Before I get started, I just want to share this little video Nike put out. I think it's wonderful. It's apparently based on the toga scene from Animal House (a movie I know about but have never seen), and there are a lot of cameos from well-known Oregon alumni and supporters. Please just watch it.
Week 1 Review
Week 1 Observations
1. Tight End Revolution
Tight ends dominated last weekend's action, showing that rumors of the impending death of the tight end has been greatly exaggerated. It started Thursday night, when Pittsburgh decided not to cover Rob Gronkowski, and Gronk made them pay dearly for it, scoring three touchdowns with 94 yards receiving in a 28-21 New England victory. The Tight End ambush continued on Sunday. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had 106 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-20 Kansas City win over Houston. St. Louis's Jared Cook was the leading receiver (5 catches, 85 yards) in the Rams' 34-31 overtime victory over Seattle. My man Austin Seferian-Jenkins went off in Tampa's 42-14 loss to Tennessee, catching five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Arizona tight end Darren Fells had 82 yards and a touchdown in a 31-19 win over New Orleans. Cincinnati tight end Tyler Eifert had 104 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-13 blowout of Oakland. Jason Witten had 60 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning one, in Dallas's 27-26 win over the Giants Sunday night. Tight end is clearly a playmaking position in the NFL.
2. Key Injuries
Many big-name players got injured Sunday (with varying degrees of severity), including Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (PCL sprain), Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton (knee bruise), Panthers linebacker Luke Keuchly (concussion), Jets corner Antonio Cromartie (knee sprain), Browns quarterback Josh McCown (concussion), Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (bruised thumb), 49ers running back Reggie Bush (calf strain), Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (torn Achilles), who's out for the season, and Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (broken foot), who could be out for up to 12 weeks.
3. First Week Sloppiness
The first week of the season looked a little sloppy at times. There were tons of penalties, shaky offensive line play, wide receiver drops, turnovers, and poor special teams play. A total of 11 field goals were missed, and due to the new extra point rule (ball moved back to 15), four missed PATs. Teams should cut down on the sloppiness as the season goes along.
Top Games
Rams 34, Seahawks 31, OT
It's always a great battle when these two teams get together, especially on defense and special teams. Although 65 points were scored, that was still the case Sunday. Seattle corner Cary Williams stripped Rams quarterback Nick Foles and returned it for a touchdown, Seahawks rookie return man Tyler Lockett had a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown, and Rams return man Tavon Audtin had a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. The game went into overtime, where Rams kicker Greg Zurlien kicked a 37-yard field goal and the Rams defense won it by stopping Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.
Cowboys 27, Giants 26
Just like Rams-Seahawks, most of the time these two teams meet, it's appointment viewing (and usually on Sunday night). This was no different. It was about defense early, as New York scored two touchdowns off turnovers. But the Cowboys came back (aided in part by a phantom pass interference call on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie), and the Giants blew their opportunity to put it away with under two minutes to play when Eli Manning threw an incomplete pass on third down (he also later said he told running back Rashad Jennings not to score on first and second down), stopping the clock and allowing Tony Romo to lead a game-winning touchdown drive.
Falcons 26, Eagles 24
These high-flying birds met on Monday Night Football, and it was a great game. The Eagles struggled early, frazzled by new Atlanta coach (and former Seattle defensive coordinator) Dan Quinn's aggressive defense. Interceptions were exchanged, but the Eagles couldn't cover Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who had nine catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Philadelphia got back in it and had a chance to take the lead down 26-24 late, but kicker Cody Parkey missed a 44-yard field goal on fourth and one. The Eagles defense stopped the Falcons, giving Sam Bradford and company one more shot, but a high pass went through the hands of receiver Jordan Matthews and was intercepted by Atlanta safety Ricardo Allen. Matthews put his face in his hands and sunk to the ground in heartbreak.
Top Performances
Titans QB Marcus Mariota vs. Tampa Bay: 13-16, 209 yards, 4 TD
In his NFL debut, Mariota outperformed the guy drafted ahead of him, Jameis Winston. He didn't throw much, but when he did, he was magnificent, only throwing three incompletions and passing for four touchdowns.
Falcons WR Julio Jones vs. Philadelphia: 9 catches, 141 yards, 2 TD
We've talked about Julio, who may be making a case for best receiver in the league, and may make me regret choosing Detroit's receiving corps over Atlanta's in my NFL preview piece.
49ers RB Carlos Hyde vs. Minnesota: 26 carries, 168 yards, 2 TD
The second-year back out of Ohio State literally took the opportunity and ran with it in his first start, pounding his way through the middle, outrunning defenders on the outside, and paying homage to former teammate Braxton Miller with a sick spin move.
Play of the Week
There were multiple plays that caught my attention last weekend, like Hyde's spin move (see above) and multiple one-handed catches, including one the Brown's Brian Hartline made on his knees, and a one-handed interception cornerback Bryce McCain of the Dolphins made. But this week's Play of the Week goes to another one-handed interception, made by Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso, that looks almost Odell Beckham-ish.
