the logical replacement, although CB Brian Williams has been mentioned, since the team added CB Aaron Glenn after Dallas released him.

The pass rush exploded against a struggling Falcon offense. MLB Mike Peterson had 2 sacks among his 7 solo tackles. Situational pass rusher Brent Hawkins had 2 sacks too. DT Marcus Stround had his second sack of the season and DT John Henderson had his first. Henderson had a rough game, leaving briefly at one point after getting hit in the head and then leaving the game for good later due to overheating.

OLB Clint Ingram was sidelined again with an ankle sprain and this time rookie Justin Durant got the start. He had 2 solo tackles.

Kansas City
MLB Napoleon Harris continued his hot start against a struggling Chicago passing game. He had his first pick of the season and first sack of the season among his team-high 12 tackles (10 solo, including one on special teams). OLB Donnie Edwards also had a pick and 9 tackles (7 solo). OLB Derrick Johnson rounded out the tremendous play by the LBs with 6 tackles (5 solo), including 2 sacks. He also broke up 2 passes.

DE Jared Allen was reinstated from his two-game suspension and should play on Sunday.

Miami
Business as usual for MLB Zach Thomas, as he led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo) and 2 passes defensed. OLB Joey Porter played his first game as a Dolphin and had 2 solo tackles and broke up a pass.

Minnesota
The defense made enough plays to win the game, but got little help from the offense. After returning a fumble for a TD in Week One, DT Kevin Williams forced a fumble that DE Ray Edwards recovered and rumbled nine yards for a TD in the third quarter. Edwards also had a sack and shared another with MLB E.J. Henderson, giving Henderson 2.5 on the season.

After getting two sacks in Week One, rookie DE Brian Robison got his first career start and posted 2 solo tackles. DE Kenechi Udeze had his second sack of the season off the bench. DE Erasumus James remained inactive as he recovers from his knee injury.

SS Darren Sharper looked like a playmaker again with 8 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Both Sharper and FS Dwight Smith were hampered by cramps during the game, but missed no time. It was a good thing they remained healthy, because top back-up Michael Doss was inactive with a calf injury.

New England
OLB Rosevelt Colvin had his biggest game as a Patriot. He had his first pick as a Pat on the Chargers first play from scrimmage and ended the first quarter forcing a fumble on a sack, recovered by DT Vince Wilfork. Colvin would force a fumble on another sack in the fourth quarter, on the play after LB Mike Vrabel had a sack, giving him 3.5 so far this year (I guess they never changed the one that should have been credited to DE Jarvis Green last week). Those plays help prevent a late momentum shift by SD, when they recovered a fumble by NE on a kick-off early in the fourth quarter. OLB Adalius Thomas made his first impact for the team. He intercepted a short pass and showed his remarkable speed, outracing the SD’s skill players for a 65-yard TD, the third of his career. Thomas was dinged at the end of the first quarter (and before his pick), but missed just one play before returning. There has been no word on an injury. ILB Junior Seau led the team with 6 tackles (5 solo), despite not being a situational player. It’s always hard to predict which NE LB will be successful game-to-game. Thomas, with his big play ability, and Vrabel, who seems to always find a way to produce consistently, seem to be the best bets any given week. Colvin will likely be feast or famine each game, while Seau is only good for tackles. Even if Seau throws in a double-digit tackle game here and there, 4-6 and nothing else is what you can expect most weeks. I’d drop Tedy Bruschi in all formats right now. There’s a better player available on waivers in just about all redraft leagues and probably a guy with a more upside, even if he’s a reserve right now, in most dynasty leagues.

James Sanders continues to start at SS in place of Rodney Harrison, who will be suspended two more games. Sanders had 4 tackles (2 solo). FS Eugene Wilson had 5 tackles (4 solo) and leads the team with 13 (11) so far this year.

New Orleans
This week it was TB WR Joey Galloway’s turn to abuse CB Jason David.

The team forced no turnovers and had no sacks. FS Josh Bullocks led the team with 7 tackles (3 solo).

