NFL winners from week 1
I will personally break down the results from NFL 2022 season week one and decide on four winners based on scores, game performance, rookie standouts, injuries, and more.
Buffalo Bills
Especially for Bills fans, nothing better than starting the season with a win against the last season’s super bowl champs, the Los Angeles Rams. This win will make the fans forget how the Bills’ season ended in an unpleasant way by losing to the Chiefs in last year's playoffs. Quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills left any old ghosts behind. Allen had an 82 percent completion rate and threw for 279 yards. On top of that, he averaged 5.6 yards per carrying from his 10 rushing attempts getting ???? yards total. On defense, Von Miller recorded two sacks from only playing 25 pass-rush snaps in the game, looking from an eye test Miller beat his blocker once every five pass-rush snaps he plays. With their star Cornerback, WHO?, and Tre’Davious White being out due to injury, it’s stunning to see the Bills holding the Rams to score only 10 points. This defense will be even more intense when White comes back.
2. Miami Dolphins
If I could boil down the many opinions around Miami on Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would be “he’s so creative on offense”. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 20-7 in front of the first ever sold-out crowd at Hard Rock stadium. Throughout the game, McDaniel knew how to get the Dolphins speedy receivers open by using pre-snap motions that lead to confusion on the opposing defense. Miami star receiver Tyreek Hill who got traded from the Chiefs and signed a $120 million contract from the Dolphins ended up with eight receptions for 94 yards, which isn’t necessarily an outstanding game but at least the fans got to see that their head coach knows how to get their weapons the ball on offense. On defense, they held the Patriots to seven points. Throughout the game, the Dolphins had issues with pass-rush but in terms of pass coverage and run stop, it was hard to complain about their defensive performance against the Patriots.
3. Kansan City Chiefs
Right as the fans started to speculate that the other teams in the AFC started to catch up to the Chiefs, they reminded us again of how dominant they are. The Kansas City Chiefs went on to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 44-21. Seemed like Patrick Mahomes doesn’t miss the departure of Tyreek Hill. Mahomes threw a whopping 360 passing yards, and five touchdowns with no interceptions. He also had two big-time throws to Travis Kelce and Skyy Moore which showcased he can sling it to anybody. On defense, they played above expectations, and held the Cardinals to 21 points. Chris Jones looked as good as we have ever witnessed him play. It might not be the majority opinion but I consider Jones as the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL behind Aaron Donald. Their two first-round rookies on defense, Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, played lights out as well. From the 21 snaps McDuffie played, he didn’t allow a single target. Karlaftis played 22 pass-rushing snaps and had three pressures and one quarterback hit. If the Chiefs want to have a quality defense, the two first-round rookies need to show up and they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. The only knock for the Chiefs’ performance from week 1 would be their offensive line, especially their pass-blocking. Tackle Orlando Brown Jr. allowed seven pressure plays throughout the game. As a highly touted tackle for who the Chiefs used a first-round pick to trade for him, the fans have a hard time seeing Brown not play to expectations.
4. Vikings
Can’t ask for a better start for the brand new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings Kevin O'Connell as the Vikings defeated the Packers 23-7. O'Connell decided to put the football in the hands of his best player, Justin Jefferson. Jefferson had nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, Fantasy football league members who had J.J. would be ecstatic from his week1 performance. Running Back Dalvin Cook had a steady 20 carries for 90 yards as he aims to have a monster season. On defense, Veteran safety Harrison Smith made an interception on a deep ball from Aaron Rodgers. Also with both tackles being out for the Packers, the new edge rushing duo on the Vikings Za’Darious Smith and Danielle Hunter created pressure throughout the game and both players had one sack each. Overall a great week 1 win from the Vikings, this roaster is regit.
