National Football League

NFL opening-night awards: All the best and worst from Thursday

Published Sep. 4, 2014 11:40 p.m. ET

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Sid Saraf

Finally!

After all that annoying waiting -- and being forced to watch baseball over the summer -- the NFL is back. And judging from Thursday night, it's better than ever. We're just one game into the 2014 season, but that won't stop us here at Laces Out from handing out some hardware. So, let's get started.

1. Best way to show that cars aren't welcome around CenturyLink Field

Now, anyone who has been to Seattle knows that public transportation is the way to go when traveling to the stadium. But, this is just ridiculous:

Well, thank GOD they included tax with that. How can the people who own this lot sleep at night?

2. Hardest hit of the 2014 season (so far)

You're taking a big risk when you take on Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. Packers running back Eddie Lacy took the plunge and the result was one hellacious hit:

You have to give Lacy credit, because he didn't go down right away and kept pumping his legs.  

3. Best way to end your career as a punt returner

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is a lot of things. He's one of the premier safeties in the game, an invaluable part of the famed Legion of Boom and an all-around good guy. But, for some reason, he's been charged with returning punts this year. And this is what happened in the first half on Thursday:

Ever hear of a fair catch, Earl? Apparently not, because he muffed that one, which the Packers recovered. A few plays later, Green Bay reached the end zone. Ugly.

4. Best reaction to Earl Thomas' punt-return snafu

Golden Tate was the man who returned punts for the Seahawks in 2013, but now he's gone to Detroit. He must have been watching the game on Thursday night, because he posted this tweet right around the time Thomas had his misstep:

That about sums it up.

5. Most accurate reaction to Green Bay's opening-night performance

What went wrong for the Packers? Shoddy offensive line play? Poor discipline? Whatever. Head coach Mike McCarthy summed it up perfectly:

6. The most legendary return of an NFL legend's signature move

Ickey Woods -- for those of you too young to remember -- was awesome for the Bengals back in the 80s. What was more awesome was the Ickey Shuffle, his well-known touchdown celebration. If you were watching the game on TV on Thursday, you might have seen this commercial pop up:

I don't know what product was being sold and I don't care. It's just great to see that Mr. Woods still has those sweet moves.

7. Best tweet from a man much more handsome than you

Joe Manganiello -- actor, director and author -- is easy on the eyes (just ask your significant other). And apparently he's a big football fan. And as a football fan, he shared his thoughts about the return of the NFL.

YEAH!!

8. Best way to win at Trivial Pursuit

In case you ever draw a card that asks you to describe the first safety of the 2014 NFL season, just think of this:

That's Michael Bennett sacking and stripping the ball away from Aaron Rodgers in the third quarter. You're welcome.

9. Best catch of the 2014 NFL season (well, so far)

I still don't understand how Seahawks tight end Zach Miller was able to come down with this ball. You can watch this a hundred times and it's still a mystery:

Bravo, sir!

10. Most accurate depiction of the 12th Man

Yes, the fans in Seattle are loud. Really loud. But in case you're wondering how they do it, just look here:

It's not art. It's just loud.

11. Best fake of the 2014 NFL season (yes, again ... so far)

Check out Russell Wilson fake everyone with this faux handoff and then touchdown pass to Ricardo Lockette.

That's how it's done.

12. Woo of the week award

Congratulations, Pete Carroll. Your Seahawks started their title defense with a nice win at home. Go ahead and celebrate.

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