Things We Learned NFL Week 1

The Bengals are still the Bengals –Palmer and company orchestrated a 6-minute drive covering 91 yards and finished with a Cedric Benson touchdown to take the lead. With only 38 seconds and 87 yards from the end zone, it looked grim for the Broncos and then the Bengals luck happened. Kyle Orton made a horrible pass into traffic; the ball was tipped by a Bungals defender right into the hands of Brandon Stokley who took off down the field for the touchdown. The Bronco win 12-7, Talk about Hard Knocks

The Minnesota Vikings are Adrian Petersons Team and Favre is along for the Ride – Peterson rushed for 180 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 34-20.  Favre had 110 yards and one TD.

Drew Brees is awesome – Brees threw for 358 yards and six Touchdowns in a 45-27 victory over the Detroit Lions. Brees made it look easy and put the NFL on notice, the Saints will are going for the jugular this season.

Jake Delhomme is not awesome – The Panthers QB continued where he left off last season by committing five turnovers (4 INTs and a lost fumble).  How long before we see Jeff Garcia’s name being thrown around in Carolina. The Panthers lost 38-10 to the Eagles.

Michael Vick is Coming – I’ve said before, McNabb would play with a fire in his belly and put up MVP worthy numbers to keep Michael Vick on the Bench. However, after throwing for two TDs and rushing for another McNabb was hit hard, breaking a couple ribs. McNabb is expected to miss 2-4 games, Vick comes back in two games.

Michael Tuner and the 370 Curse – Lost in the Atlanta Falcons 19-7 win over the Miami Dolphins was Michael Turner’s 22 carries for 65 yards. I wrote earlier this year that it’s rare for a RB to come back with a solid season after 370+ carries the previous year and it looks like that’s the case with Turner.

The Baltimore Ravens Defense is not that scary – the Ravens beat the lowly KC Chiefs 38-24. Two things struck me about the score. First, the good, Ravens scores 38 points and the bad, the Ravens gave up 24 points and failed to get a turnover from the Chiefs.

Tony Romo is happy without Jessica Simpson…and Terrell Owens – Romo passed for 353 yards and 3 TDs in a 34-21 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Reggie Wayne is ridiculous – Wayne led the way with 162 receiving yards and a TD as the Colts beat the Jags 14-12.

The kid is gonna be alright – Mark Sanchez started his NFL career with a 24-7 victory over America’s “Sleeper Team” the Houston Texans. Sanchez looked cool and confident picking apart the Texans for 272 yards and a TD in his debut.

The Jim Zorn watch starts now – After a 23-17 loss to the New York Giants, we officially start the countdown to the firing of Jim Zorn. The Washington Redskins were out run, out passed and more importantly outcoached by Tom Coughlin’s New York Giants.

The Cardinals are in a fight for the NFC West – Kurt Warner threw two Interceptions in a 20-16 loss to division rivals San Francisco. In the other NFC West game, Matt Hasselbeck threw for three TD as the new look Seahawks shut out the St. Louis Rams 20-16.

Green Bay’s Defense is good, very good – The Packers intercepted Jay Cutler 4 times as they beat NFC North Rivals 21-15. Down by two with 2 minutes to go in the game, Aaron Rodgers completed a game winning drive with a 50-yard play action strike to Greg Jennings for the win. In 2008, the Packers would have lost this game but the 2009 Packers are ready for all comers.

Record Against the Spread – Favorites 8 – Underdogs 5 betting against the spread