2006 NFL Week 1 Review

by user Seminolechief

Week 1 Complete Game Review by: Seminole Chief

Buffalo @ New England: Tom Brady struggled early as London Fletcher-Baker scored on a fumble forced by Takeo Spikes on the first play. J.P. Losman and Willis McGahee played well during the first half opening up a 17-7 lead at halftime. In the second half Tom Brady and the Patriots defense came alive shutting down the Bills, and tying the game at 17 with Kevin Faulk TD catch and a Steven Gostkowski field goal. Jarvis Green scored the game winner by sacking Losman for a safety. Bottom Line- Buffalo started strong, but couldn't put away the Patriots, who proved once again that they won't make the same mistake twice and outlasted Buffalo.

Seattle @ Detroit: Seattle escaped from Detroit with a win on a last second field goal by Josh Brown who went 3/4 on the day. Shaun Alexander was held to just 51 yards and Hasselbeck to 210. Bottom Line- Detroit's offense was anemic, and couldn't capitalize on a great performance by the defense. Seattle needs to look better next week against the Cardinals, or the winds may shift in the West.

New York Jets @ Tennessee: Chad Pennington threw for 319 yards with two touchdowns and led the Jets to a win in a poor defensive performance by both squads. Kerry Collins went from cleanup on aisle 4 to starting Week 1 in 2 weeks. Collins played well and threw for 223 yards with 2 INT's. Bottom Line- Two of the NFLs weakest defense gave up points by the bunches. Vince Young gave the Titans a spark, but threw a pick when he got greedy near the endzone on an underthrown ball.

Denver @ St. Louis: Jake Plummer tried to force passes, and played poorly, ending up with 3 picks on the day. St. Louis played great defense, considering they couldn't stop anybody last season. Marc Bulger and the Rams offense hit a brick wall near the endzone all day. Bottom Line- Jeff Wilkens booted 6 field goals, and missed just one on a poor redzone day for St. Louis. Denver played like a last place team trying to make plays that weren't there. The only positive is that Mike and Tatum Bell are playing well.

Philadelphia @ Houston: Donte Stallworth made Eagles fans forget TO as he caught 6 passes for 141 yards and 1 TD. Donovan McNabb torched the Texans secondary for 314 yards with 3 TD's. David Carr was effective when he wasn't sacked finding Andre Johnson 6 times for 101 yards and hit Eric Moulds for a 25 yard TD in the first quarter. Bottom Line- Houston struggled to run the ball, but when Carr wasn't sacked he made some great throws. Houston should've gotten Bush. The Eagles and McNabb played great, and have a chance to take a 2 game lead in the division against the Giants next week.

Atlanta @ Carolina: Jake Delhomme wasn't insync with his recievers, and DeShaun Foster failed to generate anything on the ground. Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn, and Jerrious Noorwood ran for 254 yards as Carolina looked horrible on defense. Bottom Line- Carolina looks like it can't stop or establish the run. Not a trait of a playoff team. Without Steve Smith, Jake Delhomme was just bad. Carolina has many things to fix if they want to prove they are Super Bowl contenders. Atlanta played great defense, but John Abraham left with an injury. If Mike Vick can play like he did this week all season, he would be a steal for any fantasy team.

Cincinnati @ Kansas City: Rudi Johnson ran for 96 yards and 1 TD as Cincinnatti rolled to a 23 to 10 victory at Arrowhead. Carson Palmer was mistake free, but Marvin Lewis didn't let him throw the ball much, running 34 times to 19 passes. Trent Green was hit by Robert Geathers, and left the field in an ambulance. X-Rays came back negative, but Green is doubtful to play next week. Bottom Line- Geathers deserved a personal foul on the play, and Trent Green deserves better. Larry Johnson didn't enjoy the success he had last season versus the Bengals, and disappointed many fantasy owners this week by gaining only 68 yards.

Baltimore @ Tampa Bay: Baltimore's defense is back and better than ever, pitching a shutout against the Buccaneers. Chris Simms threw 3 INT's including 1 that was returned for a 60 yard touchdown by Daniel McAlister in the 2nd quarter. Steve McNair led the Ravens with 181 yards and a TD to TE Chris Wilcox. Jamal Lewis ran for 78 yards and a score. Bottom Line- Tampa Bay couldn't generate anything on the ground, and Simms struggled against the NFL's best secondary. Baltimore moved the ball on offense with McNair, and the defense and Ray Lewis looks poised to dominate again.

