NFL - Random Opinions

Colts 24 - Chargers 30

Phillip Rivers continues to be one of the best passers in the league but it was the guy throwing the ball on the other side of the line of scrimmage that everyone was curious about.

Jacoby Brissett played a solid game as the now full-time starter for the Indianapolis Colts. He had quite a bit of help from Marlon Mack churning up the yards on the ground but he also played virtually mistake free and connected with Hilton for a couple scores. It could be that Indy has their new franchise passer on the roster and can continue to be competitive in the South after Andrew Luck's early retirement.

For the Chargers, Melvin Gordon will probably find that getting a big payday from L.A. is going to become really difficult if Austin Ekeler continues to be a true factor for this offense. Austin had one rushing and two receiving touchdowns that showcased his ability as a dual threat.

If the Chargers can jump up on teams early and turn their pass rush loose they could find a way to be a threatening playoff team in 2019.

 

49ers 31 - Buccaneers 17

The Buccaneers will likely never be a playoff team with Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback. It's not just that he played horrible football on Sunday, but he looked dreadful doing it. Three interceptions on the day with two returned for touchdowns doesn't accurately sum up just how bad of a day Winston had.

The Bucs may be in for a very long season.

San Francisco may have got the win, and the scoreboard may look nice with the totals, but it was far from a compelling argument that the 49ers are on the right path. I like the defense, and they have some decent skill players on offense, but the ground game is going to continue to be questionable and I need to see Jimmy G look comfortable on that repaired knee before this team gets any confidence from me.

 

ouch. i don't think the schedule is all that bad. i do see them winning the east over dallas. both make the playoffs.

and way too much darren sproles. you traded for howard -- USE HIM. and you have the rookie out of PSU-Sanders-USE HIM. Sproles should be Special teams only. too many other good RBs for them to sit behind Sproles.

 

Lions 27 - Cardinals 27

It was really the story of two rookie debuts with Kyler Murray and T.J. Hockenson both giving glimpses as to why they were so coveted in the draft.

Detroit's rookie tight end went of in his first ever NFL appearance to the tune of 131 yards and a touchdown. He looked like a polished professional right out of the gate and the Lions have to be stoked about his future in the Motor City.

As for the rest of the Lions offense, it was a mixed bag all day but that is what you are going to get when Matt Stafford is your franchise quarterback.

Kyler Murray started off his day horribly, but he managed to right the ship in the second half and the offense started to click for the rookie signal caller. There were times when it was easy to see why the Cardinals shipped out Josh Rosen in favor of the #1 overall pick, but there are still some things that were concerns predraft that he will need to work on, namely tipped passes. All in all, I think Arizona has likely found their franchise quarterback and perhaps the coach they need to get the most out of his skill set.

The defense needs work though, and until it becomes a strong group they will be on the outside looking in when it comes to division titles in the NFC West.

 

I felt like Dallas was clearly the stronger team coming into the season and nothing I watched on week one changed my mind.

I think Pederson will simply go with the hot hand all season and it wouldn't surprise me at all if Sproles ended up being the guy on quite a few Sundays.

 

Nice segue, courtesy of Cat...

Giants 17 - Cowboys 35

It's going to be tough watching what will likely be the best part of Saquon Barkley's career go to waste on a team that is a long way from contending in the NFC East. The Giants have a lot of work to do to get back into the conversation for division winner. The depth is an issue pretty much across the entire roster and that problem will always show up at some point in the season. New York, if I'm being optimistic, is probably 3 years away from fielding a consistent winner unless they pull some miracles in free agency and hit on virtually all of their upcoming draft picks.

It's time for Jerry Jones to get the deal done with Dak. He may not be everything that most people look for in a quarterback but with new OC Kellen Moore he looks poised to have the best season of his career. The Cowboys have a balanced offense and a defense to compliment it in a division that will feature only one other team to compete for a title.

