Tyreek Hill spent a part of his morning in handcuffs, upcoming a part of his afternoon finally zone. Josh Allen confirmed why he’s a perennial MVP contender. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears proved in Generation 1 you don’t want to rating an offensive landing to win a contest.
And Dak Prescott, the NFL’s newly minted highest-paid participant, celebrated his $240 million trade in with a rout of the Cleveland Browns.
Welcome again, soccer.
For the primary era in 45 years, the NFL noticed 3 groups rally from no less than 14-point holes to win on opening weekend. The Bears had been unwell 17 to the Tennessee Titans prior to coming again for a 24-17 victory, and Allen’s Buffalo Expenses (house in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals) and Hill’s Miami Dolphins (house in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars) each and every got here again from two-touchdown deficits. The Los Angeles Rams just about changed into the fourth group to drag off an unbelievable opening-day comeback prior to in the end falling to the Detroit Lions in additional time Sunday evening.
Jim Harbaugh, on an NFL sideline for the primary era in a decade, opened his Los Angeles Chargers tenure with a 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It was once antique Harbaugh, a reminder of why his San Francisco groups had been such a success: L.A. owned this one at the field, punishing the Raiders for 176 speeding yards, together with a 61-yard blast from J.Okay. Dobbins at the game-sealing power.
GO DEEPER
NFL Generation 1 takeaways: Cowboys’ ability overwhelms, Harbaugh’s method works, Caleb Williams shaky
In Atlanta, the Falcons confirmed that — for one age no less than — video games aren’t received within the offseason. For a group that earned common honour from the pundits for its head-coaching rent and roster additions, together with giving out the most important free-agency assurance in NFL historical past to Kirk Cousins, Atlanta has minute to turn for it one age into the season. The Falcons controlled only one offensive landing in a dispiriting 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who received regardless of no longer scoring an offensive landing. Origination for an injured Russell Wilson (calf), Justin Areas threw for 156 yards with out tossing an interception.
In Indianapolis, it took Anthony Richardson all of 1 quarter to uncork probably the most perfect throws we’ll see all season, an absolute rocket off his again bedrock that traveled 65 yards within the breeze and fell proper into the fingers of Alec Pierce for a landing.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON 60-YARD DIME TO ALEC PIERCE.
: #HOUvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
: pic.twitter.com/p0xddm5Kl1— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
However it was once a overdue third-down connection from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins, plus sterling debuts from two Texans’ rookies — Stefon Diggs snared two touchdowns, and Joe Mixon piled up 159 speeding yards and a rating — that proved the residue in Houston’s 29-27 win. That implies the Colts have now long gone 11 seasons with out profitable their opener, the longest such streak within the league.
In Orchard Ground, the Cardinals constructed a 17-3 supremacy in the second one quarter however light from there, not able to comprise Allen within the Expenses’ 34-28 comeback. The celebrity quarterback accounted for 4 touchdowns, together with a fourth-quarter jump into the top zone wherein he seemed to injure his left (non-throwing) hand. Buffalo outgained Arizona 211-80 upcoming halftime, handover only a farmland objective on protection and conserving extremely touted rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. a non-factor (one catch, 4 yards).
Nobody had a worse trip than the Carolina Panthers, who seemed a complete dozen like they did a yr in the past — once they had been the worst group in soccer. It’s most effective Generation 1, and any kind of rebuild goes to snatch era, however a 47-10 drubbing in Untouched Orleans wasn’t the debut first-year teacher Dave Canales had in thoughts. Saints quarterback Derek Carr had nearly as many landing passes (3) as incompletions (4) as Untouched Orleans outgained the Panthers 379-193 in overall yards. Bryce Younger, pristine off a deadly rookie season, opened his 2024 marketing campaign with an interception on his first cross struggle. He completed 13 of 30 for 161 yards and two alternatives, an ominous get started to what’s a essential Date 2 for him. He’s now misplaced 15 of 17 begins since being drafted Incorrect. 1 in 2023.
