Game of the Day: Broncos 12 - Bengals 7

     What you need to know: If you just scanned the bottom of the television or computer screen for the scores, you didn’t do yourself justice. Denver wide receiver Brandon Stokley’s catch of a deflected pass led to one of the greatest finishes in a regular season game. ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson points out that the catch was a historic one. Bronco fans are giddy and it’s not because of the altitude.

      Drew Brees made it look very easy against the Lions. The Saints quarterback tied a team single-game record with six touchdown passes and threw for 358. The loss extended Detroit’s regular-season losing streak to 18 games. Lions’ rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t look out of place leading two touchdown drives, one of which he finished on a keeper.    

     What you need to know:  Five different Saints had receiving touchdowns. That included Jeremy Shockey, who caught two of Brees’ bullets. Shockey caught zero touchdowns last year. 

     Is it possible the Cowboys are a better team WITHOUT Terrell Owens? If one week is an indicator, it sure seems that way. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw for three touchdowns, one of which was an 80-yard strike to Patrick Crayton, in the victory.

     What you need to know: Neither team had a turnover in the contest, which is welcome news considering the changes in personnel on the Tampa side.

    The Giants lived up to their mantra over the last two years: run the ball effectively and play solid defense. Giants coach Tom Coughlin should be satisfied. The big story going into the game was how Eli Manning would do without Plaxico Burress. He was fine, distributing the ball to wide receivers Steve Smith and Mario Manningham effectively.

    What you need to know: The Giants defense allowed only 85 yards rushing.

    In a game where the Eagles’ defense should have received most of the press, it was Donovan McNabb’s rib that was getting the attention. The Eagles’ signal caller fractured a rib on a touchdown run during Philly’s drubbing of the Panthers, making for some murky waters in preparation for the Saints in week two. 

    What you need to know: Panthers’ quarterbacks passed for 138 yards and 5 interceptions. 

    The debut of Rams’ head coach Steve Spagnuolo did not impress the Seahawks. The former Giants defensive coordinator saw his team torched for 446 yards as Seattle’s rolled under its new head coach, Jim Mora. 

     What you need to know: St. Louis has scored 16 or fewer points in 13 of its last 17 games and has lost 11 straight games, according to ESPN.

    Manhattan Mark Sanchez had a nice little chat with Broadway Joe Namath prior to the game; Sanchez played a game worthy of a Times Square billboard. The first-round pick threw for 272 yards and a touchdown to Chansi Stuckey in the Jets victory. 

     What you need to know: The Jets defense allowed 183 total yards, improving to 4-0 all time versus Houston.

    The 49ers were unfazed by the Cardinals’ NFC Championship banner hanging in the rafters of University of Phoenix Stadium. After going three-and-out on five of their six possessions in the second half, 49ers’ quarterback Shaun Hill guided a 15 play, 80-yard drive, which was capped by a 3-yard touchdown pass to Frank Gore.

     What you need to know: Cardinals running back Tim Hightower was the leading receiver for Phoenix with 121 yards.

    Brett Favre’s debut in purple and gold wasn’t one for the history books, but if every game ends like this, Vikings fans will be thrilled. Favre threw for only 110 yards and a touchdown; but he saved his best work for running back Adrian Peterson. The All-Pro carried the ball 25 times and rushed for 3 touchdowns to help pace the Minnesota attack.

    What you need to know: Eight Cleveland wideouts had 10 yards or more receiving.

    Over the years, Baltimore has been well known for their defensive prowess. On Sunday, the offense made some headway. The Ravens’ put up 501 total yards, with quarterback Joe Flacco accounting for 301 yards. The score is a little misleading, since the Chiefs were only trailing by three entering the fourth quarter. Brodie Croyle filled in for injured starter Matt Cassel and tossed two touchdowns.

    What you need to know:  Croyle is 0-9 as a starter.

    Perhaps “Manning to Wayne” will be the new mantra in Indianapolis. The Colts wide receiver caught ten passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in the win. Indy’s improved defense showed late in the game when they continually forced Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard into some poor throws and a four-and-out at the end of the game. 

    What you need to know:  According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez strained a knee ligament and will miss two to six weeks.

     Tony Gonzalez knows how to make a good first impression. He led all receivers with 73 yards and caught a touchdown in Atlanta’s victory over Miami. Matt Ryan was solid in passing for 229 yards and two scores (Gonzalez and Ovie Mughelli). The Dolphins, meanwhile, turned over the football four times which led to ten Falcons points.

     What you need to know:  Falcons kicker Jason Elam missed two field goals and one extra point.

     There was a certain former Packers quarterback that had these last-minute drives down pretty well. Now, Aaron Rodgers has one of his own. The second-year starter led the Packers to a comeback victory with a 50-yard strike to Greg Jennings with 1:11 remaining in the game.   

    Meanwhile, the Bears’ Super Bowl chances with new quarterback Jay Cutler and an already solid defense anchored by Brian Urlacher took a hit. Urlacher left the game in the third quarter with a broken wrist that will now sideline him for the season. Cutler, meanwhile, threw a career worst four interceptions.

     What you need to know: Rodgers was sacked four times and hit nine times by the Bears defense.

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