It's been a gloomy nine-years for Houston fans, ever since the Texans entered the NFL back in 2002. They've promised plenty in the past few years, yet have failed to step up and perform, exemplified by the fact that the Texans have not tasted playoff football in their history.

Yet, unlike all the other times it has been said in the past five years, this really is the year the Texans will make the jump into the playoffs.

The Indianapolis Colts have been the roadblock stopping the Texans from earning a playoff spot, but that time is over. With once-in-a-generation and league legend forced to the bench for Indianapolis, the general consensus around the league is that it will be a long year for the Colts, opening the door to Houston.

If the door was slightly ajar for the Texans, the kicked it off it's proverbial hinges with a punishing triumph over the Colts on Monday morning.

Houston - who was missing their star running back Arian Foster - crushed Indianapolis to begin their campaign, romping to a 34-7 victory. Quarterback Matt Schaub bore more of the offensive brunt in Foster's absence - throwing for 220 yards and one touchdown - turning in an inspiring performance to kick off the season. Second-string running back Ben Tate did his best to fill the shoes of his injured all-pro teammate, rushing the ball for 116 yards on 24 carries.

The Texans jumped out to a 17-0 lead to begin the contest, but couldn't rest on their laurels quite yet, remembering the fact that they have surrendered 17-point leads to the Colts, in 2008 and 2009.

However, the Colts were a different side today. Without the rousing play of Manning, they just could not get going. Houston continued to pour on the pressure, and when Jacoby Jones returned an Indianapolis punt 79-yards for a touchdown on the stroke of halftime to extend the lead to 34-0, the Texans were as good as home.

There was almost a feeling of the AFC South torch being passed on the Reliant Stadium turf in Houston, as the Texans finally emerged from the shadow of the once untouchable Colts, much to the delight of the raucous hometown support.

First Down: Bears prove a point

Details of the Chicago Bears demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

Amazingly, after playing off against the Green Bay Packers in last seasons' NFC title game, a host of experts predicted a spectacular fall from grace for traditional NFC powerhouse. It had even been suggested that the Bears would only win the three-games in the season.

It seems like the Bears didn't get the memo.

Chicago hosted Atlanta - one of the NFC favourites - to begin their season, and issued an ominous warning to the league with their overpowering performance.

Chicago crushed the Falcons 30-12, not allowing their much-fancied opponents to score a touchdown until the final quarter.

Much maligned Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler, was in sensational form, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns, on his way to amassing a passer rating of 107.8.

If the Bears can reproduce this form for the entire season, those who predicted their demise will be forced to eat their words.

Second Down: Quote the Raven

It's safe to assume that, ever since the season schedule was announced in April, the Baltimore Ravens put a circle around their opening clash with archrival Pittsburgh. The Steelers have trumped the Ravens on six of their last eight meetings, and have knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs twice in the past three seasons.

Make no mistake; this was a huge day for Baltimore, needing a win to silence their critics who have said that Pittsburgh "owned the Ravens".

The Ravens buried that notion today; much like the Steeler offense was buried under a ferocious Ravens defense.

Incredibly, over the past 1000 minutes of play between the two rivals, only seven points in total separated them. That all changed today. Baltimore manhandled Pittsburgh, outplaying their opponents in every facet of the game, en route to a 35-7 victory.

Although it is only the first game of the season, the overwhelming nature of their win, should well and truly break any hold that the Steelers had over the Ravens, paving the way for a power switch in the AFC North.

Third Down: Newton's Law applies for Carolina

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was phenomenal against the Arizona Cardinals in their week one divisional clash.

Newton, who has been the subject of much conjecture ever-since he was the first selection in the 2011 draft, made the most of his chance to silence his doubters on debut.

The Heisman Trophy winner, from Auburn University, seemed right at home under centre for the Panthers. His doubters had suggested that Newton would not be able to modify his game to meet the requirements of playing quarterback in the NFL, only for Georgia-native to produce the greatest debut performance the NFL has ever seen.

Newton threw for 422 yards - breaking the debut record that has stood since 1950 - two touchdowns and finished with a 110.4 passer rating.

Put simply, it was an incredible performance that should start to win over some of his critics.

With the Panthers set to take on the defending champion Green Bay Packers next week, Newton will have to stand up to the biggest test in the NFL, going against their much-feared defense.

Going on today's performance, Newton will have no trouble dealing with the pressure.

Fourth Down: Football - The perfect end to a Day of Remembrance

It goes without saying, that it was an incredibly emotional weekend in the United States, with Sunday marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. After a sombre morning, filled with remembrance and memorials, the return of football was the perfect way to end the day. American football is something - as the name would suggest - uniquely American, and the football on display over the weekend was the epitome of the unbroken US spirit. We saw some truly great action, mixed in with a litany of poignant moments, as countless US flags adorned stadium walls across the country.

Then, much like a decade ago the eyes of the world once again turned to New York, only this time it was to witness a celebration of a truly American spectacular. The New York Jets hosted the Dallas Cowboys - dubbed "America's team" to bring to an end a day of tribute for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

The two sides did not disappoint, playing out an instant classic, with the Jets surging from behind to prevail by the slimmest of margins, thanks to a Nick Folk field-goal with just 27 seconds remaining.