Broken Ice

It was not until games actually kicked off on Sunday afternoon that it felt like the NFL was back. We had Thursday night to get us warmed up, but it hits different when you have a full slate of games for the entire day. It has arrived, my friends. Football is here. 

On the blog last week was an ice breaker, something to help us feel a little more prepared for the upcoming season. What's an ice breaker without a solid conversation to follow? 

Let's dive in to the teams who did not live up to expectations, who exceeded expectations, and who did exactly what we expected them to do ... If the shoe fits then wear it, Cleveland. 

Before I get into the quality of quarterbacks that we saw, or did not see, let's talk about what wins championships (is that still a saying or have dual-threat quarterbacks and running backs squashed that?). The Washington Football Team's defense brought them back from a 17-0 deficit against the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only did Chase Young have a solid debut with two solo tackles and one forced fumble, but Ryan Kerrigan added to that fire. Kerrigan recorded two sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery. 

Pittsburgh's defense held Saquon Barkley to just six rushing yards. They appeared to be in mid-season form and JuJu Smith-Schuster just looked happy to have his quarterback on the field. 

Jalen Ramsey takes home the Oscar for best actor in Week 1 as the Rams defeated the Cowboys ... and Zeke's new tattoo. It was truly the entire fourth quarter that the Rams defense silenced the Cowboys, but I had to throw that in there about Ramsey. I mean, he really sold that call. It was only right for LA to win their opening game in the comfort of their brand new, $5 billion home. 

The Tennessee Titans pulled off the win, as expected, but did so in a very unexpected way ... ugly. The Titans missed three field goal attempts and an extra point. This squad is going to have to clean it up a bit if they want to return to the playoffs. The AFC did not come to mess around this season. Oh, and Derrick Henry had 31 touches. Henry is built like a monster, but 31 touches a game will ware anyone out. Mike Vrabel might need to consider a more-evenly distributed game plan. 

It is time to get to the quarterback talk. Sports are something that we may get to witness history in each and every day, and that is one of the reasons why sports are so special. Week 1 was historical in the way that there were 10 black starting QBs, the most in a season opener in NFL History. Cam Newton, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Teddy Bridgewater, Dak Prescott, Tyrod Taylor, Deshaun Watson, Dwayne Haskins, and Kyler Murray all made a stamp in the history books. To witness history as such is special, don't take it for granted. 

Cam Newton is my 'he did exactly what was expected' pick for this week. 15 carries for 75 yards, two touchdowns; throwing 15-19 for 155 yards was exactly what we expected from the dual-threat QB that is playing with a vengeance. If you did not expect this, shame on you. Also expected was that gameday fit, and bonus points to Cam for the Wakunda Forever in the endzone. 

Speaking of a dual-threat QB, Lamar Jackson is passing now ... uh-oh. Jackson went 20-25, 275 yards and three touchdowns. Nobody is safe. Big Truss. As for their opponent, the Cleveland Browns, there was nothing shocking about their terrible performance. If you are keeping tracking, their playoff drought has now hit 18 years. 

Bills fans continue to rejoice as Josh Allen continues to give them hope. 33-46, 312 yards, two touchdowns; and 14 carries for 57 yards and a rushing touchdown. They played the New York Jets so we can hold off on the Super Bowl prediction, but nonetheless an impressive performance. Can you tell Stefon Diggs is in town?

Joe Burrow, despite the loss, had an impressive debut ... what to expect from a National Champion. He went 23-36, 193 yards, one interception, and one rushing touchdown. No quarterback taken No. 1 overall has won their rookie debut since David Carr did it in 2002. A.J. Green is just getting settled back to being on the field, so there is a lot more to see from this duo. To be in such a tough division works against Burrow, but it is the era of young QBs and I expect bigger things to come from this young guy (at least I'm hoping because he's my No. 2 QB in Fantasy). 

When Tom Brady has a rough game the world rejoices, right? He threw two interceptions on Sunday against the Saints, and one of those was a pick-six. He still threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns, but even one interception constitutes as a bad game for Brady. Do not panic (or rejoice) too much because it is only Week 1 and this is a brand new team. Remember when Brady had a down season ... and still won the Super Bowl? My point exactly. The division may not be as easy, but the quarterback is just as good. 

Now for the good guys ... the really, really good guys. Both Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers had a day, and a very similar stat line. Wilson threw 31-35 for 364 yards and four touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers went 32-44, 364 yards and four touchdowns. Bill Belichick recently stated that Wilson is underrated and it is never a good idea to go against Bill. Both of these quarterbacks do not receive the recognition they deserve. I, for one, have notoriously been tough on Rodgers. Rodgers faces Detroit in Week 2 and Russell has the task of facing Stefon Gilmore and the Patriots on Sunday Night Football. Let's see if these guys can live up to their Week 1 performances. 

Get. Your. Popcorn. 
If you won your Week 1 Fantasy match-ups, good for you.
If you didn't, it was only Week 1 (says the one who lost their match-ups). 

If you booed, there is no room for you here. 

I am publishing this on Thursday at 2:30 PM, which seems like the perfect day and time to ARREST THE COPS THAT KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR. #BlackLivesMatter