NFL Roundup: Seven Things We Learned from Week One

1. LT is human, and yes, a defense can humble him—but he’ll still find a way to beat you.

The NFL’s premier talent was held to a mere 25 rushing yards on 17 attempts by a Chicago front seven that plugged every gap and swarmed every carry.

And there isn’t a running back in the league who could have done anything about it.

What's more important is that LT still found a way to help his team win—he pulled down seven receptions for 51 yards, threw a touchdown, and had a seven-yard TD scamper that proved he has plenty of grit to go along with his flash.

2. The Tennessee Titans aren’t going to miss Travis Henry.

It’s too early to tell whether Chris Brown and LenDale White will be more effective in tandem than Henry was all by himself—but at the very least Sunday’s contest against the Jaguars will silence the critics who said the Titans would have a lackluster ground game this season.

Brown was the shining star, racking up 175 yards on just 19 carries. It appears as if he’s regained the form of his rookie year, when he churned out 1100+ yards in just 11 starts.

Brown is a big back with great vision and good speed, and it looks like he could be reemerging as a top backfield player in the AFC .

3. The Pats, hands down, have to be considered the team to beat.

Giving a team such a label seems silly after just one regular season game, but it's hard to deny the Patriots on the heels of their 38-14 win over the Jets.

The defense looked fantastic, and the offense is downright nasty with the additions of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donté Stallworth. Oh, and they've got the best coach in football.

Sigh—things just aren't fair for us non-Patriot fans.

4. It’s time for “BQ” to become the “QB” in Rock n’ Roll town.

After watching Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson flail against the Steelers, it couldn't be clearer that Brady Quinn should start the Browns' next game.

Experts warn against throwing a young signal caller into the fire too early, but Quinn is a tough-minded player with great intangibles. Cleveland drafted him to be the future of the franchise, and the future is now. The Browns' front office simply can't tolerate seven-point performances from an offense that has weapons like Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, and Jamal Lewis.

5. Eli Manning might finally be coming of age—and it's a real shame he's injured.

The much-maligned Giants signal caller was accurate on most of his throws against the Cowboys, showed nice presence in the pocket, and displayed a toughness we hadn't previously seen out of him when he came back to throw a TD after roughing up his shoulder.

If strong-armed behemoth Jared Lorenzen can hold things down for the G-Men while Manning is nursing his wounds, and if Eli can play like he did on Sunday night when he returns, the playoffs aren't out of the question for Tom Coughlin's troops.

6. Mario Williams was worth the #1 pick in 2006.

It might have taken him a year to start proving it, but after a game in which he sacked Chiefs QB Damon Huard on two occasions and showed off his wheels on a fumble return for a touchdown, it's obvious that Mario Williams is going to be a stellar defensive end for years to come.

It's great to see Williams play well after watching him endure so much criticism last year for not being Reggie Bush or Vince Young.

7. Adrian Peterson will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Okay, so I might be jumping the gun here a little—but I can't see anyone else having a better year.

Chester Taylor is hurt, so "AD" will be carrying the full load for now. After watching him rip off 103 yards on just 19 carries—and take a flair pass 60 yards to the house down the sideline—can you really argue with me?

Peterson is a beastly player—a tremendous physical presence with speed and vision to boot. Get used to seeing him all over the highlight reels.