Kicking off a new season of NFL, there are always a few surprises in week one and here are five that caught my attention.
1. Cincinnati actually won a game
Who’d have thought that a team reliant on rookies more than any other, would pull off a win against one of the league’s most up-and-coming outfits in the Cleveland Browns.
The Bengals have lost nothing (there wasn’t much to lose) in the departure of Carson Palmer. What will please fans is that rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green, both performed admirably when given opportunities.
Following a five-night stint in prison, Cedric Benson looks to be thriving on the responsibility of carrying this offence which he led, with 121 yards rushing for one touchdown and a few nice blocks.
Having written them off this year and favourites in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, I may be wrong.
2. Cam Newton
After a terrible showing in the pre-season, Newton’s doubters were aplenty and few expected him to be able to perform at the elite level.
Returning to the field where he took Auburn to the national championship, Newton completed 24 of 37 yards for a record-breaking 422 yards; the most of any rookie in opening week.
Helped by some excellent catches by his receivers, Newton looked sharp, even if against Arizona’s defence, which was ranked 29th in the league last season.
Sacked only four times and throwing two interceptions (one called back on a penalty), Newton still has plenty to prove. He may be able to gain passing yards, but he still looks very shaky against the blitz.
3. Special team return touchdowns
From 16 games, we had nine special team touchdowns, three of which were scored by rookies.
Randall Cobb (108yd KOR), Darren Sproles (72yd PR), Jacoby Jones (79yd PR), Patrick Peterson (89yd PR), Percy Harvin (103yd KOR), Ted Ginn Jnr (102yd KOR & 55yd PR), Isaiah Trufant (18yd PBR) and Eric Decker (90yd PR), all went to the end-zone.
A reduced off-season has taken its toll on special teams, with major breakdowns in coverage.
Players were up in arms just a few weeks ago after the kick-off line was moved forward. It was assumed that it meant the end of kick-off return touchdowns, due to the amount of touchback which would ensue.
Last season, there were 23 kick-off return touchdowns equating to 1.4 per week.
Having three in the first week, suggests the NFL may have got this rule right and players need to stop complaining.
4. 933 passing yards in a game
Tom Brady threw for 517 yards and Chad Hanne 416. Was anyone playing defence?
Seeing a performance like that from Brady is slightly less of a surprise than Hanne who threw against one of the league’s best defences.
Bill Bellichick will undoubtedly blast his defence for giving up so many junk yards. Hanne may have improved slightly but that was the most defenceless game we should see all season.
5. What’s going on in the world of kickers?
Often overlooked as football players, the kicker is essentially the safest position to play because it is a non-contact position.
Not for San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding though.
After a leak in kick-off coverage, Kaeding attempted to tackle Percy Harvin, but tore his ACL in the process, leaving the Charges without a kicker.
With the opportunity to convert a 40-yard field goal, punter Mike Scifres stepped up and converted convincingly. For those who have never attempted to kick a field goal, it is not as easy as it looks and Scifres’ effort was very impressive.
Last year, Detroit lost their kicker to injury forcing defensive linesman Ndamukong Suh to attempt the point after. Although Suh was the placekicker in high school, he still hit the upright from 18 yards out.
In Denver, Sebastian Janikowski tied the NFL record with the longest successful field goal attempt at 63 yards.
Although assisted by an increase in altitude, it is unlikely we will see that record broken. To put this into perspective, 55 yards is the average limit for NFL kickers and even then, they often miss.
Twitter @AlfredC91
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