After Sunday, it feels like the Bills’ Thursday night opening statement win over the defending champion Rams was a year ago. But after the chaos, we saw Sunday (we’ll get to that) the Bills are sitting pretty atop the AFC and looked like the most complete team in the NFL. A virtuoso performance from the Super Bowl favorites on Thursday sent shockwaves through the rest of the league. The only team on Sunday who might feel as good going into week 2 is perhaps, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even with 4 turnovers (2 INT, 2 fumbles) it felt like Buffalo was in control for the entirety of the game. Even going into the half at 10-10, the Bills were hurting themselves more than the Rams were hurting them.
Josh Allen was incredible despite the mistakes (353 total yards, 4 total TD’s, one gigantic stiff arm). However, the defense (3 INTS, 7 sacks) is the story of the game. We know what we are going to get from Josh Allen. Ken Dorsey passed his first test as the offensive coordinator. But this defense… after being the #1 scoring defense last year, has a chance to be special. The Bills are so well balanced. And after watching Sunday’s games, I don’t think there is a team who can reach their ceiling on both sides of the ball.
It was a virtuoso performance for Bills fans, validating a summer’s worth of hype and setting the stage for a truly historic season.
Onto Sunday…
Steelers 23, Bengals 20 (OT)
Joe Burrow was asked to do everything today even though it was a very bad, no-good day for the third-year QB. His running back, Joe Mixon was ineffective, rushing 27 times for 82 yards. Burrow once again was under siege, sacked 7 times and turning the ball over FIVE TIMES (4 INT, 1 fumble).
In the end, it almost didn’t matter! Cincinnati had two shots to win the game and failed to execute a proper snap-hold-kick combination not once, but twice.
First, the Bengals tied the game at 20 in the waning seconds of the 4th quarter. Ja’Marr Chase who was a DAWG today, (10 catches, 129 yards, 1 TD) made a great toe-tapping catch to score. But unfortunately for the Bengals, their long snapper was hurt. So backup long snapper, Mike Wilcox came into the game. The snap “appeared” slow and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who scored the first touchdown of the game after taking one of those 4 picks to the house (2 INTs on the day, blocked the extra point.
Let’s give credit to the Steelers defense who had Burrow in hell. The offense didn’t take advantage of enough chances, but 7 sacks and 5 turnovers can’t be understated. The d-line DOMINATED the trenches all day and Burrow was never comfortable even on the game-tying drive.
Overtime? Overtime was pure chaos. Chris Boswell missed a long field goal attempt after he hit the upright on a kick that looked like it could go either way the whole time. Evan McPherson was given his chance, but the snap was high and the laces were in, his kick had no chance. Boswell finished the deal for the Steelers as time expired and the Bengals will be kicking themselves all week long because this was a winnable game that they handed to the Steelers over and over and over again.
Bears 19, 49ers 10
The Bears defeated the 49ers in one of the most surprising results of Sunday. Justin Fields started slow, only passing for 19 yards in the first half and running for his life for most of it as well. In the second half, in the pouring rain, Fields made plays with his arm and feet while under duress, to bring the Bears back from a 10-0 deficit to win 19-10.
The Bears defense was a PROBLEM, holding Trey Lance to under 50% completion percentage and not allowing any big plays to break the game open. Great start for the Eberflus era, but there is still a ton of work to do. Lance and Fields both had moments but we have to give the leg up to Fields at this point, his poise today even throughout the chaos was impressive. Let’s wait to judge Lance until we see him with George Kittle.
Saints 27, Falcons 26
The Saints rallied from a 16-point deficit to defeat the Falcons. The Falcons lost a game in which they led by double digits? Unheard of.
Welcome back Michael Thomas, to a tune of 2 touchdowns. And the man who never left, Taysom Hill with the most explosive play of the day.
But let’s give credit to Atlanta, whose rushing attack was potent today. Led by Marcus Mariota and Cordarrelle Patterson for 201 total rushing yards for Atlanta. Arthur Smith’s philosophy is showing in his second year and this game was a great building block for the future.
Eagles 38, Lions 35
The Eagles defeated the fighting Dan Campbell’s 38-35 in the most electric game of the afternoon. Jalen Hurts had 333 total yard (243 passing, 90 rushing, 1 TD rush) and the skill players showed out (AJ Brown 150 yards on 10 catches, Miles Sanders 96 yards rushing).
D’Andre Swift with 15 carries and 144 yards is nothing to sniff at either, but the difference in the game was a Jared Goff pick six. The Lions made great strides today, but those types of back-breaking mistakes need to stop for this time to get over the hump.
Ravens 24, Jets 9
Lamar and crew started slowly offensviely but the passing game erupted in the second half. Lamar ended up with 3 TD’s on the day on 17-30 passing for 213 yards. The run game was ineffective for the Ravens, but you can’t imagine it’ll stay that way all year.
Browns 26, Panthers 24
The Browns had not won a week 1 game since 2004(!!!!!) before today and they do it in dramatic fashion, as rookie Cade York hit a game winning 58 yard field goal as time expired. Nick Chubbb went beast mode for 144 yards on 21 carries, Kareem Hunt added 46 on 11 carries and had two TD’s (1 REC, 1 RUSH).