It's difficult to find a real reason not to bet on the Cowboys to make a deep playoff run in 2019.

 

Steelers 3 - Patriots 33

This game was all about who was more prepared and the coaching adjustments that happened in game...

...and Bill Belichick handed Mike Tomlin his ass on a platter.

Not a whole lot that the Steelers can take away as positives on this one. They do appear to have the talent necessary to compete in the playoffs but unless they can find a way to improve on their preparation and in game adjustments they are going to fail matching up against quality opponents.

The Patriots are going to be better this season than last, which makes them a favorite to be in the AFC Championship game and if they get to have it at home they are likely headed back to the Super bowl.

It may have been week one for the rest of the league but it was just another day at the office for New England.

 

They still have to acclimate AB into the offense.

 

That was one of the games I bailed on in the 3rd quarter... I now wish I hadn't.

Hockenson blew me away tho, I seen enough of him to know he is the real deal, what a game he had. He left Lions fans awed and very forgetful of Ebron and the likes. He can do it all with good hands and fast feet.

Kyler's first 3 quarters were tough to watch, I felt for him, but he righted the ship and took over an NFL football game. Good sign how he made adjustments and started hitting his targets. Cardinals were about last in every offensive category last season, but under a learning Kyler who I think will only get better with experience, they shouldn't be last this year. Murray's ability to throw will go a long way in enhancing David Johnson's game also.

Cardinals defense, as you stated, Tim, needs fixed right away. But the bottom line for me was watching Murray make adjustments late that rallied the troops back. Early in the game a lot of Kyler's balls were flat and floating and even thrown behind or on the back shoulder of wide-open receivers... he fixed that by the 4th and looked great doing it (according to highlights I saw after the fact, DOH).

 

The Vikings looked oddly different to me and for good reason... they controlled the line of scrimmage on BOTH sides of the ball. To see them run like that was so refreshing, I couldn't stay sitting down... man was that a breath of fresh air.

Cousins with 10 pass attempts is some kind of storyline also... he's the new $84, 000, 000 hand-off guy, lol. Keep rolling, that's ok by me. The target to Thielen early was well thrown too. I was surprised to not see the tight-end's get involved much in the points category, but they did well in blocking schemes.

Defense was relentless, good run game and a W to start things off. Big test in Green bay next Sunday tho.

 

Maybe the running game is starting to make a comeback. Defenses are so built to stop the pass that good running teams may have free rain to run roughshod over defenses.

 

That's the impression I found myself left with as well. I wasn't high on the Giants chances this year anyhow but Dallas embarrassed that young defense. The Dallas defense embarrassed Shurmur's play calling. It's only week 1 but it is hard to see how Dallas wouldn't be the favorite to take the NFC East. They are already firing on all cylinders and certainly have the talent.

 

I think Dallas is definitely the team to beat in the East... they are very talented on both sides of the ball. It sure will be fun to see them match-up against the Eagles tho. Must see TV, right there.

 

their second game is the week of christmas. HOHOHO.

 

RIDICULOUSLY bad play-calling not to get the ball in Barkley's hands more. 11 carries?

Dallas needs to clean up their defense a bit: coming into the game their plan was to focus on limiting Barkley and Evan Engram - they failed on both counts. But Dallas' less-predictable offense looked good - Michael Gallup looks like he could be a legitimate play-maker, and Randall Cobb (touch wood he stays healthy) was a tremendous 3rd receiving option.

 

Good team to try and learn that obvious shit at least. 2nd or 3rd worst team you play all year after the Dolphins and maybe their stadium buddies.

 

Goody! You can boo the Cowboys and Santa Claus at the same time !!!

 

True dat. Giants, Redskins, Dolphins in Weeks 1-3 - no reason Dallas shouldn't be 3-0 out of the gate, clean up some things, get some mo' going before the schedule gets tough.

 

Good lord Jerry got the schedule makers to set him up right nice! Dallas should score what 150 points over the first 3 weeks?