It was a very exciting opening weekend in the NFl; There was intense moments, last second wins, surprising upsets and incredible plays. Lets dive into who came out with the W in week one:
Winning team denoted with red text
Minnesota Vikings VS New Orleans Saints
 |
| Saints QB Drew Brees Celebrates |
Results: In a opening weekend game that was much lower scoring then most people expected, the Saints kept the Vikings offense stagnant and held on for the win.
Analysis: Both defenses played fairly well in this game (except for the opening drive by the Saints in which apparently the vikings were caught sleeping), limiting each other to a low scoring affair. While New Orleans' offense looked good, they were not perfect and gave Brett Favre and the Vikes many chances to come back and put up some more points. Unfortunately for the Vikings, Favre looked out of sync with his receivers, and the offense never got really going (I'm guessing they miss Sidney Rice right now)
Cleveland Browns VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Results: Cleveland may have jumped out in front in this game but plethora of mistakes, and two Josh Freeman touchdowns turned the tables, giving the Buccaneers a win in week 1.
Analysis: Cleveland gave Tampa Bay too many opportunities to turn the tides as new QB Jake Delhomme threw two interceptions. They also missed a field goal, which did not help them any.
Miami Dolphins VS Buffalo Bills
Results: The new Dolphins defense limited buffalo's yardage and scoring opportunities, Chad Henne did not turn the ball over, and Ronnie Brown found his way into the end zone to give Miami the win.
Analysis: Buffalo's offensive struggles really spelled their defeat on Sunday. They did not get any point on the board till the second quarter and their only touchdown did not come until the 4th. Miami can still improve, try to make sure they score on every red zone opportunity, and maybe get Brandon Marshall some deep looks.
Cincinnati Bengals Vs New England Patriots
Results: The Bengals could not get their productive offense going until it was too late as Wes Welker highlighted a Patriots offense, and came away with a win.
Analysis: Cincinatti struggled early as they only came away with 3 points in the first half. They could not contain the Patriots offense and specifically Welker. To make matters worse, Carson Palmer threw a harsh interception that was returned for a touchdown. They picked it up in the second half as they scored 3 touchdowns, but they simply were not efficient enough.
Indianapolis Colts VS Houston Texans
Results: Houston used their running game to wear down the Indianapolis team as they received their first win of the season against their long time division rival.
Analysis: While Peyton Manning managed to put up big passing numbers, failure to convert crucial third downs, based on poor blocking and surprisingly dropped passes, hurt the offense. The defense has no answer for the run game, and could not help get their offense back in the game.
Jacksonville Jaguars VS Denver Broncos
Results: The Jaguar offense looked good as they put up three touchdowns threw the air and put down the Broncos in week one.
Analysis: Maurice Jones-Drew had little resistance from the Denver defense, but the main problem for them was David Garrard and his 3 touchdown passes. Kyle Orton also killed the last chance with a crucial interception late in the 4th quarter. Their 70 yards in penalties certainly did not help either. Denver looked to have a easy week two game versus a usually morbid Seattle team, but after Seattle's rout of San Fransisco, you can be assured the Broncos are going to take the game very seriously or fall to 0-2 on the season.
Atlanta Falcons VS Pittsburgh Steelers
Results: Surprisingly, no team scored a touchdown until the overtime run by Pittsburgh. Both QBs tossed 1 interception, and it was a field goal fest.
Analysis: Rashard Mendenhall was relied on heavily for the Steelers as he rushed for over 100 yards. On the opposite side, Michael Turner really never got anything going on the ground. Both teams were 0% efficient in the red zone as well.
Oakland Raiders VS Tennessee Titans
Results: As to be expected, Chris Johnson is back to running up and down the field, as his excellent play led the Titans to convincingly beat the Oakland Raiders.
Analysis: Darren McFadden seemed to be the entire Oakland offense as he led in both rushing and receiving yards and had their only touch down. On the other side, Vince Young performed well tossing two TD passes, but mainly it was Johnson (as always) who rushed for over 140 yards, and for 2 touchdowns.
Carolina Panthers VS New York Giants
Results: While both Quarterbacks seemed to make a lot of mistakes, having thrown for 3 interceptions each, Eli Manning made up for it with 3 touch down passes and gained the win for the Giants.
Analysis: Carolina was 1/5 in the red zone and could just not get their offense going against this Giants team. On the other side, Hakeem Nicks pulled in 3 touchdown passes, propelling New York to a week 1 win.
Detroit Lions VS Chicago Bears
Results: Jay Cutler threw two passes to running back Matt Forte that he turned into touchdowns to help Chicago pull off a win, although a controversial one.
Analysis: The problems started for Detroit when Matthew Stafford was taken out of the game due to an injury. The Lions had a chance to win it in the remaining seconds and Calvin Johnson got his hands on the ball in the end zone on a deep pass. Unfortunately for him, they ruled it incomplete. While the technical rule forcing this call may be correct implemented her, it may undoubtedly be a bad rule, as anyone watching the game would have ruled him in.
Arizona Cardinals VS St. Louis Rams
Results: Arizona used new QB Derek Anderson and Larry Fitzgerald, in addition to capitalizing on 3 Sam Bradford interceptions to walk away with a week 1 win.
Analysis: St Louis Struggled as Bradford tosses 3 interceptions, bu they managed to stay in the game till the end, but could not pull off a last second win.
Green Bay Packers VS Philadelphia Eagles
Results: Green Bay gained a much needed advantage when they injured Kevin Kolb and he was forced to leave the game. Their defense played well and managed to hold off the Eagles in route to a win.
Analysis: When Kolb got injured, Michael Vick came in for the Eagles, and surprisingly, he looked good rushing and throwing. Too bad for the Eagles it was too little too late as they could never score the game tying touchdown.
San Fransico 49ers VS Seattle Seahawks
Results: Seattle shut down the 49ers offense, picking off Alex Smith twice, and returning 1 for a touchdown in their week 1 win.
Analysis: San Fransisco could not get anything going at all as they settled for a pair of field goals for the game.Matt Hasselbeck seemed to be reinvigorated in the weekend opener as he tossed two touchdowns in the win.
Dallas Cowboys VS Washington Redskins
Results: Washington kept Dallas in check as the limited to seven points and handed them their first loss of the season.
Analysis: Washington got a jump when they scored on a long fumble recovery. While Tony Romo outplayed the newly acquired 'Skin Mcnaab, he couldn't get the ball into the end zone enough, and the penalty on the final play killed their chances.
Baltimore Ravens VS New York Jets
Results: In a game ruled by two stout defenses, Joe Flacco greatly outplayed opponent Mark Sanchez in route to a slim one point victory.
Analysis: Anquan Boldin and Todd Heap helped the Ravens get up and down the field, and the Ravens scored the game's long touchdown in the third quarter.
San Diego Chargners VS Kansas City Chiefs
Results: Kansas City shocked the Chargers as they pulled the upset monday night, utilizing great special teams play, and a revamped defense.
Analysis: The Chargers were off rhythm all game due to the Chiefs greatly improved, very fast defense, that pressured them all night. Some good running by Jamaal Charles, and crazy special teams play by Dexter McCluster helped them score and win the game.
Week 1 Picks: 8 - 8
