Parity reared its ugly head in Week One in the NFL with upsets being the rule rather than the exception, especially when you take the Vegas line into consideration.   Patriot fans cling to the notion that Matt Cassell is a capable fill-in for the injured Tom Brady based on a 17 point Pat's tally at home against the 17.5 point Kansas City dogs.  Falcons fans are drinking some of the same kool-aid, harboring the delusion that a victory over the pathetic Millen El-Foldos is a feather in their caps.  

  Here in Indy, we deluded ourselves to the point of believing that Peyton Manning could execute the complex Lighting offense, which is based on impeccable timing, with virtually zero practice in game situations with his receivers.   Not to take anything from the Bears: Kyle Orton did a fine job of not turning the ball over and the Bears defense did a credible impression of the Monsters of the Midway.  There may have even been a little revenge factor here for the stomping put on them by the Colts in the 2006 SuperBowl.

Well, it's a new week and hope springs eternal in the NFL's fan's cooler, so let's examine the key match-up this week and offer some insight.

First of all the walkovers:

The Giants will roll over the abysmal Rams.  Somebody help these hapless ewes!

Tampa Bay  will right-size the egos in Atlanta and give Matt Ryan his proper introduction to the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers looks like the real deal in Green Bay and the Detroit Lions have all the class and finesse of Kwame Kilpatrick.  My hometown needs a transfusion-when do the Red Wings start?

Cleveland's generating some trash talk but the Steeler's (along with Denver) looked like the class of the AFC in week one.  Look for Big Ben and Troy to serve a giant helping of Shut Up to the Brownie chest-pounders.

The Cardinals were tough too, with Edgerin James looking like his old self and Arizona should have no difficulty handling the Dolphins.  But watch the Big Tuna's team continue to improve each week-the discipline and knowledge of the game trickling down from Parcells will make Miami the most improved team of 2008.

Many of the games appear too close to call on the basis of the wobbly looks we got in Week One. We will demure on several games and go straight to Upset City:

 Look for a physical Philadelphia team with McNabb staying in the pocket to upset the over-confident Cowboys.   Jerry Jones's team looks more like the Dirty Dozen than a football team.  Watch for T.O to develop his typical big-game yips and the dissension to start early this season.  It ought to be fun to watch.

 Forget all that bluster about Cassell's blossoming like Brady did as Bledsoe's repalcement.  The Patriots were lucky to eke out a low-scoring victory against the baleful Chiefs at home, no less.  The offensive line is suspect and don't think Brett Favre doesn't want this one almost as much as Mangini.   It will be a long sullen season for Captain Queeg, I mean Belichik, and the greatest team that couldn't finish.

Watch for Mike Shanahan to turn the AFC West upside down with a decisive victory over the quizical Chargers.  If only they could play the Colts every week, they would never lose.  Unfortunately for Norv & the Novettes, Merriman decided the season was "Lights Out" for him, and LT hasn't looked the same since he bailed on his team in the playoffs last year. 

 The Buffalo Bills will enjoy the balmy Jacksonville weather and flip the Jaguars to 0-2.  David Garrad looks like he is done working now that he got his big payday and the Jags had two men on the OL go down in Week One.    The Jaguars have always been a contentious bunch, and unless they can untrack the Pocket Hercules this week, they will be lying on their backs blinking as the referee counts them out.

And finally even though I dont' care to pick the game, you have got to tune in to the Titans-Bengals game just to enjoy the clear thinking on both teams.    Hopefully enough Bengals can get furloughed from their home detention to field a complete squad, as Oucho-Stinko may be tied up in court trying to obtain jersey rights with his new moniker.   And let's hope Jeff Fisher can get Vince Young's mama to come hold his hand until kick-off. 

The NFL-don't you love it?