What to Make of Week 1

Monday 9/14/09 - Len

Week 1 of the NFL Season is in the books, and from what I can gather, New York is ready for some football!

The New York Giants began 2009 in typical New York style- controlling the football and executing on defense en route to a 23-17 win over the Redskins.

Many people who may not have watched the game must think it was a close one, but the scoreboard does this contest no justice. Jason Campbell connected with TE Chris Cooley for a TD late in the fourth quarter, and the other Redskins TD came on a field goal fake. Punter Hunter Smith walked into the endzone and a brazen play by Jim Zorn looked ingenius.

Eli Manning controlled the tempo of the game and the much-critiqued WR core looked good. Mario Manningham contributed a TD score and Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith came up big for Big Blue. Unfortunately, the Giants lost rookie Hakeem Nicks for at least two weeks with a sprained left foot.

The Giants defense looked great, swarming Jason Campbell and getting to Clinton Portis in the 2nd half. The game's highlight was Osi Umenyiora's Force Fumble, resulting in a Scoop and Score. It ended up being the difference maker, and the G-Men are 1-0 and primed for their Sunday night matchup in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys.

The biggest story in New York on Monday wasn't the Giants game though, but instead the 24-7 romping the Jets handed the Houston Texans. Rex Ryan's coaching debut provided a defensive shut-out (the lone Texans touchdown happened on an INT return). David Harris, Bart Scott, and the rest of Gang Green looked good- real good. In my opinion the Defensive MVP on Sunday was cornerback Darrell Revis, who kept Pro-Bowl WR Andre Johnson in check.

On the offensive side of the football, Mark Sanchez looked like he was still donning the crimson and gold. He looked like a veteran out there, controlling the offense and executing up and down the field. His lone hiccup was the INT, but it was on a deflection.

The Jets also face a tough test in week 2, when they will be hosting Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at Giants Stadium.