NFL Week One Headlines
Rams and Bengals in Super Bowl slump, Carson Wentz gets revenge against Jacksonville, Justin Jefferson backs up trash talk, Gino Smith shines in 2022 debut
Rams and Bengals start the year off on low notes
For what was hyped as a potential Super Bowl matchup, the Bills vs. Rams game was far from an equal fight.
Josh Allen had a few mistakes in the second quarter, but Buffalo was clearly the better team for the majority of the game. The Bills sacked Matthew Stafford seven times, the most allowed by Los Angeles under Sean McVay. Stafford reverted back to his interception-happy ways with three interceptions in his debut. Allen Robinson was expected to make noise but only had one catch for 12 yards on just two targets.
Meanwhile, the Bengals were upended by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a six-point upset. Part of me anticipated something like this would happen, and it did. Cincinnati played in the first half like they were back in 2019. They made a comeback late but it was based more on mistakes by the Steelers than effort by Cincinnati. Even with the undeserved comebacks, the missed field goal and blocked extra point undid the late push by the Bengals.
Carson Wentz hits the ground running in Commanders debut
There were many question marks as to how Carson Wentz would do in Washington. While it’s only Week one, he put on a performance that many fans can be optimistic about. This game saw the best and worst of Wentz, which has pretty much been the story of his career. He started off strong on the Commanders’ first two touchdown drives, going 11-15 for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Many were fearing that the old Wentz was returning after two interceptions that helped Jacksonville overcome a 14-3 deficit and score 19 unanswered points.
However, two late touchdown passes by the new Commanders quarterback gave the team the win and saved Wentz from another embarrassing defeat vs. the Jaguars.
Justin Jefferson excels in Vikings’ blowout win
At the beginning of the season, Justin Jefferson talked about becoming the best wide receiver in the NFL.
“I'll say after this year, I'll be the best receiver in the NFL," Jefferson said in a Complex interview. "I definitely have to give it to [Davante Adams] as of now, him being so crazy and dynamic on the field. His route running is crazy, so I definitely have to give it to him right now, but I'm pretty sure after this year, it's going to be me."
He backed up this talk with a statement against the Green Bay Packers. Jefferson ended the day with nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Aaron Rodgers went to Jefferson after the game to tell him, “You’re the best player in the game today.”
It must have been good for Jefferson to hear that from Rodgers, the quarterback who threw to the receiver that Jefferson considers the best in the game.
Geno Smith spoils Russell Wilson’s revenge game
The biggest storyline going into this game was Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle after spending a decade as their primary quarterback. The night ended with everyone talking about Geno Smith. Smith went 23-28 for 195 yards and two touchdowns. There was some talks about the new quarterback would be in Seattle. For now, at least, it is Smith’s position to lose.
As for the Broncos, this was certainly a wake up call for a supposed Super Bowl contender. It’s not a good look when you kick a 64-yard field goal instead of going for a fourth-and-five with a quarterback you traded a haul for. In addition, the team was penalized 12 times for 106 yards, while failing to convert at the goal line twice. Not a great look for new head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
