The first 16 games of the NFL season have wrapped up, and we’ve seen a bunch of changes and improvements from a range of teams. Here’s a few:
The Jets and Chargers might not be as bad as expected
Both these teams started the season low on the power rankings (Jets were commonly 32nd) however both showed a bit of promise in Week 1.
New York actually won a game with rookie quarterback Geno Smith as starter, and despite the late hit that aided them to victory, they solidly outplayed (22 first downs to Tampa’s 12) a Buccaneers team that looked to be on the rise.
San Diego’s offense was heavily criticised during the preseason, but they hung up 28 points against a top-five Houston defence in quick fashion.
They still lost, but nobody thought it would be that close. Another team that showed a big jump – Detroit Lions.
A 37-year-old quarterback is still young enough to be the MVP
Peyton Manning opened the NFL season against the Super Bowl champions Baltimore with a bang, throwing a record-tying seven touchdowns in the game.
It’s the first time since 1969 a quarterback has thrown seven in one game. If he keeps this up (not likely, but it’s fun to think about) he’ll pass Tom Brady’s record for 50 touchdowns in a season halfway through the first quarter of Week 8.
Manning had a total of 462 yards from 42 attempts (and won).
Fumbling gets you benched
We saw on three occasions over the weekend where starting running backs fumbled multiple times and were subsequently relieved of their duties by coaches.
Patriots starter Stevan Ridley, who had over 1,200 yards last season, had a very ugly no-contact fumble in the second quarter that was returned for a touchdown.
Ridley did not see the field again. New York Giants RB David Wilson fumbled twice against the Cowboys and was subsequently removed from the game.
You might have read that storyline after Week 1 of the 2012 season – Wilson also fumbled in the season opener last year, and was benched for half the season.
Thirdly, Steelers back Isaac Redman, who inherited the starting role with an injury to Le’Veon Bell, fumbled twice against the Titans.
Redman later got back into the game, but only due to a season-ending injury to LaRod Stephens-Howling.
Giving up a safety is the most pathetic looking play in the NFL
Let’s face it, giving up a safety is usually more embarrassing than having a fumble or interception returned for a score.
This week, NFL teams gave us four examples for our amusement. Starting with the simplest, the Jaguars were able to block a Chiefs punt that went out of the back of the endzone for a safety.
It ended up being the only points the Jaguars could muster in the game.
Josh Freeman unable to handle a snap, and was forced to clear the ball out the back of the endzone against the Jets.
Then there was Alfred Morris’ dropped pitch from RGIII, and finally the saddest of all – Titans kick returner Darius Reynaud couldn’t decide if he wanted to return a kick or not, so he entered the field of play, and took a knee.
The Jaguars and Browns have not improved
There was a good deal of hope and promise surrounding these two teams prior to the season opening – Browns quarterback Brandon Weedon had played well in the preseason, and the Jaguars had star running back Maurice Jones-Drew back from injury.
After the final whistle on Week 1, both teams look exactly the same as in 2012, which is to say, not great.
Brandon Weeden threw three interceptions and was sacked six times on the way to a 13-point loss to the Dolphins.
Jones-Drew couldn’t make anything happen on the ground (15 carries for 45 yards) as Blaine Gabbert struggled with two picks and a completion rate of 46 percent.
The Jaguars actually only advanced past their own 36-yard line once the whole game. Ouch.
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