Like father, like son
Rex Ryan is not going to be good for offenses. Just like his dad, Buddy, wasn't. Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez had all day to get himself acclimated to the NFL because, the Houston Texans weren’t going to score more than 10 points on the Jets defense if they stayed out there until Tuesday.

And we’re talking about a Houston offense playing at home with some of the most ballyhooed talent in the league. Andre Johnson? One catch for 10 yards midway through the third (finished with 4 for 35). Running back Steve Slaton (9 carries, 17 yards, thanks for coming). Matt Schaub? Didn’t look real interested in holding the ball long enough to scan downfield.

All of which made it possible for Sanchez to ease into his first start and look pretty good, going 18 for 31 for 272 yards with a pick and a touchdown.

Losing Nicks not end for Giants
The Giants have to hate losing first-round receiver Hakeem Nicks to a foot sprain, but it isn’t quite the crotch-kick it would have been later in the season had he and Eli Manning developed a better rapport.

As it stands now, Manning looks like he’s got a good thing going with Steve Smith and Mario Manningham. This No. 1 receiver stuff people always spout? Overrated. You need multiple decent ones, not one exceptional one and a bunch of average guys.

Something about those 49ers
Shaun Hill’s never going to a Pro Bowl without a ticket but his resourcefulness, accuracy, toughness and game-management skills (and that’s NOT a knock) make him the perfect fit for this 49ers team that I am enamored with.

Slideshow   Week 1 action Take a look at shots from the NFL's first week of play in 2009. more photos

Of course, I was also a little smitten with the Texans and Bengals but that may be fading. One observation? Vernon Davis might have rare physical skills but watching him closely today in the win over Arizona, I continue to think he lacks an innate “feel” for the passing game. Not natural.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE INTRIGUING

Good
Denver’s Brandon Stokley killing clock at the end of his TD reception against Cincy … Detroit’s Calvin Johnson pinballing around on a 30-yard catch-and-run from Matthew Stafford pass in the second-half of Detroit’s loss to the Saints. … Baltimore’s Joe Flacco amping it up with 307 yards and three touchdown passes … Cleveland scoring an offensive touchdown at home for the first time since Week 9 of 2008. … Peyton Manning showing the post-Dungy era in Indy won’t be as bleak as the post-Manning era will be.

Bad
Arizona’s Adrian Wilson with a shady hit on 49ers tight end Vernon Davis; can’t go helmet-to-helmet on a defenseless receiver in the air. And Wilson added a forearm shiver to the proceedings. … The Lions’ 18th consecutive loss. … Denver’s Brandon Marshall botching the first pass thrown to him. His behavior in practice makes you think, “Was that a mistake? Or not?” … Lions rookie Louis Delmas slapping the ball out of Jeremy Shockey’s hand while he Shockey engaged in a minor touchdown celebration. That’ll be 15, Lou. The Shockey of Old, of course, would have gotten a matching 15 in retaliation, so good on him. … Denver’s Eddie Royal coming out of the end zone with a kickoff that traveled 5 yards deep then getting dumped at the 13. With 38 seconds left in the game.

Intriguing
Eagles coach Andy Reid’s already proclaimed that his backup QB is Kevin Kolb, don’t ask again. But if Donovan McNabb’s sore ribs are something more than that or if they nag him, Reid will be asked about an increased role for Michael Vick. … Didn’t see a lot of damage being done with the Wildcat either by the Panthers against the Eagles with DeAngelo Williams or by the Browns with Josh Cribbs on third-and-goal inside the 5 (WHY?). Two elements need to be present for that formation to be more than a passing fad. The player taking the snap has to be a legit threat to throw and he has to be on the field in a position other than quarterback before coming out of the huddle. … I liked Rob Ryan’s use of delayed and corner blitzes against Brett Favre whose reactions are visibly slow right now.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets