Patriots, Chargers deliver

Some things in the NFL never seem to change, and one of those is the dependability of the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady.

Another good bet is that running back LaDainian Tomlinson will play a major role in the success of the San Diego Chargers.

The Patriots and Chargers won and covered Sunday as Week 1 provided plenty of highlights on the field and in the sports books, where business was brisk and the betting public won its fair share of games.

"The handle was great. It by far surpasses anything we saw last year on the opening week," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.

The results were mixed for the books, but the public cashed in big on the day's final game as the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 45-35. The Cowboys, 6 1/2-point home favorites, scored a late touchdown to cover the spread.

"I would think every book in town needed the Giants," Kornegay said.

The books also were rooting against the Patriots and Chargers.

Brady was typically sharp, completing 22 of 28 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 blowout of the New York Jets. In his Patriots debut, Randy Moss had nine receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown.

New England, favored by 6 1/2 despite the absence of defensive stars Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour, is 8-1-1 against the spread in its past 10 games against the Jets.

Tomlinson rushed and passed for a touchdown to help San Diego, a 7-point home favorite, overcome a sluggish start and top the Chicago Bears 14-3.

Brady and Tomlinson will meet in the most attractive matchup of Week 2.

The Patriots opened as 5 1/2-point home favorites over the Chargers at the Hilton, where the number quickly was bet to 4 1/2. Las Vegas Sports Consultants sent out 3 1/2 as its suggested opening line.

"I can't remember the Super Bowl being played in September, but this is going to be an unbelievable game," Kornegay said.

Including Indianapolis' 41-10 win over New Orleans on Thursday, favorites are 8-5-1 against the spread in Week 1.

Two games are on today's slate: Cincinnati is a 2 1/2-point home favorite over Baltimore, and San Francisco is a 3-point home favorite over Arizona.

The public was rewarded for supporting Dallas, San Diego and Seattle as home favorites. The Seahawks defeated Tampa Bay 20-6 to cover the 6-point line.

"We didn't fare well at all with the Chargers and Sea-hawks," Kornegay said.

Green Bay and Tennessee posted outright wins as underdogs to help the books.

The Packers pulled out a

16-13 victory over Philadelphia, a 3-point road favorite, despite Brett Favre failing to lead the offense to a touchdown.

Vince Young passed for only 78 yards but ran for a touchdown in the Titans' 13-10 victory over Jacksonville. Tennessee was a 7-point underdog, and that represented the biggest line of Week 1.

The Bears are the biggest favorites on the Week 2 schedule, opening as 12-point home favorites over Kansas City.

• NOTES -- The Hilton SuperContest, requiring entrants to pick five games against the spread each week for a $1,500 entry fee, has 342 contestants. The winner receives $205,200, which is 40 percent of the prize pool. ... The NFL opened with low-scoring games, as 10 of 14 went under the total.