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Vick is back

For the first time since Dec. 31, 2006, quarterback Michael Vick will participate in an NFL regular-season game today.

Vick, suspended and imprisoned for his role in a dog-fighting ring, is eligible to play for the Eagles today. Listed as the No. 2 quarterback, Vick will likely line up at running back, receiver and quarterback in order to take advantage of his many talents.

"I know I can play this game," Vick said in an interview with CBS that will air today. "I know I can play it for a long time. I still have the speed, quickness and mind to run an NFL offense."

0-2 = Uh-oh

If your favorite team has started the season 0-2, you might want to start looking ahead to 2010.

Since the NFL implemented its current 12-team playoff format in 1990, only 22 of 160 teams that started the season 0-2 have reached the playoffs. In five of the past 10 seasons, no 0-2 team has reached the playoffs.

But there is reason to hope. Last year, three teams that started 0-2 — Miami, Minnesota and San Diego — reached the playoffs. And in 2007, the Giants started 0-2 and went on to win it all.

L.T. D-O-N-E?

So far it looks like Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is a fantasy football bust. He will miss his second game because of an ankle injury today, and he put up pedestrian numbers in the Chargers' opener against the Raiders.

It hasn't been the season Tomlinson envisioned, after saying in the offseason he was still the best running back in the league.

Tomlinson has been a model of consistency and durability since he was drafted out of TCU. But it's obvious that his career has seen better days.

Detroit's day?

It's been a long time since the Detroit Lions have won a game. It was on Dec. 23, 2007, when they defeated the Chiefs, 25-20. Since then, the Lions have lost 19 straight games and completed the first-ever 0-16 NFL regular season.

Today could be the day the losing streak ends. The Lions host the Redskins, who have been unimpressive while starting 1-1. Last week, Washington limped to a 9-7 win over the hapless Rams.

The 2009 Redskins are the definition of average. Detroit can start getting back to that level with a win today.