NFL Week 1

Wow did the NFL make a heckuva debut on Thursday! A record setting and record tying performance by Peyton Manning who became the first QB in 44 years to throw 7 TD passes in a game. Not since Joe Kapp did it in 1969. Only 5 other QBs in NFL history have thrown for 7 TDs in a game. There was Kapp who played for the Vikings, Y A Tittle in 1962 for the NY Giants, George Blanda in 1961 for the Houston Oilers, Sid Luckman in 1943 for the Chicago Bears and Adrian Burk in 1954 for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Manning also tied for most career 4-TD games (23), tied the record for most 5-TD games (7), set the record for most 6-TD games and tied the record for most 7-TD games as mentioned before. Manning is on pace to throw 112 TDs in 2013. Now, that's not reasonable but the addition of Wes Welker has already paid big dividends His 9 catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs kept the chains moving all night. It also seems that there is a new TE star in the making in Julius Thomas who had 5 catches for 110 yds and 2 TDs. The Broncos could have done even more damage had Eric Decker not dropped so many passes. If memory serves he dropped at least 4 ball and was targeted almost as much as Welker. Besides Decker's bad night another surprise was that Knowshawn Moreno started and got most of the snaps. He had the most carries on the night for Denver with 9 for 28 yds and he added 3 catches for 37 yds. Everyone expected Ronnie Hillman or Montee Ball to lead the way for Denver's running game but it was Moreno's experience and the fact he is a better blocker in pass protection that the other backs that won him the starting nod. As a fantasy option, at least last night he is barely a flex option.

Neither team, the Broncos or the Ravens ran the ball well at all. Both defenses were solid there but the Broncos did give up 362 yards passing to Joe Flacco with 2 TDs but Denver did have 2 picks as well. Despite the fact that Baltimore passed for so many yards you could not exactly say Flacco was sharp at all. Despite some ugly plays both teams managed to play an entertaining game and despite a 40 minute delay to start the game due to a severe thunderstorm in the area it was a nice beginning to the new season. Especially if you had Peyton Manning, DeMaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker, Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith or Dallas Clark on your fantasy team.

The most important thing about this weekend is, without a doubt, the beginning of the NFL in 2013. We were treated to an entertaining and history making game on Thursday we have a whole smorgasbord of drama, intrigue and excitement in store on Sunday and on Monday night. Now I know you probably had to set your lineups for this week's games by game time on Thursday but if you have an opportunity to alter your lineups here's my top ten QB, RB, WR plays by matchup this week.

Top 10 QB's
1. Tom Brady - Should pass all over Buffalo
2. Drew Brees - Looks like a shoot out with Atlanta
3. Matt Ryan - See No. 2
4. RGIII - The big thing here is RGIII's talent vs Philly's lousy defense.
5. Aaron Rodgers - He'll have to throw facing the stout D of the 49ers.
6. Tony Romo - Looking to break the Giants hold in games in the "Death Star"
7. Colin Kaepernick- I'm worried about his production with so many WR's hurt.
8. Russell Wilson - Carolina's D is better and the Seahawks don't play as well away from Seattle.
9. Matthew Stafford - Reggie Bush is the wild card for Detroit and they're at home.
10. Michael Vick - Tough choice here but I'm thinking Chip Kelly and Vick are going to be a good match.

Top 10 RB's
1. Adrian Peterson - You just can't bet against AP--ever.
2. Arian Foster - Word is AF is looking great in practice and he's 100% ready to go against a iffy San Diego defense.
3. Marshawn Lynch - Carolina is better but "skittles" will still run all over the Panthers.
4. Jamaal Charles - Andy Reid is great for RB's and Charles should flourish just like LeSean McCoy did in Philly.
5. C J Spiller - The Patriots will have to deal with a back whose coach claimed "he will run until he pukes".
6. Maurice Jones-Drew - Word is Jones-Drew is back in peak form and healthy.
7. Alfred Morris - Again, Philly's suspect defense along with protecting RGIII will make Morris a must play.
8. Freank Gore - Green Bay has drafted a lot of defense the past two years but they still struggle vs the run.
9. Matt Forte - He looked fast and quick in preseason.
10. Reggie Bush - The Lions haven't had weapon like Bush since Barry Sanders retired.

Top 10 WR's
1. Calvin Johnson - Megatron will torch the Vikes secondary.
2. Dez Bryant - The connection between Romo and Bryant is becoming telepathic.
3. Julio Jones - The Saints D has to watch too many Atlanta weapons as Jones emerges from Roddy White's shadow.
4. Reggie Wayne - Andrew Luck's taken up where Peyton Manning left off throwing the rock to Wayne.
5. A J Green - Cincy's best player will make an impact against a revamped Chicago D.
6. Brandon Marshall - Jay Cutlers favorite target will get plenty of targets vs Cincy.
7. Pierre Garcon - RGIII's favorite target until he got hurt last year. Looking for big things from Garcon if he stays healthy.
8. DeSean Jackson - Like Shady McCoy, Jackson should explode in Chip Kelly's hurry up offense.
9. Andre Johnson - With Foster and DeAndre Hopkins and the other weapons Houston has what is stopping Johnson? Nothing, certainly not San Diego's defense.
10. Randall Cobb - It will be tough going against the Niners but Cobb is the main target for Aaron Rodgers these days.

There are plenty of players who I feel will be facing favorable matchups. If you agree/disagree I love the feedback.
5. Tony Romo - Romo is looking break the Giants win streak at the "Death Star".