Five Things We've Learned from NFL Week 1

photo via ca.ibtimes.com

These are 5 things we've learned after Week 1 of the 2011-12 National Football League season:

#5 - The Buffalo Bills look like they'll be a competitive team this season:

Incumbent starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is continuing to display great leadership skills for this squad, and he has them starting the season with a lot of confidence.  Sure, it is only the first game of the year, but I like how the franchise made a commitment to sticking with Fitzpatrick, as they did not draft a quarterback to compete for his job this season.

Fitz completed 17 of 25 passes for 205 and 4 touchdowns, for a whopping 133.0 Passer Rating* as the Bills went into Kansas City and spanked the Chiefs 41-7.

Remember, people .... Fitzpatrick did throw for (exactly) 3,000 yards last season.

Fred Jackson also looks like he's a great every-down running back, plus an electrifying playmaker like CJ Spiller could make this Bills squad a team to watch this season.

Or not.

#4 - The Indianapolis Colts are completely lost without Peyton Manning:

Their season-opening 34-7 loss at the hands of the Houston Texans proved just how valuable he is to his team.

And it looks like they'll continue to be without him for a significant portion of their season after Manning underwent neck surgery earlier this month.

I predict this will open the door for the Texans to not only make the playoffs for the first time in their franchise history, but they very well could win the AFC South division title in the process.

#3 - Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton is the Real Deal:

Now we know that his Week 1 performance came against a weak Arizona Cardinals defense, but no one expected Newton (pictured) to go off the way he did.

The rookie completing 24 of 37 passes for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns, for a QB Passer Rating* of 110.7.

*And by the way, here's how they come up with that statistic:

where

ATT = Number of passing attempts

COMP = Number of completions

YARDS = Passing yards

TD = Touchdown passes

INT = Interceptions

Then, the above calculations are used to complete the passer rating:

where mm(x) = max(0,min(x,2.375))

#2 - The Green Bay Packers are showing no signs of slowing down:

With an impressive 42-34 victory over the New Orleans Saints in last Thursday's season opener, the Packers gave every indication that they should again be considered a Super Bowl contender.

And with key players like TE Jermichael Finley and RB Ryan Grant back after missing most of last year with injuries, there is no reason to think that this team has regressed.

And finally....

#1 - Last weekend's NFL Television Rating were through the roof, showing that fans are happy that Football is Back:

Despite the lockout that jeopardized the start of this season, NFL fans have shown their gratitude to the players and owners for resolving their issues.

Stadiums were sold out around the league, and the weekend television ratings were off the charts.

Football has become America's sport, so with the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 coinciding with the season opening weekend, a strong sense of nationalism was felt across the country.

Pigskin Fans unite .... The National Football League has returned.

Enjoy the Season!

-Turnbull