Week 1 Snapshots
 | By Vic Carucci National Editor, NFL.com |
(Sept. 11, 2006) -- I heard a lot of complaints about the over-hyping of the "Manning Bowl," but it actually lived up to the incredibly high expectations for a regular-season opener. It was an entertaining game, Peyton and Eli Manning played well, and their teams looked like the contenders they're supposed to be. In the end, the Colts, and especially Peyton and his receivers, proved to be a little bit better in a 26-21 victory. The Colts could have had an easier time of it if they found a way to run the ball better, but perhaps this game was an early indication of the difficulties ahead in the post-Edgerrin James era. Meanwhile, the Giants ran the ball extremely well against Indianapolis' smallish defensive front, which allowed them to stay within striking distance even as Peyton was leading the Colts to scores on five of their first seven possessions. There was a lot of fuss over what the addition of free-agent kicker Adam Vinatieri would mean to the Colts, and after his four field goals against the Giants, we found out that it means plenty -- especially if the Colts are going to have problems moving the ball on the ground.
[Colts-Giants Video 56K | 300K]
Atlanta 20, Carolina 6: [Video 56K | 300K]
There are so many accolades that one could heap on the Falcons' performance, it's hard to know where to begin.
 | |
| Warrick Dunn's 132 yards was part of a 252-yard day for Falcons runners. |
Baltimore 27, Tampa Bay 0: [Video 56K | 300K]
This was absolutely stunning. Sure, the Ravens figured to be good enough to open their season with a win regardless of the opponent. But there was no way of anticipating that they would go on the road and simply trample the Buccaneers so soundly in every aspect of the game. Steve McNair certainly proved that he might very well be the best acquisition of the offseason. He was efficient and effective, and he had the backing of a solid running game. Still, the Buccaneers defense should have been able to provide more resistance. As for Baltimore's defense, it certainly looks like the 2000 season all over again when the Ravens fielded one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. Chris Simms wound up throwing three interceptions, one of which Chris McAlister returned 61 yards for a touchdown and another that mammoth rookie tackle Haloti Ngata returned 60 yards before running out of gas. His problems, and those of the entire Tampa Bay offense, were made worse by the fact Cadillac Williams was held to a mere 22 rushing yards. Joey Galloway, the Bucs' best receiver, was held without a catch. Did someone say the Bucs look like they could be a serious contender?
St. Louis 18, Denver 10: [Video 56K | 300K]
You have to love the coaching job done by two new men leading the brain trust of the Rams. Scott Linehan employed his new, more methodical offensive scheme to perfection. Steven Jackson ran for 121 yards and Marc Bulger spread the ball around beautifully and avoided turnovers because he pretty much avoided taking the serious risks that he was previously asked to take in the Rams' offense. New defensive coordinator Jim Haslett already began making a strong case to return to the head-coaching ranks by guiding a unit that held the Broncos to a touchdown and intercepted Jake Plummer three times, sacked him four times, and forced him to fumble. This was a Broncos team that played for the 2005 AFC championship, and the Rams had them pretty well under control the whole way.
Seattle 9, Detroit 6: [Video 56K | 300K]
For the Seahawks, all that matters is that they have begun defense of the NFC title with a victory. And for the Lions, all that matters is that they are 0-1. Still, there is something to be said for new coach Rod Marinelli's ability to instill enough fight and toughness in his team to be able to put a major scare into a team whose previous game that counted was the Super Bowl. The most impressive part of the Lions' performance was holding league MVP Shaun Alexander to 51 rushing yards and forcing him to lose a fumble. That had the most to do with keeping the game as close as it was, because even though Matt Hasselbeck picked up a large portion of the slack, he still couldn't get the ball in the end zone and was sacked five times.
| Ask Vic! |
| Have a question for Vic on anything NFL related? Don't just sit there -- send it to AskVic@nfl.com, and the best questions will be answered throughout the season right here on NFL.com! |
Cincinnati 23, Kansas City 10:
[Video 56K | 300K]
The Steelers might have opened the season with an impressive win over Miami, but there is no forgetting about the Bengals in the AFC North. Not that there was a reason to, but this was a big victory on the road. Carson Palmer already showed in the preseason that he is back from his severe knee injury. He wasn't spectacular in this game, but he didn't have to be. Rudi Johnson carried the bulk of the offensive load by rushing for 96 yards and a touchdown. Cincinnati's defense was even more impressive, limiting Larry Johnson to only 68 yards on the ground and forcing Trent Green to run four times. On one of his runs, Green took a blow to the head that knocked him out of the game. Once again, it looked like the Chiefs were a one-trick pony, with Tony Gonzalez catching 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown … but no one else able to make much happen.
