NFL Week 1 Highlights – Sunday September 9th, 2006
Falcons 20 – Panthers 6 (Falcons cover +5)
The Atlanta Falcons dominated the Carolina Panthers with smothering defense, an unstoppable ground game and enough passing to keep the Panther’s defense guessing to win 20-6.Falcon’s Running Back Warrick Dunn was the workhorse for Atlanta leading all runners with 130-yards on 29 carries. As a team the Falcons grounded out 252 yards as opposed to only 65 for the Panthers.
Ravens 27 – Buccaneers 0 (Ravens cover +3)
Steve McNair showed he still has some Mo-Jo and Ray Lewis leads a defense that’s not to be messed with as the Baltimore Ravens blanked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-0 at Tampa. The true game story was Defense with the Ravens holding Tampa Bay to only 142 net yards for the game.
Patriots 21 – Bills-19 (Bills cover +6)
The New England Patriots slipped past the determined Buffalo Bills by sacking Bill’s QB JP Losman in the fourth quarter for a safety and a two-point win. The Bills squandered a 17-7 lead with the Patriots evening the score 17-17 in the fourth just prior to the go-ahead safety.
Bengals 23 – Chiefs 10 (Bengals cover +1)
Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer overcame a career threatening 2005 knee injury to guide the Bengals to a 23-10 road victory over the Chiefs. Kansas City quarterback Trent Green suffered head trauma late in the second quarter and left the game.
Rams 18 – Broncos 10 (Rams cover +3.5)
Saint Louis Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins kicked a career high six field goals leading the Rams to a 18-10 win over the favored Denver Broncos giving Rams first year head coach his first career victory. Denver Quarterback Jake Plummer had a rough day throwing three interceptions that helped the Rams to victory.
Saints 19 – Browns 14 (Saints cover +3)
While all eyes were on the debut of versatile Saints Running Back Reggie Bush, New Orleans welcomed Deuce McAllister back from a knee injury who leads the Saints to a 19-14 road win. McAllister was the games top runner carrying the ball 22 times for 90 yards. In collecting the win, it was also rookie coach Sean Payton’s first game for the Saints.
Jets 23 – Titans 16 (Jets cover +2.5)
Chad Pennington left little doubt that his knee wasn’t totally healed from last years devastating injury as he led the Jets to a thrilling 23-16 road victory over the Titans Sunday. Pennington threw 24 times for 319 yards and two touchdowns. Newly acquired Titans Quarterback Kerry Collins was 17-of-36 for 223 yards but threw two interceptions. Highly touted rookie Quarterback Vince Young saw limited action going 3-of-4 for 27 yards.
Eagles 26 – Texans 16 (Eagles cover –3)
Donovan McNabb came out firing Sunday as he directed the Eagles in an offensive explosion connecting on 24-of-35 passes for 314-yards and three touchdowns. Houston jumped out to an early seven-point lead only to watch the Eagles blow past for the 26-16 win.
Seahawks 9 – Lions 6 (Lions cover +6)
Seattle place-kicker Josh Brown survived a rocky start Sunday getting his first two field goal attempts blocked by the Detroit special teams early in the first half. Brown connected on three attempts including the game winner with only seconds left on the game clock.
Bears 26 – Packers 0 (Bears cover –3.5)
The Chicago Bears’ defense managed to do something that hasn’t been done in Packers Quarterback Brett Favres 16 year career and that is to hold the Green Bay offense scoreless. Chicago Quarterback Rex Grossman had no problem moving the Bears offense by going 15-of-26 through the air for 262 yards leading Chicago to a 26-0 win.
Jaguars 24 – Cowboys 17 (Jaguars cover +1)
The Jacksonville Jaguars went down 10 points early but bounced back aided by three Dallas turnovers and took a 24-17 win. The game was also the debut of much ballyhooed Cowboy receiver Terrell Owens. Owens was the 2nd leading receiver on the day for Dallas.
Arizona 34 – 49ers 27 (49ers cover +9)
Kurt Warner completed 23-of-37 passes for 301 yards and three scores and Arizona turned two first-quarter San Francisco turnovers into touchdown and Arizona held on to beat the 49ers 34-27 on Sunday. The game was the opener for the new Arizona Cardinals stadium.
Colts 26 – Giants 21 (Colts cover –3)
The game was billed as the Manning bowl. It was Manning versus Manning but in reality it was the Colts playing the Giants. Older brother Payton Manning gets the win 26-21 but little brother Eli has the better quarterback rating. Payton Manning was 25-of-41 through the air for 276 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 intercepted pass. On the losing end, Eli Manning was 20-of-34 for 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
