Carolina Panthers–Detroit Lions: 17-26
First NFL touchdown for Bryce Young (7/12, 73 yards, 1 TD – 3 races, – 21 yards). The number one of the last Draft found Adam Thielen on his second series for offensive for 16 yards and the end zone. He then left to rest on the bench for the rest of the game. Thielen (4 rec, 48 yards, 1 TD) signed a great evening to reassure himself before the recovery.
No starters for the Lions. Teddy Bridgewater (13/22, 178 yards, 1 TD) has probably won the position of lining Jared Goff.
Tennessee Titans–New England Patriots: 23-7
Another big day of work for Malik Willis. For the second time in a row, the second-year quarterback has played nearly all of his team’s game. Ryan Tannehill started the game well, but he just passed the ball to his runner three times in a row, before a punt and rest for the rest of the evening.
Willis has been particularly irregular. After an interception in the first quarter, he completed 8 straight passes and led a 90-yard offensive until the touchdown. Then he was intercepted again in the third quarter… before recovering again and going for another touchdown. Final balance sheet: 15/20, 211 yards, 2 touchdowns. Tennessee mostly played the ground card, with 43 carries for 20 assists.
The Patriots rested their starters. Bailey Zappe (8/15, 57 yards) had the most playing time but without great results. It’s actually the whole attack that agonized for four quarters, with an overall total of only 79 yards gained!
San Francisco 49ers – Los Angeles Chargers: 12-23
Goodbye Trey Lance. Friday night, Brock Purdy (5/9, 73 yards) quietly celebrated the departure of his former competitor with a quiet and solid game. On his two offenses, Purdy moved the offense forward, distributing the ball to five different targets. The first series went wrong when Jordan Mason lost the ball two yards from the end zone. But on the second set, Purdy finished the job himself with a short run for the touchdown.
The hierarchy is now clear. Purdy number one. Sam Darnold (6/11, 89 yards, 1 TD) number two.
No starters on the field for the Chargers. Joshua Kelley made the show with a run of 75 yards for a touchdown. Quentin Johnson, selected in the first round of the last Draft, caught 2 passes for 15 yards.
