Top 4 Story Lines from NFL Week 1

Be honest, was any one really surprised with the outcome of the games on Sunday or anything that happened in the games?  Well maybe Vernon Davis being rejected by the goal post or Gronk with the TD spike fail.  You can even say the replacement refs didn't screw up too bad.  My top story lines of this week have to be the return of Payton Manning, the composure of Mark Sanchez, the ribs of Michael Vick or how the Saints would respond after the lifted suspensions with RGIII and the young Redskins in town?  

Payton was Payton.  He completed 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards with 2 TDs.  A typical Payton Manning game.  He was unfazed by the 3 sacks he suffered but Payton got up showing no signs of any ill effects.  The Broncos defense played well even though Big Ben had a decent day of his own (22-40 245 yard 2 TDs 1INT) but the Denver defense held when it needed to.  I'm sure Payton had flashbacks when Tracey Porter pick-6'd Big Ben that put the game out of reach.  Porter pick-6'd Payton in the Super Bowl in 2010 the led to the Saints championship.  Just think how Payton will look around week 7.  If he keeps this up, and why shouldn't he, the Broncos are very much the favorites in the AFC West.

If there was an QB controversy in New York, then Mark Sanchez put all that to rest, at least for one week.  The world is still confused as to what is going on with the Jets but Sanchez went out and played the way we all know he is capable of playing.  Sanchez completed 19 of 27 passes for 266 yards with 3 TDs and a pick.  Yeah, 3 TDs so enough about the whole no TDs in preseason crap.  I don't think Sanchez was worried about anything but doing his job and as long as he continues to do that, no one will call for his benching in favor of the guy behind him.  Backups don't get a mention unless they take a snap under center.  

The question about Michael Vick's ribs was answered.  Vick threw a career record 56 times in the 17-16 win over the Browns but Vick also tried to give the game away.   Vick was intercepted 4 times, yes I said 4 times.  He completed 29 passes for 317 yards and 2 TDs.  So the ribs are okay but the rust on only 12 plays during preseason showed....a lot.  Vick was forcing passes and overall making stupid decisions but he showed his maturity.  Vick kept fighting and making plays and led his team to the win.  No, the Browns aren't that good.  The Eagles shot themselves in the foot the entire game.  The Eagles were called for 12 penalties resulting in 110 lost yards which negated RB McCoy's 110 yard day on 20 carries.  The Eagles looked tight almost like they were playing not to loose.  Good thing the figured out how to play to win before it was too late.  They better get things right this week in practice because the Ravens are coming to Philly in week 2.


The Saint started their journey of becoming the first team to play in the Super Bowl held in their house not the way they wanted to.  The Redskins, led by RGIII in his debut, out punched the Saints for a 40-32 win.  RGIII actually looked more like Drew Brees then Brees did.  Brees attempted 52 passes and connected 24 times for 339 yards but RGIII stayed with him completing 19-26 for 320, 2 TDs and no INTs.  The young Redskins stood toe to toe with the Saints and RGIII looked every bit as good as advertised.  If the 'Skins aren't a dark horse in the NFC East before, they definitely are now.  I will get the Saints a bit of a pass this week given that their roster is in flux right now.  Sure, the Saints lost the first game last season in root to a 13-3 record but upper management wasn't suspended last season.  No one know what Goodell has up his sleeve.  Its gut check time already for the Saints, especially if they really believe they can win the Super Bowl.  

Now, its time for MNF.  As much as we all love football on Sunday, there's nothing like football after dealing with the Monday blues.  No one likes Monday mornings but everyone loves football on Monday night.  I believe the Ravens and Raiders will win in tonight's match ups but week 1 has never determined how a season will unfold.  Will the Raiders finally make the playoffs after missing the last 2 years?  Possible.  Do the Ravens have one more Super Bowl run left?  I still say that depends if Flacco can raise his game. I don't see it but that's why they play the games.  It is fun to guess and hope but that's what I love most about sports.  Talk is talk but the games have to be played and us fans will have fun watching it.  

D!