Last season in Week 1 the Raiders beat the Patriots. They then went completely separate ways, the Patriots going 14-3 and to the Super Bowl, the Raiders to 3-14 and the #1 overall pick. Also that week the Vikings beat the Bears, with JJ McCarthy throwing 3 TDs. The Bears went on to win the NFC North, the Vikings finished with the joint worst record in division and JJ McCarthy fell apart.
So Week 1 can be an aberration. But we can still overreact.
The New Dream Team
The Rams are cooked. No team scored
fewer points in Week 1 than Sean McVay’s star studded and jet lagged team. The Falcons were on their third string QB, who had back spasms, and the Dolphins, Browns, and Titans participated in football games; all outscored the Super Bowl favorites. Myles Garrett is out for at least four weeks after doing absolutely nothing in the first week. Maybe Aaron Donald, who hasn’t played in two years, could play soon and turn things around. It’s always good to count on retirees in a football game.
Regression is mean
Drake Maye threw three interceptions and helped the Patriots blow a 10 point lead to Drew Lock. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s now 11 turnovers in five straight games against teams that made the playoffs last year. Next up: another 2025 playoff team!
If the Lions are Super Bowl contenders, then so are the Saints
Tyler Shough had 410 yards and 3 TDs and Chris Olave had 182 yards on 10 catches as the Lions and Saints traded punches over five quarters. New Orleans got behind 21-0 but stormed back, on the road, to tie the game 24-24 with just over a minute to play and lost on a failed 2 point conversion.
If the Saints are mid, then so are the Lions
Detroit gave up 410 yards and 3 TDs to Tyler Shough, and needed a failed two point conversion in OT to defeat New Orleans at home after blowing a 21 point lead.
Bears and Panthers, oh my
If you’re Chicago or Carolina, you’ve got to feel really good about your offense. The Bears had two 100 yard rushers, a staple of a Ben Johnson offense! Bryce Young had 361 yards and 3 TDs, one of the best games of his career!
If you’re Chicago or Carolina, you’ve got to feel pretty horrible about your defense. The Panthers giving up 59 points is of course extremely embarrassing and should result in several changes to the lineup. But the Bears gave up 37 points, despite 3 takeaways. It’s more of the same for the Bears, who last year led the league in turnovers but still had just the 23rd scoring defense.
Where were you when…
The Chargers, who have the greatest QB of all time in Justin Hebert and football genius Mike McDaniel, scored an unbelievable 14 points against the vaunted Arizona Cardinals. McDaniel’s game plan and Herbert’s jersey are on their way to Canton.
Packers offense: 22 points in four quarters.
Packers defense: 22 points in the fourth quarter.
The Greatest Offense There Is, formerly known as the Dallas Cowboys, had two punts and a turnover on their first four possessions.
Cam Skattebo’s quest for 300 carries for 2000 yards (at least 117.7 yards per game at 6.7 yards per carry) began with 18 carries for 81 yards (4.5 yards per carry).
Congratulations to Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon, who lead the league in yards per reception and negative yards per reception, respectively!