New Orleans @ Cleveland: Reggie Bush was impressive in his NFL debut rushing for 61 yards with 8 receptions for 58 yards. Deuce McAllister ran for 90 yards on 22 carries. Kellen Winslow caught his first TD early in the third quarter, an 18 yard reception. New Orleans kicker John Carney added 4 field goals to lead the Saints to victory. Bottom Line- Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister look great as a 1-2 punch for the Saints. New Orleans and Cleveland have a young nucleus of talented recievers and backs that should improve as the season progresses.

Chicago @ Green Bay: Rex Grossman launched a 49 yard bomb to Bernard Berrian to open up the scoring, as the Bears never looked back. The defense recorded a shutout, intercepting Brett Favre 2 times, and Devin Hester returned a punt 84 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter. Robbie Gould added 4 field goals for the Bears. Ahman Green had 110 yards on 20 carries. Bottom Line- Brett Favre and Green Bay were just overmatched as Chicago shut down the Packers. Brett Favre may need to take a seat and let Aaron Rodgers prove he deserved to be drafted in the first round. Chicago looks like a contender early in the NFC.

Dallas @ Jacksonville: Dallas started strong in the first quarter. On the opening drive, Julius Jones scored from 23 yards out, and Dallas took a 10-0 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. Dallas couldn't hold the lead and allowed Jacksonville to come back and win the game 24-17. Drew Bledsoe threw 3 INT's, and went away from Terrell Owens, who early was dominating the Jacksonville secondary. Owens finished with 6 catches for 80 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter. Byron Leftwich tossed 1 TD, and ran for another. Fred Taylor had 6 catches for 41 yards, and added 74 on the ground including 1 TD. Bottom Line- Dallas faltered late, and went from pounding the ball to Drew being Drew. Bledsoe gave Jacksonville opertunities to come back, when all he had to do was control the ball. Jacksonville couldn't generate offense early, but exploded in the final three quarters. Jacksonville should challenge Indianapolis for the division this season.

San Francisco @ Arizona: Kurt Warner took charge and led Arizona to a 34-27 win in the new Cardinal Stadium with 301 yards and 3 TD's. Larry Fitzgerald hauled in 9-133 as Anquan Boldin, Adam Bergen, and Troy Walters each caught TD passes. Edgerrin James powered hisway to 73 yards, and his first score as a Cardinal. Frank Gore was the workhorse for the 49ers, establishing him as an elite RB with 87 yards on the ground including 2 TD's and 6 catches for 83 yards. Vernon Davis caught his first TD pass in the first quarter, a 31 yarder from Alex Smith. Bottom Line- Arizona has the offensive firepower to outscore weaker teams, but can they make the key stops against Seattle this week. The defense needs to prove it can keep the Cardinals ahead. Frank Gore has become the focal point for the 49ers offense, leading them in rushing and recieving. Gore and SF will surprise a playoff team late in the season, guranteed.

Indianapolis @ New York Giants: Peyton Manning led Indianapolis to a 26-21 victory with 276 yards and 1 TD. Eli Manning threw for 196 with 1 TD. Dominic Rhodes added a TD. Bottom Line- Both teams played well, and should roll into the playoffs if they stay injury and mistake free. Peyton Manning and the Colts look like Super Bowl contenders early.

Minnesota @ Washington: Sean Taylor was penalized twice in the 4th quarter, including a 15 yard personal foul, that set up Ryan Longwell for the game winner. Chester Taylor scored his first TD in the 1st quarter, and Clinton Portis scored for the Redskins in the 2nd. Bottom Line- Contenders in their division, Minnesota can win a Wild Card if it continues to beat teams like Washington. Sean Taylors physical reputation has hurt more than helped Washington.

San Diego @ Oakland: Bottom Line- Nothing spectacular to note here except that San Diego looks as talented as ever, while Oakland is on life support. Also, I know people on the West Coast want MNF on later, but jeez if I'm going to stay up and watch it please make the matchups better!!!!

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Date

Tue 09/12/06, 6:22 am EST