Five Takeaways from NFL Week 1

5. The battle for the number one pick may be closer than we thought.

Before the season began, it was a foregone conclusion that the New York Jets would snag the number one overall pick in next year’s draft. After week 1, it’s evident there may be another team in the hunt… the Indianapolis Colts. At this point, no one knows when QB Andrew Luck will return, and that is not a good sign for Indy fans. Without Luck, the Colts were completely annihilated, 46-9, to a team that averaged 14 points a game a season ago (Rams). On a team with a rather depleted roster filled with some aging vets, incumbents Scott Tolzien and Jacoby Brissett are the options to man the ship for the time being. Tolzien, a journeyman backup at best, had two INT’s for scores on Sunday, while Brissett has just one NFL start and two games played in his career. Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick is still unemployed. Hmm. Anyway, this is going to be an intriguing race to monitor as the season progresses, especially if Luck is sidelined for an extended period of time.

4. The oh so mighty Jaguars!

Do you believe in miracles?! For the first time since 2011 (5 full seasons and 2,186 days for those counting), the Jacksonville Jaguars are above .500! The Jags used a stifling defense, recording a franchise record 10 sacks (four by newly acquired DT Calais Campbell), three forced fumbles, and an interception to spoil the Texans home opener. They also showcased their number one draft pick (4^th overall), running back Leonard Fournette, who rushed for 100 yards (see below). There’s no denying Jacksonville’s game plan from week-to-week: play great defense and run the ball (take the ball out of Blake Bortles hands). It worked week 1. We’ll see how long that recipe lasts, starting this week against Tennessee.

3. Let’s get defensive!

If you were looking for defense in Week 1, you got it. Baltimore, Carolina, Dallas, and Green Bay all held their opponents out of the end zone while the Jaguars, Rams and Eagles were equally as remarkable. Baltimore may have had the most impressive outing as they pitched a shutout against the hapless Bengals, including five sacks, four interceptions and a forced fumble. Carolina held the Niners to just three points recording four sacks, one interception and a forced fumble. The above mentioned Jags were dominant up front with the 10 sacks to go along with a 53-yard fumble return for a score. In LA, Wade Philips unleashed the Rams defense as they had two interceptions for touchdowns, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a safety in their thrashing of the Colts (the Rams defense outscored the Colts offense alone). Overall, it was a rather unusual week dominated by defense, as nearly half the league – 14 teams – were held under 300 yards of offense. 

2. Has Alex Smith turned the corner?

Ok, ok, it’s week 1. Calm down. But going into the defending champ’s house and dismantling them to the tune of 537 yards of total offense and 42 points? That has to count for something. For the first time in his career, Kansas City’s Alex Smith looked like a top-10 quarterback. Known in the past as a game manager rarely willing to take shots down the field, Smith surprised everyone by showcasing a different side to his game. He not only managed the offense but he showed poise and a willingness to be more of a risk taker. It worked to perfection as Smith finished the night 28-of-35 (80%) for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Sure, the Chiefs probably prepared all off-season for this specific game, but maybe the selection of QB Pat Mahomes in April’s draft has brought out the best in Smith. And that could be scary for a team looking to take the next step.

Awesome Note: Pretty boy Tom Brady was undefeated (129-0) in his career at home when leading going into the fourth quarter. Not anymore after the Chiefs outscored the Pats 21-0 in the fourth.

From Toledo to KC, rookie K. Hunt started the season with a bang (bleacher report)

1. Look out! Rookie running backs are ready to take the league by storm!

Three of the top five rushing leaders (including the top 2) from week 1 were… rookies. 1) Kareem Hunt (17 CAR, 148 YDS), 2) Dalvin Cook (22 CAR, 127 YDS - Vikings record for debut), and 5) Leonard Fournette (26 CAR, 100 YDS) all rushed for 100 yards or more in their debuts. Coincidentally, they led their respective teams to the win column. The unlikeliest of the rookie class to have an instant impact when drafted, Hunt added 98 yards receiving (and 3 touchdowns), giving him the most scrimmage yards ever (246) in an NFL debut (Howly Toledo!). Cook and Fournette also added three receptions a piece to their impressive starts. Another notable came from a less familiar name – Bears RB Tarik Cohen, a 4^th round pick out of North Carolina A&T. All he did was rack up 113 yards from scrimmage (66 rushing, 47 receiving on eight catches) and a score. Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey had a decent start to his career, as he ran for 47 yards and recorded five receptions for 38 yards. He’ll be an integral part of Carolina’s offense as the season progresses. Some other notable first-year backs to see action were Saints Alvin Kamara (7 CAR, 18 YDS and 4 REC, 20 YDS) and Seattle’s Chris Carson (6 CAR, 39 YDS and 1 REC, 10 YDS).