The “Dream Team” started their 2011 campaign with a win.

words // Brandon Richard

A 135-day lockout left the 2011 NFL season in jeopardy, but a 10-year agreement reached between the owners and players in late-July has us in position to not miss a single snap (unless you insist on including the Hall of Fame Game) . Last night, NFL players too the field to play competitive football for the first time since Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers bested the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Five games were on the schedule for Thursday night, including a look at the early Super Bowl favorites, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

Though the significant players for the Patriots and Eagles didn’t play much, neither squad disappointed. The starting group for the Eagles led by quarterback Michael Vick began their game against the Baltimore Ravens with an 80-yard touchdown drive. Philadelphia’s reserves held off the Ravens for the remainder of the game to pull out a 13-6 win. At Foxborough, Tom Brady didn’t even suit up, but you would have never noticed. Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallet both tossed for more than 160 yards and a touchdown in a 47-12 blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In other action, Denver Broncos backup quarterback Tim Tebow had a solid outing, but Dallas Cowboys third-stringer Stephen McGee led a late-game touchdown drive to pull out a win. Philip Rivers got the San Diego Chargers off to a good start with an early touchdown drive, but the reserve of the Seattle Seahawks clawed back to claim a late win. Lastly, Kevin Kolb had a rough outing in Oakland, but the birds still managed to exit their first preseason game with a 24-18 win.

Check out a few photos of what players were wearing for the first day of the 2011 NFL season in today’s NFL Watch.

Tony Romo listens in on some play calling wearing the Nike Air Zoom Super Bad 3.

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow on the run in the Nike Air Zoom Alpha Talon.

Ed Reed looks on in the new Reebok NFL Sideline Player Cap.

Vince Young makes his Philadelphia debut in Reebok football cleats.

New Eagle Ronnie Brown runs the ball in the Nike Super Speed.

New England’s Chad Ochocinco makes a pre-game grab wearing Reebok Mayhem Electric Receiver Gloves.

Jaguars rookie Blaine Gabbert drops back in a PE colorway of the Nike Air LT Superbad.

Julian Edelman runs after making a catch in the Nike Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly.

Stevan Ridley runs in Under Armour football cleats.

Bob Sanders debuts in San Diego wearing the heavily taped Nike Speed TD.

Vincent Jackson celebrates a Chargers touchdown in the adidas adiZero 5-Star.

New Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb plays his first game with the team in Nike football cleats.

images courtesy of ESPN