Week 2 Preview
Quick Picks: (Home team listed last)
Last Week: 8-7
Overall: 8-7
Broncos 28, Chiefs 21 (Thursday, 8:25 PM, CBS/NFL)
Player of the Game: WR Demaryius Thomas
Titans 21, Browns 17 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Player of the Game: DE Jurrell Casey
Texans 16, Panthers 24 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Player of the Game: RB Jonathan Stewart
49ers 24, Steelers 21 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: RB Carlos Hyde
Buccaneers 24, Saints 34 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: QB Drew Brees
Lions 27, Vikings 21 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: WR Calvin Johnson
Cardinals 24, Bears 23 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: FS Tyrann Mathieu
Patriots 31, Bills 34 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Player of the Game: RB LeSean McCoy
Chargers 28, Bengals 24 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Player of the Game: QB Phillip Rivers
Falcons 24, Giants 28 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Rams 34, Redskins 21 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: WR Tavon Austin
Dolphins 17, Jaguars 13 (Sunday, 4:05 PM, CBS)
Player of the Game: DE Cameron Wake
Ravens 42, Raiders 24 (Sunday, 4:05 PM, CBS)
Player of the Game: WR Steve Smith Sr.
Cowboys 28, Eagles 31 (Sunday, 4:25 PM, FOX)
Player of the Game: WR Jordan Matthews
Seahawks 30, Packers 32 (Sunday, 8:30 PM, NBC)
Player of the Game: QB Aaron Rodgers
Jets 31, Colts 28 (Monday, 8:30 PM, ESPN)
Player of the Game: WR Brandon Marshall
Games to Watch
Broncos @ Chiefs
The top two teams in the AFC West go at it on Thursday Night Football. Both teams won last week, but while Alex Smith and Kansas City's offense played well against the Texans, Peyton Manning and the Denver offense struggled against Baltimore. Both teams did play exceptional defense in their opening games. The Broncos had two interceptions against Joe Flacco, one of them returned for a touchdown and the other in the endzone to seal the win. The Chiefs had five sacks and chased Brian Hoyer from the game in Houston.
Cowboys @ Eagles
The Cowboys are in another must-watch game as they face NFC East foe Philadelphia. Dallas pulled out a Week 1 win over the Giants thanks to some Tony Romo heroics (and some bad clock management by Eli Manning and the Giants), while the Eagles got off to a slow start against Atlanta and could not pull out a win, missing a field goal and throwing an interception late. Nonetheless, this will surely be an offensive slugfest.
Seahawks @ Packers
This week's Sunday Night Football game is a rematch of the "Fail Mary" game a couple of years ago, but more importantly, it's a rematch of last year's NFC Championship, where Green Bay blew multiple opportunities, allowing Seattle to come back and win in overtime on their way to the Super Bowl. The Pack took care of Chicago last week behind their lethal passing attack, while the Seahawks lost to St. Louis in overtime.
Fantasy Sleepers and Busts
Sleepers
Cowboys WR Terrance Williams vs. Philadelphia
With Dez Bryant out for an extended period of time with a broken foot, Williams now takes over as the Cowboys' number one receiver. He had five catches for 60 yards last week, and that was with Bryant healthy for most of the game. Plus, the Cowboys play Philly in what will probably to be a shootout.
Cardinals RB Chris Johnson vs. Chicago
Johnson hasn't been CJ2K in a long time, but he still has some speed and will get the bulk of the carries for Arizona with Andre Ellington out. He had 10 carries (for 37 yards) last week, when Ellington was active. Against the Bears, he'll be able to find some running room.
Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs. New Orleans
ASJ broke out last week in a blowout loss to Tennessee, and although that was mostly in Garbage Time, he proved that he is a real threat. This week he goes up against a Saints defense that allowed 82 yards and a touchdown to Arizona tight end Darren Fells, who isn't as good as Seferian-Jenkins.
Busts
Patriots QB Tom Brady vs. Buffalo
Brady threw four touchdown passes last week against the Steelers, but this week he faces a stout Bills defense that held Andrew Luck to 243 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The intimidating Bills defense also gets defensive tackle Marcell Dareus back from suspension this week.
Redskins RB Alfred Morris vs. St. Louis
Morris was busy last week vs. the Dolphins, totaling 121 yards on 25 carries. But this week he has to battle a defense that held Marshawn Lynch to 73 yards on 18 carries. Morris also probably won't get that many carries this week, especially if the 'Skins are down big early.
Eagles RB DeMarco Murray vs. Dallas
Murray did not get off to a roaring start in Philadelphia, running for nine yards on eight carries (although he did have a touchdown) Monday against Atlanta. Dallas doesn't have a suffocating defense, but they did hold Dallas to 99 yards rushing Sunday night.
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