Football analyst Guy Broom provides game-by-game coverage for the eventful start of the season
Bills: 31, Rams: 10
The season kicked off with the defending champions, the Rams, taking on this season’s Super Bowl favorite Bills . The game ended with the Bills making a statement win, clearly defining themselves as the favorite. Josh Allen began his case for MVP by throwing a 26/31 completion rate for 297 yards and three touchdowns and by having 10 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Both teams played pretty sloppily in the first half with it being tied 10-10; however, it took off in the second half with the Rams scoring 21 points and shutting out the super bowl champs home 31-10.
Eagles: 38, Lions: 35
This game looked to be an easy win for the Eagles, being up 38-21 going into the fourth quarter. The Lions were looking to make a comeback, scoring 14 points, but the Eagles escaped with their first win of the season.
Saints: 27, Falcons: 26
The Falcons started off this game with a large lead over the Saints with a score of 26-10 before going into the fourth quarter, but in true Falcon fashion they proceeded to blow that lead in 11 minutes, culminating in a 51-yard field goal by Wil Lutz to end the game and finish yet another choke by the Falcons
Colts: 20, Texans: 20
This game started out with the Texans leading the Colts 20-3 by the end of the third quarter, but Matt Ryan led the Colts to a 17-point comeback in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Overtime went back and forth until Rod Blankenship missed a game winning 42-yard field goal that resulted in Blankenship being released just a couple of days later. The game’s conclusion ended in a tie Steelers: 23, Bengals: 20
Another game that looked to bring an additional tie to the first week saw the Super Bowl losing team, the Bengals, seeking to bounce back, but problems rose after quarterback Joe Burrow threw four interceptions. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, had the potential game winning extra point blocked to send the game into overtime. After many failed drives, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired in overtime, preventing another tie in the first week.
Browns: 26, Panthers: 24
One of the more anticipated games of the week saw former Browns Quarterback, Baker Mayfield, seeking revenge on his former team for trading him away for Deshaun Watson who is serving an 11-week suspension following multiple cases of sexual assault. This game looked like an easy win for the Browns during the first half, but Mayfield led the Panthers to a 17-point comeback that would fall short due to rookie kicker Cade York kicking a game winning field goal from 58 yards to win the game for the Browns.
Commanders: 28, Jaguars: 22
For the third time in four years, Washington rushed out onto the field under a new team and began their stint as the Commanders with a win over the Jaguars. Carson Wentz would go on to throw for 313 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in his Commanders debut, while Trevor Lawrence threw for 275 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Bears: 19, 49ers: 10
This game was played during horrible field conditions in Soldier Field but did not prevent the Bears from sliding on the field in their 19-10 over San Francisco.
Ravens: 24, Jets: 9
A game marked by two Quarterbacks looking to prove something with Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson, seeking to bring back his 2019 MVP form after contract negotiations failed between him and the Ravens. On the other hand, Jets backup quarterback, Joe Flacco, who is taking over after Zach Wilson suffered an injury before the season, is seeking a win over the team he led to a Super Bowl win almost 10 years ago. Jackson went off, throwing for three touchdowns and 213 yards in a 24-9 victory over Flacco and the Jets.
Dolphins: 20, Patriots: 7
This game was marked by the Dolphins, who acquired Tyreek Hill over the offseason, routing the Patriots 20-7. Hill had eight receptions for 94 yards in his Dolphins debut. Fears ran out for the Patriots after Quarterback Mac Jones looked to have suffered a back injury but x-rays later indicated everything was fine.
Chargers: 24, Raiders: 19
The last time these two teams met was at the end of the season last year,which very nearly ended in a tie; this would’ve sent both teams to the playoffs. The Chargers managed to escape with a win against the Raiders, who acquired Davante Adams during the offseason.
Vikings: 23, Packers: 7
This was the first game for Aaron Rodgers without Davante Adams, and it clearly showed as Rodgers threw 22/34 for 194 yards and an interception. Justin Jefferson shined during this game, having nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns in this routing of the Packers.
Giants: 21, Titans: 20
A game between two teams with powerful running backs resulted in an upset win by the Giants under new head coach, Brian Daboll. Saquon Barkley rushed the field for a 164-yard performance with a 9.1 yards per carry rate. This game came down to a missed field goal by Titans kicker, Randy Bullock.
Chiefs: 44, Cardinals: 21
Patrick Mahomes, who is starting his first year without Tyreek Hill, showed that he didn’t need Hill as he threw 30/39 for 360 yards and an impressive five touchdowns. On the other side Kyler Murray, whose contract during the offseason revealed that, for a time, he did not put down his video games to watch film, threw 22/34 for 193 yards and only two touchdowns in this 44-21 defeat by the Chiefs
Buccaneers: 19, Cowboys: 3
This game featured the beginning of Tom Brady’s twenty-third season, starting against the Dallas Cowboys, who look to bounce back after an embarrassing end to their season last year against the 49ers. The Buccaneers, however, with the addition of Julio Jones, ended up with the win over the Cowboys. The Cowboys might be in a little trouble as backup quarterback Cooper Rush is taking the head position following a thumb injury to Dak Prescott that will likely see him out for a couple of weeks.
Seahawks: 17, Broncos: 16
Another anticipated game for this week saw new Broncos Quarterback Russel Wilson go against the team he had led to two straight Super Bowl appearances and a victory. During the third quarter, down 13-17, the Broncos were at the Seahawks’ 1-yard line and could have won the game, , having learned his lesson a couple of years ago in the Super Bowl, handed the ball off to running back Javonte Willions, who proceeded to fumble the ball to Michael Jackson. The game came down to a confusing end by the Broncos, as the Broncos had three timeouts but ran the clock down and forced their kicker Brandon McManus to kick a 64-yard field goal. He missed, giving the Russel Wilson era of the Broncos their first loss.
