The opening week within the NFL is kind of full and there’s lots to course of. Offenses across the league are struggling, defenses are flourishing, and Baker Mayfield is the scariest quarterback within the league.
Yeah, Week 1 may be bizarre like that. Let’s dive into the TK finest performances to come back out of the week, and the tk worst.
Better of the week
No. 1: Baker Mayfield, QB — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24-for-30, 289 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
It’s straightforward to brush this off by saying “he performed the Commanders,” however there’s extra to what Mayfield did than meets the attention. Not solely did he thrive with a brand new offensive coordinator, however extra importantly he received everybody within the Tampa Bay offense concerned.
Prime receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans each received their targets and touchdowns, Rachaad Evans flourished as a dual-threat again. This crew simply rolled, and Mayfield confirmed all his finest traits on this sport as he harnessed his toughness, competitiveness and moxie to make performs and cook dinner the opposition.
No. 2: Greg Rousseau, DE — Buffalo Payments
6 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 1 pressured fumble
There’s no debate on who the most effective defensive participant of the week was, as a result of Greg Rousseau of the Payments was an absolute beast. Any multi-sack sport is a giant deal, nevertheless it’s how he dismantles the Cardinals that’s vital right here. Buffalo had actual points managing Kyler Murray for the primary a part of this sport, however they Rousseau took over.
A vital Third-and-9 sack early within the third quarter actually flipped the tempo of the sport. Rousseau beat left deal with Paris Johnson Jr. off the sting and closed on Murray too rapidly for him to even understand what was taking place. This tone-setting second put the ball again in Josh Allen’s arms, and the comeback was on.
When Arizona received out to an early lead it was clear the Payments wanted a spark on protection. Rousseau was that man.
No. 3: J.Ok. Dobbins, RB — Los Angeles Chargers
10 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD
We knew the Chargers had been going to be a piece in progress on offense with new coach Jim Harbaugh bending the crew to his picture, and for probably the most half issues had been tough for the Chargers offensively on Sunday. Fortunately there was J.Ok. Dobbins, who was prepared, prepared and in a position to bail out the crew once they wanted a spark.
Justin Herbert is clearly nonetheless studying the Harbaugh offense, and he’s not comfy being a short-yardage quarterback simply but after stretching the sector for his complete profession. It was clear the crew wanted a pop, and Dobbins was there to ship as he averaged 13.5 yards-per-carry, whereas breaking off a 61-yard run that helped set everthing up for Los Angeles.
No. 4: Derek Carr, QB — New Orleans Saints
19-for-23, 200 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Derek Carr was completely rolling in opposition to the hapless Panthers on Sunday, and most critically he by no means made any errors. There wasn’t one second on this sport you could possibly spotlight and say “he might have finished higher right here,” as Carr methodically picked aside a Carolina protection that lacked preparation or solutions.
The promising factor for Saints followers is how good Carr appears to be like within the Klint Kubiak system. We’ll see how lengthy this may carry outdoors of beating up on one of many NFL’s worst groups, however there’s a motive for some promise in New Orleans.
No. 5: Tyreek Hill, WR — Miami Dolphins
7 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD
Water is moist, and Tyreek Hill is a nightmare after the catch. For a lot of the afternoon in Florida the Dolphins struggled in opposition to the Jaguars, however in the long run Tyreek was a distinction maker, it wasn’t simply the game-break positive aspects, however his 4 first down catches that helped cement a giant comeback for Miami and get them off to a sizzling begin.
No. 6: T.J. Edwards, LB — Chicago Bears
15 tackles, 2 for a loss, 1 fumble restoration
The NFL’s main tackler in Week 1, Edwards was a difference-making tackling machine in opposition to the Titans. The variety of stops is spectacular in isolation, however Edwards set the ton and ensured Tony Pollard didn’t preserve rolling after a giant begin to the sport.
The fumble restoration was the icing on the cake, and ensured the Bears might win off the again of their protection.
Worst of the week
No. 1: Deshaun Watson, QB — Cleveland Browns
24-for-45, 169 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Deshaun Watson is so cooked. Proper now he’s taking part in soccer like somebody who doesn’t need to be on the sector, and it reveals. His accuracy is everywhere in the map, he makes unhealthy selections with the ball in his arms, and at no level on Sunday did Watson play like an elite quarterback (which he’s being paid to be).
A crew can solely go so far as their QB permits, and proper now Watson is dragging the Browns down with him.
No. 2: Bo Nix, QB — Denver Broncos
26-for-42, 138 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Proving that preseason is barely preseason, Bo Nix didn’t present something on Sunday to point he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback. Clearly misplaced within the second, Nix’s downfield throws weren’t even in the identical zipcode as his receivers more often than not, and his two interceptions had been simply ugly.
Sooner or later the blame has to fall on Sean Payton, who’s clearly struggling to dial up offenses that work in Denver. Every week his QBs look underprepared and overmatched, and that may be a issue of the method throughout sport week.
No. 3: Caleb Wiliams, QB — Chicago Bears
14-for-29, 93 yards
It’s one week, and long run Caleb Williams goes to be positive, however my goodness his debut in opposition to the Texans was ugly. There have been extensive open passes he overthrew fully, just a few that got here very near being picked off, and dramatic overconfidence when underneath stress which led to Williams pondering he might out-scramble NFL-caliber defenders, dropping massive yards within the course of.
This was all punctuated by the very fact the No. 1 total decide had a lot expectation coming into Sunday and didn’t again it up with a single massive play — which was disheartening contemplating the Bears performed a mediocre Titans crew.
No. 4: Bryce Younger, QB — Carolina Panthers
13-for-30, 161 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
The one good factor to say about Bryce Younger’s efficiency is that it may well solely go up from right here. The Carolina Panthers complete crew went into New Orleans and seemed fully unready to play NFL soccer, which is an element of their lack of reps in preseason.
Younger’s two interceptions had been gross, however the greater subject is that proper now he simply doesn’t look comfy underneath heart and doesn’t belief his extensive receivers. There have been flashes of fine play, however they had been few and much between. It’s going to be a protracted season in Carolina.
No. 5: Daniel Jones and his relationship with Malik Nabers
Yeah, I give this about two weeks at the start explodes on the sideline.
“I am getting out on my routes and simply making an attempt to make a play, looking for a greater throw for him to make. I used to be simply doing my job, that is all I can do.”
– Malik Nabers on if Daniel Jones seemed for him sufficient at this time pic.twitter.com/bs08s92ztm
— Giants Movies (@SNYGiants) September 8, 2024
No. 6: Will Levis, QB — Tennessee Titans
19-for-32, 127 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Levis may need made this record impartial of costing his crew the sport, however once you throw the dumbest, however there must be some particular acknowledgment once you throw the most-inane interception of the week and instantly give up cobra.
Sorry Will, however that is simply comedy.
