NFL Week 1 Roundup
Well, that was exciting. The message in Week 1 of the NFL was loud and clear; the lockout hurt defensive players more than offensive players. Were they out of shape or something?
Let’s look back at a crazy opening week in which both teams’ quarterbacks topped 300 yards in five different games.
Packers 42, Saints 34
Aaron Rodgers was surgeon-like in the first quarter, marching the defending champs up the field so easily that you’d swear the Saints were letting the Packers do it. My favorite moment: Rodgers reading the coverage on the goal line, clearly mouthing the word “Really?” upon seeing Greg Jennings’ matchup, and firing an easy TD to him. Lost in the fun, however, was that the Packer “D” sure let Drew Brees walk all over it.
Eagles 31, Rams 13
Eek. The injury bug bit the Rams hard in Week 1. Steven Jackson looks like he’ll miss some games with a quad strain; Sam Bradford’s finger status is murkier. Injuries aside, it shouldn’t have surprised anyone that Bradford started slowly. It will take time for him to mesh with Josh McDaniels’ complex playbook.
Bills 41, Chiefs 7
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for four touchdown passes as the Bills made it look positively easy. If Week 1 is any indication, all the concerns about Kansas City – and especially Matt Cassel – benefitting from an easy schedule last season are true.
Bears 30, Falcons 12
What did I tell you, NFL bettors? Hope you took my advice on this one. The Atlanta defense remains ordinary at best and the Bears exposed it on Sunday. Obviously, Matt Ryan and the Falcons will bounce back eventually, but they get the Eagles in Week 2. What if one of the league’s most hyped teams starts 0-2?
Lions 27, Buccaneers 20
Here’s a case in which the hyped team did deliver. The Lions’ aggressive playcalling paid off in a big way; Matthew Stafford had the big game everyone expected of him. Calvin Johnson’s ceiling with a real quarterback throwing to him is terrifying.
Jaguars 16, Titans 14
The Jags got by without David Garrard! Luke McCown completed 70.8 per cent of his passes but took a back seat to the running game. As for the Titans, they should at least be happy that Kenny Britt exploded for two TDs and didn’t get arrested. Here’s hoping they give Chris Johnson more than nine carries next week.
Bengals 27, Browns 17
Really, Cleveland? A team hoping to posture itself as a rising contender simply cannot lose at home to the Bengals in Week 1. Inexcusable. The Bengals should savor their win, as they may not get another this season.
Ravens 35, Steelers 7
Given their all-around effort, the Ravens impressed as much as any team in Week 1. Joe Flacco was beautifully on point with his passes; Ray Rice couldn’t be stopped as a runner or receiver; and the defense forced oodles of turnovers out of Ben Roethlisberger. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Texans 34, Colts 7
Nothing to see here. Move along. The Colts are nothing without Peyton Manning. We get it.
Redskins 28, Giants 14
Rex Grossman looked like a Pro Bowler against the Giants. That’s how depleted their “D” is. New York will need to score more this season to keep up and Eli Manning sure didn’t look up to the task in Week 1. How can he look so good one game and so bad the next?
Chargers 24, Vikings 17
It should’ve been easier than this but the Chargers got it done. Facing Tom Brady and the Pats next week will be a massive step up from a Donovan McNabb-led offense.
Cardinals 28, Panthers 21
Is Cam Newton that good or is the Cardinals’ secondary that bad? It’s probably a bit of both. Either way, Cam Newton’s 422-yard effort, the most ever by a rookie quarterback in his debut, was amazing. Life gets significantly tougher next week when he battles the Packers.
49ers 33, Seahawks 17
Tarvaris Jackson threw for two touchdowns? He still managed to do so without looking good. This ugly game belonged to Ted Ginn Jr., who returned a kickoff and a punt for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. So much for the new kickoff rule suppressing return guys.
Jets 27, Cowboys 24
Sigh. Tony Romo can look so good for 90 per cent of a game but, time and time again, he chokes in pressure situations. He’ll keep posting great numbers but how much longer can the Cowboys put up with this?
Patriots 38, Dolphins 24
Wow. Tom Brady throws for 517 yards, the fifth-most ever in an NFL game. Poor Chad Henne’s 416 yards get overshadowed. Most terrifying about the Patriots in this game: tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, who combined for 13 catches, 189 yards and two scores. No one can cover those two monsters.
Raiders 23, Broncos 20
Ugh. I wish I didn’t stay up to watch this game. Penalties and Kyle Orton mistakes every two minutes. It was grubby, awful football. Except for when Darren McFadden had the rock. He’s a beast and has matured into a complete back.
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