FOOTBALL

Well, it finally came — opening day in the NFL.  Everybody has had NFL fever all summer, and yesterday we all got our fix.

First up, the Detroit Lions looked to finally break their 20 game opening day losing streak.  The Lions are predicted to be much better this year, with former #1 overall pick Matt Stafford in his promising second year, plus a much improved defense.  The game started out all Lions with two running touchdowns from their first round draft pick, Jahvid Best.  Best looked fantastic out there, and should continue putting up decent stats all season long.    Unfortunately for Detroit, they lost their star quarterback Matt Stafford in the second half because of a shoulder injury.  Then, Chicago came surging back with a short pass from QB Jay Cutler (my QB on my fantasy football team by the way) to Running Back Matt Forte who ran it 89 yards for a touchdown. Another Cutler touchdown gave Chicago the lead and the Lions had one last chance.  Well, they marched it down field and back-up quarterback lobbed a pass to their star receiver Calvin Johnson for a touchdown.  BUT — the play was called back in a very controversial call saying that Johnson didn’t have possession.  This play is the talk of the sports world right now… because it cost the Lions their 21st consecutive loss on opening day.  Chicago 19, Detroit 14.

Elsewhere, Tom Brady (and his new haircut) looked to return to top form against Terrell Owens/Chad Ochocinco and the Cincinnati Bengals.  Well, Brady wasted no time hitting Wes Welker for two consecutive touchdowns.  Then, more Patriots with both an interception return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for a TD.  The Bengals, however, just couldn’t get their offense together and it looks like they still have some kinks to be worked out.  The Patriots look like they’re back.  Even their defense looked pretty decent.  Oddly, the Patriots are a sleeper Super Bowl contender.  New England 38, Cincy 24.

And in Houston, the Texans are hoping that this is the year that they finally become a serious contender in the AFC.  They have Super Bowl dreams, which are justified because of their explosive offense and much improved defense.  However, in order to truly prove you’re for real in the AFC South division… you have to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts.  This wouldn’t be easy.  Matt Schaub had a decent game, but the true hero for the Texans:  Their new running back Arian Foster.  He was an absolute BEAST rushing for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Uh-oh, the Texans can finally run the ball.  Meanwhile, the Colts looked sloppy (for the Colts that is).  They dropped passes and their star defensive back Bob Sanders went out with an injury.  Without him, the Colts are a much more disorganized.  Finally, the Texans took care of business and beat the Colts.  They are a force to be reckoned with this year.  Houston 34, Indianapolis 24.