The Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans did not waste any time in showing what kind of teams they are and what kind of season it is going to be in the NFL this year. Today it is up to everybody else to prove they are ready to compete with them. The Steelers, the defending Super Bowl champions, battled the team with the best regular-season record last year to a 10-10 tie after four quarters on Thursday night before driving the length of the field in overtime to win a bruising contest 13-10.
The victory came at a cost for Pittsburgh, who lost their All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu to a knee injury for at least three weeks. The defeat was also a statement from the Titans that they have not forgotten they were 13-3 last year and still believe they are the team that should have gone to the Super Bowl instead of the Steelers. The other 30 teams begin their season today and tomorrow knowing they must show the same kind of intensity if they are to succeed.
The Atlanta Falcons host the Miami Dolphins in a meeting between two surprise teams to make the play-offs last season. The question for Miami is whether their gimmicky "wildcat" offence will still surprise their rivals. The Falcons have the league's most impressive young quarterback in Matt Ryan, who will try to build on a spectacular rookie season that transformed Atlanta into the league's sixth-best attack.
Philadelphia Eagles visit Carolina Panthers in a match between two play-off calibre NFC teams who both have questions as well as answers. How will the Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb react to having Michael Vick as his back-up? Will he feel pressured to do too much or remain Philadelphia's foundation? The Panthers will try to use an old formula, the running from DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and a rock-hard defence, to power them to a home win.
The marquee match-up of the opening round sees two goliaths of the National Conference (NFC) East collide as the New York Giants face Washington Redskins. The Giants are favoured by many experts to get to the Super Bowl because their defence is so stingy, with a pass rush that is arguably the best in the NFL. Add to that a two-pronged running game with powerful Brandon Jacobs and quick-footed Ahmad Bradshaw and the Giants should be a legitimate threat to win it all.
Both teams have quarterbacks in the spotlight. New York's Eli Manning slumped badly last season after the loss of imprisoned wide receiver Plaxico Burress, while Jason Campbell, who Washington unsuccessfully tried to replace during the off-season, continues to make youthful indiscretions with the football. Another big inter-division match is in the NFC North as Green Bay Pakcers take on Chicago Bears.
The new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, acquired in a stunning off-season trade with Denver Broncos, has a lot of pressure on him with expectations high in Chicago. But the Packers are adjusting to a new 3-4 defence and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has to do the same behind an offensive line with three new starters, meaning this will be a test for both young passers. Arizona Cardinals may be the defending NFC champions and Super Bowl runners-up but they must prove last season was not a fluke. Their passing offence is explosive but the rest of the team remains suspect.At least they have the luxury of starting at home to the San Francisco 49ers, a team in the process of rebuilding
Brett Favre gets his Minnesota Vikings career underway against the Cleveland Browns, and while the Vikings are still adjusting to the veteran quarterback, they have one of the best defences and the game's leading rusher in Adrian Petersen to ease the transition. Houston Texans are the darkhorse contenders for Super Bowl despite never having a winning record in any season. They are at home to the New York Jets, who will start first round draft choice Mark Sanchez at quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts may not be as explosive as they used to be but if the Colts protect quarterback Peyton Manning then he and wide receiver Reggie Wayne should enjoy their outing against Jacksonville. The new quarterback Matt Cassel is about to learn it was a lot easier backing up Tom Brady in New England than playing in Kansas City. The Chiefs have a running back and not much else.
Which is bad news for them as the Baltimore Ravens, who they play today, have one of the most dominating and physical defences. Elsewhere, Dallas Cowboys still have problems but they are unlikely to show up at Tampa Bay. And the New Orleans Saints will go marching in and all over the Detroit Lions, who lost all 16 games last season. Tomorrow, Brady will start for the first time since the opening day of last season, as New England host the Buffalo Bills.
San Diego Chargers, the only elite team in the AFC West, can expect their 12th consecutive victory against the Oakland Raiders. rborges@thenational.ae
