Piece By Nicholas Cosmai
Twitter: @CozzyNick
The two most surprising weeks for results in the NFL are usually the first and last week. Fortunately, it is September and there is plenty of football to be played. After finishing a fascinating first week, here are some of the big takeaways from last week.
Full Crowds
Watching the NBA playoffs and the start of the Premier League it is so much better as a spectator, even from home, when stadiums and arenas are full. The atmosphere is something that can be taken for granted. This first week showed us that we’ve definitely missed it big time, is there anyone who actually opposes and liked the no crowds though? The noise created from the passion of the game and the packed stadiums is something we’re definitely loving the idea of for future games.
Hurts So Good
Not many people expect Philadelphia to be competitive, but they were definitely on a high for the first week. An impressive only 3rd starts for Jalen Hurts, 264 yards on a 77% completion rate with three touchdowns to crush the Atlanta Falcons. Life doesn’t seem too strenuous so far without Carson Wentz and Doug Peterson. Nevertheless, a strong start for Nick Sirianni and the Eagles will be challenged this week against San Francisco who will give them problems.
Tyrod Taylor Triumphs Trevor
A headline that may never been seen again. Whilst we’re on the topic of teams having shock results for the first week, the Texans definitely fall into this category. A 27-7 lead at half time was enough to crush their divisional rival Jaguars. Tyrod Taylor throwing for almost 300 yards along with two touchdowns arguably outplayed the current number one overall pick in Trevor Lawrence. How far Houston will go this season remains doubtful, but they’ll be wrapped to give Jacksonville a result like this. No question they will be tested against a prominent Cleveland team next week. On a side note, this was Trevor Lawrence’s first regular season loss at any level including high school, college and now the NFL.
Chandler Jones Masterclass
If you didn’t get a gauge about how important the lineman position is on both sides of the ball from last season’s super bowl, watch Chandler Jones against Tennessee from last week. 5 sacks by three quarter time is absolutely out of this world when you’re in good form led alone coming off a season ending injury. Some sacks came that quick in the plays, it was almost as if he got through untouched, there was simply no answer. He is currently in his contract year also; I assume his agent will be contacted soon for a large contract for his client if this form continues.
Jameis Winsome
Watching Tampa Bay lift the Lombardi trophy in February would have been extremely tough for Winston. But it does not look to be all doom and gloom. What it looks like early on is moving to New Orleans was a fantastic career move even if it was being a backup for a season. Learning from Drew Brees and Sean Payton may well eliminate his turnover deficiency and could improve his productivity all round. 5 touchdowns and no interceptions is a great start against which was previously thought to be not a bad Green Bay defence.
Green Bay Nightmare
It was an extremely rough start for the Packers who still look to be licking their wounds from the previous NFC championship game. Star running back Aaron Jones ran for nine yards and only DaVante Adams had over 40 receiving yards. Aaron Rodgers also looked disinterested, almost 50% completion with two interceptions. That trade request still exists, and it seems he still might want out. Conceding 38 points in the opening week is not a good sign for Green Bay either, completely bullied all over the field.
Stafford Stars
The first ever quarterback to throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in a debut, it is safe to say it was not a bad day out for Matthew Stafford. The offence already looks fluid and dangerous only a week into the Stafford era. Sean McVay wanted to move Jared Goff on in what turned out to be a big trade to bring in Stafford and so far, it looks to be an offence that will have tonnes of fun. Not to mention throwing at a 77% completion rate to completely crush the Bears defence, particularly in the second half.
Blockbuster Standalone Games
Opening night and the ending to the weeks game were arguably the two best for the first week. On Thursday Night Football, the Cowboys pushed Tampa Bay the whole game and some think they should have had the first big upset of the season. A controversial call which helped Tampa home to avoid the upset after a strong finish home by Dallas. A Superbowl hangover? Or is Dallas just better then we think? Monday night Football was a thoroughly entertaining matchup which not only had an upset but overtime also. A combined 27-point last quarter took the game to OT after Derek Carr drove the ball down the field to force the overtime and then again in overtime for the game winning pass. A huge up for the Raiders to upset the Ravens in week one.
This week for Thursday Night Football it is a divisional matchup between New York and Washington and then another divisional matchup on Monday Night Football between Detriot and Green Bay. It will be tough to follow what happened last week.
Comments