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NFL Schedule 2011
 Week 1
 Let There Be Football-Part 1!...
In a likely preview of the upcoming NFC Championship, the Saints met
the Packers in the traditional season opener
at the reigning Lombardi Trophy holder's home venue. Not a bad party
for the host Green Bay community, who also owns the defending champs,
since it happens to be the smallest market in the NFL.
Couldn't find a picture of Kid Rock wearing a cheesehead, though.
Is
it Fantasy...
If you had either Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers as your fantasy team
starting QB, you're doing a happy dance. Combined they threw for 731
yards, equal shares of 6 TDs, with zero interceptions. Until this, no
opposing QBs had ever passed for at least 300 yards and scored 3 TDs,
with no INTs, in a season opener.
Or
is it Reality?...
 Forget that
Green Bay rookie Randall Cobb scored two TDs in his debut game, one a
108 yard kickoff return to tie an NFL record. The second round pick
from Kentucky is the first person born in the 1990s to play in an NFL
game. Makes some of us feel really old!
 Let
There Be Football-Part 2!... Just when you think a union
lockout,
less pre-season workouts and cutting the chances of a kick-off return
run are going to ruin football, the "Kickoff Weekend" brought us no
less than a record eight Week 1 kick-return touchdowns, with six
different NFL punt and kick return records either tied or broken.
(Click Here for Video)
Is
it Fantasy...
The quarterback free-for-all continued following Thurday's opener and
resulted in 14 different QBs passing for 300+ yards, plus there were a
total 7,842 net passing yards amassed during Week 1. Both marks are the
most of any week in the NFL. Patriots QB Tom Brady topped the list (517
yards), with Panthers rookie Cam Newton (422 yards) next, setting a
career opening record.
Or
is it Reality?...
 Despite
his #3 status on the depth chart, some Denver Bronco fans are
being vocal about starting QB Tim Tebow, and hinting they may not be as
savvy as they profess. Booing the starter Kyle Orton in the first
quarter, planning Tebowmania billboards supporting a player who is a
work in progress, these are not ways to support your team. He
does deserve credit for how he handles the press, who in their own way
(see Tebow
Makes Sure Cheerleaders Have Hoodies) can be just as
unrealistic as these Bronco fans.
 PHOTO NOTES
Top
Right...RB James Starks after his Lambeau leap is cropped
from gameday
photos in the Green Bay
Press Gazette coverage. Middle Left...The
Packers
Baby Blanket and Hat is Out-of-Stock at Shop.com.
Middle Right...Cardinal
Beanie Wells in action is cropped
from gameday photos on azcentral.com coverage.
Bottom Right...Versions
of Tebow billboards are beginning to
show up all over the internets, including this example from
tauntr.com.
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| Thursday,
September 8 |
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 34
vs 42
GREEN BAY PACKERS
| Lambeau Field...Packers QB Aaron
Rodgers (27 of 35, 317 yds, 3TD) made jumping out to a 21-7 1st quarter
lead look easy, and would find scoring aid through the rest of the game
from RB James Starks (12 for 57 yds, 1 TD) and rookie WR
Randall Cobb (2 rec for 35 yds, 1TD, 108 yd KO ret, 1TD). QB Drew Brees
(32 of 49, 419 yds, 3TD) would grind the offense to keep the Saints
within reach, and A.J. Hawk's pass interference penalty left New
Orleans one more official play with no time left. The defending Super
Bowl champs held their goal line stand against RB Mark Ingram (13 for
40 yds) up the middle. |
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| Sunday,
September 11 |
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 7
vs 35
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| M&T Bank Stadium... Intent
on revenge for last season's playoff loss, Baltimore forces seven
turnovers, four coming from Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (22 of 41,
280 yds, 1TD, 3 INT), and Ravens QB Joe Flacco (17 of 29, 224 yds, 3TD)
dismantles the Pittsburgh defense, with the aid of RB Ray Rice (19 for
107 yds, 1TD) and company. |
ATLANTA
FALCONS 12 vs 30 CHICAGO
BEARS
