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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 14th September, 2005 - 4:16 pm
 Every week of the NFL season is full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and week one of the 2005 season was no exception. The opening week of the season featured the explosion of Willie Parker, and the dreadful performance of Daunte Culpepper. We saw the two-time defending champion Patriots continue their dominance, while we watched the defending NFC champion Eagles struggle in their first game since Super Bowl XXIX. Here are a handful of highs and lows of the week one in the NFL.
The Highest of Highs
Willie Parker ? The Steelers entered the 2005 season with two capable running backs. Now after his 161 yard rushing performance against the Titans it looks as though Pittsburgh has three. Parker made a serious case for continued playing time with his incredible play on Sunday ? including one catch for 48 yards.
Alex Smith ? No, not the number one pick from this years NFL draft, rather the 7th pick of the third round from this years draft. The rookie tight end from Stanford led Tampa Bay, with 34 receiving yards and two touchdowns, to in upset victory over the favored Minnesota Vikings. How?d the other Alex Smith do? Eh?let?s just say Tim Rattay and the 49ers? victory over the Rams will likely keep ?Alex the QB? on the sidelines.
New Orleans Saints ? The entire nation was pulling for the Saints on Sunday, ironically the four year anniversary of the nations other devastating national tragedy, even Carolina fans welcomed the New Orleans players with a standing ovation upon entering Bank of America Stadium. It took a last second field goal the Saints beat the Panthers, who many predict to represent the NFC in this seasons? Super Bowl.
Drew Bledsoe ? After having an average year in Buffalo last season, Drew left the Bills to join former coach Bill Parcells in Dallas. The Cowboys, who had a very disappointing 2004 season, started the 2005 season off with a huge win over the San Diego Chargers, who made it to the playoffs last season. The Cowboys owe their victory in large part to Bledsoe who threw for 226 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Colts Defense ? In 2004 the Indianapolis offense was flawless. Their defense however was far from it, and once again the Colts fell to the New England Patriots in Foxboro. In week one of the season the Colts faced off against one of the league elite defenses in the Baltimore Ravens. Not only did the offense slice through Baltimore on their way to 24 points, but the Colts defense held the Ravens to just 7 points off their own ? and the Baltimore touchdown was scored with only 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Lowest of Lows
Daunte Culpepper ? Had it not been for Peyton Manning?s historical 2004 season, Culpepper?s career year might have been the talk of the NFL. But 2005 isn?t beginning quite as smoothly. Not only did the Vikings lose to Tampa Bay at home on Sunday, but their team leader threw zero touchdowns to go with his three inceptions and also fumbled the ball twice. The Moss factor? (Randy was busy in Foxboro catching five passes for 130 yards against the Patriots.) Maybe, Culpepper was responsible for five Minnesota turnovers, Tampa Bay as a team had only two total.
Philadelphia Eagles ? The reigning NFC champions had a ton of off-season problems ? including very public contract disputes with running back Brian Westbrook and more notably, wide receiver Terrell Owens. Monday night?s loss to the Atlanta Falcons may have been proof that the off-season struggles hurt the chemistry of the mighty Eagles. Both Owens and Westbrook performed well statistically, but when it mattered most, the Philadelphia offense couldn?t piece anything together. Even the most reliable player on the team, kicker David Akers, has to take a huge amount of blame for Monday?s loss. Akers missed two field goals in the first half that made all the difference in the teams four point loss.
Green Bay Packers ? The Packers couldn?t even manage a touchdown on their way to their lowest scoring output of Brett Favre?s career. Don?t expect help from 2004 break-out receiver Javon Walker, he tore his right ACL and is now said to be out for the remainder of the 2005 season. It looks as though running back Ahman Green just inherited a much heavier workload.
St. Louis Rams ? The Rams rallied back in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers, but ultimately fell short late against their legendary rivals. The win makes the 49ers just one more away from matching their 2004 win total of two. Rams QB Marc Bulger put together a nice game with 362 yards and two touchdowns, but it was too little too late as the 49ers put up 28 points in a less than 15 minute span from the second to third quarters.
New York Jets ? After being just a few made field goals away from beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 AFC playoffs, the Jets looked primed to make another postseason run behind running back Curtis Martin, new kicker Mike Nugent, and a healthy Chad Pennington. In week one, the Jets struggled mightily. They were a mere 39 seconds away from being shut-out when back-up QB Jay Fielder threw a touchdown pass to tight end Chris Baker. The Kansas City defense ate the Jets alive, inducing seven fumbles, three sacks, and one inception. Pennington struggled almost as badly as Daunte Culpepper, losing two fumbles and throwing an interception to new Chief Patrick Surtain. The 2004 rushing leader, Curtis Martin, was held to 57 yards on 20 carries for a horrible average of 2.9 yards per carry. |
