First Sunday of NFL Season Bursts with High Scores and Thrills
The Athletic offers live coverage of “Sunday Night Football”. Each Sunday, three of The Athletic’s NFL writers discuss the key news, plays, and performances from the day’s games. The first Sunday of the NFL season delivered remarkable drama and scoring. The Chicago Bears responded to coach Ben Johnson’s goal to set the NFL scoring record with a 59-37 victory in Carolina. This became the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. The Buffalo Bills narrowly defeated the Houston Texans 36-31 in a game with nine lead changes. The New Orleans Saints overcame a 21-point deficit to push Detroit into overtime before losing 31-30 after a failed two-point attempt by the Saints in extra time.
On this high-scoring opening weekend, the Minnesota Vikings stunned the Green Bay Packers by scoring 29 unanswered points. The Arizona Cardinals, a significant underdog, defeated the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. The Philadelphia Eagles thwarted a potential game-tying two-point attempt by the Washington Commanders in the final minutes. Unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns, they endured a 34-10 defeat in Jacksonville.
Vikings vs. Packers
NFL writers Jeff Howe, Ted Nguyen, and Dan Pompei shared their insights on the weekend filled with offensive fireworks and last-second finishes.
Pompei commented on the Vikings, saying, “We often underestimate them due to quarterback issues. They managed to win nine games last season despite not meeting coach Kevin O’Connell’s expectations.” Kyler Murray’s injury led to backup quarterback Carson Wentz throwing three touchdown passes. Pompei believes the Vikings could contend in the NFC North, though the Packers remain a formidable opponent ready to bounce back.
Howe reiterated the importance of quarterback production for the Vikings. “Murray’s condition is vital for maintaining their momentum.” Howe also noted the Packers’ inconsistency, despite their temporary 22-10 lead in the game.
Nguyen identified weaknesses in the Packers’ defense without Micah Parsons. The Vikings exploited this in the second half, with Wentz making bold throws. He added that the Packers need an effective offensive line to handle teams like the Vikings.
Head Coaching Debuts: Brady vs. Minter
Two new head coaches had notable debuts: Joe Brady with the Bills and Jesse Minter with the Ravens.
Brady earned praise from Howe for a prominent win and maintaining the Bills’ strength despite coaching changes. Howe noted the challenge against Shane Steichen’s Colts offense.
Pompei highlighted Brady’s remarkable debut, emphasizing the 36 points against a strong defense. He also commended Minter for effectively utilizing key Ravens players like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Nguyen acknowledged both performances but credited Brady’s excellent game plan that overcame a formidable pass rush in Houston.
Chargers Fail at Home
Despite expectations, the Chargers lost to the Arizona Cardinals. Nguyen identified issues in the Chargers’ running game and Herbert’s adjustment to a new system. He warned against overreaction but noted room for improvement.
Howe remarked on the Chargers’ self-inflicted errors during touchdown drives involving penalties and turnovers which contributed to their downfall.
Pompei stressed the importance of the run game emphasized by coaches Harbaugh and McDaniel. He suggested that to achieve success, the Chargers must enhance their rushing capabilities and Herbert’s performance.
Bears’ Offensive Prowess
The Bears showcased offensive might against the Panthers but left room for defensive improvement.
Pompei questioned the Bears’ defensive capability against their powerful offense. Despite Caleb Williams’ stellar performance, he emphasized defensive enhancement for Chicago’s Super Bowl aspirations.
Nguyen observed the Bears’ struggle defensively but noted their penchant for key takeaways. He praised Williams’ MVP-caliber effort, including three touchdowns from D’Andre Swift.
Howe cautioned against quick judgments, stressing the promising start with Williams’ leadership and limited turnovers.
Bengals’ Defensive Revival
The Cincinnati Bengals revamped their defense, securing a 33-27 win over the Buccaneers. Howe pointed out improved competitiveness, aided by Joe Burrow’s offensive explosiveness.
Nguyen observed a more physical defense creating consistent pass pressure and recovering four fumbles, showcasing their potential to compete effectively.
Pompei credited the Bengals for capitalizing on opportunities while acknowledging areas requiring attention, such as their four positive yards per run average despite exploiting errors by the Buccaneers.
Offensive Surge across the League
This season’s first weekend witnessed an unusual surge in scoring, with several teams exceeding previous Week 1 records. Howe sees this primarily as an anomaly but noted Allen’s spectacular performance against a strong Houston defense.
As Pompei noted, offenses in the NFL may now have the upper hand due to advances in technology and coaching. Nguyen attributed this surge to the effectiveness of some offenses against weaker defenses, advising caution in viewing it as a trend.