| Soldier Field... As
the numbers go, Atlanta QB Matt Ryan (31 of 47, 319 yds) didn't have a
horrible day, but they don't reflect Bears LB Brian Urlacher's
interception or fumble recovery for a TD. Chicago would dominate with
the ball despite the five sacks of QB Jay Cutler (22 of 32,
312 yds, 2TD, 1 INT). |
CINCINNATI
BENGALS 27 vs 17 CLEVELAND
BROWNS
| Cleveland Browns Stadium... Following
what seemed to be the worst opening-day start ever, including 10 of 11
penalties in the first half, QB Colt McCoy (19 of 40, 213 yds, 2TD, 1
INT) and Cleveland seemed to have rightened the ship with a 14-13 lead
at the half. Despite losing injured rookie starter QB Andy Dalton (10
of 15, 81 yds, 1TD), the Bengals would retake the lead on a quick snap
TD pass play from backup QB Bruce Gradkowski (5 of 12, 92 yds, 1TD)
that caught the Browns defense napping in the huddle. |
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS 7 vs 34 HOUSTON
TEXANS
| Reliant Stadium... By replacing
injured Peyton Manning, Colts QB Kerry Collins (16 of 31, 197 yds, 1TD)
may now have the toughest job in the NFL. RB Ben Tate (24 for 116 yds,
1TD) was a viable replacement for regular Texans starter
Arian Foster while QB Matt Schaub (17 of 24, 220 yds, 1TD, 2 INT) and
company established early dominance. All of Houstons 34 points were
scored in the 1st half. |
TENNESSEE
TITANS 14 vs 16 JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
| EverBank Field... RB Maurice
Drew-Jones (24 for 97 yds, 1TD) would set the tone for Jacksonville
on a 21 yard TD run to conclude the Jaguars first drive, and while QB
Josh McCown (17 of 24, 175 yds), just five days in as starter, would
not find the end zone again, he enabled the offensive position for
three K Josh Scobee field goals. Despite RB Chris Johnson (9 for 24
yds) being a non-factor, Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck (21 of 34, 263 yds,
2TD, 1 INT) would eventually bring Tennessee within 2, but be
intercepted deep on his last passing attempt. |
BUFFALO
BILLS 41
vs 7 KANSAS
CITY CHIEFS
| Arrowhead Stadium... The fumble
of the opening kickoff, leading to the Bills initial scoring drive, was
a sign of what was to come for QB Matt Cassel (22 of 36, 119 yds, 1TD,
1 INT) and the Chiefs, who would experience Kansas City's worst home
loss in 35 years. Four of the five Buffalo TDs came from the arm of QB
Ryan Fitzpatrick (17 of 25, 208 yds, 4TD), while RB Fred Jackson (20
for 112 yds) assumed primary rushing duties. |
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES 31
vs 13 ST.
LOUIS RAMS
| Edward Jones Dome... The Eagles
looked like a legitimate contender in the NFC with QB Michael Vick (14
of 32, 187 yds, 2TD) receiving support from RB LeSean McCoy (15 for 122
yds, 1TD) and WR DeSean Jackson (6 for 102 yds, 1TD). The worst news
for the Rams may not be the final score, but injuries occuring through
the game. St. Louis now waits for news on the future status
for top RB Steven Jackson (2 for 56 yds, 1TD) for a right quadricep
injury, QB Sam Bradford (17 of 30, 188 yds) with the right index
finger, best CB Ron Bartell for a stinger, leading WR Danny Amendola (5
for 45 yds) with a dislocated left elbow and OT Jason Smith from a high
left ankle sprain. |
DETROIT
LIONS 27
vs 20 TAMPA
BAY BUCCANEERS
| Raymond James Stadium... The
Lions contained Tampa Bay leading RB LeGarrette Blount (5 for 15 yds),
so QB Josh Freeman (28 of 43, 259 yds, 1TD, 1 INT), whose passing was
mostly limited to short dumps against Detroit's prevent defense, was
the Bucs leading rusher (4 for 26 yds). While the Lions offense was not
perfect, QB Matthew Stafford (24 of 33, 305 yds, 3TD, 1 INT) , never
sacked, and was responsible for all Detroit TDs, including two to WR
Calvin Johnson (6 for 88 yds, 2TD). |
CAROLINA
PANTHERS 21 vs 28 ARIZONA CARDINALS
| University of Phoenix Stadium... Despite
it being QB Kevin Kolb's (18 of 27, 309 yds, 2TD) debut as a Cardinal,
with outstanding assistance from WR Early Doucet (3 for 105 yds, 1TD),
RB Beanie Wells (18 for 90 yds, 1TD), and an 89 yard punt return for TD
by utility CB Patrick Peterson, the win was overshadowed by Carolina's
rookie QB Cam Newton (24 of 37, 422 yds, 2TD, 1 INT) whose performance
