10 Lessons Learned From the NFL’s Opening Sunday

Added on Sep 13, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

The first Sunday of the 2010 NFL season is in the books. If your team won, then you’re likely making preliminary Super Bowl plans. If your team lost, then you’re likely assessing whether the beam in your living room will hold your body weight. It’s one week, folks. Relax. Overreaction is expected, but leaning too far in either direction on the emotional spectrum is foolish. All that said, there was still a lot to take away from yesterday’s action. Here are ten lessons learned on opening Sunday.

10. The Redskins still can’t score – New quarterback. New head coach. New attitude. Same results. Six offensive points in four quarters of play. On the bright side, they won the game (thanks to a defensive touchdown). Bottom line: the offensive talent in D.C. is thin. And it’s one injury away from being non-existent.

9. Alex Smith still isn’t the answer – The Niners were supposed to be the class of the NFC West. This was supposed to be their year to turn the corner. Unfortunately for them, Alex Smith is still Alex Smith. Two awful interceptions. Numerous erratic throws. No signs of leadership. If they do win the division, it will be in spite of Smith, not because of him.

8. Chris Johnson is still unstoppable – It came against the Raiders, but Johnson recorded his twelfth consecutive 100-yard game by rumbling for 142 and a pair of scores. The Steelers come to town next week. Can the Coach’s Dream defy the odds and gash what is arguably the league’s best run defense? I wouldn’t bet against him.

7. Wes Welker looked like Wes Welker – Donning a bulky knee brace, the little receiver that could caught two Brady touchdown tosses and displayed his customary short field quickness. I’m waiting for his surgically repaired knee to swell up in a few weeks, but for now, Welker looks a-okay.

6. The Lions still have zero luck – Surprise, surprise, the Lions got screwed out of a W by a bogus rule which says a receiver must control the ball long after his knee is down in the end zone. The refs made the correct call, but that doesn’t make it any less ridiculous. Oh, and Matt Stafford could miss 4-6 weeks with a bad shoulder.

5. The Bills offense is still terrible – They have three running backs, one receiver and no quarterback. If so-called offensive guru Chain Gailey can squeeze seven wins out of this abysmal team, then he deserves to be coach of the year.

4. Bob Sanders still can’t stay healthy – It took Sanders one quarter to suffer his first injury in 2010. This time it was an elbow. He’s missed all but nine regular season games since 2008 and seems destined to be one of those “what if” players when his career is over.

3. Aaron Rodgers looked mortal – The MVP favorite missed some open receivers and tossed two bad interceptions versus an aggressive Eagles defense. What, did you think teams were going to just sit back and let the guy pick them apart all year long?

2. Tony Romo is still Tony Romo – His ill-advised flip pass to Tashard Choice at the end of the first half was only partly his fault (hello, Dallas coaches!), but Romo still drove his charges down the field at then end of the game. If not for right tackle Alex Barron’s stupid holding penalty, the Cowboys win and Romo is the hero. Safe to say, he remains one of the league’s most polarizing figures.

1. Quarterback is still an issue in Philadelphia – Kevin Kolb is and will remain the Eagles starting quarterback, unless he’s not medically cleared to play. Tell that to the fans and media and all you’ll hear is the following four words: Michael Vick looked good. Vick is exciting, but he’s never been, nor will he ever be, a legit west coast offense quarterback.