What the NFL taught me this week...

1. The Eagles are good, but not as good as I thought.

• Yes, they beat a resurgent Rams team that is better than last year. Yes, the offense was hitting on most cylinders. Yes, they did put 31 points on the board. But the bottom line is, the Rams don't have a good defense, and although it seemed improved with key additions, neither do the Eagles. (and they need to answer some questions on the OL)

2. Atlanta will not be the number 1 seed this season.

• The sub-par performance against the Bears speaks for itself. For a team with 2 of the most explosive WR, they had better figure out how to put Matty Ice in a position to take advantage of it.

3. The Cowboys are actually good.

• If they could just figure out a way to get Witten off the line, off the block, and into the endzone, they should actually compete for a playoff spot.

4. Houston is a playoff team.

• They have been for the last 2 years, but an Indy team without Payton, is an AFC championship game with the Texans.

5. Pittsburgh, really?

• I mean... really?

6. The Bears aren't as bad as everyone thought.

• Still not sure what they have, but I do know that they look good. The defense, monsters, the offense, efficient. If Jay can continue to make good decisions, and the OL can stop making as many mistakes, the Bears have a shot at the Wildcard.

7. The NFC North is the best division in the NFL right now.

• With the NFC Champion, and the Super Bowl Champion last year coming from the North division, this division looks scary. The Packers, are once again dominant, dismantling the Saints in the season opener. The Bears are stout, and Detroit is a team to be reckoned with this year with an incredible DL, and a very good QB as long as he's healthy. And even the lowly Vikings were a tough loss. Look out NFC, get ready to battle

All in all it was a great opening week for Football, and they did an excellent job paying homage, but not overshadowing September 11th.

On to next week, and more surprises. But that's football.