ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Bears 29, Colts 13:

Peyton Manning looked rusty and the Colts were out of rhythm on both sides of the ball in their season opener, an inauspicious start for Lucas Oil Stadium.

Indianapolis had won a dozen September games in a row dating back to opening day in 2004, a 27-24 loss at New England on Sept. 9, 2004.

Manning faced a good deal of pressure all night. But the struggle was hardly limited to the offense. Chicago's rookie running back Matt Forte took 23 carries 123 yards and scored a 50-yard touchdown.

While the Colts will have plenty of issues to sort through in the coming days, the biggest question probably concern how Manning's left knee feels tomorrow morning and later this week when Indianapolis begins to prepare for a trip to Minnesota to matchup against another physical defense from the NFC North.

Pittsburgh 38, Houston 17:

One of the most common questions Texans fans ask is about defensive coordinator Richard Smith and the team's defensive identity.

Houston did little to establish one in Sunday's opener in Pittsburgh, a 38-17 thrashing at the hands of the Steelers.

From the highlights I saw and the box score I looked over, the Steelers stars simply had their way with Houston: Two Ben Roethlisberger-to-Hines Ward touchdown passes and three Willie Parker touchdown runs to go with a 138-yard day.

Houston allowed far too many yards after the catch and failed to tackle on initial contact too often. On Willie Parker's 32-yard run, Fred Bennett slipped right off a good chance to bring him down.

The Steelers may be the class of the AFC North.

Though the Ravens will bring a 1-0 record to Reliant Stadium next week, they are nowhere near as talented. Odds are Houston's brutal five-game opening stretch has to include a win over Baltimore if the Texans are to come out there other side with hope of their first winning season.