- Only six games had 40 or more total points: It is clear that with the advent of 17 regular season games and only three preseason games defenses are ahead of offenses to start the season. This could create a rush to the Under in Week 2, which could make for some interesting Over bets.
- Cowboys 40-0 win and 49ers 30-7 win hints toward potential NFC Championship Matchup: The Eagles came away with a win as well, but the Cowboys and 49ers look like the cream of the NFC after Week 1.
- The Rams may have a bounceback year: The Rams are only one season removed from being Super Bowl champions, and QB Matt Stafford is back healthy. They may not be Super Bowl material, but they may be good enough to earn a Wild Card berth. Going to Seattle and coming out with a 17-point victory is impressive.
- The Dolphins’ 36-34 win is very impressive, while the Chargers are the Chargers: This is the potential that Dolphins have with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa … he has all the weapons around him. Conversely, the jury is still out on QB Justin Herbert.
- The Bears are still the Bears: The Bears were one of the few teams with some buzz heading into the year, along with the Lions and Jets. The Lions beat the defending champs and the Jets lost Aaron Rodgers for the season but still pulled out a win. The Bears went out at home and threw up all over themselves against the Packers.
- Browns impressive, Bengals awful: By year’s end, I fully expect the Bengals to be in the playoffs and the Browns out of it or fighting for a Wild Card. But at least on opening day in Cleveland, the Browns were the better team … and it wasn’t even close. I speculated that the Bengals should have sat QB Joe Burrow; I stand by it. He definitely didn’t seem right.
- Patriots offense still challenged: The Patriots again could not overcome a team who put up at 25 points against them. They were held to only 20 points despite QB Mac Jones putting up solid numbers. He was 35-54 with 316 passing yards and three TDs. Dare I say those are Tom Brady-esque … but still not good enough to get the W, or score more than 20 points.
- Puka Nacua: Who needs a first or second-round draft pick when a fifth-round rookie gets the most targets of all WRs with 15 and catches 10 of them for 119 yards? It was very Cooper Kupp-like, and with Kupp out for at least another three weeks, but probably more, Nacua will continue to put up big numbers for the Rams.
- Zay Flowers: Speaking of first-round WRs, Zay Flowers would have been the rookie WR everyone is talking about if it weren’t for Nacua. Flowers caught nine passes for 78 yareds. He’s fast as lightning and it’s already evident he’s created a fantastic bond with Lamar Jackson.
- Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is a polarizing person, but whether you love him or hate him, this is just awful. On the fourth play of his season, he ruptured his Achilles tendon and is out for the year (and possibly career, if he decides to hang them up and retire). I think the entire football world was anticipating what he was going to do leading this talented Jets team. It’s very sad, and an awful way to go out if this is the end of his football career.
