Months later and there we were Thursday night with our tvs on, watching the Saints play the Packers. Football was back and no one seemed to mind. In fact because of going so long without it the hype for this season was at an all time high.
With the return of football came the addition of new rules that would affect both sides of the end zone.
Reviewing TD Plays
One of the rules regarding touchdown calls is a way to eliminate some of the coaches challenges. The new rule calls for all close TD plays to be considered through booth review.
This rule was certainly on display this past weekend as many drives ended in touchdowns or ended as someone reached for the pylons or dove for the end zone only to be stopped on the one yard line. Some of the TD plays were reversed and some of the one yard stops were called touchdowns. Booth review was certainly put to the test and it seemed to be the right idea to initiate this new rule. Coaches certainly complained less about having to wager challenges for calls. In the end, a good rule addition by the NFL.
Moving the Spot of Kickoffs
The second big new rule was on the kickoffs. Kickoffs were moved an additional ten years forward from the 20 yard line to the 30 yard line. Immediately, people said that this would lead to more touch backs, more kneeling and a lot less excitement on special teams.
Within one week, those special teams players proved them wrong.
It all started in the Saints-Packers game when Green Bay rookie, Randall Cobb took one to the house for a 108 yard kickoff return TD. Then in the Sunday games, Ted Ginn Jr. added a 102 yard kickoff return to help lead his SF 49ers to victory. He also added a 55 yard punt return in his being named the NFC's Special Teams Performer of the Week.
By the time Monday night's games which in it of themselves were not disappointing, an NFL record eight kickoffs/punts were returned for touchdowns. This is the highest mark to ever be recorded in a single week.
Not to mention, it was week one.
Not to mention, it was coming off of a rule change that seemed to promise just the opposite.
On top of the rule changes there were some star studded performances and missed opportunities which really highlighted week one. Here is my breakdown of just some of the many moments that opened up the NFL season.
Rodgers and Brees Shoot-Out in NFL Opener
In the opening game of the season, Aaron Rodgers GB and Drew Brees NO participated in a shoot-out. Rodgers blazed through the first half recording 3 TDs and over 300 yards on his way to the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week Honors. He was 27-35 passing. Rodgers' opposite number also had an outstanding game. Brees recorded 3 TDs and over 400 passing yards. He was 32-49 including 11-18 in the 4th quarter in which he put on his best Peyton Manning impersonation and drove his team down the field. The Saints came within inches of scoring the TD that would have allowed them to attempt a 2 pt conversion and possibly tie the game.
Cam Newton's NFL Coming Out Party
Panthers rookie, Cam Newton, stunned the football world with his NFL debut. It was really a coming out party for the QB who threw 2 TDs and 422 yards, the most ever by a player in his NFL debut. Newton wasn't alone however as he early in the game found a rapport with Panthers top WR, Steve Smith. Newton was very comfortable throwing to Smith who caught both of Newton's TDs.
Tom Brady's Record Setting Day
Then there was Tom Brady. Brady admittedly has a little more in the weapons department to work with than Cam but nevertheless he put on a dominant performance against a solid Miami defense. Brady recorded 3 TDs and set a Patriots franchise record for yards in a game with 519. He bested his own previous record of 517. Brady was electric in the division game and spread the ball out to both TEs and WRs all over the field and led his Patriots to a win over the Dolphins.
Janikowski's Powerful Leg
Brady wasn't the only one to set a record this weekend. Oakland K, Sebastian Janikowski, tied the NFL record for longest ever FG as he bombed a 63 yarder through the uprights. That was in a Monday night game that also saw a 90 yard punt return for a TD and a 99 yard TD pass. Oh yes, welcome back Monday Night Football.
Defenses Struggle while Offense Explodes, Shatters Records
Finally there were the defenses. Defenses did not look so good in week one with 7 of 14 teams that played before the Sunday 4pm games all recording 30+ points. The day and opening week did not end there though for the offenses. Week One saw 7,842 net passing yards, 14 QBs to pass for 300+ yards, 5 games where both QBs passed for 300+ yards and 4 QBs who passed for over 400 yards. All of these are NFL records for a single week. The Monday night game between the Dolphins and Patriots also saw records broken. Brady's 517 yards combined with Chad Henne's 416, was the first time in NFL history to feature a 500 yard and 400 yard passer.
Urlacher Making Plays
Brian Urlacher led a Bears defensive assault against the Falcons recording 10 tackles, 1 Interception and 1 recovered fumble which he scored for a TD. Julius Peppers, the Bears DE also added 5+ tackles and caused the fumble Urlacher recovered.
Surprises of the Week: Steelers Struggle and Bills Open Strong
The Steelers defense was shockingly abyssal against the Ravens offense but what may be worse was their offense and the 7 TO it committed.
The Steelers under performance in every facet of this game was one of my big surprises of the week. The other big surprise was the offensive outburst by last year's disappointing Buffalo Bills who crushed the KC Chiefs by a score of 41-7.
If I have learned nothing else this week, it is that this season is certainly going to be an explosive one!
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