Week 1 Recap

The SkinnyPost guys recap week 1

Eagles vs Panthers This game was all about two things – defense and shotty QB play. Neither QB really lit it up, with both McNabb and Delhomme throwing for under 80 yards. Donovan fared better however going 10-18 with 2 TD’s before leaving with a Broken Rib. Jake, not so much. He had 4 interceptions as the Eagles defense harrassed him all day which led to the home crowd boos. The Eagles played very well on three phases, scoring on Offense, Defense and Special Teams and finished the game with 7 turnovers. Jim Johnson’s spirit is alive and well. Philly rolled – 38-10!

Vikings vs Browns The highly anticipated return of Brett Favre…OK not so much, but this game did feature the twice retired Favre making his Vikings debut. With all the weapons on offense Favre didn’t have to carry the load and was a pedestrian 14 for 21 and gathering 110 yards and a TD. The Beast that is known fondly as AP, Adrian Peterson racked up another huge day as he carried the ball 25 times for 180 yards and 3 TD’s. For Cleveland, Josh Cribbs does what he does best and that’s return kicks for TD’s. Brady Quinn played OK racking up 205 yards but the story of the game was the running backs. Jamal Lewis rushed for under 60 yards while AP ran roughshod. The Vikings win big 34-20!

Bengals vs Broncos This was a snoozefest for the first 59 minutes as Kyle Orton made his Bronco debut. Neither offense got anything going until less than a minute to go when the Bengals took a 1 point lead on a Cedric Benson TD run. With only 34 seconds to go Orton and the Broncos took the field. His first pass was incomplete and his second was batted away but not incomplete as Brandon Stokley was in the right place at the right time and he raced downfield for an 87 yard TD to win it. It was the longest game winning pass with under a minute to go in NFL history. Broncos win 12-7!

Colts vs Jaguars In a game that featured Peyton Manning and Co’ and Maurice Jones Drew and Co’ it proved to be a defensive battle. Twice in the 4th Quarter the Colts needed a stop and they got it. Jones Drew rushed for 97 yards and Jags tried to hang in there with the Colts but in the end, Manning to Reggie Wayne was too much. Wayne finished the game with 10 catches for 162 yards and a Touchdown as the Colts held on to win 14-12!

Saints vs Lions Talking to a former player during the game he told me “If Brees keeps this up, he is the league MVP” and he isn’t kidding. Drew Brees light up the Detroit Lions for 358 yards and 6 yes 6 TD’s. The Lions meanwhile started the Matthew Stafford era which was a bit rocky as the Rookie threw 3 interceptions. Mike Bell, a castoff from the Denver Broncos, came in and played very well rushing for 143 yards on 28 carries. In the end it was just too much offensive firepower as the Saints rolled 45 -27 and the Lions consecutive losing streak continues to grow, now at 17 straight games.

Ravens vs Chiefs Earlier in our Predictions section we felt that the Ravens offense was ready to step up and help out the always dominant D’. Did they ever, they set a team record on Offense gathering 501 total yards as Ray Rice rushed for 108 yards and Joe Flacco added 301 in the air. Add in a few more from Willis McGahee and you have a new franchise record. Mark Clayton led the Ravens with 5 catches for 77 yards and huge touchdown to give the Ravens the lead for good. Brodie Croyle, starting for the injured Matt Cassel has had a tough go of it as a starter in the NFL going 0-8 as a starter. The stingy Ravens D’ held Larry Johnson to only 20 yards as the Ravens win 38-24.

Jets vs Texans New head coach, new QB and new outlook for the New York Jets. Rex Ryan’s defense held a potent Houston team to only 7 points and held the dangerous Andre Johnson to 4 catches for 35 yards and the speedy Steve Slaton to a measly 17 yards. The prized rookie QB, Mark Sanchez looked like a cool veteran as he tossed it for 272 yards and a TD. Thomas Jones joined in the fun as he carried the ball 20 times for over 100 yards and 2 TD’s. The Jets improve to 4-0 against Houston winning this one, 24-7.

Falcons vs Dolphins The Atlanta Falcons made a trade this offseason bringing in all world Tight End, Tony Gonzalez. While it seemed strange to see Gonzalez in a Falcon’s uniform it didn’t seem strange to Matt Ryan who found the big target 5 times for 73 yards. Those 73 put Tony over the 11,000 yard mark for his career! Matt Ryan outplayed Chad Pennington, throwing for 229 yards and 2 TD’s. The Dolphins meanwhile were plaqued by the football disease known as FUMBLITIS as they coughed it up 3 times. Add in the one interception and it’s awfully tough to win on the road turning it over 4 times. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams were a non factor as neither one ran for more than 45 yards or had over 10 carries. The Falcons win their home opener, 19-7.

Giants vs Redskins Highlighted as one our Games of the Week, this NFC East battle didn’t dissapoint. The Giants Osi Umenyiora returned from a knee injury and paired with the rest of the Giants front seven to keep Jason Campbell uncomfortable. Umenyiora made his presence felt with a sack and forced fumble that he returned 37 yards for a TD. The Giants jumped out to a workmanlike 17-0 lead but the Skins were game. They held in there and made a game out of it but in the end the Giants were too much. Even the $100 Million Dollar Man, Albert Haynesworth could prevent an opening day loss as the Giants win 23-17.

49ers vs Cardinals In the “shocker of the week” a pesky San Fran team goes into the NFC Champion’s backyard and does what not many thought they could. The Cardinals, playing at home, figured to be a heavy favorite but never seemed to get in rhythm on offense. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were held to just 8 catches combined as the Niners pulled off the upset. San Francisco started off the second half shakey on offensive going 3 and out on 5 of 6 possesions but Shawn Hill found his rhythm as the half went on, hitting Frank Gore with a 3 yard TD to seal the win. The Niners pull of the victory 20-16

Seahawks vs Rams Some football people, meaning pundits, feel that the Seahawks are going to win the NFC West this season. At first we thought this was crazy but after a strong showing in Week 1, it just might not be. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns and Julius Jones added 117 and TD on the ground as the Hawks downed the Rams in Seattle. Relative unknown Tight End John Carlson had a monster game leading the team in receiving yards with 95 and adding 2 TD’s. For the Rams, they couldn’t get Steven Jackson going as he finished with a measly 67 yards on 16 carries. It’s the first shutout for the Seahawks in almost two years as they looked very good on that side of the ball. For the Rams, their woes continue from last year as they fell 28-0.

Bears vs Packers In a classic rivalry game that featured two young gun QB’s it was the Turnovers that was the story in this one. Jay Cutler was supposed to come to Chicago and elevate the offense but ended up throwing 4 interceptions as the Packers win in Lambeau. Aaron Rogers threw for 184 yards and a Touchdown while Ryan Grant ran for 61 yards and a score. The Packers defense iced the game with an INT by Al Harris in the 4th quarter, thwarting any Chicago comeback. This game was a blow to the Bears on two fronts as Cutler struggled and Brian Urlacher left the game with a dislocated wrist. The Packers new look 3-4 defense harrassed Cutler all day as the Pack pulled off their home opener, 21-15!

Cowboys vs Buccaneers The feel good story here is Cadillac Williams. This young man has gone through numerous knee surgeries but has battled his way back, not only to play again but to be the starter. He had 13 carries for 97 yards and looked good doing it. The other feel good story, for Tony Romo anyway, is Terrell Owens is now in Buffalo. Low blow? Maybe, but the fact is that Romo looked much more comfortable spreading the ball around without having to worry about a pouty Owens if he isn’t getting his touches. The Cowboys QB finished the game with 353 yards and 3 touchdowns as they go on the road and win handily, 34-21.