Much too early in the game to label Brandon Weeden the Browns' quarterback now and well into the future.
Following a none-too-impressive season-opening loss to the Eagles, Weeden returned and for the most part - performed like a seasoned veteran - during a 34-27 loss at Cincinnati.
At 28, Weeden's coming of age baptism into the NFL was not expected to be a major issue. Last Sunday's 322-yard, two-touchdown performance likely indicated as much.
But the NFL is all about consistency and a (player's, team's) ability to produce over the grind of a 16-game schedule.
Weeden and the Brownies are back on the lakefront Sunday, opposing Buffalo's 1-1 Bills in a 1:00 kickoff.
A third straight loss will do significant psychological damage to both the Browns and their fans. Thus, can Weeden rebound with another solid outing and lead his team to a much-needed early season win?
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, meanwhile, are on the road. The Bengals in a 1:00 matchup vs. Washington while Pittsburgh plays a late (4:25) game at Oakland.
Week two resulted in another inconsistent (8-8) output for this column - barely treading water (17-15 overall) though hope springs eternal.
THURSDAY'S GAME
NEW YORK GIANTS AT CAROLINA. Cam Newton and the Panthers roared in last weekend's triumph while banged-up Giants dodged potential 0-2 bullet with comeback win over Tampa Bay. GIANTS, 20-17.
SUNDAY GAMES
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON. Home team normally prevails in these inter-conference matchups. This one has the potential for a high-scoring shootout. REDSKINS, 33-27.
NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI. Jets have blown out Buffalo and succumbed to Steelers at Heinz Field. Dolphins are mediocre at best. JETS, 27-17.
BUFFALO AT CLEVELAND. Brownies one of only six remaining winless teams in NFL. Should be a prosperous day on the lakefront. BROWNS, 24-17.
JACKSONVILLE AT INDIANAPOLIS. Jaguars also 0-2 and first win will have to be achieved in hostile territory. JAGUARS, 28-24.
ST. LOUIS AT CHICAGO. Rams played great in scoring three-point win against Redskins. But Chicago needs rebound performance. BEARS, 31-16.
DETROIT AT TENNESSEE. Titans seek to avert 0-3 start and will in our upset special. TITANS, 33-28.
SAN FRANCISCO AT MINNESOTA. Niners off to early season roll. That trend should continue Sunday. 49ERS, 27-13.
KANSAS CITY AT NEW ORLEANS. Saints and their fans certainly did not foresee 0-2 start and are NFC's lone winless team. SAINTS, 40-23.
TAMPA BAY AT DALLAS. Hard to imagine Bucs duplicating last week's near-upset of Giants at Meadowlands. COWBOYS, 34-14.
PHILADELPHIA AT ARIZONA. Is Philly a legit 2-0 or is Andy Reid's ballclub living early season lie? EAGLES, 34-17.
ATLANTA AT SAN DIEGO. This battle of 2-0 teams looks good on paper. Should also be a good one on the field. FALCONS, 23-20.
HOUSTON AT DENVER. One of the weekend's best matchups which should produce offensive fireworks. BRONCOS, 37-31.
PITTSBURGH AT OAKLAND. Too often Steelers find ways to lose games they have no business doing. Just saying. STEELERS, 24-21.
NEW ENGLAND AT BALTIMORE. Ravens let one get away last weekend at Philly. Pats just played poorly in home field loss to Cards. RAVENS, 21-17.
MONDAY NIGHT
GREEN BAY AT SEATTLE. Nice win for Seahawks over Dallas. But that was then. PACKERS, 35-17.
LAST WEEK (8-8). OVERALL (17-15). UPSET SPECIALS (0-2).
Gibson may be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com
