Week 1: A Changing Tide?

9/18/2006 - The champions fell to a tough Vikings squad, representing one of the five Week 1 losses by last year's playoff teams. St. Louis, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay were the only exceptions as the 2005 also-rans, led by a potential powerhouse Giants offense, managed a 5-3 mark for the week.

News & Notes

Important Gameplay Notes
9/18/2006 - Please remember that this is a head-to-head league guys. We had two games played using computer coaches in week one and I'm willing to cut some slack for now because I know most folks are in leagues that allow it. I also realize there is a new connection method that many, myself included, were not aware of. But going forward (starting this week), if you anticipate needing help, please make every effort to secure a backup coach before your game. There's always someone available.

Transactions Reporting
9/18/2006 - We're really starting to have some issue with sloppy reporting of cuts and claims. I've asked more than a few times for FIRST and LAST names for all players listed in any transaction but some guys are still not including them. It's really important to get the transactions right so until I feel that we've nipped this problem, I will not accept any transaction (cut, claim, trade) that does not include the POSITION plus FIRST and LAST NAMES of every player named (ie. RB Joe Blow). Thanks in advance for your continued efforts in helping us run things smoothly.

Champs Want to Deal
9/18/2006 - "I am looking for a 7 or better Safety with 5 durability. I have a lot of young WRs and DBs plus two old run stoppers at Tackle. I won’t mention the 4-8 draft picks because they are so exciting. I would prefer a younger guy. Send offers to mattelder@comcast.net. Andre Johnson, Trufant, Clements are not available." - Matt Elder

Game Recaps

KCC 16, DAL 10: Texas Stadium faithful expected much from a revamped Cowpokes roster but Chief wideout Chad Johnson's big day (5-133-1) was the difference as Kansas City bested Dallas on opening day. Cowboy OLB Adalius Thomas was the defensive standout with 10 tackles.

NYG 42, PIT 17: The New York Giants (1-0) flexed it's offensive might at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1), thanks to huge efforts from the triplets. RBs Tiki Barber (16-133-1) and Shawn Alexander (13-41-3) combined for 174 rushing yards and four touchdowns while WR Chris Chambers grabbed eight passes for 100 yards and a score.

IND 24, WAS 9: In a game pitting two of last year's playoff teams, the Colts rode into the nation's capital and embarrassed the Skins at FedEx Field. Indy forced new Washington QB Trent Green into four turnovers, ruining great efforts from RB Clinton Portis (20-115) and WR Donald River (9-121). Marvin Harrison ripped a talented Redskins secondary for 151 yards and a TD off of only four catches and OLB Lance Briggs was the defensive star with 10 tackles. Colt S Mike Brown also did major damage with 12 tackles.

MIN 30, HOU 17: Lamont Jordan (25-125-1) provided the ground attack and Santana Moss (5-142-1) was the best air option in Minnesota's opening week win over defending champion Houston. Texan RB Domanick Davis' 102 rushing yards were not enough for the champs this day.

DEN 35, PHI 25: Bronco fans enjoyed Week 1 as the home team oulasted last year's NFC champs. Philly got big games from ILB Andra Davis (13 tackles) and PK Joe Nedney (six field goals) but it was a dominating performance by Bronco QB Jake "The Snake" Plummer (19-27-303-2-3) and mate Terry Glenn (5-194-2) that sealed the deal.

CHI 38, CIN 10: A solid all-around effort for the Bears at Soldier Field, who outgained the visiting Bengals 384-233. QB Byron Leftwich posted 272 passing yards and two TDs in leading Chicago to 1-0.

STL 14, NEP 10: The Rams nailed down an important road win against one of last season's playoff squads. Steven Jackson led all rushers with 117 yards on 17 carries and ran one in for a score. New England managed five takeaways but couldn't make them count on the scoreboard.

TBB 28, OAK 16: Tampa Bay executed nearly flawlessly in carving up the Raiders this week. Drew Brees connected to seven different receivers for 267 yards on the day. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 90 yards and OLB Derrick Brooks led all defenders with 10 tackles.

