NFL Weekly Recap: Week 1

Antonio Brown changes teams like he’s the owner of a Madden franchise; the Browns drop a big, brown turd at home; and the Patriots are still the NFL’s juggernaut.

Game of the Week: New Orleans Saints defeat Houston Texans, 30-28

What a wild, dynamite finish to a game filled with drama, controversy, and heroic efforts on both sides! The Saints overcame an early 11-point deficit, to salvage victory against a resilient Texans team. Things looked bleak for the Saints, down by one with just 37 seconds left. Enter the NFL’s all-time passing leader Drew Brees. Three quick passes in 35 seconds – given up far too easily by the Houston secondary – and the Saints were somehow back in business. With two seconds left, Saints kicker Will Lutz, who fell short on a 57-yard kick earlier, had a chance to redeem himself. This time, from 58 yards out, Lutz absolutely drilled it – sending the crowd and his team into a frenzied celebration.

To say it was an improbable ending would be an understatement, as the Saints defense had just given up a 75-yard touchdown drive in 13 seconds. It took just two plays for the cerebral Deshaun Watson to stun the New Orleans crowd with back-to-back, perfectly thrown deep strikes. Newly acquired receiver Kenny Stills tied the game on a 38-yard bomb from Watson just moments after the Saints fought back to take their first lead. The insanity was had only just begun. Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn proceeded to pull a John Carney (for all you Saints fans) and miss the extra point! But wait… New Orleans had gone offsides, and Fairbairn converted on the mulligan! It looked like the Texans were about to pull off a massive upset on Monday Night Football.

Going back to Watson’s performance – it was a beautiful thing to witness as he displayed a supreme level of control over the offense. Aside from an early mistake on an interception, 24-year old QB made several breathtaking plays – including a 21-yard touchdown scramble down the sideline, finished off with a dazzling leap over a Saints defender into the endzone. Watson actually hurt his back on the play, which could be something to keep an eye on. Despite the early injury, the young man showed he’s got the grit to go with the gall. Watson battled through the pain, stood tall in the pocket, and took several big-time hits throughout the game. Then continued to unleash a series of laser-guided strikes upon the Saints secondary. All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a few uncharacteristic drops but still put on a dominant performance with 8 catches, 111 yards, and two touchdowns.

The Texans showed they are for real this year, and are prepared to give hell to every defense they come across. Defensively, they have some cleaning up to do. The Saints showed why they are a top contender to reach the Super Bowl, as under the leadership of Brees and Sean Payton, not an ounce of quit is allowed to gestate within that locker room.

Runner-Up Game of the Week: L.A. Chargers defeat Indianapolis Colts in OT, 30-24

Philip Rivers looked sharp in the Chargers’ victory over the Colts, particularly on their final drive – going 3-for-3 for 41 yards, which set up RB Austin Ekeler’s game-winning touchdown in overtime. Rivers finished with three touchdowns, as did Ekeler, who had a breakout performance as the Chargers’ new starting running back. At the moment it’s looking like a smart gamble by L.A., as they’re getting a much better production:price ratio with Ekeler than they would be with Melvin Gordon.

Ekeler kept the offense rolling all game long, making one key play after another, in what was a back and forth affair that saw plenty of momentum swings. Early in the third quarter, the 5’10, 200 lb Ekeler showed tremendous power for a smaller back, catching and rumbling through the Colts defense for a 55-yard highlight touchdown. The Chargers took a commanding 24-9 lead on the play, but the Colts had no plans of silently going into the night.

Much like the Raiders’ big Monday Night Football win over the Broncos after the whole Antonio Brown saga, the Colts wanted to show they are more than just Andrew Luck. QB Jacoby Brissett was admirable in his debut relief-performance, connecting with Pro-Bowl WR T.Y. Hilton for a pair of TDs. Brissett protected the ball and efficiently moved his offense. Unfortunately, Colts Kicker Adam Vinatieri, universally recognized as the G.O.A.T. when it comes to foot-swingers, had one of his worst games as a pro. The legend missed two makeable field goals and an extra-point, momentum-killers in a close game.

The Colts offensive line opened up huge lanes for RB Marlon Mack, who rushed for a league-high 174 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Colts were weighed and found wanting. However, safety Malik Hooker made of the most incredible one-handed interceptions you’ll ever see in his own endzone, which led to the Colts game-tying touchdown. Unfortunately, this a game of inches, and losing an elite quarterback can mean coming up a few inches short. The Colts offense was efficient, but just didn’t have the same threatening, attacking style we’ve come to associate with this club.

Biggest Upset Win: Tennessee Titans blow out favored Cleveland Browns, 43-13

After an offseason of Popeye’s-chicken-sandwich-levels of hype for the Browns, a letdown was not entirely shocking. Concerning, however, was the lack of discipline and composure the Browns showed at the first sight of adversity this season. This was a full-blown meltdown by the entire team, led by QB Baker Mayfield who had his worst day as a pro. Mayfield threw three interceptions including a pick-six to CB Malcolm Butler. The Browns went a pathetic 1-for-10 on 3rd downs. The team totaled 18 penalties for 182 yards, the most for any Browns team since 1951! Odell Beckham Jr.’s watch got more love than the Browns this week, and deservedly so.

Props definitely go to the Titans defense that could be really tough to pass on this year. They gave little room to the Browns’ weapons, and kept Mayfield in the pocket, sacking him five times. Offensively, the Titans looked confident in their scheme, with Mariota tossing three touchdowns – two to the dangerous TE Delanie Walker who is back after missing all of last season to injury. Walker’s return is significant for this offense as he is the Titans’ most dynamic, reliable target, and a favorite of Mariota’s.

Speaking of Walker, he revived a legendary quote from the late Dennis Green that was all over the media this week. In describing his team’s feelings about the hype surrounding the Browns, Walker replied, “They were who we thought they were! Y’all can crown them if you want to crown them – you still gotta play football!” If the Browns want to hear more crowning and less clowning like this little gem from Walker, they’ll need to bounce back in a big way next week against the Jets.

What We Learned…

I. Not too many upsets on the field, but a lot happening off it with Antonio Brown dominating much of the headlines. After complaining his way out of a bottom-third franchise, then immediately signing with the Patriots, Antonio Brown has gone from nutcase to genius in a matter of hours. It’s now come out that Brown is being accused of sexual assault, just another turn in this ongoing soap opera. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out, but it looks like AB is back on the nutcase side of the spectrum for now.

II. Speaking of New England, after thrashing the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-3, they’ve reaffirmed their omnipotence over the league; the rest of the 31 teams are left shaking in their cleats at the thought of enduring another Patriots Super Bowl. Unfortunately, it is so. The Pats are still the team to beat, and the team that can beat them will likely have a good shot at winning it all this season.

III. Patrick Mahomes is, 100% confirmed, still that Dude. The Dude who, if any singular player can overcome the Patriots in the AFC with sheer greatness and playmaking ability, is that Dude. Unfortunately, the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a clavicle injury, which inevitably will hurt Mahomes overall production compared to last year. Upon Hill’s return, though, the Chiefs have the most dangerous offense in the league. Defensively – well, that’s another story.