Here was your best early game in the NFL:

Falcons 41, Steelers 38
Any other action still yet to be played in week seven is going to have a hard time topping this thriller. What an unbelievable game by Michael Vick, who was criticized all week (including by myself) for his open comments about how the team should pass more. Well, after Vick’s performance today, everybody’s comments can take a back seat for at least one week, because apparently the young man was right.

With this win, it appears that at least offensively, Atlanta has incredibly sprouted a balance on offense. It should be stated, however, that the Steelers dominated in the pass department as well. Before QB Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out of the game late in the third quarter (concussion), he was 16 of 22 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. On the day, Pittsburgh threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns against a pretty decent secondary for Atlanta.

Most impressed with: It’s got to be Vick, Hines Ward and Alge Crumpler. For the first time in his career, Vick threw for more than two touchdowns (four to be exact) and kept pace with the Steelers rapid scoring. He finished 18 of 30 for 232 yards and the four scores – three to Crumpler (6 catches for 117 yards). Hines Ward had an un-real day as well. Ward went off for 171 yards on eight receptions and three touchdowns. Ward seemed to be open on every pass.

Least impressed with: The secondary unit for the Falcons was abysmal and the Steelers discipline was horrible as well. DeAngelo Hall and Jason Webster will see the name Ward in their nightmares for years to come while Pittsburgh fumbled three times that led to three Falcon touchdowns. Plus, Pittsburgh had a false start penalty at the end of the game, which killed any attempt at a Jeff Reed game-winning field goal (the 10 second rule went into place, which ran off the rest of the game clock).

Quick Shots:
There were a ton of great games out of the early contests. Atlanta-Pittsburgh was out and out crazy, but how about Matt Bryant kicking a 62-yard field goal as time expires to give the Buccaneers a 23-21 victory over the Eagles? CB Ronde Barber takes two Donovan McNabb-interceptions back for touchdowns and all of a sudden, Tampa Bay is playing good football under rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. Philadelphia on the other hand, has crashed and burned since its win over Dallas a few weeks ago…Here’s another decent shocker: Kansas City trumps San Diego 30-27 on a game winning field goal by Lawrence Tynes. RB Larry Johnson chewed up 132 yards and two TDs against a usually stout Chargers defense. And Damon Huard (15 of 27 for 232 yards and two touchdowns) continues to give the Chiefs a chance to win with starter Trent Green out…The Patriots steamrolled over the Bills 28-6 on the weight of a two-touchdown day by RB Corey Dillon. QB Tom Brady was his usual cool and collected self in throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns as New England improves to 5-1…The Panthers built up a 14-7 lead heading into halftime, only to freeze in the second half and lose to the Bengals 17-14. QB Carson Palmer was 23 of 39 for 240 yards and two touchdowns while RB Rudi Johnson grounded out 101 yards on 26 carries. Nice day from WR Chad Johnson (6 catches for 73 yards) and T.J. Houshmanzadeh (7 catches for 61 yards) too…In the who cares game of the week – the Packers defeated the Dolphins 34-24. Now QB Brett Favre has thrown for a touchdown in every NFL city while Joey Harrington throws 4,000 passes for Miami. Harrington’s stat line was 33 of 62 for 414 yards and two touchdowns…How about the J.E.T.S, Jets, Jets, Jets! getting it done again on Sunday? New York topped Detroit 31-24 on the strength of a Leon Washington 129 yard day. The rookie from Florida State rushed for two scores while WR Jerricho Cotchery caught seven passes for 79 yards…What the hell is wrong with Jacksonville? The Jags are now 0-3 on the road after losing to the Texans 27-7. Let’s run that back: Houston crushed Jacksonville 27-7, crushed. And to add salt in the wounds for the Jaguars, Wali Lundy almost hit the century mark (93 yards and a touchdown) while QB David Carr threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Carr has had a really solid season thus far, but Wali Lundy? Injuries are starting to kill this Jacksonville team.

Don’t forget to check out my NFL Random Thoughts blog on Monday.