Around the NFL: The best of Week 1 and looking ahead to Week 2
Sep 11, 2019, 6:49 AM
We’ve spent plenty of time rehashing the Broncos loss to the Raiders on 104.3 The Fan. If for some reason you missed it, I’ll give you the short version: It wasn’t a good game.
There were, however, a handful of fun matchups throughout the NFL during the weekend that provided much more entertainment than the 24-16 Denver loss Monday night. Here were the three I was keyed in on:
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Chargers 30 | Colts 24 (OT)
The fact that this game included an AFC West foe was only part of what drew me to focus in on it. The bigger story: How would Jacoby Brissett look in his first official game as the new face of the Colts? Early returns showed that Indy will be just fine at the quarterback position. A new-look offense that played to Brissett’s strengths and relied heavily on a rebuilt run game kept the Colts in a matchup I didn’t expect to be as close as it was on Sunday. In the end, Philip Rivers did enough to squeak out a win and Austin Ekeler had a career day out of the backfield. I wonder how Melvin Gordon feels right about now?
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Eagles 32 | Redskins 27
Along with the Titans embarrassment of the hype-train that is the Browns, this was almost the NFL upset of the week. Somehow, inexplicably, the Case Keenum led Redskins held a 20-7 halftime lead over their heavily favored NFC East rivals and seemed to be operating on cruise control. Then, the clock struck midnight and Washington’s offense turned back into a pumpkin, allowing Carson Wentz to bring Philly back in front of their home crowd. I’m guessing there are plenty of fantasy football owners who are kicking themselves for sitting DeSean Jackson after his best performance in the league since something like 2013.
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Saints 30 | Texans 28
With the start of the Broncos game, I’m ashamed to admit I missed the end of the best matchup of Week 1. I wouldn’t have guessed this one would go down to the wire, but thanks to an incredibly bad display of fourth-quarter defense and the heroics of Saints kicker Wil Lutz, it took all 60 minutes to decide the contest. New Orleans overcame yet another mystifying officiating decision to steal a game they trailed with :37 seconds left on the clock and all is right again on Bourbon Street (for at least a week). One other note: We also learned that all the moves Houston made to improve their offensive line didn’t seem to do a ton. Deshaun Watson was sacked six times, and my bold prediction of the week is that he doesn’t make it through October if the Texans can’t keep him upright. That would be a shame.
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For the sake of symmetry, here are the three games (that don’t involve the Broncos) I’m looking forward to most in Week 2.
Browns vs. Jets
Can Baker Mayfield and the rest of the Cleveland offense bounce back against a young, up-and-coming defense, or will we find out that Freddie Kitchens’ Browns are all talk and no substance?
Colts vs. Titans
An early season AFC South showdown that will mean a ton for both teams. Will the Titans follow up their 43-point performance Sunday with another big win to take control of the division, or can the Colts build on their overtime-loss to a dangerous Chargers team and bring Tennessee back down to Earth.
Saints vs. Rams
New Orleans overcame the refs in their win on Monday, now they’ll have a chance to put their officiating demons to bed in an early season rematch of last year’s NFC title game. The Rams snuck out of Carolina with a win, but they’ll be facing the best version of the Saints at the Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
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And if none of those peak your interest, join myself, former Denver Broncos and CU Buffs receiver Mike Pritchard, and denversports.com’s Kendall Valenzuela at 2:25 MT on the 104.3 The Fan Facebook Live as we break down the Broncos first home game of the season against the Bears from kickoff to final whistle.
It’s great to have real football back on Sundays.
