Here's my quick review of everything we saw in Week 1 of the 2003 NFL season:
| TJ'S TOP 10 |
W-L |
TJ SAYS |
| 1. Bills |
2-0 |
Bills clicking on all cylinders.
|
| 2. Colts |
2-0 |
Tony Dungy's club Tennessee(d) the Titans.
|
| 3. Broncos |
2-0 |
Clinton Portis did plenty of damage before leaving.
|
| 4. Sehawaks |
2-0 |
Seahawks have outscored their foes a combined 65-10.
|
| 5. Panthers |
2-0 |
Gritty Panthers now talk of NFL after upset of Bucs.
|
| 6. Chiefs |
2-0 |
Chiefs can score any and every which way.
|
| 7. Bucs |
1-2 |
Play smash-mouth vs. Bucs and you can beat them.
|
| 8. Giants |
1-0 |
Getting ready to grill "The Tuna" on Monday night.
|
| 9. Vikings |
1-0 |
Looking to avoid letdown on Sunday night vs. Bears.
|
| 10. Redskins |
2-0 |
The "old ball coach" may have something going.
|
Offensive player of the week:
Offensive player of the week: Ravens running back Jamal Lewis. Nothing special for the clairvoyant Lewis, who mentioned he might break the NFL record for rushing in a game and proceeded to roll up 295 yards against the Browns.
Defensive player of the week:
Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas. Downgraded to questionable late this week, the all-star defender totaled 11 tackles in the much-needed win over the Jets.
Special teams player of the week:
Panthers. Blocked two field goals and a PAT on the final play of regulation to force overtime and kick returner Steve Smith set up the game-winning field goal in overtime with a 52-yard punt return.
Number of the week:
Seventeen and 19. That's the Rams running and passing plays, respectively, in the second half and overtime in the win over the Niners. Mike Martz ran the ball seven times in the first half, but ran eight times on the first possession of the second half.
Surprise of the week:
Redskins over Falcons. Young quarterback Patrick Ramsey and former Jet wide receiver Laveranues Coles are off to a good start as Steve Spurrier's club came all the way back from an early 17-0 hole.
Coaching move of the week:
Tony Dungy. Too many people have questioned the toughness of the Colts, but Indy got a huge effort from running back Edgerrin James and pushed around Tennessee's defense.
Rising this week:
Panthers. Those doubting how good the Panthers' defense and special teams are haven't been paying attention, but they certainly have the Buccaneers' attention.
Falling this week:
Eagles. Birds now have two weeks to think about their awful start. Problem is, their next game is at Buffalo.
Store it away:
Teams to duplicate what the Panthers did to the Bucs with a big back and a commitment to the run. Next up, the Falcons and burly RB T.J. Duckett.
Tom Jackson is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
