The NFL is Back and no one can deny they weren’t excited.
Though a one hour weather delay delayed that excitement, once the ball was kicked, everyone was watching. The Falcons looking to avenge last years’ postseason loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Defending Super Bowl Champ Philadelphia Eagles started this season the same way they ended last, with Nick Foles at the helm. In this Battle of Birds, scoring came at a premium. The 1st Quarter ended with the Falcons 3-0 and everyone was quickly back to questioning if Nick Foles was a starting QB in this league. The Falcons Offense however was buzzing, starting the 2018-19 season with a 73 yard drive, but faced a 4th and Goal on the Philadelphia 2 yard line, Atlanta Coach Dan Quinn deciding to go for it. The risk did not pay off however, as the Eagles D- line denied Devonta Freeman the goaline, stopping the Falcons from putting any points on the board. With the 1st Half ending 6-3 with the Falcons on top, Eagles coach Doug Pederson knew his offense needed a spark, and he had the perfect plan. On the Eagles 2nd drive in the 3rd Quarter, Nick Foles handed of the ball to Jay Ajayi, who then tossed it to Nelson Agholor, who threw the ball back to Nick Foles, the exact same play the Patriots used in Super Bowl 52 when Tom Brady let the ball go through his hands.
This play was just one of an 11 play, 62 yard drive which resulted in a 1 yard Jay Ajayi Touchdown run and put the Eagles up 10-6. After both Matt Ryan and Foles traded Interceptions, Tevin Coleman scampered into the endzone to put the Falcons back on top 12-10. The Eagles found themselves down 2 with 5 minutes left, and who did they go to? Corey Clement, just one of the 3 Running backs the Eagles have, and his 2 rushes of 21 and 3 yards put the Eagles at the Atlanta 11 yard line. Then the power back came in, Ajayi running it in from there, and adding a 2 point conversion to put the Eagles up 18-12. The Falcons felt some Deja Vu now, they were in the exact same position they were in last year in the playoffs. Matt Ryan, who threw an interception earlier when trying to feed his #1 receiver Julio Jones, didn’t waste any time going back to him. Jones caught 3 passes on the drive, which went for 36, 18, and 9 yards, but could they complete the comeback and score in the red zone, of the Falcons’ weaknesses in 2017. They found themselves at the Eagles 10 yard line with 24 ticks left on the clock. In 5 plays, one which was gifted due to a illegal contact call on Philly, 2 passes went to Jones, one out of his reach, and one that was poorly thrown, which he caught, but Julio couldn’t get his feet in bounds as the clock ran out. Matt Ryan and the Falcons lost again to the Eagles, this time 18-12, not being able to convert in the Red Zone. Some could say losing OC Kyle Shanahan after SB 51 has hindered Ryan’s performance, but the red zone is where players make their money, and he couldn’t get the job done Thursday Night.
Moving on to Sunday Night, where the Bears’ Acquisition of Khalil Mack from the Raiders was almost hyped more than a top 3 QB in Aaron Rodgers’ comeback from an injury riddled season in 2017. Khalil Mack is a once in a generation player, and he showed just that in the 1st half, becoming the first player in the NFL since Lawrence Taylor in 1982 to have a sack, interception, touchdown, forced fumble, and fumble recovery in a single half. He was a monster on the defensive side of the ball. Rodgers on the other hand, got in a lot of trouble due to the Bears Defense. Rodgers was sacked by Akeem Hicks, and he laid flat on his back for what seemed like forever. Packers fans held their breath and Lambeau Field was silent. Rodgers was carted off the field and back to the locker room. The Bears offense fed off their tremendous defense, scoring on a 10 Play Drive, ending with a 2 yard run by Trubisky himself. The Bears found themselves up 17-0 at Half, with Deshone Kizer filling in for Rodgers after his injury.
Though Rodgers wouldn’t be denied, jogging out the tunnel before the second half, looking like he was patched up and ready to go. The second half went by like a blur for Bears fans, as even though we saw flashes of pain by Rodgers, they still couldn’t contain him. He faced a 20-0 deficit after a Cody Parkey 33 Yard Field Goal, though he came firing right back, leading a 12 play drive that eventually ended in a 43 Yard Field Goal by Mason Crosby, and that was only the start. The Packers had 4 more drives during the game, scoring a touchdown on 3 of 4!. The Barrage started with a 39 Yard TD Pass to TE Geronimho Allen, then continued with a 12 Yard TD Pass to Devonte Adams, and eventually a 75 Yard TD Pass to Randall Cobb finished off the Bears and put the Pack up 24-23. Boy did Green Boy dodge a bullet, but they got another one coming this Sunday in the form of the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau.
Finishing off with the first Monday Night Football game of the season, the Lions against the Jets at Ford Field. Storylines were buzzing before this matchup, as this was Matt Patricia’s first game as a Head Coach after leaving New England, Is Sam Darnold the Jets franchise QB for the next decade? And some were even saying the seat was getting hotter for Todd Bowles to show some success. This one started off with a surprise, as Darnold rolled to his Right, throwing across the field ( That’s a No-No) and getting Intercepted by Quandre DIggs and returned for a Touchdown. Jets fans were thinking ‘ this again?’ as they questioned Darnold’s first pass. Though that was the only backstep Darnold and the Jets would take all night. Darnold did a great job regrouping and converting 3rd Downs when he needed too. The green and white tied it up later in the 1st Quarter when Isaiah Crowell had a 6 yard TD run. In the Second Quarter Darnold aired the ball out, launching a 41 yard TD pass to Robby Anderson to put the Jets up 17-7. Not only was the Offense clicking for the Jets, but their defense was shut down all night, ending up with 5 interceptions! Darren Lee accounted for 2 of those, and Sophmore Jamal Adams recorded his 1st Interception of his career.
Matt Stafford looked all out of sorts Monday night, never being able to really get things going. That night was the Jets night and all the Jets fans are excited to see what this team can do, a feeling that’s very rare for them.
Well that’s my Week 1 recap, I now leave you with my picks for Week 2
Away Home Picks
Ravens Bengals Ravens
Panthers Falcons Falcons
Chargers Bills Chargers
Vikings Packers Packers
Dolphins Jets Jets
Browns Saints Saints
Texans Titans Texans
Eagles Bucs Eagles
Chiefs Steelers Steelers
Lions 49ers 49ers
Cards Rams Rams
Pats Jaguars Patriots
Raiders Broncos Broncos
Giants Cowboys Giants
Bears Seahawks Bears
By Dylan Pescatore
