After several months of waiting, NFL football action is finally back in a big way as week one offers a full swing of interesting matchups starting with a showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, while NFL MVP Peyton Manning hosts his former team, the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The Cowboys enter the new season with a slim playoff chance, after losing some of their key defensive cogs to free-agency this offseason.
Defensive end DeMarcus Ware, who holds the Cowboys' all-time record in sacks, joined the Denver Broncos, while another top-notch defensive end in Jason Hatcher also left for the Washington Redskins.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn't optimistic about his team's chances of advancing into the postseason, given the quality of talent in place and their awful performance in the postseason, where they lost all four tune-up games.
"I think there is a difference being optimistic and assessing the odds," Jones told ESPN. "You've got guys out there, no-name guys. You've got guys out there who retired. You've got guys who are coming back from injury. Man, this is a 'to prove' group."
Entering his 11th season and coming off a back surgery, quarterback Tony Romo stressed his recent injury won't change his all-out approach in the game.
"You'd be selling the game short if you think you could control all parts of the game," Romo told ESPN. "It's a very physical, fast-flowing game that has humbled the best players who have ever played. There's only one way to play it -- all out, all the time."
On the other hand, the 49ers defense has also been hampered following injuries to NaVorro Bowman and suspension to Aldon Smith (nine games suspension for substance abuse) and Ray McDonald (domestic violence).
Of course, the primetime showdown between the Colts and the Broncos will surely be electrifying as Manning faces off against his successor in Indy Andrew Luck, who has shown great improvement in his first three seasons in the league.
Manning covered 5,477 yards with 55 TDs to win his fifth NFL MVP and lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl, where they were obliterated by eventual champ Seattle Seahawks. On the other hand, Luck covered 3,822 yards with 23 scores to lead the Colts to the division round playoffs, losing to the New England Patriots 43-22.
Live Stream, Full Scores & Updates
Watch NFL games live on ESPN, NBC, Fox Sports and CBS Sports. Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers game will be live on CBS Sports at 4:25 pm (EST) while live stream feed is available on CBS Sports Live Stream. Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts games will start at 8:30 p.m (EST) on NBC Sports while live streaming feed can be found on NBC Extra.
Full Scores, Stats, Play-by-Play and Box Scores Update of every NFL games can be followed on ESPN NFL Football scores page.
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