set an NFL record for a career opener. His favorite target so far is 11
year veteran Steve Smith (8 for 178 yds, 2TD). |
MINNESOTA
VIKINGS 17 vs 24 SAN
DIEGO CHARGERS
| Qualcomm Stadium... The Vikings
were poised early to make QB Donovan McNabb's (7 for 15, 39 yds, 1TD, 1
INT) debut as the Vikings starter a success, while the first kickoff
seemed to spell disaster for the Chargers. Kicker Nate Kaeding incurred
a left knee injury during Percey Harvin's 103 yard TD return, and Minnesota
would build up a 17-7 lead at the half. Regular San Diego punter Mike
Scifres, who had done no place kicking since college, found the
uprights on 3 extra points and a 40 yard field goal. QB Phillip Rivers
(33 of 48, 335 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT) connected with FB Mike Tolbert (Rec: 9
for 58 yds, 2TD) twice for TDs. Tolbert (Rush: 12 for 35 yds, 1 TD),
who also had a 7 yard TD run in the 3rd quarter, made the winning catch
with 5:01 to play. |
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS 17 vs 33 SAN
FRANCISCO 49ers
| Candlestick Park... With under
4 minutes to play, QB Tarvaris Jackson (21 of 37, 197 yds, 2TD, 1 INT)
had brought the Seahawks within reach at 19-17 on a 55 yard TD pass to
WR Doug Baldwin (4 for 83 yds, 1TD). Besides QB Alex Smith's (15 of 20,
124 yds) 1 yard TD run, the 49ers had only managed 4 field goals from K
David Akers, but return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. returned a both kickoff 102
yards and a punt 55 yards for two touchdowns within a minute. |
NEW
YORK GIANTS 14 vs 28 WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
| FedEx Field... A sub-par
performance for QB Eli Manning (18 of 32, 268 yds, 1 INT) and the
Giants, whose defense was desimated by injuries during preseason, and
an offense allowed just 102 yards and no TDs in the second half.
Redskins QB Rex Grossman (21 of 34, 305 yds, 2TD) spread his passes out
between 6 different receivers, RB Tim Hightower (25 for 72 yds, 1TD)
assumed the rushing duties, and LB Ryan Kerrigan scored on a 9 yard
interception for his rookie debut. |
DALLAS
COWBOYS 24 vs 27 NEW
YORK JETS
New Meadowlands Stadium... At
10 seconds into the 4th quarter, Dallas seemed poised for victory by
holding a 24-10 lead. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, all momentum would
swing to favor the Jets after QB Tony Romo's (23 of 36, 342 yds, 2TD, 1
INT) fumble and interception, and a blocked punt return for a touchdown
by CB Isaiah Trufant to tie the score. New York QB Mark Sanchez (26 of
44, 345 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT) would help reverse fortunes with a 26 yard TD
pass to WR Plaxico Burress (4 for 72 yds, 1TD), back in the NFL after
20 months in prison on a gun charge. K Nick Folk's (2-2 FG, 9 pts) 50
yard field goal with 27 seconds remaining would give the Jets their
only lead in the game for the win.
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| Monday,
September 12 |
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 38 vs
24 MIAMI
DOLPHINS
| Sun Life Stadium... Welcome to
the Tom Brady Show! Under other circumstances, since the game set an
NFL record with 906 net yards passing, Miami QB Chad Henne (30 of 49,
416 yds, 2TD, 1 INT) would be getting press for having a career day,
but the Dolphin defense was nearly non-existant. Brady (32 of 48, 517
yds, 4TD, 1 INT) took advantage and became the 11th quarterback ever to
throw for at least 500 yards, also setting a franchise record, along
with New England's 622 total yards. WR Wes Welker (8 for 160 yds, 2TD)
would be the top receiver. |
OAKLAND
RAIDERS 23
vs 20 DENVER
BRONCOS
| Invesco Field at Mile High... No
one would be dazzling in this match-up except for the Raider
kickers. Shane Lechler's 6 punts would average 58.2 yards, the
longest at 77. Along with 2 extra points, K Sebastian Janakowski a
perfect 3 for 3 on field goals, with the longest for 63 yards tying the
NFL record. QB Jason Campbell (13 of 22, 105 yds, 1TD pass) would score
the winning TD on a 1 yard run in the forth quarter. Some Denver fans
would continue to chant for 2nd Yr QB to replace Kyle Orton (24 of 46,
304 yds, 1TD, 1 INT). |
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