Tales of the Week! (Week 1 of the 2019 NFL Season)
By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.
Headline Photo From: NBCSports.com
Back To School, RELAX…September is here, and it’s finally time to go back to school. Most kids aren’t fully prepared for the grind of learning and becoming future leaders of the world. In fact, the first day of school may be the only day of school where most students are excited to come and be there. But why? Because it’s the first day and they know they won’t be doing much work. The fact of the matter is, they’re not ready to do a ton of work. The same can be said about the entire league in Week 1 of the NFL.
It all started on Thursday night. Bears, Packers, Aaron Rodgers and Mitch Trubisky. That game wasn’t what we all hoped for. But you have to keep in mind the Packers have a new head coach with a new offense for Aaron Rodgers. The Bears have a new man behind Trubisky. As a matter of fact, he’s a young man. A 22 year old rookie named David Montgomery. Chiefs and Jaguars played in week 1. This was Superbowl MVP Nick Foles first game with the Jags. He ended up getting hurt in the first quarter with a broken clavicle. He did not return and he will be out 6-8 weeks. Although he was able to return, even the reigning MVP Pat Mahomes sprained his ankle. The Falcons lost to the Vikings 28-12. Minnesotta looked sharp, but the Falcons did not. This was RB Devonta Freeman’s first game in over a year since he was sent to the IR with knee and groin injuries. The Browns and Titans also matched up. During the offseason, we heard a lot of super bowl talk for the Cleveland Browns. However, those super bowl conversations became silent as they got smoked at home 43-13. The Titans aren’t expected to be a Super Bowl team. But, they definitely came to play as Marcus Mariotta is in a contract year. He showed how bad he want his money too throwing for 3 TD’s. The Browns will be fine though. They are a league worst 1-19-1 in season openers over the years. Not to mention, great things take time. They’ve been the laughing stock for quite some time now. They won’t go 0 to 100 real quick, even Drake will tell you that. But the elephant in the room is Baker Mayfield. In one of my fantasy leagues, Baker was the first QB selected in the entire draft. I’m not saying he’s not a good QB. I personally love Baker and I truly believe in my heart that he will win a Super Bowl, one day. What we saw last season was legit. All I’m saying is careful on Baker this season because those sophomore slumps are real.
The Ravens smoked the Dolphins so bad that after the game, multiple Dolphin players have been reported as calling their agents demanding a trade. It got ugly. Both QB’s have been criticized as running too much. However, Lamar Jackson threw 5 TD’s and Backup QB RG3 threw 1 as well.
The Eagles edged the Redskins 32-27. It truly was a tale of two halfs because both teams were two completely different teams in each half. Carson Wentz hasn’t played in a while due to injury. He didn’t play at all in the preseason. So in the first half, the Eagles gently eased him in. However, in the second half, Carson was let loose and he looked like the Wentz of old who was going to win MVP 2 seasons ago when the Eagles won the Super Bowl.
Cowboys looked sharp against the New York Giants. They blew them out 35-17. Dak passed for over 400 Yards with 4 TD’s. But Zeke, who missed the entire training camp and preseason due to contract issues, only had 13 carries. He didn’t look bad. But he is definitely not ready to be a lead back just yet.
The Steelers got blasted in a game America thought would be a primetime game. RB James Conner rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season but finished the game with just 21 rushing yards Sunday night. Week 1 was full of surprises league wide. Just like the kids weren’t fully ready for school on opening week, the same can be said regarding the National Football League. Not only were there slow starts to some teams and players, injuries were involved too. We all just need to RELAX. Week 1 is a feel everything out period where teams are getting their feet wet.
