The NFL is again. After weeks of hypothesis and pre-season, it was lastly time to see how each workforce would fare of their opening video games. It could additionally enable us to lastly have solutions to the questions which have dominated the low season. Might Aaron Rodgers be the savior of the New York Jets?, can the Giants show that final 12 months was not a fluke and return to the playoffs?; and can the Kansas City Chiefs retain their title? We’ll get solutions to all these questions and extra between now and the Tremendous Bowl in February.
So, what occurred in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season?
The Lions Spoil the Get together
We start with the opening recreation of the season. As a practice, it’s held on the dwelling of the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions, which means that Kansas City would maintain the sport. The Detroit Lions can be the workforce who hoped to wreck the Chiefs’ occasion. Final season, after a poor begin, the Lions turned probably the most harmful and high-scoring groups within the league. Whereas they weren’t capable of make the playoffs, their Sunday evening soccer victory over divisional rivals the Inexperienced Bay Packers ended Aaron Rodgers’ time in Wisconsin. So, might the Lions trigger one other upset, or will the Chiefs open their title protection with a win?
The primary drives from every workforce ended the identical approach. Each groups’ opening drives led to punts. It seemed just like the Lions’ second drive would finish like their first. They even bought into punt formation. Then, as an alternative of a punt, a go occurred and the Lions made the primary right down to proceed the drive. This gave Detroit momentum. Led by quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions drove the ball right down to the Chiefs’ 9-yard line. Then, Goff handed to Amon-Ra St. Brown for the opening landing of the season, giving the Lions an early lead.
There have been many occasions final season when the Kansas City Chiefs went behind, they instantly scored on their subsequent drive. This occurred once more on this recreation. Chiefs quarterback and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes rapidly moved the ball down the sector, to the Lions’ one-yard line. This was adopted by the anticipated landing go from Mahomes to tie the scores up. In reply, the Lions’ drive began nicely. Then, as they simply entered the Chiefs’ purple zone, the Lions fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Chiefs’ protection.
After two drives that led to punts, the Chiefs can be the following to attain. Much like their first scoring drives, Mahomes and firm would drive the ball down the sector, and finish in a 4-yard landing rating to take the lead. This was the final rating of the half, which means that at halftime, the Chiefs had a 14-7 lead over the Lions.
The second half started in the identical approach the primary half started. Two drives, two punts. The Chiefs’ subsequent drive began efficiently till they reached the 50-yard line. A Mahomes go to Kadarius Toney was intercepted by the Lions, who would run the ball in for a landing. If solely Toney had spent his offseason practising how one can catch a ball as an alternative of annoying New York Giants followers on-line.
The Chiefs can be the following to attain after two extra drives that led to punts. In a drive the place the Chiefs’ offense did drop some simple catches, a 35-yard discipline purpose from Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker gave Kansas City the lead. The lead can be prolonged on their subsequent drive. This was similar to their earlier drive with extra dropped catches from Kansas City. One other Butker discipline purpose would make their lead 6 factors. The Lions knew what they needed to do.
From their 25-yard line, a combination of passes from Goff and dashing yards from operating again David Montgomery allowed the ball to rapidly transfer up the sector. They moved into the Chiefs purple zone and right down to the 8-yard line. Then, Goff handed to ball off to Montgomery who ran the ball into the endzone for what can be a game-winning landing for the Lions. Kansas City tried to attain of their closing two drives. However they might not sustain with the Lions’ protection. Because the time ran out, the Detroit Lions had recorded a 21-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, ruining their Tremendous Bowl celebration.
This was a recreation between two of final season’s most entertaining groups. However on the day, Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions have been the higher workforce. Kansas City made some foolish errors, principally with the Toney interception, which modified the sport. Subsequent week, Detroit faces the Seattle Seahawks, whereas Kansas City goes to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars.
A Big Disappointment
For the final couple of years, the NFC East has been dominated by each the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, with the New York Giants at all times on the skin wanting in. Final season, the Cowboys have been their normal self, making the playoffs earlier than being eradicated within the divisional spherical.
The Giants, nonetheless, shocked the league. They went from strugglers to a divisional spherical workforce, the identical spherical because the Cowboys below new head coach Brian Daboll. Within the low season, quarterback Daniel Jones would signal a brand new $40 million contract, and Saquon Barkley would stay a Big for a minimum of yet one more 12 months. Nevertheless, with all of the success the Giants had final 12 months, they might by no means beat the Dallas Cowboys. Might this be their probability?
