Week One NFL News

The NFL announced the finalists for Rookie of the week honors for games played September 4th through the 8th. Among the nominees were; Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens, Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears, Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos, Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans and Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco went 15-for-29 for 129 yards in Baltimore's 17-10 victory over division rival Cincinnati Bengals.

The Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay is offcially underway. Rodgers went 18-of-22 for 178 yards and a touchdown in a big victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The first quarterback other than Brett Favre to start a game for Green Bay since 1992 also added a 1-yard touchdown run in the win.

"I'm not expecting to fail, no sir, not at all," Rodgers said last week. "This is my fourth year in the league and my third year in coach McCarthy's offense. I know there will be bumps along the road, there always is for first year starters."

As Tom Brady limped of the field in pain on Sunday, the Patriots hoped their season didn't go with him. Sports Illustrated is reporting that Brady has major ligament damage, possibly a torn ACL. True to form the Patriots have given no official statements as of yet. Bill Belichick has a scheduled press conference at 3PM on Monday.

Brady was 7-of-11 passing for 76 yards before heading to the locker room.

Game two of ESPN's Monday Night Football double-header features the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders. The Broncos come in to McAfee Coliseum as 3 point favorites against their AFC West rival Raiders with the total set at 41.

Raider owner Al Davis went on a multi-million dollar spending spree in the off season and expects the "Silver and Black" to win and win now.

The Monday night opener between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field is one of week one's marquee match-ups. The Vikings hope to ride the coat-tails of RB Adrian Peterson and their number 1 ranked defense all the way to a division title. The Packers officially enter the post Brett Favre era and will try to defend their NFC North title with Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

The Packers were fantastic last season as they went 13-3 before they were upset at home against the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game.

How can two teams that combined for only 5 wins last year be playing in one of the most anticipated games in week one? Easy, add in the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. Brett Favre leads the New York Jets into Miami to take on the Dolphins. Not to mention, QB Chad Pennington making his debut as a Dolphin against the team that released him in favor of Brett. Instant intrigue.

"There's a lot of reasons to want to watch this game,"...

In week one of the NFL season the Dallas Cowboys travel to the Cleveland Brown Stadium to take on the Browns. Both teams will be looking to get their seasons off on the right foot. The Browns enter 2008 as serious playoff contenders while the Cowboys are an NFC favorite to get to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys open as 6 point favorites over the Browns on the road, the total is set at 49.

Dallas finished last regular season with an impressive 13-3 record, but a disappointing loss in the playoffs sent shock waves throughout the Lone Star State...

The St Louis Rams travel to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in the season opener. The Eagles have high expectations coming into the 2008 season. They ended last year with three straight wins behind a surging Donovan McNabb and one of the best NFL runners, in Brian Westbrook. The Rams finished last season 3-13, one of the worst in franchise history. The Eagles are 8 point favorites on opening weekend with the total at 44.

In 2007, nothing seemed to go right for head coach Scott Linehan and his Rams. Injuries were a huge part of last years debacle. Quarterback Marc Bulger and running back Steven Jackson each missed 4 games. Not to mention...

Week one showcases these two AFC South rivals each trying to close the gap between themselves and the Division Champion Colts. There is no secret as to each of these teams offensive game plans. They will each be looking to control the clock, establish the run early, and seize the tempo of the game. Jacksonville is a 3 point favorite on the road with the total being set at 36 1/2.

Last season the Jaguars were second...

After closing out the 2007 season with a tough playoff lose to Jacksonville, the Steelers start the 2008 season with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Last year they won the AFC North with a 10-6 record and enter '08 as one of the top teams in the AFC. They open at home against the Texans as 6 1/2 point favorites, odds makers have set the total at 43.5.

Pittsburgh's offense will look to feast on a Texans defense that was ranked only 19th...