Baker Mayfield was solid in his first start (16-27, 235 yards, 1 TD 1 INT) and gave his team the lead the last time he was on the field. Football is a cruel game sometimes.
Commanders 28, Jaguars 22
The Washington Commanders scored 14 points in the final 9:36 and stole the win from the Jaguars. Jahan Dotson had 2 touchdowns in his debut and you all should remember that name because he is going to be a goddamn superstar in this league. Carson Wentz was great in the 4th, but it was a normal up and down Wentz performance for much of the game, however the stat line turned out pretty okay (414 yards, 4 TDS, 2 INTS)
Post-game, Josh Allen of the Jags said the loss hurts, not Urban hurts, but it hurts. Urban is in their heads rent-free.
Colts 20, Texans 20 (HAHAHAHAHA)
The Colts trailed 20-3 to the Texans and came back to tie the game. They stayed tied. Rodrigo Blankenship missed a would-be game-winner in overtime. The Texans punted with 20 seconds left in OT and week 1 produced our first tie. Matt Ryan threw 50 (!!!!) times which you can guarantee is not the Colts’ recipe for success.
Taylor had 161 yards himself on 31 carries, as the Colts dominated yardage and led in time of possession. But Lovie Smith’s defense limited scoring opportunities. There are great signs of hope for the Texans, something we haven’t heard from Houston in years.
Dolphins 20, Patriots 7
The Pats offense continues its anemic ways from the preseason. But, their defense held up outside of a few splash plays from Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, who tend to have that effect on defenses. Hill ended up with 94 yards on 8 catches and Waddle added 69 yards on 4 catches. Waddle converted on the biggest play of the game, a 42-yard touchdown on 4th and 7 at the end of the 1st half. It wasn’t a terrible game for Mac Jones, but they will need to find chunk plays in their repertoire.
Onto the late games for some quick hitters…
Chiefs 44, Cardinals 21
Patrick Mahomes, still good.
Vikings 23, Packers 7
The Packers follow up their season opener from last season (38-3 beat down to the Saints) with another dud. Justin Jefferson had 9 catches for 184 yards and 2 TDS. The Kevin O’Connell era starts as well as you could ask for in Minnesota.
Chargers 24, Raiders 19
The Chargers were in control all game long, but a late rally by Vegas made things interesting. Herbert lived up to his MVP hype, (293 yards, 3 TDS). Davante Adams showed his worth (10 catches, 141 yards, 1 TD). But Carr looked like he was forcing the ball to Adams at times and made too many mistakes (3 TDS) to overcome Herbert’s perfect performance. Khalil Mack was impactful in his debut, with 3 sacks (LAC had 6 on the day).
Giants 21, Titans 20
Saquon Barkley is BACK. Brian Da-Balls has ARRIVED. HE DID THE THING. HE WENT FOR 2 AT THE END OF THE GAME TO TAKE THE LEAD AND IT WORKED. The Titans had a chance at the buzzer, but Randy Bullock pulled his kick ot the left. Did I mention Saquon Barkley is back? (18 rushes, 164 yards, 1 TD, 6 catches, 30 yards)
Bucs 19, Cowboys 3
The Cowboys’ offense NEVER got going. Their o-line was dominated by the Bucs defense and Dak Prescott made very questionable decisions throwing the ball all night long. Ceedee Lamb was doubled and bracketed all night long and the other Cowboy receivers struggled to gain separation.
The Bucs offense wasn’t clicking completely either (4 field goals in the first half) but moved the ball well enough to control the clock and score points even if it wasn’t as many touchdowns as they hoped for.
Dak Prescott left with a hand injury but that was only one of the many problems for the Cowboys offense to figure out leaving their season opener.
Some thoughts from Saturday…
#1 Alabama 20, Texas 19
Alabama got all they could handle from Texas on Saturday which was a shock to everyone. Texas started out as 20.5 point underdogs and lost starting QB Quinn Ewers early in the game. Bama uncharacteristically took 15 penalties in the game which hurt their cause. But, Texas was able to match Bama in the trenches, making what people thought would be a shootout into a grind fest.
Bama was able to kick a field goal in the waning moments to escape Austin with a win. Bryce Young was poised in the 4th quarter and the final drive. This game doesn’t teach us as much about Bama as it does Texas, who vaults into the top 25 today despite the loss because of their impressive showing.
Kentucky 26, Florida 16 and Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 27 (OT)
The SEC East won’t go quietly. Tennessee held on for an impressive overtime victory on the road at #17 Pittsburgh. Kentucky took down #12 Florida in The Swamp 26-16, but Florida battled in that game despite a tough night for star QB Anthony Richardson.
Florida will cause trouble for the rest of the SEC, but Mark Stoops and Co are building a legit contender in Lexington. Georgia’s road to another national title will be treacherous dealing with Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida.
2 Responses
Looks like the only team that can beat the Bills are themselves. A KC/Buffalo AFC Championship game looks to be in our future.
The Cowboys have 4 more primetime games this year somehow, we’re in for some ugly games