Note: As the school year began, I failed to render my NFL predictions. Thus, they have been listed below as I had predicted before the season started, with the teams' current records after yesterday in parenthesis.
Last week, waking up on Monday was the best feeling in the world, knowing that in just four short days, the NFL season would be upon us. And after the Giants beat the 'Skins on Thursday night, I could feel tremors of psychitude rock my body (a la Barney Stinson) because the first Sunday of NFL season was almost here.
Now, that Sunday has come and gone, and it made for one of the most exciting opening weekends in recent memory. Here's a look at what occurred on the most glorious day of the year.
Five Best
1. Chicago Bears
Yes, maybe the Bears don't belong as the best team from Sunday. But take into account the fact that no one had them winning on Sunday. And I mean no one outside of Chicago. Hell, even people in Chicago didn't have them winning.
Every major analyst put the Bears' chances of winning this game at slim to none, and the reasons they gave were valid ones: Kyle Orton is starting, Matt Forte is a rookie, and their receivers could be outplayed by a local high school team. But what did the Bears do? They relied on that old Bears formula: run and run.
Matt Forte brought back thoughts of Walter Payton, as he was the first rookie to start at running back since the great No. 34, and ran all over the Colts for 123 yards and a TD.
Orton managed the game well, which is all Lovie Smith asked for, and improved to 13-6 as a starter. If the Bears keep using this formula, which propelled them to the Super Bowl in 2006, the league better watch out.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Do I need to write an explanation? Matt Ryan, the rookie from Boston College, starting his first game. A new head coach. New running back. New team attitude. And what do they do? They put up 34 on the Lions.
16 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mark Jones 10 months ago
Nice dude.
I picked Jacksonville as one of the best of the AFC too. Too bad they lost...
That panthers game was incredible. Had you have seen the last play, I'll bet it would have been #2 or #3
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Vinny Gazzara 10 months ago
I don't understand what your saying about the Philly-Dallas game... Are you saying the Giants don't have a chance to win it or what...
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Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
It is only the first game and a lot can happen.
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Jake Perper 10 months ago
good article, the Bears looked good
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Inaki Angulo 10 months ago
Nice article.
I also got impressed by the Bears. They look like the team that won the NFC couple of years ago. In the top five of the week I would put the Cowboys offensive line. They dominate the game, allowing Dallas to establish a tremendous running game and providing Romo an outstanding protection.
On the other hand, I really expected something more from the Browns. I’m not talking about winning the game, but at least a fourth quarter really close game.
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Bob Fletcher 10 months ago
Good article. It just sucks that Brady got hurt, and with the Chargers loss, the Vikings will really be the team to beat. Philly will be really good too.
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Benjamin Sauder 10 months ago
The Vikings?!?! They are a one dimensional team without a competent passing game or a pass defense. They do have a good running game and are good on the offensive line and their defensive line is top notch. However, in the NFL a team cannot win if it can barely pose a threat in the passing game. The Vikings are a middle of the road average team.
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Vinny Gazzara 10 months ago
Better than Dallas, The Giants, and Indy?
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Kevin Backistone 10 months ago
Awesome article, man! Way to go! I think you're an excellent writer!
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Chris Plouffe 10 months ago
Pretty good insight, as a bills fan i'm so giddy...which only means i'm setting myself up for complete disappointment.
Its a little shake up in the AFC though with 3 of the top 4 teams losing and the pats although they won, had the biggest loss of all.
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GeorgiaDawg 9 months ago
The Falcons looked great. The Offensive line play was impressive. Ryan managed the game, and Turner is the real thing. If the Defense can stay healthy (Abraham especially).. the Falcons will surprise a lot of people. Eight wins is not out of the question.
Great article Shawn.
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Josh Prope 9 months ago
you have to put the rams at number one on the worst list. you know they make it harder and harder every year to be a rams fan. but they honestly aside from the raiders the worst team in the league right now
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Stove Pipe 9 months ago
How can the raiders not make your 5 worse list? Was anybody any worse? Maybe the texans, bengals and colts defense were supposed to play better than they did, but the raiders game was one of the very worst performances I've ever seen from a professional team.
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Raj Kamruddin 9 months ago
Good roundup! It will be interesting to see if the Bears defense stays healthy and consistent. If so, they can challenge for NFC North crown. Both the Dallas/Philly & Chargers/Broncos games will be goods ones.
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David Geller 9 months ago
I think the browns should be put up over the colts for one of the worst. Apparently they weren't even confident that they could play with the cowboys before this game, which is atrocious for a team some project to win the division
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Spenser T. Harrison 9 months ago
Mark my words, Jaguars are all but done. Both their guards are out for the year and their center is out for 3-6 weeks. For a power run team that is absolutely disastrous. They won't be able to effectively play their style of football all year.
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