NFL Week 1 Reactions

 NFL Week 1 Reaction, Lost Bets, and Fantasy Football

by Liam Willerup

    God I'm happy. NFL is back. Time to make last minute parlays that will never hit, yell at the screen for my fantasy players to score TDs, and hoping my 49ers can do something. But this Week 1 started off with a hot Thursday night game, with the Cowboys and Bucs going back and forth. This week ended perfectly, with the Raiders winning in OT versus the depleted Ravens. But despite the Raiders pulling off the upset at home against Lamar, what else were big takeaways this weekend.

Rodgers Looks Uninterested, Winston Throws for Five

    Surprise, Rodgers barely did much football at all this offseason and was very poor in his first game. I mean hell they brought in Jordan Love, because Aaron Rodgers would've had a better passer rating throwing it into the ground every play. I feel like it's too early to panic on the Packers, as they still have talent all around the field. On the Saints side, one of the league's favorite players Famous Jameis turned in a obscure sub 150 yard performance with 5 passing touchdowns. This man was throwing dots to players most NFL fans can barely name. It concerns me though, as I don't know who their go-to receiver will be late in games when they need a big play. However, my fate lies in them being mediocre as I proclaimed on my podcast that if the Saints won 14+ games I'd get "I love the Saints" tattooed on my head. But, good performance from the Saints as they secure another Week 1 38-3 victory.

I Hate the Bengals, and Vikings SMH

    Me and everyone believed that Vikings -3.5 was a great bet this week. A Bengals team with a poor offensive line, and a defense that is respectable with an All-Pro caliber safety in Jessie Bates. But the Vikings are a team fortified at all levels of the team. Pro Bowl level players at every position group besides offensive line, I was expecting Justin Jefferson to show Ja'Marr he should've been the alpha at LSU. However no, instead Joe Mixon decided to play well for the first time and Ja'Marr shut me the hell up. Jefferson was rather useless, and Cook didn't wow anyone with his performance. I expected more out of a defense like the Vikings, who have the personnel to dominate. Unfortunately, my betting dreams didn't come through, and now we will have to see if the Vikings had a fluke week or maybe the Bengals can win 6+ games.

Kyler Murray and Chandler Jones Dethrone the King and His Titans

    Wow. Wow. A team that many expected and still expect to have one of the most electric offenses in the NFL were shutdown by the Cardinals defense this Sunday. Why? Well Chandler Jones turned Taylor Lewan into a revolving door and second-year hybrid Isaiah Simmons led the team in tackles and got a pick. However that wasn't even the most impressive part (ok maybe it was). Kyler showed out on his campaign for a MVP, with 5 total TDs and a dominating offensive game. Hopkins and Kirk both brought in 2 TDs, and Kyler seems to have this Cardinals offense ready for big things. Edmunds and Conner look like a good backfield pairing, which will help lighten Kyler's load. This team will be exciting, but will have to compete with one of the best divisions we've seen in football. Is it Kyler time?

Rams Fire on All Cylinders, Capture Their First Win With Stafford

    Stafford captured his first win as a Ram on Sunday Night, sending the Bears packing with a dominating performance. Stafford looked as advertised, showing off on a huge first drive throw to Van Jefferson on play action as he scored a 67 yard TD. The defense looked good, which isn't hard to do against Andy Dalton (#playFields). Even without star running back Cam Akers, this team seems like they still have that Super Bowl level play. Cooper Kupp looks to be the guy, and Donald will command that defensive line as much as he wants. I'm excited for Stafford to go up against the Bucs Week 3, in a game that will sure impress.