The Giants had the opening possession in a wet East Rutherford, New Jersey, and seemed pretty robust. Jones and firm moved the ball up the sector and into the purple zone. Issues have been going nicely till they reached the Cowboys’ 8-yard line. On third down, Andrew Thomas would a false begin, transferring them again 5 yards. On the 13-yard line, an error within the snap compelled Jones to get well the fumble nicely out of the purple zone. Issues would get even worse in the course of the discipline purpose.
Giants Kicker Graham Gano’s try was blocked by the Cowboys’ protection, who would run the ball in for a landing. The Giants would get the ball again instantly after this, however the workforce’s reoccurring points within the offensive line would elevate their ugly head once more, forcing Jones to be sacked, ruining that drive.
The Cowboys would lastly have a chance on offense quickly after. Instantly, it was clear who was the higher workforce. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott exploited the issues within the Giants’ secondary to simply transfer the ball down the sector.
Happily for the Giants, the drive stalled at their 2-yard line, however a Cowboys discipline purpose elevated their lead. In reply to this, Jones was sacked on the primary play of the drive, and on the third play of the drive, Saquon Barkley fumbled the ball. The ball can be recovered by the Cowboys, who would rating one other landing.
The lead can be elevated quickly after, as Dallas would rating one other discipline purpose. Issues have been going terribly for the Giants. They have been about to get a lot worse. On the opening play of the drive, Jones’s considerably blind go was intercepted. The Giants tried to get the officers to have a look at the go as it might have touched the bottom, however this was unsuccessful.
There was additionally a flag on the play, however this was towards the Giants. Possession to the Cowboys. Quickly after, it will be a landing for the Cowboys, as Tony Pollard would discover the top zone. Earlier than halftime, the Giants might have gotten factors on the board, however Gano’s discipline purpose try made no try in looking for the posts. At halftime, the Dallas Cowboys had a 26-0 lead over the New York Giants.
The Cowboys had the opening possession of the second half. You may in all probability guess what occurred. On the Giants one-yard line, Tony Pollard would discover the top zone once more to widen the already massive lead. In reply, the Giants might do nothing. All half. Their drives both led to punts or failed fourth-down makes an attempt from too far out. The Cowboys would rating yet one more landing within the second half, however on the finish of the sport, the rating was 40-0 to the Cowboys.
What I can say that hasn’t already been mentioned? The Giants have been outclassed in each single play of the sport. A dismal begin to the season. Placing a constructive spin on issues (I don’t know how), however you would say that that is the primary recreation of the season towards opposition who have been at all times going to beat them. The season is 17 video games lengthy, and whereas it isn’t nice, going 0-1 is just not season over.
The Giants might want to play competent and profitable soccer subsequent week after they face the Arizona Cardinals. For the Cowboys, they’ll wish to hold this way up, as they face the New York Jets subsequent week.
Excessive scoring in Hollywood
Each the Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Dolphins made the playoffs final 12 months. They’re each very related, led by younger and entertaining quarterbacks. They met up in week one, for what could possibly be an fascinating recreation.
The Dolphins would have the opening possession, and would instantly begin nicely. Led by returning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami was capable of transfer the ball down deep into the Chargers’ purple zone. The Dolphins reached the 2-yard line with a landing in sight. Then, Tagovailoa fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Chargers’ protection. In the same drive to the Dolphins, Los Angeles would transfer the ball down the size of the sector earlier than operating again Austin Ekeler would rating the landing to offer the Chargers the lead.
In reply to this, the Dolphins did what they might not do on their opening drive. Once more, Miami was on the two-yard line, however this time Raheem Mostert would run the ball in for the tying landing. The Dolphins would widen their lead on their subsequent drive. Tagovailoa once more put the Miami offense deep into the Chargers’ purple zone. However this drive, the drive stalled on the 5-yard line, leading to a discipline purpose.
The Chargers would rating on their subsequent drive. Quarterback Justin Herbert would, just like the Dolphins did, drive the ball deep into the Miami purple zone. Herbert would then throw a one-yard landing to take the lead. After a few drives that led to punts, the Dolphins would retake the lead. The drive began from the Dolphins’ 20-yard line, and Tagovailoa and firm, as they’ve finished for many of the recreation, drove the ball right down to the Chargers’ one-yard line. Tagovailoa would throw a one-yard landing go to Cracraft. A pair of discipline targets from every workforce would finish the primary half with the Miami Dolphins giving a 20-14 lead over the Los Angeles Chargers.
It could be the Chargers who would take an early benefit straight after half-time. On the primary drive of the half, Los Angeles would drive the ball right down to the Dolphins’ one-yard line, earlier than Justin Herbert ran the ball in for the landing. The following Miami possession began nicely, however because the Dolphins entered the Chargers’ purple zone, Tagovailoa tried a deep go that was intercepted by Los Angeles. Fortunately for Miami, the Chargers have been unable to show the possession into factors, in truth, the Miami protection pushed the Chargers again to their one-yard line, forcing a punt to permit the Dolphins to have a fairly beneficiant discipline place to begin the following drive. Might they take full benefit of this?
