The NFL season could hardly have begun with more of a bang. Close games, controversy, tragedy and explosive debuts rocked the football world this weekend.
In what very well could be a prelude to the rest of the season, the top teams won big, especially in the AFC. The New England Patriots clobbered their division rival New York Jets, 38-14. The defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, took care of business with authority against the shaky New Orleans Saints, 41-10, and the San Diego Chargers started off the season strong, taking down the reigning NFC champion Chicago Bears, 14-3.
The AFC will clearly be a battle of big-time quarterbacks strutting their stuff in front of powerful supporting casts. The Sunday night game will be a matchup reminiscent of postseason play, as the Patriots will square off against the Chargers and a hungry LaDainian Tomlinson.
In the NFC, the picture is somewhat more muddled. Title hopefuls like the Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles got beaten in close games, while fellow NFC contenders like the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers got the job done in Week 1.
While the AFC has a few clear-cut favorites, it is difficult to tell who, if anyone, will dominate the NFC. Tony Romo is trying to make a case for his Cowboys to be a force in the NFC East, as he had a stunning Sunday night performance, throwing for 345 yards and four touchdowns.
Multiple big trades and acquisitions this off-season proved their worth in Week 1. The biggest story has to be the performance of Randy Moss, who was questionable to play going into the Pats-Jets opener with a hamstring injury.
Moss silenced all doubters, racking up 183 yards on nine receptions, including a 51-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Tom Brady. He was being double- and triple- covered all game, but still found enough space to make big catches. With the additions of not only Moss, but also the sure-handed Wes Welker and down-field threat Donte' Stallworth, it will be frightening to see what Brady can do with the sudden strength of his receiving core.
New Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin led his team to a commanding 34-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns this weekend, as Ben Roethlisberger and his cast proved that they can win games without former head coach Bill Cowher.
Week 1 also saw some rookies make big impacts, as former Oklahoma great Adrian Peterson got settled into the NFL with 19 carries for 103 yards and a dramatic 60- yard touchdown on a screen pass from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, propelling the Minnesota Vikings to victory.
Meanwhile, rookie Mason Crosby nailed a 42 yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds to give the Packers a 13-10 victory. A question mark going into the season, the kicker also had a 53-yard field goal early in the low-scoring affair.
But the first week in the NFL was not all fun and games. The Buffalo Bills know that better than anyone this week, as they anxiously monitor severely-injured teammate Kevin Everett. In Sunday's game, Everett, a six-foot-four tight end, dropped to the ground after a freak helmet-to-helmet collision. He suffered a fracture dislocation of the cervical spine and remains deeply sedated in the hospital. The good news for the Bills and their fans is that Everett has been able to move his limbs, and doctors are optimistic that he will not be paralyzed.
The Patriots may not have suffered a physical blow, but their level of respect will certainly diminish after this week's events. On Monday, the Patriots were accused of stealing signs from the Jets during the game on Sunday. It is against NFL rules for a team to point cameras at the opposing team's coaches. Cameras in these illegal positions could allow team to pick up signs from opposing defensive coaches and know when to expect blitzes and other plays.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has hardened his stance individual players in the past year, but will have to make a difficult decision when dealing with the Patriots and the highly respected Bill Belichick. It is possible that the Patriots could be docked multiple picks in next year's NFL Draft.
Another scandal is the last thing Goodell needs after a rough offseason for his league. But with a slew of big games coming up, including Patriots-Chargers and Rams-49ers, the focus should be back on the field by Sunday.
