Jerry Murphy's Top 10 Things We Learned In Week 1 Of The NFL Season

Take a second to catch your breath. Week 1 is in the books and what a week it was. Donovan McNabb is in a different uniform, the Philadelphia Eagles have a quarterback controversy (because Donovan McNabb is in a different uniform), the Dallas Cowboys play like a team with nothing to win, and the Indianapolis Colts defense misses the plane. These stories and more in this week's episode of Things We Learned from the NFL in Week 1.

Here, as promised on Friday, are the top ten things we learned from Week 1: 

10. Calvin Johnson Needs to Score First, Celebrate Second.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions waits for a instant replay ruling on an apparent touchdown catch in the final minute against the Chicago Bears during the NFL season opening game at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chi

Say what you want Detroit fans, a rule is a rule. You would think the rules are something that would be addressed during training camp; especially rules involving the most important part of the field, the end zone.

9. Can Peyton Manning Play Defense Too?

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts on the sidelines during the NFL season opener against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

Someone on this team needs to. Either that or the team's communications manager needs to be fired. It appeared as though the defense missed the team plane. How many times will you say the words "Peyton Manning throws for 433 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions" and the Colts lose the game?

8. Jeff Reed Should Have To Carry Rashard Mendenhall's Luggage

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: Rashard Mendenhall #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs for a 50-yard game winning touchdown in overtime during the NFL season opener game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva

At least until he makes his next game-winner. Reed missed a 40-yard field goal with thirty-nine seconds left in regulation and the score tied 9-9. Mendenhall toted the rock 50 yards for the winning score 2:35 into overtime thereby saving Jeff Reed from fifty wet towel snaps with a Terrible Towel.

7. Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz Is a Class Act

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT , MI - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions watches the action during the game against the Green Bay Packers on November 26, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Green Bay won the game 34-12. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

Minutes after the Lions' heart-breaking loss to the Bears, Coach Schwartz was asked whether or not Calvin Johnson not securing the ball all the way to the ground in the end zone late in the fourth quarter cost them the game. His response was an emphatic "no". He then proceeded to talk about the mistakes (two lost fumbles and an interception to name a few) and missed opportunities. He refused to put the loss on Calvin Johnson or the rule pertaining to the play. Coach Schwartz should teach a course on class and integrity. Guys with names like Calipari and Sampson should sit in the front row.  

6. Dallas Cowboys Invent New Way To Lose a Football Game

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Wade Phillips of the Dallas Cowboys coaches during the NFL season opener against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 13-7. (Photo by Larr

Being a Cowboys fan for more than thirty years I have seen the Cowboys lose football games every way imaginable. Apparently they were tired of doing it the old way so they invented a new way all their own. Forget the fact they had played miserably the entire game (mainly due to horrible decision-making and play-calling on the coaching staff's part) but they still had a chance to win in the end. A holding penalty on Alex Barron on the final play of the game negated a game-tying touchdown pass to Roy Williams (who, above all belief, actually caught the ball). An extra-point later and the Cowboys would have snuck out of Landover with an improbable win. But give the 'Skins credit, they deserved the win. As far as execution is concerned they were almost as bad as Dallas, but they took advantage of Dallas' stupid mistakes (see Tashard Choice).

5. Whom Should We Name The NFL MVP Award After?

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: A fan of the Indianapolis Colts holds up a sign for Peyton Manning during the NFL season opener against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

What are the powers-that-be waiting on? Just because he is still playing doesn't mean we can't name the award after him. Does anyone have any better ideas?

4. Kevin Kolb Probably Isn't The Answer in Philly

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defea

Not only did they let McNabb go for the wrong guy, they traded him in the division. This is a head scratcher and I'd scratch my head but my arm hurts from throwing my remote at the TV at the end of the Cowboys game (see #6). Luckily, my accuracy resembles that of Kolb and I missed.

3. Vick's Playing Time Before Kolb's Injury Poses Question

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Andy Reid, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles stands on the sidelines during a preseason game against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansk

With all of the play Michael Vick played at quarterback before Kolb got hurt, you have to wonder if Andy Reid doesn't agree with number four.

2. The Only Way The Jets Are Going to The Super Bowl Is If They Buy a Ticket

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets lays on the ground after a sack in the fourth quarter by the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New J

The New York Jets with Mark Sanchez at quarterback are to the Super Bowl what Snookie and "The Situation" are to real talent, not even close.

1. The Cowboys Will Not Play a Home Game Come February

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 12: LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins tackles Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL season opener at FedExField on September 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

As long as the Cowboys are handcuffed and shackled at the bottom of the Trinity River to the two cinder blocks known as Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett, they will not be playing a home game in the Super Bowl. Maybe they could work the concession stands. After all, it is their stadium.