The Dolphins might. On the one play of the drive, Tagovailoa threw a 35-yard landing go to Tyreek Hill to return the result in the Dolphins. This lead lasted one drive, because the Chargers would rating a landing on their subsequent possession. Miami’s reply to this was to attain a discipline purpose, one thing the Los Angeles matched quickly after. The Chargers had a 4-point lead going into the final moments of the match. What might the Dolphins do?
All through the entire match, now we have seen each groups carry out efficient drives which moved them into the purple zones with ease. The Dolphins’ final drive was no totally different, they simply made it deep into the Chargers’ purple zone. Then, on the 4-yard line, Tagovailoa would discover Hill for his second landing of the sport and the game-winning landing. Los Angeles did attempt to rating on their closing drive, however the Dolphins’ protection was too robust. As time ran out on a really high-scoring recreation, the Miami Dolphins had crushed the Los Angeles Chargers 36-34.
This was, as anticipated, a high-scoring recreation, and arrange each of those groups to have season in a robust AFC. Subsequent week, the Dolphins play the New England Patriots on Sunday Evening Soccer, whereas the Chargers go to the Tennessee Titans.
Over as quickly because it began
Definitely, the primary story of the offseason surrounded quarterback Aaron Rodgers. For weeks, we knew that the previous Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback was departing, however the place he was going was on everybody’s thoughts. Ultimately, he determined to repeat his predecessor Brett Favre, and go to the New York Jets. This has meant that for months, the inexperienced facet of New York has had virtually each day media consideration, principally for Rodgers. However this week, Aaron might lastly show why he moved to New York. His opponents have been divisional rivals, the Buffalo Payments. The Payments gained the AFC East final 12 months, earlier than shedding to the Cincinnati Bengals. Might this 12 months be their 12 months, or will Buffalo battle, as many had been predicting?
The Payments would have the opening possession of the sport, however wouldn’t be capable of do something with it, rapidly punting to the Jets. It could then be time to see Aaron Rodgers as a New York Jet. His opening drive didn’t begin nicely, with one incomplete go and a sack.
This sack nonetheless can be extraordinarily vital for the Jets season, as Rodgers was injured from it. He was rapidly dominated out of the sport, ending his debut earlier than it even began. An MRI scan the following day confirmed the worst Rodgers had torn his Achilles Tendon. Which means his season is over. In a single play, the Jets went from a workforce that the entire nation had their eyes on, to a workforce nobody cared about. Rodgers’s substitute was Zach Wilson, who Rodgers changed because the Jets beginning quarterback. He didn’t do something with the remainder of the drive.
It could be the Payments who would rating from the sport’s subsequent drive. A protracted, slow-moving drive from Payments quarterback Josh Allen stalled simply on the sting of the Jets’ purple zone, leading to a Trevor Bass discipline purpose to offer them the lead. Nevertheless, on the Payments’ subsequent drive, an outdated foe would arrive to cease them. Final 12 months, Josh Allen had a large downside with ball safety. These issues nonetheless stay, as he threw an interception. Fortunately for the Payments, the Jets might solely convert this right into a discipline purpose, tying the sport.
The Payments would strike again on their subsequent possession. From the Jets’ 5-yard line, Allen would discover Steffon Diggs for the landing and a return of the lead. They’d lengthen their lead on their subsequent possession, which was the results of a Zach Wilson interception. Sadly for the Payments, the drive stalled and the most effective they might do was a discipline purpose. Which means at halftime, the Payments would have a 13-3 lead over the Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets.
The Jets would lastly have some luck in the beginning of the second half. From their 25-yard line, Wilson and firm managed to maneuver the ball as much as the Payments’ 25-yard line, earlier than stalling and scoring a discipline purpose. Issues would get even higher for New York quickly after, as Josh Allen was intercepted once more by the Jets protection . Nevertheless, the offense couldn’t do something with it.
The Payments weren’t fortunate quickly after. Allen was intercepted once more and this time Wilson would discover the endzone. A 3-yard landing go to Garrett Wilson levelled the scores. The Payments reply to this? One other Josh Allen mistake. This time, he fumbled the ball, which the Jets protection recovered. A silver lining for Allen is that the Jets solely scored a discipline purpose, however this gave them the lead with time operating out.
On what was the ultimate drive of the sport, Buffalo had possession. Allen and firm would drive the ball down the sector however would stall simply earlier than the Jets’ redzone. This gave them a discipline purpose try and tie the sport. The 50-yard Trevor Bass discipline purpose try was profitable, which means that we have been going to time beyond regulation.
