Top 10 Biggest Things from the NFL's 1st Week

Oh, football how we have missed you so.

Now that the NFL has finally begun its first week after a tumultuous offseason, NFL fans really had no idea what to expect heading into the 2011 season.

The surprises came left and right on Sunday as many fans were struggling to keep up with the latest scores and stats from a wild Week 1.

While many games came down to the wire, others were surprisingly uncompetitive leaving teams scratching their heads about how things went so wrong in their first game of the season.

Now let's examine the 10 biggest moments from this week's slate of NFL games so far.

10. Ted Ginn Scores Twice in 50 Seconds on Special Teams vs. the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks looked like they were going to make a game out of it in San Francisco.

After trailing 16-0 at halftime, the Hawks were able to chip away and eventually got within two at 19-17 late in the fourth quarter.  

They just had one small problem. Ted Ginn Jr was about to go off.

After the Seahawks scored they kicked the ball off to Ginn who promptly returned it 102 yards for a touchdown to put the Niners back up by nine.

After the Seahawks were forced to punt, Ginn did it again, just 50 seconds later returning a punt for 55 yards. 

I thought returns were supposed to go down this year?

9. The Bills Pound the Chiefs on the Road 41-7

If someone who had never watched football before was asked to pick which team between the Chiefs and Bills was a playoff team last season, 100 percent of them would say Buffalo.

Little would they know, it's the complete opposite. The Chiefs are the team coming off a division title, while the Bills were one of the worst teams in the league last year. 

But the Bills, yes the Bills handed the Chiefs their worst opening home loss in team history.

Buffalo dominated the game from the opening kickoff where Dexter McCluster fumbled and gave the Bills prime field position.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdowns against a Chiefs defense that was supposed to be their strong point, and Matt Cassel and the rest of the Chiefs offense managed one measly touchdown the entire game.

That wind you are feeling in the west coast is the entire city of San Diego taking a big sigh of relief. 

8. Lions Open Up the Season with a Win over Upstart Bucs

One of the more intriguing games on the agenda Sunday was the Lions vs. Bucs which pitted two potential NFC playoff teams against one another in Tampa.

Although the Lions showed their flaws, Matthew Stafford's three touchdown passes were enough for Detroit to survive.

With a road win to start the season over a 10-win team last season, the Lions showed they are serious contenders to compete in the NFC north this season if they can stay healthy.

7. Bears Pummel Falcons 30-12

Many people (myself included) have downplayed the Bears chances of returning to the NFC Championship Game this season, but if they continue to play like they did against Atlanta on Sunday, no one should be surprised to see the Bears in Indianapolis this February. 

Jay Cutler showed that his offseason problems are not affecting him on the field as he threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense stifled Matt Ryan's offensive attack.

For Atlanta, the loss has many fans wondering what went wrong. The Falcons went 13-3 last season and were a popular pick to win the NFC. But the Falcons looked unprepared for the Bears on Sunday. The only positive they can take out of it is that the rest of the NFC South also lost in Week 1, so they don't have any ground they need to make up in the standings. On the field however, it is a different story.

6. Michael Vick and Eagles Look in Full Form with Win over Rams

Although Michael Vick's numbers may not jump off the page, his impact on the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the Rams was highly evident for those who watched the game unfold.

He did run for 98 yards and threw for two touchdowns, but it was his ability to scramble out of the pocket and extend the play that left the Rams struggling to keep up.

Vick didn't need to do it all on his own. The Eagles rushed for 239 yards and played solid defense as they certainly looked like the hype was justified at least for their opener. 

Next up for Vick and the Eagles will be a game in Atlanta against the Falcons which is sure to bring out emotions from all parties, including the Falcons former Quarterback.

5. Texans Make Statement with 34-7 Dismantling of Manning-Less Colts

The Texans beat the Colts to open up the 2010 season, but things went terribly wrong from there as the Colts once again behind Peyton Manning, won the AFC South title.

But it wasn't like this. With no Manning for the Colts, The Texans took the opportunity to show that they very well might be the best team in that division.

The game was never close as the Texans scored 17 points in the first and second quarter and made Kerry Collins think twice about leaving his couch to come back to the NFL this season.

Houston will need to complete the season, one game decides nothing. But with Tennessee and Jacksonville meddling in mediocrity, and Indianapolis without its savior, this should be the Texans' division this year. If they play like they did this week consistently, it will be.

4. Packers Stop Saints at the 1-Yard Line as Time Expires

Although Sunday provided plenty of thrilling games from across the NFL, one can't forget Thursday night's entertaining opening act between the Saints and Packers.

The two high-powered offenses went back and forth as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees showed why they are highly considered to be two of the top QBs in the league.

But the game ended up coming down to one play. After a questionable pass interference call against Clay Matthews, the Saints had one play from the one-yard line, down eight with the game on the line.

Instead of letting Brees try to throw for it, the Saints handed the ball off to rookie Mark Ingram who was stuffed at the line giving the defending champions a dramatic win to open the season.

3. Newton Shines in Debut Despite Loss

So much for rookie blues.

Cam Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft put up 422 passing yards. Yes, 422, n his debut game over the Cardinals. Even though the Cardinals won the game, the story is Newton who passed for the most yards for any rookie in NFL history.

Newton struggled at times in the preseason and many wondered if this should be Jimmy Claussen's team until Newton was more ready to start. But Newton shut the critics up and showed his talents more than translate to the big stage. 

The wins may not come in bundles for the Panthers this season, but their three offensive touchdowns was something they didn't accomplish at all last season and Panthers fans may have something too look forward to with No. 1 in a Carolina uniform.

2. Jets Block Punt To Complete Stunning Comeback over Cowboys

The emotions were high in Met Life stadium as the Jets, the only New York team to play at home on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 came out with an improbable comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys 27-24. 

Dallas took a 24-10 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Jets put up 17 consecutive points including Joe McKnight's blocked punt that led to an Isiah Trufant touchdown to tie the game at 24 with five minutes remaining.

Tony Romo then subsequently threw an interception to Darrelle Revis which led to Nick Folk's 50-yard FG to put the Jets up for the first time, but it would be the only time they needed.

Call them lucky, but the Jets did what good teams do, they found a way to win the game when they needed it. The normally reliable defense was getting lit up until forcing Tony Romo to fumble the ball at his own one-yard line.

Mark Sanchez threw for over 350 yards and two touchdowns showing that he is capable of airing it out when necessary, and special teams made the biggest play of the game when their team needed it the most.

For Dallas the loss is heartbreaking as they almost had a monumental win to start the season. Instead it's back to the drawing board in crunch time if they are going to compete with the Eagles in the NFC East this season.

1. Ravens Force 7 Turnovers, Shock Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens had been waiting seven long painful months to get their hands on the Pittsburgh Steelers again, who beat them in shocking fashion in last year's AFC Divisional playoffs.

The Ravens looked absolutely unstoppable as their 35-7 victory was their most lopsided over the Steelers since1996. 

While Big Ben and the Steelers looked like they might be having a Super Bowl loser hangover, the Ravens were ready to go from the opening snap. They made a statement going for a two-point conversion already up by three scores, adding even more fuel to this heated rivalry.

While Pittsburgh is still a playoff caliber football team, Baltimore looks like the favorite in the AFC North and possibly the AFC overall after their dominating performance.

If the Ravens are on your schedule this year, watch out.