NFL: 8 Teams (or Players) That Look Unstoppable

The first week of the NFL season taught us a few things. Some teams weren't ready to play and others came to play and surprised us beyond our wildest dreams.

This is only the first week and while there are teams that were not ready to play (Indianapolis, Pittsburgh) and want a mulligan, there were others who ventured into unknown territory and proved they could play with the big boys.

There were also some players that looked like a tidal wave or natural disaster would be the only thing to slow them down.

There is no order to this slideshow, just observations. There is no one slide that has more significance over the other.

And of course, I am sure there will be some debate over these, but that is what slideshows and lists do. They stir the mind and allow the mouth to open, most likely in disagreement.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

I am the first one to admit that I am not a Cam Newton fan.

That said, the rookie was GREAT. For all the hassle his profile has caused leading up to the draft and whether he would start or not, Newton proved he belongs in the NFL.

His team may have lost, but not for a lack of effort on his part. He completed 24 of 37 passes for 422 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, and was the first rookie to throw for more than 400 yards in his NFL opener.

UNBELIEVABLE!

The Buffalo Bills

Many thought Kansas City would take a step back this year. Buffalo may have proven that in the first week of the season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like an All-Pro, maybe finally quieting critics that he is only a serviceable quarterback. Throwing four touchdowns in a game tends to do that.

And winning on the road, especially in Arrowhead Stadium is no small feat either.

Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees

While the Packers and the Saints defenses had issues stopping each other from scoring, Rodgers and Brees picked up right where they left off last season.

Rodgers threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Brees threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers won a shootout, 42-34.

Somethings never change.

Baltimore Ravens

It is one thing to earn a win against the Steelers. It is another thing to systematically move the ball up and down the field on them.

Last time I checked, the Steelers were in the Super Bowl last season.

Hanging 35 points on their defense speaks volumes about the strides the Ravens may be taking to dominate the AFC.

Washington Quarterback Rex Grossman

John Beck said he was "pissed" that he was not named the starting quarterback for the Redskins.

Now, he can just calm down a little.

After starting the game with four straight incompletions, starter Rex Grossman finished the game 21 of 30 for 305 yards and two scored in the 28-14 win.

Grossman was the starting quarterback at the end of last season for Redskins' head coach Mike Shanahan and proved he belongs under center against the Giants.

Chicago Bears

When you start the season at home against a team that won 13 games last season, you expect there to be more competition.

There wasn't much in the 30-12 win in Chicago.

Jay Cutler threw for 312 yards during the game after enduring an offseason of questions about whether he could have continued his play in the NFC Championship game

Although Matt Ryan threw for over 300 yards it was offset by the dominating play of Matt Forte who accounted for three scores in the victory.

Houston Texans

Was this a case of the Texans being that good or a case of the Colts looking that bad?

Who knows. But without Peyton Manning under center, there will lingering questions all season until his return.

Without him, Houston's offense went to work, scoring all 34 points in the first half and the defense holding the Colts to one score all day.

Ben Tate rushed for 116 yards and a score as he replaced the injured starter Arian Foster at running back for the Texans.

Tom Brady

He threw for over 500 yards in the first game of the season.

What happened to easing into a season?

I guess Brady forgot to look at the memo.

If this is any indication of things to come, it could be another 16-0 season.