Jacksonville 24, Dallas 17: [Video 56K | 300K]
Terrell Owens was a factor, making some big catches and scoring a touchdown. But the Jaguars did a nice job of shutting him through most of the second half. They also intercepted Drew Bledsoe three times. You had to admire how Byron Leftwich bounced back from a rough first half during which the Jaguars fell into a 10-0 hole. Leftwich finished strong, and had some tremendous help from Fred Taylor, who generated 115 combined yards (74 and a touchdown on the ground). Still, this game came down to some very sloppy execution for the Cowboys, who were penalized nine times for 93 yards and repeatedly squandered chances to put a stranglehold on the game.
New England 19, Buffalo 17: [Video 56K | 300K]
The decisive play in this game was J.P. Losman being sacked in the end zone for a safety. That it came in the fourth quarter is no surprise, because by then Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his assistants, who seemed to have little grasp on Buffalo's strategy in the early going, had gotten up to speed and were able to put players in the proper position to succeed.
 | |
| The Patriots never panicked and won in the clutch like they always do, harassing J.P. Losman. |
Philadelphia 24, Houston 10: [Video 56K | 300K]
It's simple: Donovan McNabb is healthy and has no distractions (read: Terrell Owens). And when one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL is healthy and has no distractions, he can do what he did against a perpetually struggling opponent. McNabb threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns, and the Eagles firmly established that they merit recognition as a team that is going to have plenty to say about which team wins the NFC East.
Arizona 34, San Francisco 27: [Video 56K | 300K]
After so much fuss over the acquisition of Edgerrin James, the Cardinals won the game doing what they've always done best -- make big plays in the passing game. Kurt Warner threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns, and his favorite receivers were Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. James did finish with 73 rushing yards and a touchdown, but he was held in check for most of the game. And that went a long way toward allowing the 49ers to come back and stay within striking distance. As he did during the preseason, Alex Smith, who threw for 288 yards and a touchdown, continued to show that he is a much improved quarterback under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
New York Jets 23, Tennessee 16: [Video 56K | 300K]
So much for all of that negative preseason talk about the Jets. I realize that the Titans have plenty of issues of their own, but the Jets have to feel good about the win. Start with their quarterback, Chad Pennington, who showed that his twice-repaired shoulder and psyche, challenged by doubts raised about whether he should be the starter, are sound. He threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns. I'm not sure why the Titans saw the need to put rookie Vince Young on the field for a cameo appearance, during which he threw an interception. If recently signed Kerry Collins is their starter, then they should stick with him and let him at least get familiar with his new team.
New Orleans 19, Cleveland 14: [Video 56K | 300K]
Haven't we already said that Reggie Bush is the real deal and that he was the best player in the 2006 draft? And haven't we already said that he may be one of the very best players to emerge from the college ranks in many years? I think we have. What we can say about his official rookie debut was that it was very impressive. Bush had 141 combined yards rushing, receiving and on punt returns. Drew Brees had an OK performance, but he played better than his young counterpart, Charlie Frye, who did have a touchdown pass and was also intercepted twice.
Chicago 26: Green Bay 0: [Video 56K | 300K]
It didn't take long for the Bears to establish the wide chasm between the top and the bottom of the NFC North. The Bears belong at the top because they have a defense that can pitch a rare shutout at Lambeau Field and intercept Brett Favre twice. They belong at the top because they have a solid quarterback in Rex Grossman and a solid running game. This game paints a clear picture of why, as expected, the Packers begin the season at the bottom. How long will it take before Favre's frustration bubbles to the top again?
