The W.W.W. - Week 1

I was searching for some kind of gimmick to wrap up the week in the NFL, but all the catchy football-related names are taken and, quite frankly, played out. How many "Tuesday Morning Quarterbacks" can there be? Anyway, I settled on "The W.W.W."

The W.W.W. is comprised of three sections: "Wow!" highlights impressive individual and team performances from the week; "WTF?" discusses those who failed to live up to expectations; and "Wait and See" is reserved for those who may not be as good (or bad) as they played.

Wow!

Carolina Panthers - I'm not sure what impressed me more, the fact that the Panthers drove the length of the field to score the game-winning touchdown on the final play of the game or the fact that they did so in San Diego against what was widely considered to be one of the best defenses in the league. It should also be mentioned that they did it all with their best player sitting at home serving the first game of his two-game suspension.

Chicago Bears - They looked like the Bears of two years ago with an efficient ball-control offense and an aggressive, swarming defense that absolutely overwhelmed the Indianapolis Colts at brand new Lucas Oil Stadium. More on the Colts in a minute.

Michael Turner - The former back-up to LaDanian Tomlinson in San Diego, Turner scored a big free-agent contract from the Atlanta Falcons and paid dividends in the form of 220 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Falcons opened the Mike Smith era by crushing the Detroit Lions (my sleeper team, it appears, is still asleep).

Aaron Rodgers - Rodgers performed admirably under the intense pressure cast over him by Brett Favre's shadow and the Packers opened the 2008 campaign with a big win on a national stage.

WTF?

Seattle Seahawks - Seriously, I picked them to be in the NFC Championship game? They got really old really fast and were absolutely embarrassed in Buffalo. Adding injury to insult, they lost Nate Burleson for the season with a knee injury. Suddenly the Arizona Cardinals are looking pretty good in the West.

Cincinnati Bengals - An offense featuring pro-bowlers like Carson Palmer, Chad Ocho Cinco, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh only managing to roll up 154 yards and three points in losing to rookie Joe Flacco and the Ravens.

Chad Ocho Cinco - Johnson's line: 1 catch, 22 yards, no scores, and no "Ocho Cinco" on the back of the jersey. Which, if you think about it, was pretty symbolic since he didn't show up.

Wait and See

Philadelphia Eagles - The Rams are a bottom-tier team, but the Eagles looked phenomenal in all three phases of the game. It will be interesting to see what happens against the Cowboys in Dallas on Monday.

Pittsburgh Steelers - The western part of Pennsylvania also represented itself well, and the Steelers have to feel good about their chances in light of the Tom Brady injury. But again, Houston isn't exactly the '85 Bears. The Steelers are undoubtedly good, but are they this good? Time will tell.

Indianapolis Colts - Losing at home wasn't the way the Colts envisioned breaking in their new digs, but it wasn't crippling when you consider that Jacksonville and Houston also lost and Tennessee will be without Vince Young for a few weeks. Peyton Manning also took as many snaps in the pre-season as I did. I'm sure he'll be Peyton Manning again before too long.

Denver Broncos - The Broncos looked good in what was the equivalent of a fifth pre-season game against the woeful Raiders. Denver hosts San Diego this week, so we should know a little more about them in a week's time.

Parting Shots

To the Patriot fans trying to talk themselves into their Super Bowl possibilities with Matt Cassell at quarterback under the "Tom Brady was a back-up once," I wouldn't expect lightning to strike twice.

To Shawne Merriman, who valiantly or foolishly attempted to play through torn knee ligaments but was placed on injured reserve today. Whether or not he made the right decision, surgery was the impending outcome.

And finally, to Dallas Cowboys cornerback and convicted felon Adam "Pacman" Jones, who was asked for his assessment of the Eagles, who the Cowboys host in Week 2. Jones' response: "They played the Rams, dude." Hopefully all the Cowboys are taking the Eagles lightly. And if there's any justice, as DeSean Jackson is streaking past Jones on his way to the end zone, he'll be glossed with a new 80's video game name: "Pitfall."