New York Giants
After a lot of misinformation on a MCL injury he suffered in the season-opener, DE Osi Umenyiora was in the starting lineup, albeit not very effective as a pass rusher. Umenyiora finished with 3 tackles (2 solo). Justin Tuck, who spelled him in some pass situations, had the only sack of the game for the Giants.

MLB Antonio Pierce led the team with 12 tackles (10 solo). WLB Kawika Mitchell had 10 (8 solo). With Gerris Wilkinson inactive and Reggie Tobor hurting his elbow in the game, the starters saw plenty of work.

New York Jets
For the first time in team history, they haven’t forced a turnover through the first two games. They also had no sacks for the second game. CB David Barrett (9 solo) and ILB Jonathan Vilma (7 solo) led the team with ten tackles.

KR/nominal CB Justin Miller’s season ended with a knee injury in the second quarter on a punt return. Rookie David Harris was again limited to special teams.

Oakland
MLB Kirk Morrison had another big game with 8 tackles (6 solo, including one on special teams) and his second pick of the season. Although he fumbled the return, WLB Thomas Howard fell on it. Howard also had a huge game. He also led the team in tackles with 10 (9 solo) and grabbed a pass deflected by rookie DE Jay Richardson for his first career pick. Howard returned it 44 yards for his first career TD, which gave the Raiders their first lead of the game.

DE Derrick Burgess was shut out of the box score. He has just one solo tackle on the season so far. He had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury to his right calf. He did not return and Richardson replaced him.

DT Gerard Warren notched a safety on a sack against his old team.

Philadelphia
As expected, CB Lito Sheppard was inactive with a sprained right MCL. His status for this week is likely to be, at best, a game-time decision. Will James started in Sheppard’s place and WAS immediately went after him. James gave up a long pass to WAS WR Santana Moss in the first quarter, but made a nice play to induce a pick on the next series. He also was burnt for what should have been a TD near the end of the first half, but WAS QB Jason Campbell badly overthrew Moss. The interception by James was his first in almost three years, back when he was still Will Peterson on the Giants. It was the only turnover the Eagles forced. James also had 6 solo tackles in the game, as did CB Joselio Hanson, bumped up to the nickel role with James starting.

The secondary suffered another blow when perennial Pro Bowl FS Brian Dawkins jammed his neck in the fourth quarter on a tackle in an eerily similar way to the tragic collision involving BUF TE Kevin Everett in Week One. Dawkins stayed down for a while before leaving the game. After the game, HC Andy Reid offered no details other than it being a neck injury. Quintin Mikell replaced Dawkins in the game and would get the start if Dawkins misses any time. SS Sean Considine also left earlier after a knee injury, but returned and finished the game. Both Considine and Dawkins had 4 solo tackles and a pass defensed.

MLB Omar Gaither led the team with 9 tackles (8 solo). The team had only one sack, by reserve DE Juqua Thomas.

Pittsburgh
ROLB James Harrison got his second sack in as many games, but had to be assisted off the field with a neck injury. Rookie LaMarr Woodley replaced him and got his first career sack. ILB James Farrior led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo).

St. Louis
WLB Pisa Tinoisamoa couldn’t play through his ankle sprain in Week One, so Chris Draft got the start. Draft had 3 solo tackles.
With DT Claude Wroten suspended, rookie Clifton Ryan wasted no time taking advantage of his opportunity to move up in the rotation. He had 2 sacks, forcing and recovering a fumble on one, and 2 other solo tackles. The team had him involved in several other stops after watching the game film.

DE James Hall had his first impact as a Ram, leading the team with 7 tackles (6 solo) and getting his first sack as a Ram. DE Leonard Little missed some time with a toe injury, but returned to the game. He had 4 solo tackles and is expected to play this week.

