Tyreek Hill is the best receiver in the NFL
After just a week, we may have seen the biggest game of this season. In a legendary battle, the Dolphins defeated the Chargers late in the night. If this match deserves to be analyzed on many points, it is impossible not to pay tribute to Tyreek Hill.
Author of 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, he scored the winning touchdown in an unbreathable atmosphere. In total symbiosis with Tua Tagovaiola, he sends a message to the league: to defend him, we will have to get up early.
TUA TO TYREEK. THIS COMBO.
DOLPHINS TAKE THE LEAD.
📺: #MIAvsLAC on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/OboJsspwD0— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
The Chiefs are dependent on Travis Kelce
The Chiefs’ recent success in recent seasons has been based on a trio of stars: Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones and Travis Kelce. If the second is still on strike, it is the absence of the tight end that had the biggest impact on the team’s performance in the defeat against Detroit.
Without him Kansas City managed only 226 yards through the air, without a single player surpassing 50 yards. The Chiefs do not have a number 1 receiver, and no one has been able to raise his level to replace the seven-time All-Pro. Author of 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns, Kelce should return in the second week, good news for the reigning champion who must avoid at all costs starting the season with 2 defeats.
Rookie quarterbacks have work to do
Three rookie quarterbacks on NFL fields this Sunday, for three defeats. CJ Stroud (28/44, 242 yards) faced the always fierce Baltimore defense, without success. Bryce Young (20/38, 148 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) broke his teeth against the Falcons, while Anthony Richardson (24/37, 223 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) broke down at the end of match.
Nothing worrying after a week, but it proves again and again that the step between CFB and NFL is high, and that getting used to the speed of NFL play is not easy. This invisible wall does not only concern the quarterbacks, since the 5 new coaches have also experienced defeat.
The Vikings have lost the “luck factor”
After winning 9 games by 7 points or less last season, the Vikings were able to measure how thin this margin is. Against the Buccaneers, far from being favorites, Minnesota showed complacency and paid a high price.
Baker Mayfield showed the best version of himself, that of the warrior he was at the start of his career, and knew how to get the best out of his team, and that was enough against these Vikings. To make matters worse, Minnesota is meeting in Philadelphia in 4 days.
Cleveland is legitimate in the AFC
Winning against a “big team” in week 1 is always a good deal. But humiliating the conference runner-up, who also happens to be a division rival, is priceless. Against a Browns defense in meltdown, Joe Burrow only threw for 82 yards. Kevin Stefanski’s men stifled the Bengals, dominating the match head and shoulders.
With a solid workforce without any real weakness, the Browns will likely be in the race for the playoffs in the AFC, a new contender in an already armored conference. With Pittsburgh and Tennessee coming up, the Browns have a real chance to start 3-0.
San Francisco and Brock Purdy aren’t slowing down
Last season, the Niners opened with a frustrating loss to Chicago. This season, Kyle Shanahan’s men sent a message from the first week: they are more Super Bowl contenders than ever.
Brock Purdy returned perfectly from his injury, and was able to count on playmakers who were still performing as well, including Christian McCaffrey (169 yards, 1 TD) and Brandon Aiyuk (129 yards, 2 TD).
The defense also had a productive night, and the emergence of sophomore Drake Jackson who had 3 sacks in this game. If San Francisco remains as dominant on both ends of the field, they risk arriving in the playoffs with scarecrow status.
Denver is not getting better
With the arrival of Sean Payton, hope was back in Denver. But a touchdown from Jakobi Meyers in the fourth quarter put an end to this state of grace in the first week. If Russell Wilson’s statistical record is flattering, it does not reflect the attack’s difficulties in producing play and especially points. Scoring 16 points against one of the worst defenses in the league on paper is a bad calculation, and we really wonder how this team will be able to regain a positive mentality after this early mishap.
The Packers still own the Bears
“I still own you,” that’s probably what Jordan Love said to himself after defeating the Bears. With the departure of Aaron Rodgers, the Bears had hopes of finally being able to topple the Green Bay mountain. It’s missed. Jordan Love dissected Chicago’s defense, Aaron Jones was responsible for killing it.
Justin Fields didn’t find the key, and hopes of a connection with DJ Moore didn’t survive the preseason. In a homogenous division, this defeat is already a big step backwards for the franchise, and Matt Eberflus will be under pressure.
Seattle takes a battering ram in the face
Surprise of last season in the NFC, Seattle has one of the most complete squads in the conference, and the match against the Rams could seem like a formality. Except in the NFL, that doesn’t exist.
Matthew Stafford simply dissected this defense, relying on an unknown receiving squad: Puka Nacua, Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell. The first is a fifth-round rookie, and his 119 yards is a remarkable performance.
No better in attack, Geno Smith and his line took the heat, we were even allowed to get into the quarterback’s head for a few seconds.
Geno Smith sees Aaron Donald coming: “OH MY GOD.” 😂
(📽️ @cjzero)pic.twitter.com/5o7rvgnWbX
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 10, 2023
The Giants have their backs against the wall
171 yards, 3 lost balls, 7 sacks conceded, Andrew Thomas’ injury… the first week looked like a long struggle for the Giants. The final result is clear: 40 to 0. Daniel Jones was bad, but how can you blame a player who undergoes 23 pressures out of 36 actions?
Being the great story of a season does not guarantee success the following season, and the Giants will have to react quickly to avoid falling into a downward spiral. Because from weeks 3 to 6, there is a 49ers-Seahawks-Dolphins-Bills sequence. Suffice to say that week 2 against the Cardinals is already a decisive match.
Football is back
And that’s really good news!
