Here is a recap of an interesting start to the NFL season. What is most important in viewing these games is to remember that this is just the first week of the season and try not to get too carried away with one team’s success or failure.

With that said, however, there were some great performances turned in by some teams that should get recognition:

St. Louis 18, Denver 10
This was by far the most impressive win of the day, but how surprised can we be at a team with a lot of offensive weapons winning its home opener?

Beating a team who went to the AFC Championship last year – that’s how.

Most impressed with: The Rams defensive who recorded five turnovers and never let the Broncos get started today.

Least impressed with: I thought Jake Plummer was a changed man? I thought he was ready to hold off the rookie and prove to everybody that the AFC Championship loss to the Steelers last season was a fluke?

Plummer threw three interceptions and killed drives for Denver all day.

Atlanta 20, Carolina 6
Nice start to the season by a team that most people (including myself) have going to the Super Bowl this season. I realize that Steve Smith didn’t play today by neither did any of the rest of the Panthers. Carolina never entered the red zone all game and got shredded by Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood and Michael Vick on the ground (252 total rushing yards by the Falcons).

Most impressed with: Atlanta’s defense, mainly John Abraham who showed the Falcons he is worth every penny they spent his offseason to acquire his services from the Jets. Two sacks, two forced fumbles and he officially made Jake Delhomme wet himself on sidelines at least four times during the course of the game.

Least impressed with: Keyshawn Johnson, who told FOX’s sideline reporter Jay Glazer that he was going to quote, “physically abuse (cornerback) DeAngelo Hall today”. Johnson finished with four catches for 40 yards, but only one catch for 10 yards against Hall. Maybe you should shut your mouth and play Keyshawn – then talk trash.

Baltimore 27, Tampa Bay 0
Whoa, ho, ho – Tampa Bay got plastered today! This game wasn’t even as close as the 27-0 score indicated. The Ravens went up and down the field all day against the Buccaneers.

Most impressed with: Baltimore’ s offense, which scored two TDs on its first three drives and showed something resembling a scoring threat to go with that dominant defense that the Ravens have. Steve McNair was 17 of 27 for 181 yards and Jamal Lewis ran with some purpose today (78-yards on 18 carries and one touchdown).

Least impressed with: Chris Simms, who was picked off three times and proved that the one year contract that the Bucs grudgingly gave him was no mistake. Cadillac Williams was suffocated all day and finished with only 22 yards on the ground.

Jacksonville 24, Dallas 17
Chalk me up for one person who thought that the Jaguars were beneficiaries of a weak schedule last year and that they would collapse eventually this season. They still might, but Jacksonville’s defense looked as good as advertised against a potent Cowboys offense today. The Jags secondary held Terrell Owens to four catches and only 45 yards receiving.

Most impressed with: I’ll go with Byron Leftwich, because I already figured the Jaguars defense was good. Leftwich got the ball into the hands of five different receivers and even scored a rushing touchdown. He was only sacked one time as well, which is equally impressive given Dallas’ talented front seven.

Least impressed with: If Tony Romo was sneaking behind Drew Bledsoe before this game, Romo is now standing on his toes after Bledsoe’s three interception day – including a pick to end the game. There is no excuse for Bledsoe this season given the weapons he has to throw to and he doesn’t have the luxury to say ‘it’s only week one,’ considering Bill Parcells is itching to start Romo.

Quick Shots:
What a game by Chicago. For a team that had so many question marks on offense coming into the season to beat the Packers 26-0 on the road is impressive – I don’t care how good the Bears defense is. Brett Favre was shut out for the first time in his career and was picked off twice…Everybody figured that the Saints would get the ball into Reggie Bush’s hands and for one week, everybody is a genius. Bush finished with 141-total yards in New Orleans’ 19-14 win over Cleveland…Seattle looks bad on the road again, but the Seahawks did secure a 9-6 win over the Lions on a last second field goal by Josh Brown. Detroit deserves a lot of credit for holding Shaun Alexander to under 51 rushing yards, however, and many people better wake up to the Lions potential this season…J.E.T.S, Jets, Jets, Jets! New York goes on the road and beats a pretty underrated Titans defense in 23-16. Titans QB Kerry Collins couldn’t convert on a fourth-and-goal from the Jets four-yard line at the end of the game and Jets QB Chad Pennington (someone I referred to as noodle-arm this offseason) threw for two touchdowns and 319-yards…After a slow start in Houston, Donovan McNabb and the Eagles finally got the offense going in a 24-10 victory over the Texans. McNabb hooked up with the newly acquired Donte’ Stallworth on Philly’s first touchdown of the season and managed to hook up with the former Saint five more times for 141 total yards…New England looked far from impressive at home against the Bills, but did come back against Buffalo to win 19-17. Tom Brady had two touchdowns and rookie Lawrence Marnoey rushed for 86 yards on 17 carries…San Francisco might be better on offense than I initially thought (welcome to the NFL Vernon Davis) and Arizona might be worse on defense than I initially thought. One thing is for certain, however, and that is that the Cardinals passing attack is right on schedule: Kurt Warner threw for 300-plus yards and three scores… Finally, a scary site in Kansas City as quarterback Trent Green took a shoulder to the helmet on a scramble in the Bengals 23-10 victory over the Chiefs. Green’s head snapped back hard on the ground and was taken off the field in a stretcher. When he finally regained conciseness, he didn’t even remember the hit. Carson Palmer was held without a touchdown and Larry Johnson was also shut out for the Chiefs. Johnson finished with just 68 yards on the ground, but Cincinnati’s Rudi Johnson scored once and provided a workhouse effort for the Bengals with 96 yards on the ground.