San Diego
NT Jamal Williams hyperextended his left elbow in the fourth quarter. He tried to return with a brace, but left the game for good after another series, finishing with 2 solo tackles. However, the reports are Williams should be OK and will play this week. The news doesn’t sound as promising for ILB Matt Wilhelm. Before the game even started, Wilhelm aggravated the calf injury that caused him to miss most of the preseason and appears very questionable at Green Bay this week. Wilhelm had 2 tackles (1 solo) in the first two series before leaving. This could be the opportunity for Tim Dobbins to breakout. Dobbins had 5 tackles (4 solo, including one on special teams), mostly in place of Wilhelm. However, Dobbins is a big liability in pass coverage, an important role for WILB in their defense, especially compared to Wilhelm.

Stephen Cooper continues to roll at SILB. He led the team in tackles again, finishing with 12 (6 solo). After a quiet first week, OLB Shawne Merriman had 2 sacks, including forcing a fumble on one, among his 5 tackles (4 solo). His first one came at a big time. Cooper was flagged for roughing the passer on the previous play, a third down which otherwise wouldn’t have been converted. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they couldn’t recover the fumble and the Pats still got a FG on the drive. It was reported OLB Shaun Phillips suffered a bruised quad in the game, but no reports indicate it is anything serious.

At SS, Clinton Hart and Eric Weddle continued to cannibalize each other’s numbers. Hart had 6 tackles (3 solo) and a pick. Weddle had 5 tackles (3 solo). CB Quentin Jammer quietly had a nice game, posting 7 solo tackles and recovering a fumble on a kick-off. As I mentioned in the notes prior to Week One, Jammer has really improved the last two years and could be in for a huge fantasy year for a CB.

San Francisco
First round pick LB Patrick Willis kept rolling, leading the team in tackles again, this week with 8 (5 solo). He doesn’t have a sack yet, but continues to put good pressure on as a pass rusher and broke up a pass.

DE Bryant Young continues to find the fountain of youth and thrive despite the 3-4 alignment. He had 2 sacks, forcing a fumble on one, among his 6 solo tackles.

Seattle
The team had no sacks and just one turnover, a pick by MLB Lofa Tatupu. He also led the team with 12 tackles (11 solo).
OLB LeRoy Hill was inactive with a foot injury suffered in Week One.

Tampa Bay
MLB Barrett Ruud continued his fast start, forcing his second and third fumbles of the season, as well as recovering his second. He also led the team with double-digit tackles for the second consecutive game, posting 11 (9 solo). SLB Cato June had his first pick as a Buc.

DT Jovan Haye had the first sack and pick of his career. Greg Spires and Kevin Carter remained the starting ends. First-round pick Gaines Adams had 2 solo tackles and a pass defensed coming off the bench. DE Patrick Chukwurah remained inactive with a MCL injury.

Tennessee
OLB David Thornton led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo) and CB Nick Harper had 8 tackles (7 solo) against their old team. OLB Keith Bulluck had 8 tackles (6 solo) and forced a fumble. He left the game briefly, but returned and there has been no mention of an injury.

DE Kyle VandenBosch had the only sack, his first of the year. He also blocked an XP attempt.

Washington
After getting recognition from Skins’ fans and the hard-core IDP community in the preseason and Week One, WLB Rocky McIntosh introduced himself to everyone else on MNF. He was all over the field again, leading the team in tackles and getting notice as a pass rusher. McIntosh finished with 9 (8 solo), including his second career sack. After an extremely consistent and exciting first two starts, he won’t be on many waiver wires after this week. SLB Marcus Washington, usually their premier pass rushing LB, got his first sack. MLB London Fletcher-Baker kept pace in the tackle department with 6 solos.

Rookie SS LaRon Landry showed up big in the fourth quarter. He shared his first career sack with DT Cornelius Griffin. Landry also had a couple nice stops of elusive PHI RB Brian Westbrook for a short gain and a loss. These were among his 5 tackles (4 solo) in the game. Finally, Landry broke up the Eagles final pass on fourth down at the WAS nine-yard line to seal the victory. After a surprise start over Shawn Springs in Week One, Fred Smoot was unexpectedly inactive in Week Two. The injury report had Smoot as probable with a hamstring. Springs played well and posted 3 solo tackles and a pass defensed. He had a forced fumble erased on replay.