What Went Down In Week 1 Of NFL Action

Ahead of tonight's NFC East matchup between the Giants and Washington, let's take a look at the concluded first week of football.

Week 1 of the NFL season took place over this past weekend. With it came answers and unexpected results to questions brewing over the off-season.

What would Dak Prescott look like coming off of an injured 2020 season?

Prescott showed fans why the Cowboys inked him to 4-year $160 million extension back in March. The Cowboys quarterback torched the Buccaneers defense, throwing for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns. Picking up where he left off, Prescott has thrown for a combined 2,259 yards in his last six games. This includes Week 5 of 2020 where he exited the game early after his compound fracture and ankle dislocation. Even with one of the best receiver tandems in the league, the success of the Cowboys centers around Dak in a much more competitive NFC East.

Will age ever catch Tom Brady?

At 44 years old, Brady is the undisputed G.O.A.T of the NFL. Fans however can’t help but wonder, or hope, if he will ever see a decline in his production as he continues his Hall of Fame career. Unfortunately, the doubters will have to wait as Brady continues to age like a fine wine. Throwing for 379 yards against Dallas that includes a game-winning drive, Brady showed why his teams are in contention every year for a Super Bowl. The Buccaneers QB looked composed in the pocket, manipulating defenders and throwing into tight windows all night. The only thing that may stop Brady from reaching his 11th Super Bowl appearance is health.

Is this actually Aaron Rodgers “Last Dance” with the Green Bay Packers?

Trade rumors and drama between Rodgers and the Packers’ front office was the headline of the offseason. The relationship between the two was tumultuous with reports that both President Mark Murphy and GM Brian Gutekunst had flown to Rodgers to make amends. This all concluded with a post on Rodgers’ Instagram of “The Last Dance”. Packers' star Wide Receiver Davante Adams, who is set to be a free agent this upcoming offseason, also posted the same photo. So far after Week 1, the Packers have not lived up to the championship expectations of the dance being blown out by 35 points on the road against Jameis Winston and the Saints. The former MVP had one of the worst games of his career throwing for 138 yards, two interceptions, and ending with an abysmal passer rating of 36.8. While only Week 1, if this trend continues, it may become harder to see Rodgers in a Green Bay uniform after this season.

How will each rookie quarterback this year perform given their expectations?

Trevor Lawrence was billed as one of the best Quarterback prospects of all time coming out of college. Among names like Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, Lawrence is seen as the savior of a rebuilding Jaguars organization that recently hired Urban Meyer as its head coach. Ultimately, Lawrence’s debut was a mediocre loss that came with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 51 attempts. While the first regular season loss of Lawrence’s entire football career, there is no need for concern as even the greats struggled in their first game. For other rookies like 49ers QB Trey Lance and Bears QB Justin Fields it is too early to say. Each quarterback's respective head coaches have stated that they want to give them time to develop behind a veteran starter before they see any significant snaps. On the other hand, Zach Wilson (Jets) and Mac Jones (Patriots) have stepped right in and also played their first full regular season NFL game like Lawrence. Wilson threw 2 touchdowns and an interception in a loss against the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately for Wilson, star Left Tackle Mekhi Beckton will miss extended time due to injury, making this season all the more challenging. Jones on the other hand showed why he was a Heisman nominee, completing 74.3% of his attempts and throwing a touchdown in a narrow loss. However, it is still week 1 and making a judgement on rookie quarterbacks this early would be inconclusive.

How will Matthew Stafford pair with Sean McVay?

Amazing. That’s the answer. Next question. In all seriousness, Stafford performed at the level many fans thought he would on the Rams. The Rams were at a tough spot at the end of last season. After signing Jared Goff to a 4-year $134 million contract after the Rams’ Super Bowl run a few years ago, the front office was feeling some buyer’s remorse. Goff failed to live up to the expectations of the team and head coach Sean McVay while taking up a significant amount of cap space. Deciding not to waste the championship window and roster, the team shipped Goff, two first-round picks, and a third to the Lions in exchange for Stafford. Held back by the coaching and talent in Detroit, Stafford joined an offense with a creative play caller and stars at every position. Moreover, he is accompanied by a defense led by Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald that can get him the ball at will. Against the Bears on Sunday Night Football, Stafford threw for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns on the way to a win. With a run game for support, Stafford was able to exploit the Bears defense all night long. Per PFF, Stafford went 7/7 for 153 yards and a touchdown on Play-Action passes. Will Stafford win MVP this year? Tough to say, but after so many losing seasons in Detroit, the only thing on Stafford’s mind is winning a Super Bowl.

Who will come out on top of the NFC West?

Last season, the NFC West was one of the most competitive divisions in football. This carried into the offseason and an arms race ensued between all four teams. The talent acquired between each team was on display Sunday as each team finished with a win. The Rams and Cardinals dominated their opponents on both sides of the ball and came out looking very strong. Chandler Jones (Cardinals) sacked Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill five times en route to a blowout. On offense, Kyler Murray (Cardinals) kicked off his own MVP campaign, throwing for four touchdowns and running in for one. If the Cardinals can continue to click like they did on Sunday, there is a high chance we will see them play in late January. The 49ers, while winning, did not seem to be as strong as the other two. Mirroring the issues that plagued the team last year, starting cornerback Jason Verett and starting running back Raheem Mostert had their seasons come to an end due to injuries. Health is going to play a huge factor again this season for the Niners, and the success of the team depends on the health of their playmakers. Meanwhile in Seattle, the Seahawks faced off against the Carson Wentz led Colts. The defense, which was on pace to be one of the worst pass defenses all-time last season, stepped it up and limited the Colts on Sunday. On offense Russell Wilson made his MVP bid. Working with new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Wilson threw for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns on 23 attempts. He finished the day with a 152.3 passer rating and the highest completion percentage¹ of all quarterbacks on the week. Each team looks like it could make a strong case to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but they have to get through each other first.

(¹Minimum 14 Attempts)

Can Baltimore still compete for the division crown with all of its injuries?

It was only the first week of football, but the Monday Night Football matchup brought a really enjoyable game. Viewers were treated to the first game in Allegiant Stadium to have fans attend, and the daunting atmosphere opposing teams would face on the road. Over the course of the final quarter, there were three momentum shifting touchdowns that kept the match close. The back and forth between the teams was capped off with a go-ahead field goal by Justin Tucker with 00:37 left on the clock. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr responded with his own game-tying drive that was finished off by kicker Daniel Carlson. In overtime, the Raiders drove to the 1-yard line off a miraculous play from Raiders receiver Bryan Edwards. A failed QB Sneak and a costly penalty on the next two downs set the Raiders back into a tricky spot at third and long. Ultimately, Carr would throw an interception on a pass intended for Willie Snead giving the Ravens a chance to close out the game with a field goal. On what should have been an easy game winning drive from the Ravens, a costly fumble by Lamar Jackson near the end zone gave the Raiders one final attempt to go for the win. Exploiting a “Cover 0” defensive look, Carr lobbed up a deep ball to receiver Zay Jones to ice the game. Carr would finish the game with 435 passing yards and become the league leader after week 1. This game's outcome, while thrilling, highlights the absence of All-Pro Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters. Would his presence make a significant enough impact to stop the Raiders downfield passing attack? This one is not as easy to say considering Baltimore had multiple opportunities to win the game. The picture may become much more clear this weekend as Baltimore faces off against Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes on Sunday Night Football.