Heat Check: Who's Hot and Who's Not - NFL Week 1

Week one of the NFL season is in the books, and there were plenty of exciting games and plays to talk about The idea of this slide show is to highlight some of the top stories and issues coming from week one action.

Each week of the NFL season we will look at four teams or players that are HOT,and what they did to have such a distinction. I will also discuss four teams/players that are NOT and what circumstances transpired to make undesirable. We will first look at what's hot in the NFL after week 1.

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys Offense

Neither Tony Romo nor the rest of the Cowboys' offense seemed to miss former teammate Terrell Owens in their 34-12 win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. Romo passed for a career high 353 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. Seems to me that Owens probably misses Dallas more than Dallas misses Owens.

Drew Brees

I know it was against the Detroit Lions, but anytime you throw six touchdown passes against a NFL defense it is impressive. Not to mention he completed 77 percent of his passes, threw for 358 yards, and had a passer rating of 137. Saints fans can only hope he can continue putting up these gaudy numbers against the Eagles this weekend.

Adrian Peterson

Arguably the best running back in the league had the best week of any back in the league rushing 25 times for 180 yards which equates to 7.2 yards per carry. He also rushed for three touchdowns. Having a running back like Peterson makes life much easier for the Minnesota Vikings and especially Brett Favre.

Green Bay Packers Defense

With Dom Capers leading the way, and the switch to a 3-4 defense, it looks like it is already paying dividends for the Packers. Sunday night against the Bears, Green Bay forced four turnovers, recorded two sacks, and held Chicago to an average of 2.8 yards per rush.

What's NOT- Detroit

I could probably continue each week to include Detroit in the NOT section of this sideshow, but I promise this will be the first and only time until they win again. Dating back to the 2007 season, Detroit has lost 18 straight regular season games, and 24 out of the last 25 games.

It could quite possibly be until week eight of this season until their first "good" opportunity to get a win, when they face the St. Louis Rams.

What's NOT- Chicago Bears

What was a dream for many Bears fans, (having Jay Cutler as their quarterback), quickly turned into a nightmare as he proceeded to throw four interceptions, complete 47 percent of his passes, and have a quarterback rating of 43.2.

Then what is considered by many to be a bigger issue facing Chicago,the Bears lost All-pro linebacker Brian Urlacher for the season. It's a tough start to the 2009-2010 season for the Bears.

What's Not- Bills/Raiders

I lumped these two teams together because they both had the same problem this week, they weren't able to hold on to a lead and complete the upset. The Bills were up 24-13 with 5:32 left in the game and weren't able to hold off Tom Brady and the New England Patriots' late fourth quarter charge.

In very similar fashion, the Oakland Raiders were hanging tough against the favored Chargers and had a late lead deep into the fourth quarter, but were unable to stop Phillip Rivers and Darren Sproles.

What's Not- Jake Delhomme

After the disastrous playoff game last year against the Arizona Cardinals, you have to believe that Jake Delhomme was anxious to get the new season started....Just not the way he did. He picked up were he left off in the playoffs by throwing four interceptions, fumbling the ball once, and getting sacked three times.

Don't forget he only competed seven passes and was benched during the game. The Panthers will need Jake Delhomme to have a positive impact Sunday if they are to beat the Atlanta Falcons.