After adding quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and explosive running back Darren McFadden in the first round this past April, many pundits were high on the Raiders entering the season. It also helped that the team re-signed DL Tommy Kelly and added Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall and S Gibril Wilson.

But after Oakland was smacked 41-14 by division rival Denver on Monday night, it’s painfully obviously the Raiders are still a year or two away from competing.

Russell (17 of 26, 180 yards, 2 TDs) was under constant pressure and although his final numbers looked good, the Broncos never allowed him to get into a rhythm. McFadden chipped in with 46 yards on nine carries, but the Raiders fell behind so quickly that it was hard to stick with the run.

Perhaps the most staggering thing from the game was how bad Oakland’s defense looked. The front seven couldn’t generate any pass rush and Denver quarterback Jay Cutler completely picked apart the Raiders’ secondary, which was supposed to be a strength. Hall was absolutely abused by rookie receiver Eddie Royal, who amassed nine receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown. At one point Mike Dikta (who was in the announcers’ booth) said, “Hall wants no part of Eddie Royal,� and Da Coach was right. The Raiders gave up multiple draft picks in the offseason to acquire Hall and pair him with Pro Bowler Nnamdi Asomugha, but all the team got from him Monday night was multiple personal foul penalties and crap coverage.

While the Raiders still look a ways awhile, Cutler and the Broncos were outstanding. The defense was relentless, Royal and Cutler were outstanding and the running game was once again effective. Denver will get a great test next weekend when they host division rival San Diego. (A pissed off San Diego, that is.)

Below are snippets of all the Week 1 action in the NFL. For more analysis and discussion on each game, click on the links provided.

- Tom Brady was knocked out of the Patriots’ 17-10 win over the Chiefs. It’s unclear at this point the severity of Brady’s injury, and whether or not he’ll be able to play next week.

- Michael Turner rushed for 220 yards and Matt Ryan won his NFL debut as the Falcons crushed the Lions 34-21.

- The Bills won their home opener 34-10 over Seattle, holding the Seahawks to only 85 yards on the ground.

- The Titans intercepted Jaguars’ quarterback David Garrard twice and sacked him seven times in their 17-10 victory. Quarterback Vince Young left the game with a sprained left knee.

- Brett Favre won his Jets’ debut as New York beat the Dolphins 20-14. Thomas Jones also rushed for 101 yards.

- The Saints rallied to beat NFC South rival Tampa Bay 24-20. Drew Brees threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns.

- The Eagles blasted the Rams 38-3 as Donovan McNabb threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Philly’s defense held St. Louis to only 166 total yards.

- The Steelers built a 35-3 lead on their way to a 38-17 rout of the Texans. Willie Parker bounced back from a season ending knee injury last year, rushing for 138 yards.

- Joe Flacco won his NFL debut as the Ravens topped the Bengals 17-10. Cincinnati failed to score an offensive touchdown as Carson Palmer was held to under 100 yards passing.

- Tony Romo picked apart the Browns’ secondary for 320 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 28-10 win. Marion Barber and rookie Felix Jones also combined for 142 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

- Jake Delhomme found Dante Rosario on a 14-yard touchdown pass as timed expired in the Panthers’ 26-24 win over the Chargers. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 97 yards, but Carolina kept him out of the end zone.

- Kurt Warner passed for 197 yards and a touchdown as the Cardinals topped the 49ers 23-13. Anquan Boldin caught eight passes for 82 yards.

- The Bears spoiled the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium, dominating the Colts 29-13 on Sunday Night Football. Rookie running back Matt Forte rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown.

- In the Thursday Night Game, the defending Super Bowl champion Giants beat division rival Washington 16-7. Brandon Jacobs rushed for 116 yards on 21 carries.

Here are some fantasy observations from Sunday’s games. I indicated the games I actually watched with an asterisk.

Lions 21 @ Falcons 34
Holy Michael Turner, Batman! The Falcons’ prized free agent rushed for 220 yards on 22 carries and scored twice. Turner owners should be pleased, but keep your expectations in check – he was playing against the Lions…Matt Ryan had a decent day, but only threw 13 passes since Atlanta was so far ahead. He did connect with Michael Jenkins for a long TD early in the game…Roddy White had only two catches, but made them count for 54 yards. This was kind of a disappointing day considering the opponent…Jerious Norwood turned 16 touches into 99 yards and a score…Jon Kitna got off to a slow start but finished with 262 yards, two TD and a pick. Expect Kitna’s second half numbers to outweigh his first half numbers as the Lions will be throwing more late in games as they try to catch up…Calvin Johnson (7-107) had a nice day and Roy Williams (3-47-1) got off to a slow start but finally scored in the second half…Kevin Smith turned 20 touches into 80 yards and a TD. Not a bad day for the rookie…Rudi Johnson only had three carries, so it looks like Smith is the main guy for now.

Bengals 10 @ Ravens 17
Willis McGahee was active, but didn’t have a carry in the game. Ray Rice turned 22 touches into 83 yards, which included three catches for 19 yards…Joe Flacco finished with decent numbers (129 passing yards, 1 rush TD) and Mark Clayton (3-21) had a 42-yard rush TD on a reverse…The Bengals offense was brutal. Carson Palmer threw for only 99 yards and a pick…T.J. Houshmandzadeh (3-44) and Chad Ocho Cinco (1-22) were both quiet, and Chris Perry turned 19 touches into just 42 yards…With all the firepower they have on that offense, there’s no reason they should be putting up such poor numbers.