Week 1 in NFL: Championship up for grabs

Itʼs never easy to predict the outcome of an NFL season after only one week, but a few teams usually break ahead of the pack. This year is different. There isnʼt a single team that seems likely to cruise through the regular season.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) is out for the rest of the season with a left knee injury that will require surgery, while Jets quarterback Brett Favre (right) led gang green to a 20-14 win over Miami in his debut for the New York team.

The preseason favorite New England Patriots suffered a major blow when Tom Brady went down in the very first quarter. Last yearʼs MVP will miss the entire season! Although they still have plenty of weapons, the Pats find themselves in a deep hole. Their best player is gone and their division rivals (the New York Jets) are looking to make a playoff run behind their new QB, Brett Favre. Read more after the jump.

The Dallas Cowboys are poised to reach the Super Bowl, but their journey to the top wonʼt be easy. Despite skill and depth at every position, the Cowboys are competing in the leagueʼs toughest division, NFC East. Theyʼll have to beat out the red-hot Eagles as well as last yearʼs Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants. Who else is there? The Indianapolis Colts were beaten convincingly by the Chicago Bears and the much-hyped San Diego Chargers fell to the Carolina Panthers in a nail biter. And did I mention the fact that their best defender, Shawne Merriman, will miss the rest of the season?

The preseason picks are now out the window. The 2008 season is full of question marks. I canʼt even pick four teams I truly believe will make the playoffs. Donʼt be shocked to see another Cinderella team crowned NFL champion. -Matan Cohen, Special to Bobby v. the World