The Payments had the opening possession of time beyond regulation, however couldn’t do something with the ball, forcing a punt. A punt that the Jets would catch after which return for the profitable landing of the sport. They’d gained the sport, however in a approach and with a participant that nobody anticipated to. Ultimately, the New York Jets had crushed the Buffalo Payments 22-16.
That recreation was sudden. With Rodgers now out of the season, the query I’d be asking is just not “How far will the Jets get this year?”, however “How can they stay relevant?”. This win will assist them. For the Payments, it’s all right down to ball safety. I do discover it odd that Josh Allen makes lots of errors, however (a minimum of I don’t see) he doesn’t get sufficient criticism for it. Placing my Giants hat on for a second, if Daniel Jones threw 3 interceptions and a fumble in a recreation (which he almost did this week) he can be closely critiqued for it and folks would query his talents. Subsequent week, the Payments face the Las Vegas Raiders, whereas the Jets face the Dallas Cowboys with out Aaron Rodgers.
What occurred within the different video games?
Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud made his debut for the Houston Texans of their recreation towards the Baltimore Ravens. Sadly for Stroud, he scored no touchdowns and the Ravens gained the sport 25-9. It isn’t all smiles for Baltimore nonetheless, as Ravens operating again J.Ok Dobbins was dominated out for the season with a torn Achilles Tendon.
Derrick Carr had a considerably tough day in his first recreation with the New Orleans Saints towards the Tennessee Titans. He was sacked 4 occasions and intercepted as soon as. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a worse day. Nonetheless, each groups’ kickers scored many of the factors, with Carr scoring the lone landing within the Saints’ 16-15 victory.
Previously week, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow turned the highest-paid participant within the league. I feel he could have been celebrating this deal a bit an excessive amount of, as he was not his normal self within the Bengals’ opening match towards rivals the Cleveland Browns. This was the one hundredth “Battle of Ohio” and Cleveland dominated. Browns quarterback Deshawn Watson was respectable, nevertheless it was one other recreation dominated by the kickers. Cleveland would win the sport 24-3.
The Atlanta Falcons used their robust operating recreation of their matchup with the Carolina Panthers. Tyler Allgier scored two touchdowns, and former Texas Longhorn and quantity 8 decide within the draft Bijan Robinson scored his first landing within the Falcons’ 24-10 victory.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been probably the greatest groups within the AFC final season. The Indianapolis Colts have been one of many worst. At occasions, there was parity between these groups, principally brought on by former Florida Gators quarterback Antony Richardson. The Jaguars would win the sport 31-21, however it is a huge enchancment from their earlier seasons.
In one other battle between two groups that made the playoffs final 12 months, the Tom Brady-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers confronted the Minnesota Vikings. Baker Mayfield is now the Buccaneers quarterback, nevertheless it was Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin who scored the profitable factors in Tampa Bay’s 20-17 victory.
The legend that’s Brock Purdy continued his good performances within the San Francisco 49ers opening recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. Purdy threw 2 touchdowns within the 49ers’ 30-7 win.
The Washington Commanders performed their first recreation below new possession towards the Arizona Cardinals. It could be the Commander’s protection that might assist them to their 20-16 victory.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears share a historic rivalry. Final season, Chicago had the worst file in soccer whereas the Packers misplaced their playoff spot within the final recreation of the 12 months, after which misplaced Aaron Rodgers within the offseason. This started the Jordan Love period at Lambeau Subject. Love would rating 3 touchdowns within the Packers 38-20 victory.
One other workforce that jumped on the quarterback carousel was the Las Vegas Raiders. Former 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppollo is now enjoying there. Additionally making their debut was Sean Payton as head coach of the Denver Broncos. In a detailed recreation, the Raiders would defeat the Broncos 17-16.
Final 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl runners up the Philadelphia Eagles had a robust begin towards the New England Patriots. In a recreation wherein Tom Brady was being put into the Patriots Ring of Honor at halftime, the Pats struggled to start with, going 16-0 down after the primary quarter. New England would come again, however it will not be sufficient because the Eagles would maintain on for a 25-20 victory.
The Los Angeles Rams had a horrible season final 12 months in what was the worst title protection in historical past. There have been fears that it might occur once more for the Rams, as star Large Reciever Cooper Kupp was dominated out earlier than the sport. Nevertheless, this didn’t occur because the Rams recorded a shock 30-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
That was week one within the NFL. Subsequent week we’ll see if the Jets can hold profitable with out Rodgers, if the Giants can rating factors and if Brock Purdy can proceed his undefeated streak within the common season
