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.)

Rookie Joe Flacco outplayed Carson Palmer as the Baltimore Ravens topped AFC North rival Cincinnati 17-10. Flacco completed 15 of 29 passes for 129 yards while Palmer was just 10 of 25 for 99 yards and an interception.

• Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco was forced into the starting lineup due to injuries but rushed for the winning score and helped the Ravens outgain the Bengals 358-154 in total offense.
• Carson Palmer was held to 99 passing yards, only the third time in his career he has been held under 100 yards. He also didn’t have a TD pass for the 12th time in his career, three of those times coming at the hands of the Ravens.
• Baltimore improved to 12-4 at home against the AFC North since 2003.

Nice start for the 2008 rookie quarterback class as both Flacco and Matt Ryan earned victories in their debuts. Flacco was particularly impressive, even though the Ravens didn’t ask him to do too much. He was steady and didn’t make any mistakes, which is exactly what Baltimore needs from their rookie at the start of his career.

The Bengals only touchdown came from a 65-yard fumble recovery by Jonathan Joseph in the fourth quarter. Baltimore’s defense is still one of the best in the league, but it’s a little shocking that Cincy’s only touchdown came from its defense. Bengals’ running back Chris Perry rushed for only 37 yards on 18 carries, which is significant seeing as how longtime starter Rudi Johnson was recently cut to give Perry an opportunity to start.

Game Time: 4:15 PM ET on FOX
Spread: Cowboys –5.5

Game Preview:
Dallas enters the season as the perennial favorite to represent the NFC in the 2009 Super Bowl. QB Tony Romo, RB Marion Barber III, WR Terrell Owens and TE Jason Witten form one of the more explosive offenses in the league. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett proved last year that he’s an outstanding play caller and the Cowboys shouldn’t have issues putting points on the board on a weekly basis. The defense is also stacked and head coach Wade Phillips is one of the better 3-4 schemers in league.

Cleveland has high expectations after winning 10 games last season, but QB Derek Anderson has to prove that he wasn’t a one-year fluke and the offseason additions have to gel quickly on defense. Anderson certainly has enough playmakers around him to succeed, from TE Kellen Winslow Jr. to WR Braylon Edwards and RB Jamal Lewis. Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams were acquired in the offseason to help boost the defensive pass rush and hopefully take the pressure off a talented, but inexperienced secondary.

Outlook:
The Browns must get pressure on Romo like the Giants did in last year’s NFC Divisional Playoffs or else Garrett will keep Cleveland’s defense off balance all game. Stopping Barber and the Dallas’ run game will also be vital, but perhaps more important for the Browns is that they need to win the turnover and field position battles. They should be able to score points (even against a tough Dallas defense), but they don’t stand a chance if they can’t force a turnover or two without turning the ball over themselves. Lewis and returner Joshua Cribbs will be game-time decisions and if they can’t go, Cleveland’s defense will have to step up even more because the offense might struggle to stay balanced. Expect the Browns to double up Owens and take their chances with Patrick Crayton in one-on-one coverage. Keeping Witten from running down the seams will also be imperative, so safety Sean Jones might have a busy afternoon.

Prediction: Cowboys 30, Browns 21. The Cowboys have depth concerns, but they still have so many weapons that are healthy. Cleveland wasn’t particularly sharp in preseason either, although that rarely is a telltale sign on how a team will do in the regular season.

1.Peyton Manning’s bursa sac/Colts’ offensive line play without Jeff Saturday. Manning had a bursa sac removed in one of his knees and might not be 100% by Sunday night when the Colts take on the Bears. Saturday is dealing with his own knee problems and will miss up to the first six weeks of the season. Chicago blitzes well, so it’ll be interesting to see how Manning moves in the pocket and if his timing will be off in the first quarter or half.

2. Ricky Williams. The Dolphins host the Jets on Sunday, a team that didn’t play well against the run last year. Williams looked good in preseason and might be a candidate to win the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

3. Tom Brady’s foot. Does he have a broken bone in his foot or not? The Patriots won’t tell, but it should be obvious if Brady looks hampered. He practiced all week and was taken off New England’s injury report so all indications are that he’s healthy. The Chiefs’ secondary is weak, but they do have a decent pass rush and could give Brady and the Pats some trouble.

4. Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco’s debuts. Forget about previous history – the Falcons and Ravens don’t care. They’re starting rookie quarterbacks and they’re ready to sink or swim with their young signal callers. Neither rookie QB plays a tough defense on Sunday (Ryan and the Falcons host Detroit, while Flacco and the Ravens host the Bengals) so maybe they could build some confidence in their first career starts.

5. Shawne Merriman’s knee. Merriman will play with a brace for most if not all of the season because of ligament damage in one of his knees. One hit could end his season (and possibly his career), but assuming he stays upright it’ll be interesting to see how well he moves with a brace on.

Sunday’s Best: Cowboys at Browns, 4:15pm ET
Without a doubt, this is the best matchup on the Week 1 schedule. The Cowboys have the best overall talent in the NFC and the Browns are hoping to prove that 2007 wasn’t a fluke. It’ll be interesting to see how Derek Anderson plays after suffering a concussion in preseason. Some in Cleveland think Brady Quinn should be the starter and Romeo Crennel might feel the same way if Anderson struggles in the first couple of weeks. The Browns spent the offseason rebuilding their defense, especially on the line where they added former Lions’ DT Shaun Rogers and former Packers’ end Corey Williams. The Browns defense will need to get pressure throughout the game or else Tony Romo and his plethora of weapons could pick apart a young, inexperienced Cleveland secondary. Dallas is a 6-point road favorite.

Upset Watch: Texans at Steelers, 1:00pm ET
The Steelers have been one of the toughest teams to beat at home over the years. But their offensive line is a huge question mark this season and the Texans have built one of the better pass-rushing lines in the AFC. If the front seven can stop Willie Parker and the rest of the Steelers’ running game, youngsters Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye might be able to get a good push and put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh defense will still be tough to score on (especially if Houston has no running game), but Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are healthy and they could strike for some big plays. Even if they don’t win the Texans should be able to keep the game close throughout. Pittsburgh is a 6.5-point favorite.

Intriguing Matchup: Jets at Dolphins, 1:00pm ET
Brett Favre makes his Jets’ debut while Chad Pennington looks to exact revenge on his former team. The Jets are legitimate playoff contenders now with Favre under center, but it’ll be interesting to see if all the offseason shenanigans took their toll on the former Packer great. The Dolphins are void of talent on defense and if Jets’ RB Thomas Jones can get going in the running game and keep New York balanced offensively, Favre might torch Miami’s secondary. The Jets are currently 3-point road favorites.

Other Notable Games:
Jaguars at Titans, 1:00pm ET
Can the Jaguars put their recent off field troubles behind them and prove that they’re Super Bowl contenders?

Bears at Colts, 8:15pm ET
It’s a Super Bowl rematch as the Colts open up their new home digs. Is Peyton Manning healthy?

Bucs at Saints, 1:00pm ET
These two teams might battle it out all season for the NFC South crown.