In Untouched York, Giants enthusiasts should be questioning if it’s too early to imagine a travel at quarterback. Not anything Daniel Jones did in a 28-6 loss to the Vikings — he completed 22 of 42 for 186 yards and two interceptions — will vacation hypothesis that the group imagine alternative choices. “That’s not on my mind,” teacher Brian Daboll mentioned upcoming the loss. It could want to be quickly. In what looks like a make-or-break yr for Jones in Untouched York, this wasn’t how to get started it off. And let’s no longer forget the afternoons of Sam Darnold, who performed like a seasoned professional — 19 of 24 for 2 touchdowns — and Minnesota teacher Kevin O’Connell, who as soon as back confirmed what he can do with out his foundation quarterback.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rode Baker Mayfield’s four-touchdown hour to a very simple 37-20 win over the Commanders. The offseason choice to re-sign Mayfield is taking a look just right to this point; identical for the two-year extension the Bucs passed to veteran wideout Mike Evans, who hauled in two of Mayfield’s landing throws Sunday.
In Seattle, the Mike Macdonald week began with a win upcoming his protection gave Bo Nix suits all afternoon. The Denver Broncos’ rookie starter was once intercepted two times, and with out some drops through Seahawks defenders, it simply may just’ve been a couple of extra. It took Nix 34 makes an attempt simply to climb hour the 100-yard mark, and each and every of Denver’s first six possessions of the second one 1/2 led to a punt or a handover. Seahawks QB Geno Smith ran for a 34-yard landing and threw for every other in a 26-20 win.
Right here’s what stood out from Generation 1 around the NFL:
A just right hour to be Dak
A actually, actually just right hour. The Cowboys’ quarterback changed into the league’s highest-paid participant — his pristine four-year trade in features a whopping $231 million assured — a couple of hours prior to Dallas ruled the Browns 33-17 in a contest that was once by no means alike.
Prescott completed 19 of 32 with a landing, however the tale was once the Dallas protection, which annoyed Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson all over the sport. 40-five cross makes an attempt for Watson netted simply 169 yards, and he was once intercepted two times. Since arriving in Cleveland a couple of years in the past, he hasn’t seemed the rest alike to the participant he was once in Houston, and Sunday was once every other stark reminder. It’s only one age, however this can be a weakness that brews all season for the Browns.
And to assume: lately August, the Cowboys hadn’t signed their celebrity quarterback or celebrity broad receiver to assurance extensions, and that cloud of dubiousness hung over the franchise because it seemed to travel hour every other disappointing playoff go. Kind of $376 million then — the mixed overall worth of Prescott’s and Cee Dee Lamb’s trade in — that dubiousness has been put to remainder. The Cowboys are 1-0, Mike Zimmer’s protection appears frightening and the celebrities are glad.
Williams’ rocky debut
There’s disagree manner round it: Caleb Williams’ Bears debut was once dreadful. He threw for simply 93 yards on 29 cross makes an attempt (his score: a dark 55.7). He realized extending performs within the NFL isn’t the similar as extending performs within the Pac-12 (he misplaced 29 yards on sacks). He pressed. He struggled. He overlooked receivers low and broad.
He additionally changed into the primary rookie Incorrect. 1 pick out to win in Generation 1 since 2002.
He can thank the Bears’ protection and particular groups for that. And Titans’ quarterback Will Levis, whose late-game errors buried Tennessee upcoming it constructed a 17-0 supremacy.
Chicago’s 24-17 victory felt used college — unsightly, with the offense all however nonexistent — no longer precisely emblematic of the pristine week the franchise hopes initially its lead pick out. Identical because the Steelers, the Bears didn’t rating an offensive landing all hour.
“Obviously, great to get this first win,” Williams mentioned. “We’re all excited. We went to the locker room to celebrate, and I sat down and enjoyed the moment, just watching all the guys celebrate, understanding that I need to be better, I will be better.”
The Bears face the Texans later Sunday in top era. Williams’ dismal debut isn’t unusual for first-year quarterbacks, nevertheless it was once troubling that he reverted to probably the most characteristics that were given him in hassle at USC. He must disintegrate unfastened of the ones inclinations and accomplish that temporarily. The Bears have invested a dozen of their rookie QB and constructed a succesful offense round him. Williams can have higher days. We’ll see how lengthy the Bears have to attend to look them.
Detroit nonetheless as gritty as ever
Matthew Stafford has returned to Detroit two times in 9 months. Each journeys have led to heartache.
