NFL Opening Weekend Game Notes

Bears over Lions

Adam: -Calvin Johnson, on behalf of the NFL we are all sorry.  The Lions should have won that game even though they were dominated in total yards.  More hard luck, Matthew Stafford may be out for a while.

Eric: -If it looks like a touchdown, it should be a touchdown, and the Bears should have lost this game.  I guess you can't set the ball down after you catch it.  That's ridiculous refs.

-A long stretch of this game was marked by complete offensive ineptitude on both sides.  After Stafford got knocked out and didn't come back for the second half, both teams traded multiple possessions where the Lions couldn't move the ball out from their own ten and the Bears couldn't move it past the Lions' forty, just punting it back and forth.

-The Lions had some rhythm early on, but that completely disintegrated when Shaun Hill entered the game.  The announcers mentioned how Stafford got about eighty percent of the snaps in preparation for the season.  This is what needs to happen with a young quarterback, but if Stafford goes down, it leaves Detroit with a less-than-prepared second option.  Things could not have gone much worse for the Lions to start the season.

-Matt Forte had a big game with over 200 yards of total offense and is looking to rebound this season from a lackluster 2009 campaign.

Giants over Panthers

A: -The Giants play a complete game to win, looking to have a deep and talented receiving corps.  The Panthers just don’t have the passing game to keep up.

E: -The Eli Manning-to-Hakeem Nicks show was all it took to pull out a victory in the new stadium over Carolina.

-With the limited options on offense, the Panthers' defense must carry the weight if they want to beat some teams other than the Buccaneers this season, and they did not show up today.

Seahawks over 49ers

A: -Oh, the 49ers.  This is the year right?  Damnit.  The 49ers get into the red zone four times in the first half, including the 1-yard line twice, and only come away with six points.  Bigger problem, Alex Smith is completely unable to weather the storm.  Playing quarterback is about handling adversity, and he can’t.  Also, he misses Moran Norris in the end zone who was more wide open than a window in mid-August.

E: -I could see Pete Carroll's first year turning out like Josh McDaniels' first year with Denver (fast start and then fade) because of Carroll's optimism being gradually overwhelmed by the Seahawks' overall lack of talent.  You never know what will happen in the NFC West though.

-The 49ers will be better than they showed this Sunday.  Their offense needs to start with Frank Gore, and they could not get him going at all.

Buccaneers over Browns

A: -The Buccaneers have a winning record.  Take a picture Tampa fans; it won’t last long.

E: -Cleveland was an absolutely terrible team last year but they were able to pull together and win their last four games relying on the strength of their running game, pounding the rock with Jerome Harrison.  In this game after getting a 14-3 lead, it seemed they were more content relying on the aging interceptions king Jake Delhomme than running with Harrison, and then the Bucs got back in it.
-Props to Adam who practically nailed this game in his Week 1 prediction.

Texans over Colts

A: -The Texans get the monkey off their back despite Peyton Manning throwing for 300 more yards than Matt Schaub.  If the Texans can run anything like they did Sunday, they can be a Super Bowl threat.  Also, when was the last time the Colts were alone in last place in the AFC South?  This will be a tough division this year.

E: -The Houston Texans' biggest weakness from a season ago was their lack of a consistent running attack, and it is fitting that the victory in this contest comes behind Arian Foster's massive game on the ground.  After years of coming up short on playoff runs, something needed to change in Houston.  Perhaps this newfound confidence rushing will be their spark towards the first postseason appearance in franchise history.

-It is a real shame that Bob Sanders cannot stay healthy.  Sanders is one of the best defensive players in the entire league, yet he gets hurt in this one on the Texans' first drive.  Hopefully he will not be out long, though early indications do not look like that will be the case.

Dolphins over Bills

A: -Memo to Trent Edwards: when running the two minute drill, the idea is to pass the ball, not take multiple sacks.

E: -Neither team was trying too hard to win this one.  Emerging talent Chad Henne still needs work and the Bills need to find their identity.  I have a hint for you Chan Gailey: CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson > Trent Edwards

Patriots over Bengals

A: -The Patriots make a statement to their doubters and Tom Brady looks great.  The Bengals looked shell-shocked to start the game but did show the potential of their new playmakers.

