NFL Week 1 Takeaways

by Ryan Mercier

What Was That, Packers?

After an offseason soap opera it’s always nice to get on the field and upend meaningless storylines by playing actual football. Unless, apparently, you’re the Green Bay Packers who lost 38-3 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1.

Everyone has been wondering how much Aaron Rodgers’ bellyaching and threats would actually matter in the regular season. In the season-opener, the answer was a whole lot.

Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time and possesses a perfect sense of humor for those in on the jokes. At some point (likely the very minute Green Bay drafted Jordan Love in the first round), everything turned bitter and the jokes stopped landing.

Point out the Packers poor performance on other aspects if you want. The wide open running lanes, Jameis Winston (of all people) tossing five touchdown passes, rushing on offense for a measly 43 yards. This is unquestionably all on Rodgers. Not head coach Matt LaFleur, not GM Brian Gutekunst.

Aaron Rodgers is absolutely the key reason the Packers have been to so many NFC Championships and racked up double-digit wins almost every season. Everyone knew already, he didn’t have to say it. It screams insecurity. Hey Rodgers, next time you want to be the focus of an entire NFL offseason and threaten to retire, score more than three points when you come back.

Give Credit to the Chiefs

This article would have been glowing and gushing about the Cleveland Browns had they pulled off the upset at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. It would have been the absolute best win for any team in the opening slate. Instead, Patrick Mahomes worked his magic yet again in a 33-29 comeback. So don’t lose sight here, give Kansas City credit.

Even after a loss the Browns are clearly one of the best teams in the league and KC took their punches and still came out on top. Offseason predictors wanted to put the Bills in the Super Bowl, the Browns (ahem, like this writer), the Ravens, the Chargers, whoever. The Chiefs reminded everyone they are the New Patriots, the dominant force in the AFC for years to come.

Hail, Murray!

On a Week 1 of blowouts, do not let the Arizona Cardinals demolishing of the Tennessee Titans go unnoticed. Kyler Murray opened with an incredible performance with five total TDs and an array of highlight plays. That’s what Murray does.

A lot of observers had the Cardinals as an afterthought in a division which features the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks. The truth is, Kyler Murray can be this player every week. Surprise Super Bowl berths are achieved by a QB of his stature.

Not to mention the ever-underrated and outstanding pass rusher Chandler Jones was attempting to break the sack record in just one game. Jones requested a trade in the offseason and instead of sulking took out his aggressions on Ryan Tannehill, who fumbled twice on the day.

The Cardinals path to a championship and even the playoffs is daunting. Having a pass rush and MVP caliber QB is enough to make it happen.

Quick-Hitters

• The Steelers deserved more article space here. What a great start by beating the Bills, a final four team from last season.
• The Miami Dolphins continue where they left off a year ago. They will not wow you with offense but instead make timely plays on defense and special teams.
• Urban Meyer’s team was such a sloppy, unprepared mess. No grades on Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Trevor Lawrence until Meyer cleans this up.