Standings

NFC East           W  L  T   Pct   Pts   Ave   Opp   Ave  Diff    Home    Division Conference Internet
New York           1  0  0 1.000    42  42.0    17  17.0  25.0   1  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0
Tampa Bay          1  0  0 1.000    28  28.0    16  16.0  12.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0
Philadelphia       0  1  0  .000    25  25.0    35  35.0 -10.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0
Washington         0  1  0  .000     9   9.0    24  24.0 -15.0   0  1  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0

NFC West           W  L  T   Pct   Pts   Ave   Opp   Ave  Diff    Home    Division Conference Internet
Chicago            1  0  0 1.000    38  38.0    10  10.0  28.0   1  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0
St.Louis           1  0  0 1.000    14  14.0    10  10.0   4.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0
Minnesota          1  0  0 1.000    30  30.0    17  17.0  13.0   1  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0
Dallas             0  1  0  .000    10  10.0    16  16.0  -6.0   0  1  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0

AFC East           W  L  T   Pct   Pts   Ave   Opp   Ave  Diff    Home    Division Conference Internet
Indianapolis       1  0  0 1.000    24  24.0     9   9.0  15.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0
Cincinnati         0  1  0  .000    10  10.0    38  38.0 -28.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0
New England        0  1  0  .000    10  10.0    14  14.0  -4.0   0  1  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0
Pittsburgh         0  1  0  .000    17  17.0    42  42.0 -25.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0

AFC West           W  L  T   Pct   Pts   Ave   Opp   Ave  Diff    Home    Division Conference Internet
Denver             1  0  0 1.000    35  35.0    25  25.0  10.0   1  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0
Kansas City        1  0  0 1.000    16  16.0    10  10.0   6.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0
Houston            0  1  0  .000    17  17.0    30  30.0 -13.0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0
Oakland            0  1  0  .000    16  16.0    28  28.0 -12.0   0  1  0   0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0

Rushing Leaders
 Barber,T(NYG)   16-133  1 TD
 Jordan,L(MIN)   25-125  1 TD
 Jackson,S(STL)  17-117  1 TD
 Portis(WAS)     20-115
 Davis,D(HOU)    20-102
 Alexander(NYG)  13-41  3 TD

Receiving Leaders
 Glenn,T(DEN)     5-194  2 TD
 Harrison,M(IND)  4-151  1 TD
 Moss,S(MIN)      5-142  1 TD
 Johnson,C(KCC)   5-133  1 TD
 Driver(WAS)      9-121
 Chambers,C(NYG)  8-100  1 TD

Passing Leaders
 Plummer,J(DEN)  27-19-303   3 TD  2 Int

Defensive Standouts
 Thomas,A(DAL)    10 Tk
 Briggs(IND)      10 Tk
 Brown,M(IND)     12 Tk
 Davis,A(PHI)     13 Tk
 Brooks,D(TBB)    10 Tk

Special Teams
 Nedney(PHI)    6-7 FG

Transactions

Cuts
9/18/2006 DEN cut WR Darius Watts
9/18/2006 DAL cut RB Mike Karney
9/17/2006 NEP cut RB Patrick Pass
9/13/2006 PHI cut G Jermaine Mayberry
9/13/2006 CIN cut C Trey Teague
9/12/2006 STL cut TE Bubba Franks
9/12/2006 DAL cut RB Justin Griffith, T Kelly Butler, CB Dominique Foxworth, S Mike Doss, WR Brandon Jones, T Travelle Wharton
9/12/2006 MIN cut WR Vincent Jackson

Claims
9/18/2006 DEN signed WR Drew Carter
9/18/2006 DAL signed WR Bernard Berrian
9/17/2006 NEP signed RB Sammy Morris
9/13/2006 PHI signed CB Chris Carr
9/13/2006 CIN signed G Adam Timmerman
9/12/2006 STL signed TE Chris Baker
9/12/2006 DAL signed T Tony Pashos, WR Josh Reed, G Brandon Moore, CB Jason David, RB Mike Karney, TE Robert Royal
9/12/2006 MIN signed WR Jerricho Cotchery