E: -Cincinnati came out flat in this game and could not recover.  The only rhythm they could generate on offense came out of the hurry-up.

-It was good to see Wes Welker running around making plays, remarkable recovery from an ACL tear.

Jaguars over Broncos

A: -The Jaguars outlast Broncos in a strange game between two undermanned rosters.

E: -Denver's most dangerous weapon on either side of the ball, Elvis Dumervil, being out hurts the Broncos tremendously.

-Tim Tebow's return to Florida was incredibly underwhelming, two carries for two yards.

Steelers over Falcons

A: -Atlanta Falcons, you have to be able to win at Pittsburgh against the third-string QB.  That offense should score more than nine points no matter who they play.  For the Steelers, just win.

 

E: -Defense was the story for Pittsburgh, hanging on long enough to pull out a victory for Dennis Dixon.

Titans over Raiders

A: -The Titans show their formula: Vince Young makes enough plays between his arm and legs and Chris Johnson is superb.  Raiders, your sleeper status has been revoked.  Awful.

 

E: -CJ2K keeps rolling and Young has what it takes to beat the Raiders.

Cardinals over Rams

A: -Sam Bradford nearly leads Rams to a victory over the Cardinals, and Derek Anderson looks average. 

E: -Bradford makes a solid but not spectacular NFL debut in the loss, going 32/55 for 253 yards with one touchdown and three picks.

-In a game where the Cardinals should have easily walked away with a victory, they gave the Rams way more hope than they ever should have gotten, but such is life for a team in flux like Arizona.

Packers over Eagles

A: -The Packers escape with a win, but the story is Michael Vick, who looked like his old self scrambling all over the place and making plays.  QB controversy anyone?

E: -This game was marked by sloppy execution for both offenses through much of the first half, though the Packers were able to get it going late in the second quarter and rode that momentum through halftime to a strong start in the second half.  The air was taken out of their sails however with Vick coming in and running around like it was 2006.

-Packers running back Ryan Grant injured his ankle in this one and will be out for the rest of the season.  Replacing the production of a 1200-yard rusher will be key for the Packers' success moving forward.

Washington over Dallas

A: -The Cowboys and Redskins play an ugly game, and Alex Barron is the worst offensive lineman in the world.  Although he didn’t play great, Donovan McNabb gets Washington a win in the type of game they would have lost in years past.

E: -Dallas' offense was out of sync throughout the preseason and continued to look lackadaisical against Washington.  They were desperately trying to get Dez Bryant involved in the offense, sometimes to the detriment of their offensive rhythm.  I believe the Cowboys could be one of the fiercest rushing teams in the league with Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice splitting carries, but Jerry Jones loves Tony Romo too much to quit throwing the ball.

-The Redskins could have a scary defense were someone to pull the hundred million dollar stick out of Albert Haynesworth's ass.  We saw a lot of good plays from the linebacking corps, LaRon Landry, and DeAngelo Hall.

Ravens over Jets

A: -The Jets and Ravens played the exact type of game we all expected.  New York must be concerned with converting only one third down all night; Mark Sanchez was average.  Darelle Revis looked as good as ever.

E: -In a characteristically defensive game, one of the biggest stories is the Jets' losing Kris Jenkins for the year to a torn ACL.  As age has caught up with Jenkins, he misses more and more of each season to injury—so the Jets may be used to replacing him in the lineup—but when he is healthy, he is one of the better nose guards in the game.

Chiefs over Chargers

A: -The Chiefs get a huge division win and the Chargers roll out of bed late to start the season again.  The Chiefs' rookies looked great.  Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas are incredible athletes and will be stars in the return game, Tony Moeaki snags a touchdown grab, and Eric Berry struggled defending Antonio Gates but tackled well.  Add Jamaal Charles, and this team has some elite playmakers.

E: -Along with a goal line stand, strong special teams play was the name of the game for the Chiefs.  This comes as no surprise in Dante Hall's former stomping grounds.
-KC is a very young team and they will certainly have their ups and downs all year.  This game was obviously one of the "ups" for them.

-The Chargers still need to get right, especially on defense.  They are 0-2 in their last two games, this one and a first-round exit from the playoffs last January.