NFL week one opens with ties and blowouts

The End Zone

It was the moment we have been waiting for, the official start of the NFL season. There was a tie, blowouts, overtime and upsets. Some teams appeared in mid-season form while others were still in the starting blocks. Thursday Night Football was an example as the (1-0) Buffalo Bills trampled the defending World Champion (0-1) Los Angeles Rams, 31-10. Both teams had multiple turnovers in the first half. However, the Bills dominated the second half with QB Josh Allen tossing for 297 yards and three scores. Rams WR Cooper Kupp retrieved 128 yards of passing and a score in the loss.

It was a high-flying affair as the (1-0) New Orleans Saints edged the (0-1) Atlanta Falcons 27-26. Saints QB Jameis Winston connected on 269 yards and two scores. Aided by teammate WR Jarvis Landry who retrieved 114 yards of receptions for the victory.

In the soggy gridiron of Soldier Field, it was the (1-0) Chicago Bears who defeated the (0-1) San Francisco Forty Niners 19-10. A costly interception by Niners QB Trey Lance late in the fourth quarter set up an ensuing Bears touchdown. Bears QB Justin Fields would conclude the contest with 131 yards passing a score.

Although the (1-0) Pittsburgh Steelers lost two starters (LB) TJ Watt (Pectoral) and RB Najee Harris (foot) to injury, they eked out a 23-20 Overtime win over the (0-1) Cincinnati Bengals. Plenty of aerial offense by Bengals QB Joe Burrows who completed 338 yards of passing and two touchdowns. Coupled by WR JaMarr Chase 129 yards of receiving and a score in the loss.

Plenty of fireworks in this contest as the (1-0) Philadelphia Eagles edged the (0-1) Detroit Lions 38-35. Lions RB D’Andre Swift led all ground gainers with 144 yards rushing and a score allotting 9.06 yards per carry.

Miami Dolphins (1-0) WR Tyreek Hill inspired the offense with a 20-7 victory over the (0-1) New England Patriots. Hill was electric converting on 94 yards of receptions. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s passing was sharp converting on 23 completions along with 237 yards and a score.

Baltimore Ravens (1-0) QB Lamar Jackson showed he can use his arm tossing for 213 yards and three touchdowns. A performance that defeated the (0-1) New York Jets, 24-9. Jets QB Joe Flacco also connected on 307 yards of passing and a score in the loss.

Raising eyebrows are the (1-0) Washington Commanders with a commanding 28-22 victory over the (0-1) Jacksonville Jaguars. Commanders QB Carson Wentz was the star tossing for a whopping 314 yards and four touchdowns.

Revenge is a dish best served cold against his old team but fell short for the Carolina Panthers (0-1). QB Baker Mayfield was edged out by the (1-0) Cleveland Browns 26-24. Browns RB Nick Chubb rumbled for 141 yards on the ground to secure the win.

“Could you believe there was a tie the first game of season.” noted the Captain. I bet that is the first time in NFL history there was a tie-on opening day. That is what happened between the (0-0-1-1) Indianapolis Colts who tied in Overtime to the (0-0-1) Houston Texans. Colts newly acquired QB Matt Ryan had a great outing tossing for 352 yards and a score.

We have witnessed our first upset as the (1-0) New York Giants surprised the (0-1) Tennessee Titans, 21-20. Giants completed a two-point conversion gaining a one-point lead; however the Titans would miss a late fourth quarter field goal that would seal their fate. Giants RB Saquon Barkley was the star with a whopping 164 yards rushing and a score.

It was a battle of two top AFC West Divisional teams as the (1-0) Los Angeles Chargers knotted a 24-19 win over the (0-1) Las Vegas Raiders. Chargers QB Justin Herbert was on fire connecting on 279 yards and three scores. On the opposite side of the coin, Raiders newly acquired WR Davante Adams was unstoppable netting 141 yards of receptions and a score in the loss.

Another upset in the making as the (1-0) Minnesota Vikings surprised the (0-1) Green Bay Packers 23-7. It was clear early in the contest that the Packers would struggle without former WR DeVante Adams and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Minnesota played with inspiration with QB Kirk Cousins connecting on 277 yards and two scores for the victory.

Still in midseason form are the (1-0) Kansas City Chiefs who proved they can still dominate without WR Tyreek Hill. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes lit the skies with 360 yards of completions and five touchdowns to help rout the (0-1) Arizona Cardinals, 44-21.

In Dallas, it was the (1-0) Tampa Bay Buccaneers who would defeat the Dallas Cowboys 19-3 in a defensive battle of field goals on Sunday Night Football. Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette was the leading ground gainer with 127 yards of rushing for the win.

(Contact Captain Kirk at salesmanager@nativesunnews.today)