WHAT’S UP: AFC
Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and everything you thought you knew about the AFC is now irrelevant.
All of a sudden Brett Favre and the Jets look like they can compete for more than just a spot in the playoffs after a 20-14 win over the Dolphins in Miami.
The Patriots lost all-everything quarterback Tom Brady for the season and now turn to Matt Cassel, who has not started a game since high school. He was a third-string quarterback at USC and was relegated to backup duties behind Brady, who had made 128 consecutive starts for the Patriots.
At least the Patriots won, holding on for a 17-10 victory over the Chiefs. The same cannot be said about the other AFC favorites: the Colts and Chargers. The Colts were trampled by the Bears in the opening of their new stadium. The 29-13 defeat came at the hands of a Chicago team few thought would qualify for the playoffs and were led by the daunting duo of Kyle Orton and Matt Forte. The Colts also suffered injuries to running back Joseph Addai and tight end Dallas Clark.
The Chargers started the season at home and an easy win was anticipated against the Panthers, who were playing without their best player, wide receiver Steve Smith. It was a back-and-forth game that was decided on the game’s final play when Jake Delhomme hit Dante Rosario in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown to give the Panthers for a 26-24 win.
The Jets were expected to be playoff contenders after the acquisition of Favre, but after Sunday’s shocking turn of events they have to be mentioned among the favorites to win the AFC.
Gang Green will get the first shot at new-look New England when Cassel and the Patriots come to the Meadowlands for a showdown with the Jets.
