The NFL season is back and it’s way different from what fans had planned. Some fans got what they wanted and some teams are praying it gets better. So what happened during week one?
Walk-off touchdowns, collapsing defenses, questionable play calling, and more. With that being said it’s time to look into the good, the bad, and the ugly in the NFL.
The Good
Lions Upset Kansas
The Detroit Lions defeated the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs 21-20 last Thursday. This may sound like the run-of-the-mill win but there’s more to it.
Before the game, the Chiefs had only lost 17 times at home since 2014. The Lions also out-passed and outran the Chiefs in total yards. Finally, Jared Goff is still undefeated against Patrick Mahomes going up 2-0 in their times played. With still a season to go, Detroit fans are excited about their team.
Dolphins and Charger put on a show
Competitive until the end, this is the only game where both NFL teams scored over 25 points. Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert and Chargers running back Austin Eckler both had touchdowns of their own. While Herbert controlled the air throwing for 228 yards, Eckler took the ground running for 117 yards.
But for whatever reason, this game was “Tua Time.” Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa put on the show throwing for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Tua, after being out last year via concussions, is now fully healthy and looks to silence the NFL haters by making a deep playoff run.
San Francisco irritates Steelers fans
Jimmy Garoppolo got injured and eventually left, and Trey Lance got injured and also left for the Cowboys. Even the current QB Purdy had to leave during their AFC championship game due to an injury. But with everything that the 49ers went through last season, NFL media is forgetting they are still monsters.
But there are more players on the field than just the QB, and that’s what the team showed yesterday as the 49ers defeated Pittsburgh 30-7. Mike Tomlin, Steelers Head Coach said the team “got kicked in their teeth.”
A healthy Brock Purdy performed well throwing two touchdowns and 220 yards. Brandon Aiyuk, first-year wide receiver, caught said touchdowns. Running Back Christian McCaffery ran for 152 yards and also had a touchdown. If injuries stop plaguing the 49ers, the NFL will still be dealing with a potential Super Bowl winner.
The Bad
“We still own you” — The Packers
After seeing what the Bears could do during the preseason, there was hope that we’d be able to win the division. Then, Chicago picked up some linemen and traded to get wide receiver Chase Claypool. Hope became faith that the team would make the playoffs or have a winning record. Add on that Aaron Rodgers left Green Bay for the Jets, fans set their sight on the first win of the season. Unfortunately, the complete opposite happened.
Justin Fields had little to no time to throw the ball because of the constant pressure by defensive linemen. Chase Claypool not only didn’t perform well but was ejected from the game before the half. In some of the play’s written up, it seemed like the teams weren’t prepared to commit to throwing or blocking.
However, it is just week one of the NFL. With faith going back down to hope, fans want to see Fields perform well while also winning games. But if this doesn’t happen, and Fields continues to underperform or play caller sets up players with no success, the expectation to trade the quarterback or even firing offense coordinators will be mandatory.
AFC Contenders Take L’s
The Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, and Bengals were the finalist in their respective conference championships. The NFC’s Eagles got away from the Patriots in a close game and the 49ers decimated the Steelers. But what about the AFC?
It’s already known the NFL’s last year champs lost to the Lions. To be fair, they were without Travis Kelce one of the current greatest tight ends today. Mahomes had other options, but the options didn’t follow through by dropping easy passes. But at least the Chiefs scored during the game. The Bengals are another story
The Bengals only scored three points against Deshawn Watson and the Browns. What’s wilder is that Bengals star Quarterback, Joe Borrow, is now the highest-paid NFL player ever. So all eyes are on him to perform like he gets paid $275 million. Burrow, known to have at least 150 plus-yard games, only threw for 84 yards with a passing completion of 14 for 31. But this happened last year for the Bengals, underperforming early and getting back into shape by playoffs. Give them some games to warm up, and they should be back as title contenders.
The Ugly
NFL Teams Plagued with Injuries
What is worse than when a hometown team performs badly? A hometown team’s best performers aren’t there. A lot of teams were missing key players due to injuries before or during week one games. The following players and their injuries are:
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Knee Injury during the offseason.
- Aaron Rodger, New York Jets: Torn Achilles Tendon.
- Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers: Potential Hamstring issues.
- Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers: Hamstring injury.
- Cam Heyward, Pittsburg Steelers: Groin Injury.
- J.K Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens: Achilles Injury.
- Jack Conklin, Cleveland Browns: Torn ACL and MCL in left knee.
- James Bradberry, Philadephia Eagles: Concussion Protocol/
- Nakobe Dean, Philadephia Eagles: Right Foot injury.
Final Remarks
Some teams played like title Contenders and some played like they were tanking. Some newcomers played well, and some showed they should take a few more college years.
Week 1 is the grey area for football because it leaves some questions about the team for fans. But that’s the magic of professional sports, anything can happen.
Written Daylontie Jasper
Sources:
Stat Muse: Chiefs’ Home Record over the Last 10 Seasons
ESPN: Mike Tomlin: Steelers ‘got kicked in the teeth’ by 49ers; by Brooke Pryor
USA Today Sports: Bears vs. Packers: Everything we know about Chicago’s Week 1 loss: by Rayn Fedrau
USA Today Sports: Week 2 NFL injuries: Aaron Rodgers out for 2023 season; will Travis Kelce return?; by Safid Deen and Casey L. Moore
4For4: Packers RB Aaron Jones downplays hamstring injury; by Adam Levitan
Feature Image Courtesy of Joshua Lock’s Flickr page- Creative Commons License
Inset image Courtesy of Mike Morbeck‘s Flickr page- Creative Commons License
Inset image Courtesy of Victor Lee‘s Flickr page- Creative Commons License
Inset image Courtesy of All Pro Reels‘s Flickr page- Creative Commons License
