Which NFL Team's Stock Rose, Fell On Sunday (Daytime Games)

Week 1 is the most important week of the season. It's the time for questions to be answered and it also gives us a chance to make a meaningful analysis. 

Before Week 1, all rankings are inaccurate and mean nothing. There are no exceptions. 

But after utilizing the powers of NFL Sunday Ticket and the Internet, I have decided on the winners and losers of Week 1's early games.

RISE: New England Patriots (NE 38, CIN 24)

POSITIVES:

Wes Welker looked like you would expect a healthy Welker too which is key for the Pats who once thought they might not have his services until week 9. 

Fred Taylor had some nice runs and looked like the franchise back that New England has been yearning for since Corey Dillon. Too bad he's 34 and has 2500 carries on his repertoire. 

Kevin Faulk looked rejuvenated as a 3rd down threat. 

Rookie TE's Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski produced 46 yards and a touchdown.

Brandon Tate returned a kick for a touchdown and looked extremely quick while doing it. 

NEGATIVES:

Pass Defense looked bad. Carson Palmer passed for 345 yards and the Pats only produced one sack.

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: VERY HIGH

RISE: Houston Texans (HOU 34, IND 24)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs for a touchdown in the NFL season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

POSITIVES:

Arian Foster ran for a team record 231 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in the win over Indianapolis. 

Steve Slaton also looked quick and he did not fumble. 

Texans were clutch on 3rd downs, gaining first downs on 54 percent of their 11 attempts. 

NEGATIVES:

There were huge holes in the pass defense. Dunta Robinson will surely be missed as Manning ripped apart the secondary for 433 yards. 

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: HIGH

RISE: Denver Broncos (DEN 17, JAC 24)

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos calls a signal during the NFL season opener game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/

POSITIVES:

Although the Broncos lost, Eddie Royal and Brandon Lloyd both stepped up. Royal made eight grabs for 98 yards while Lloyd picked up 117 yards.

Moreno looked good, but the attention was on the passing game.

Tim Tebow got his first regular season action-two carries for two yards. I think everyone is glad that we got that over with.

Rush defense held up nicely against Jones-Drew.

NEGATIVES:

Pass defense looked bad, giving up three touchdowns and a 76 completion percentage to David Garrard.

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: DECENT

RISE: Pittsburgh Steelers (OT PIT 15, ATL 9)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with teammate Isaac Redman #33 after scoring the game winning touchdown on a 50-yard run against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL season opener game on September 12

POSITIVES:

Rashard Mendenhall broke off a 50 yard touchdown to win the game in overtime, putting the finishing touch on his 120 yard performance. 

Dennis Dixon did more than just manage the game. He passed for nine yards per attempt and save one pass, he was consistently driving the Steelers down the field. 

Mike Wallace was the big play threat that we know, grabbing a 52 yard reception. 

The rush defense was stout, only allowing 2.2 yards per carry to Atlanta's Michael Turner.

NEGATIVES:

The pass defense was a little shaky and it seemed Roddy White was unstoppable at times, reeling in short pass after short pass. 

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: HIGH

RISE: Seattle Seahawks (SEA 31, SF 6)

POSITIVES: 

Mike Williams began his amazing redemption story today when he made four catches for 64 yards.

Justin Forsett looks like the running back of the now and for the foreseeable future for the 'Hawks. He is a dual threat and really fits into this offense.

Rush defense was great, holding Frank Gore to just over two yards per carry. 

Defense was also opportunistic, picking of two passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Marcus Trufant. 

Matt Hasselbeck managed the lead too, completing 18 out of his 23 passes. 

Kick coverage was great also.

NEGATIVES:

Uhm...they did give up 225 pass yards. That's about it. 

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: HIGH

FALL: Carolina Panthers (CAR 18, NYG 31)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Moore #3 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked in the fourth quarter by Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defe

NEGATIVES:

Matt Moore played nothing like the man the world saw last season. He was 14 of 33 and threw three interceptions in the endzone. 

Offensive play-calling was awful. They had an opportunity at the four yard line to make it a one-score game, but passed the ball for three consecutive plays, resulting in the first of two consecutive drives that would end with an endzone interception.

Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams were never allowed to get into a stride. Credit Perry Fewell, Giants defensive coordinator and Jeff Davidson, Panthers offensive coordinator.

POSITIVES:

The defense was opportunistic, snagging three interceptions, although they dropped a few. 

Rush defense was great, and almost perfect if you take away Bradshaw's 39 yard run.

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: DECENT

FALL: Atlanta Falcons (OT ATL 9, PIT 15)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after Matt Bryant #3 of the Atlanta Falcons missed a field goal during the NFL season opener game on September 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Phot

NEGATIVES:

Michael Turner had no room on the ground, picking up only 42 yards on 19 carries.

Matt Ryan and his pedestrian 67.6 QB rating did not add any explosiveness to the Falcon's offense.

The supposedly improved pass defense gave up a 81.6 QB rating to Dennis Dixon, who completed almost 70 percent of his passes.

The rush defense was decent for the most part, but you just can't give up a 50 yard touchdown run in overtime and get away with it. 

POSITIVES: 

Roddy White was great. He seemed to get open on underneath routes every play. 

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: DECENT

FALL: Detroit Lions (DET 14, CHI 19)

NEGATIVES:

It's tough for an inexperienced team like the Lions to come back from such a tough loss.

Matthew Stafford will have an MRI on his injured right shoulder Monday, which is scary for a fan base who had such high hopes for this season. Shaun Hill is not capable of starting in his absence.

They stayed in the game with the Bears solely due to turnovers, something that you cannot rely on for a whole season. 

The run game was non-existent, gaining one yard per rush. 

Jay Cutler threw all over the Lions defense with ease. 

POSITIVES:

Matthew Stafford looked great before he was injured. 

Rush defense was not too shabby, allowing just over 100 yards.

They actually won, just not technically. 

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: LOW

FALL: San Francisco 49ers (SF 6, SEA 31)

NEGATIVES:

Alex Smith made a few bad decisions that were very costly and kept San Fran out for most most of the game. 

They could not get the run game going. Frank Gore only rushed for 38 yards and was more of a threat out of the backfield.

Ted Ginn was not the threat most of us expected as a returner.

The secondary, especially Nate Clements, was dreadful. Patrick Willis is the exception though, because he's P-Willy. 

POSITIVES: 

Vernon Davis continued to show of his talent, but it's too bad that he doesn't have a better quarterback or else he could be building a reputation as the best tight end in the league.  

PLAYOFF CHANCES AS OF NOW: DECENT