CBS Sports.com pro football writers Pete Prisco and Clark Judge face off weekly throughout the season.
| One year later, which of the three QBs would you draft first, Matt Leinart, Vince Young or Jay Cutler? | |
| Pete Prisco | Clark Judge |
 I like all three. But if you gave me the pick, I'd take Leinart. I love his field presence. He reminds me of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the way he handles himself. He understands coverage like a veteran. He did struggle in the opener against the 49ers, but came back strong last week against Seattle. He faces a tough Baltimore defense this week, but if he gets protection, he'll make some plays. Young is still raw in the passing game, but I am impressed with the way he handles himself. Once he learns to be a better passer, he will be a better quarterback. The run-around stuff is fun, but it's not the way the position is supposed to be played, although Clark Judge has him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame already. Cutler has a strong arm and the swagger you like in the position, but I think he sometimes forces passes because he has a big arm. That will change as he mature. All three will be good NFL quarterbacks. But I'm sticking to my guns on this one: Leinart. |  Vince Young. You can't go wrong with any of these guys, but what Young has done with an ordinary cast of supporting actors is astounding. I never said the guy was or will be a great quarterback. But what he was and will be is a great leader. He demonstrates it every weekend, pushing the Titans farther than they're expected to go. He led them to an upset of Jacksonville in Week 1. In Week 2, he would have beaten Indianapolis if Brandon Jones held that third-down pass. Critics want to throw his passer rating at you, but I don't care about that. I care about wins, and this guy wins. A year ago he won eight of his last 11 starts and nearly put the Titans in the playoffs. That convinced me. Then I saw him against Buffalo in a preseason game when he played at a level few could hope to achieve. That told me that what we have here is not a quarterback but someone special. |
| Of the surprise 2-0 teams -- Texans, 'Skins, Lions, Niners and Packers -- which has the best chance to be a playoff team? | |
| Pete Prisco | Clark Judge |
| I like the Packers. The reason isn't Brett Favre, either. It's that defense. I love the way that defense has come together. There's a bunch of good, young players on that unit, guys who haven't reached their primes yet, like Cullen Jenkins and A.J. Hawk. Plus, they have as good a pair of corners as there is. That enables them to do so many things in terms of schemes. The one issue that is hurting the team is running back. But that can be remedied. We see it happen all the time, a young player emerging. That could be rookie Brandon Jackson or even fellow rookie DeShawn Wynn. It also helps that the Packers don't play in a tough division. If they can beat the Chargers this week to go to 3-0, here's saying they make it into the playoffs. | The winner of the Washington at Green Bay game Oct. 14. Normally, I would say the Packers because they're at Lambeau Field. But a lot of good that's done them lately: They've won seven of their last 17 there, so I'll reserve judgment and lean ever so slightly toward Washington. That's right, Washington. One reason: The Redskins can run the ball, and Green Bay can't. Not yet anyway. Sure, I'll take Brett Favre over Jason Campbell, and, yes, that Packers' defense looks legit. But so does Washington's. In two games, the Redskins have allowed one touchdown, including an impressive win over Philadelphia in which they held Donovan McNabb et. al. to four field goals. Houston can't make it because its division is brutal. San Francisco could, but I don't see the 49ers catching Seattle. Green Bay is playing catch-up with Chicago. And Washington … ah, that's the beauty of the NFC East. Anyone can win it. |
| Of the surprise 0-2 teams -- Rams, Giants, Saints, Eagles and Jets -- which has the best chance to turn it around? | |
| Pete Prisco | Clark Judge |
| The Saints. They've opened with two road games, which is tough. They got Indy in the Colts' home opener and then did the same last week in Tampa Bay against the Bucs. The other four 0-2 teams have all lost home games. The Saints will get it fixed, starting Monday against Tennessee. That isn't to say these Saints will be as good as last season's. Teams are gunning for them now. Plus, have they really improved from a year ago? But with Sean Payton calling plays, they will get the offense turned around. It has been stagnant so far, and he's too good a coach for it to stay that way. The big question remains the defense, especially the secondary. Jason David has had a rough go of it in his first two games. If that doesn't change, the offense won't be able to keep up. It helps that the Saints play in a soft division. That's why I think of the five teams listed, they can turn it around. The Eagles aren't done yet, but they play a tough schedule in a tough division. | New Orleans, because eight of its last 14 games are home. Look, the Saints overachieved last year, but, by all accounts, this year's club should be better. But the defense has been the pits, with last year's third-ranked pass defense plummeting to 26th, and the offense has been just as bad. A year ago it ranked first in passing and first overall and bailed the Saints out of sticky situations. Not now. The Saints have two offensive touchdowns and rank 27th in points, 17th in passing and 19th in rushing. Not good. But here's what's worse: The Saints committed five turnovers and have one takeaway. Ouch. My runner-up vote here goes to Philadelphia. The Eagles are the kings of overcoming adversity, so Andy Reid gets the benefit of the doubt after an 0-2 start. But if Donovan McNabb doesn't improve, they're cooked. McNabb kept the Eagles together the first half of last year by hitting the passes he cannot today. That better change. Brian Westbrook can't carry the offense alone. |
