Second-quarter preview: Strong-armed Henne opens up Dolphins offense

Every NFL team has completed at least one quarter of its season. The Denver Broncos (5-0) no doubt are the biggest surprise, and the Tennessee Titans (0-5) are the biggest bust.

 

What's in store for the next quarter of the season, Weeks 6-9? Here are some developing issues:

 

A: Chad Henne(notes), Dolphins.

 

Coming off a superb Monday night performance against the Jets, Henne cannot rest on his laurels during the bye week. The Dolphins (2-3) play host to the Saints on Oct. 25, before road games against the Jets and Patriots. That's asking a lot of Henne, who has just two career starts since taking over for injured Chad Pennington(notes).

 

Yet, the Dolphins won both of those games as Henne's ability to throw downfield has made the offense more explosive. Miami has scored 69 total points in its last two games, their most in back-to-back weeks since 2002. The Dolphins need Henne to stay hot, and he looked like a 10-year veteran leading the Dolphins on their game-winning drive Monday.

 

"I have watched Joe Montana when I was a kid run the comeback drill and it was great to be a part of that," Henne said. "I know the coaching staff has confidence in me. Knowing that the offense can look me in the eye, and know I can take them down the field in tight situations."

 

A: Matt Forte(notes), Bears.

 

After a bye last weekend, Forte should have fresh legs for Sunday's road game at Atlanta. Chicago follows that with another tough road game at Cincinnati, before playing hosting the Browns and Cardinals.

 

The Bears (3-1) have won three straight after a tough opening loss to the Packers and losing middle linebacker Brian Urlacher(notes) for the season. New QB Jay Cutler(notes) has played superbly, but to continue their winning ways the Bears need Forte to be a force.

 

"We're a running football team," Bears coach Lovie Smith said.

 

 

Talk about a strong first impression. Edwards had five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in his Jets debut after being traded by the Browns. Did he exceed his own expectations?

 

"Would it be bad if I said no?" Edwards said laughing. "I don't think I surprised myself; I did what I was supposed to do."

 

Rookie QB Mark Sanchez's(notes) ability to play instinctively will accelerate the chemistry between him and Edwards.

 

"Mark is just loose," Edwards said. "It's so hard to find quarterbacks that are loose in this league, and the few that are are great quarterbacks. They understand the game, they're loose and they play confident. Him playing loose and confident allows me to go out there and do what I do."

 

Coming off a bye, the Packers play host to the Lions on Sunday, visit Cleveland in Week 7 and then get their rematch at home against Brett Favre(notes) and the Vikings on Nov. 1, followed by a trip to Tampa Bay. Anything less than 3-1 during that stretch would be unacceptable for the Packers, who are chasing the Vikings (5-0) and the Bears (3-1) in the NFC North.

 

Protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers(notes) — sacked an NFL-most 20 times — has been a major problem for the Packers, who signed right tackle Mark Tauscher(notes) on Monday.

 

"We're not looking at the standings," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "We understand where we are. There's a sense of urgency to make sure we clean our own house and get things ready for Detroit."

 

 

Following this weekend's bye, the Colts visit St. Louis and then play host to the 49ers and Texans. The 49ers rank 24th in pass defense and the Rams 25th, and the Texans give up 24 points per game. That sound you hear is Peyton Manning(notes), the NFL's best player, licking his chops.

 

"He is playing outstanding," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said of Manning. "I think that is an understatement. He's always been excellent since he arrived here. He's at a different level now."

 

St. Louis has lost its past three games by a combined 109-27. Jacksonville, the Rams' next opponent, figures to be motivated coming off a 41-0 loss at Seattle. The Rams then play host to the Colts before visiting Detroit. If the Rams are still winless after that Detroit game, 0-16 becomes a real possibility.