Something is Different...

I've noticed a few key (awesome) differences in the NFL this year:

1. Remember the Titans? Yeah, 0-6 last year and 1-0 to start this year. Might be too soon to call Vince Young a pro-bowl QB but the combination of his passing with the self-proclaimed best RB in the NFL Chris Johnson, this team is looking at a bright future. Though it should be noted that their schedule is no walk in the park. In fact, it's probably one of the toughest any team has to face this season.

2. Think the Colts will go 16-0? I don't! And I don't need to wait until there's two weeks in the season for everyone else to believe me this time. Last year I said it every week: "The Colts WON'T WIN every GAME!" This year, I can just point to their week 1 loss against the Texans. I knew Houston would do it. Nothing is more dangerous than a team with something to prove (just ask New England).

3. Close call for the Pats? Maybe during last year's eye opener against the Bills, when Tom Brady's 4th quarter heroics helped NE barely escape with a win. A game against the Bills should never go to the 4th quarter (unless you're Miami today). This year, this game was over before the second half had even started and the Patriots rolled to a victory. By the way, hello defense.

4. Return of the run? Last season was a pass-dominated, offensively charged season for the NFL. Today, I saw a lot of game breaking plays/players in the run game. The walk-off win for the Steelers on a running play. Not to mention Arian Foster and his 231 yards on the ground.

5. New faces, new places, new era football? There were certainly a lot of debuts today for new players in new uniforms. McNabb got his first taste of the poor receiving core in Washington tonight but pulled off a win. Bradford threw 50+ passes in a sloppy loss to the Cardinals in his debut. And T.O. was a virtual non-factor who played in the shadow of his new best friend Ochocinco. Maybe he would have had a better day if he had stayed in the game during the last play of the second quarter instead of calling it quits early and heading to the lockerroom.

Boy I am loving the NFL this year. Sometimes change is good.