The Lions sponsored up their wild-card victory over the Rams again in January with a 26-20 additional time win Sunday evening. This was once an incredible opener between two groups that determine to be gamers within the NFC playoff race then this season and every other reminder of what makes Dan Campbell’s group so tricky to play games: The Lions merely no to crease.
Upcoming blowing a 17-3 first-half supremacy, the Lions drove 40 yards in 9 performs overdue to arrange a game-tying farmland objective from Jake Bates overdue in law, upcoming pounded the Rams’ protection with David Sir Bernard Law at the game-winning power in additional time. Stafford by no means were given to the touch the ball.
Each he and Cooper Kupp (14 catches, 110 yards, one TD) had been grand for many of the 2nd 1/2, a reminder at the nationwide level why this pair rest as deadly as any within the league.
Wild hour in Miami
Believe being a Dolphins fan, tailgating a couple of hours prior to the group’s season opener in opposition to the Jaguars, and witnessing the group’s perfect participant, wideout Tyreek Hill, being handcuffed outdoor the stadium.
That’s how an eventful Sunday spread out in Miami Areas, the place Hill and defensive take on Calais Campbell had been in short detained through police. Hill then instructed newshounds he have been opposed Sunday morning on his solution to the sport for allegedly rushing however had “no idea” why officials positioned him in handcuffs; Campbell mentioned he opposed to trade in aid for his teammate. “Right now, I’m still trying to put it all together,” Hill mentioned upcoming the Dolphins’ 20-17 win over the Jaguars.
Tyreek Hill racked up 130 receiving yards, together with an 80-yard landing, in Miami’s comeback win over Jacksonville. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Pictures)
Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Area issued a commentary Sunday that showed probably the most officials concerned has been put on administrative tasks and an inside investigation will snatch park.
Hill helped the Dolphins erase a gradual get started and end in a flurry; Miami scored the sport’s ultimate 13 issues to finish the comeback. Hill led the group with seven catches for 130 yards, together with an 80-yard landing in the second one 1/2 that he celebrated through placing his fingers at the back of his again and having fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle satirically handcuff him.
Hill now has 12 profession touchdowns of no less than 75 yards, join for the third-most in NFL historical past.
Identical get started for the Bengals
Via now we’re impaired to those gradual begins from the Bengals — it’s almost an annual custom in Cincinnati — however this yr was once intended to be other. Joe Burrow in any case had a wholesome coaching camp, and regardless of Ja’Marr Chase’s on-again, off-again presence, few figured they’d run into a lot hassle opening in opposition to a Patriots group that received simply 4 video games endmost season and seemed misplaced every now and then within the preseason.
In lieu: Patriots 16, Bengals 10.
On its house farmland, Cincinnati didn’t top a primary unwell till halfway thru the second one quarter and completed with only one landing power all hour. Burrow tried 29 passes however simply seven went greater than seven yards within the breeze (Chase had six catches for 62 yards). A group that constructed its recognition on ruthlessly carving up defenses unwell the farmland bore minute resemblance to the contender of years hour.
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The protection seemed a complete dozen adore it did endmost yr — plagued through overlooked tackles and shaky play games up entrance — because the Patriots managed parts of the sport at the field, piling up 170 speeding yards within the procedure. Jacoby Brissett, foundation forward of 1/3 general pick out Drake Maye for the era being, finished simply 15 passes for 121 yards however didn’t flip it over, and Cincy had disagree resolution for Rhamondre Stevenson, who completed with 120 speeding yards and a landing.
The Bengals at the moment are 1-5 in openers below Taylor. And the Patriots are 1-0 below Jerrod Mayo, whose gamers celebrated with a Gatorade bathtub for his or her pristine teacher. One of the vital league’s worst groups from 2023 has some date early in 2024.
However the tale was once Cincinnati’s offense, which by no means were given on the right track. Was once this simply a fluke, like a couple of of those season-opening duds were for the Bengals lately, or an indication that the offense isn’t proper? A stiffer check arrives later age, once they face the two-time protecting champs in Kansas Town, house to probably the most league’s perfect defenses.
(Photograph of David Sir Bernard Law: Gregory Shamus / Getty Pictures)
