2023-09-06 23:00:55
After the opening game between Super Bowl winners Kansas City and Detroit (20:21), the NFL’s new regular season really got going for the first time. Eight games played early on Sunday – with big insights: The 49ers immediately proved to be a pure powerhouse, while the Bengals and Vikings surprised negatively.
Led the 49ers onto the field in Pittsburgh – and once once more did his thing: quarterback Brock Purdy. Getty Images
“CMC” and Purdy let the Steelers play
Despite the AFC North being loaded with massive quality, Pittsburgh was seen as a kind of “dark horse” following a successful preseason – not least because of a strong defense around TJ Watt or promising offensive men like quarterback Kenny Pickett and receiver George Pickens. But they all had to realize in Week 1 that any surprise season might only start from Week 2. Because there was an attrition at the home game once morest the NFC giants from San Francisco.
Led by Brock Purdy, who was known as “Mr. Irrelevant” last season until his bitter elbow injury in the play-offs and was ultimately appointed as leader by head coach Kyle Shanahan for 2023/24, San Francisco achieved a clear 30th :7 a. Purdy reached a strong 220 yards and two touchdowns and kept track of a fumble (hit by TJ Watt) and secured the ball without eye contact as it fell in front of his buttocks. He didn’t have an interception, but his counterpart Pickett had two (232 yards, one TD).
September 7, 202301:00:55 hours
#62: NFL Preview Week 1 – Love in the hot seat
The NFL Kickoff makes everything NEW! At the start of the new season there are some new sections in “Icing the kicker”. Kucze, Detti and Grille talk regarding the “Matchup of the Week” and answer questions from the community. There are also fiery discussions and a hot seat on which a young cheese head sits for the premiere…
A key factor in this game was of course the Californians’ strong O-line, which gave Purdy the time for his two TD passes (each to Brandon Aiyuk – 129 yards) and star running back Christian McCaffrey the way for a score and paved 151 rushing yards.
“Battle of Ohio” goes to the Browns – clearly
Speaking of the AFC North: One of the top favorites for the division crown and at the same time a candidate for a Super Bowl run are the Cincinnati Bengals. But they also had a bad day at the start of the regular season and lost 3:24 in the constant rain in Cleveland – it was already the sixth defeat from the seven games since 2020 in this intra-division duel nicknamed the “Battle of Ohio”.
Star quarterback Joe Burrow, who was paid long-term and dearly just a few days ago, basically came to nothing with his attack in the 100th NFL meeting between these proud franchises. No joke: The playmaker only completed 14 of 31 passes – for a paltry 82 yards. Top receiver Ja’Marr Chase (39 yards) and runner Joe Mixon (56 yards) lined up once morest a well-positioned host defense.
Star defender Myles Garrett grabbed four quarterback hits for Burrow and stopped a final rallying attempt in the fourth quarter with a powerful fourth-down stop, while QB Deshaun Watson’s own offense (154 yards, one TD, one interception) was solid and was able to rely on running back Nick Chubb (106 yards).
Vikings lose – Mayfield finishes it himself
The Buccaneers served up another surprise at the start of this season. The team from Tampa Bay, which is playing this season following Tom Brady’s final retirement – 2023 is also the first NFL season since 1999 without the seven-time champion – with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, struck in Minnesota and added to the reigning NFC North -The winner scored a 17:20 blow directly in front of their own fans.
In a good mood: Baker Mayfield won his first game with the Bucs, impressed and surprised the Vikings. IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Mayfield himself was also the decisive man, throwing for 173 yards, reaching two touchdown passes (one to star receiver Mike Evans) and not making any serious mistakes. Towards the end, the 28-year-old even ran for an important first down that finally made the victory clear.
Strictly speaking, the match winner was kicker Chase McLaughlin, who scored from 57 yards to make it 20:17 with regarding five minutes left and conjured up an incredulous astonishment on the face of Minnesota’s leader Kirk Cousins (344 yards, two TDs, one int.). For the Vikes, who were last clear NFC North champions with a score of 13:3, this was a big setback on the way back. Star receiver Justin Jefferson’s strong 150 yards didn’t help either – also because Cousins had two fumbles.
Falcons are on a run and top pick Young is going to be tough in the NFL
The spectators who made a trip to Atlanta this Sunday were not disappointed. On top of that, they were given what was unanimously expected in the run-up to this regular season: the Falcons running game. While quarterback Desmond Ridder only made the bare minimum and made no mistakes (15 of 18 passes completed, 115 yards, one TD), the rest ran at it. Running back Tyler Allgeier reeled off 75 yards and two touchdowns, while his counterpart Bijan Robinson had 56 yards and a strong touchdown catch.
With 24:10 for Atlanta in the duel with Carolina, Bryce Young’s debut was also ruined. The Panthers’ highly rated first overall pick in this year’s draft only recorded 146 yards and one touchdown, and he also had two interceptions (each caught by top safety Jessie Bates, who was brought in for a lot of money from Cincinnati). Falcons runner Robinson clearly won the indirect duel between rookie future hopes.
What else was going on: Tannehill with an interception-fest – Jaguars fight back
A winner and a loser in one picture: Saints quarterback Derek Carr (left) and Ryan Tannehill. IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Saints vs. Titans (16:15): From a neutral perspective, the comparison between New Orleans and Tennessee and thus at the same time the comparison of two experienced quarterbacks was no treat. But: Saints newcomer Derek Carr delivered 305 yards and a score (one international) – including the late, strong throw to pass receiver Rashid Shaheed to make it 16:9. In the end it was 16:15 for New Orleans, also because Titans playmaker Ryan Tannehill (198 yards, no TD) allowed three interceptions and running back machine Derrick Henry only managed a meager 63 yards on 15 runs.
Colts vs. Jaguars (21:31): The Indianapolis Colts also started their season with a rookie quarterback – Anthony Richardson (fourth overall pick). The 21-year-old athlete with great talent also delivered in a convincing manner, recording two total touchdowns and almost 300 total yards (one interception). But it wasn’t enough to win because the youngest play-off participant from Jacksonville might rely on receiver Calvin Ridley (101 yards, one TD), who was ready to play following being suspended for illegal betting, as well as playmaker Trevor Lawrence (241, two TDs, one Int.) led the fightback for a 31:21 home win.
Commanders vs. Cardinals (20:16): After the switch from controversial owner Dan Snyder to a group of investors around NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson in the summer, Washington was able to celebrate an immediate victory. With the new starting quarterback Sam Howell, who impressed with an interception (two total TDs, over 200 total yards), the capital team won once morest the men from Arizona, who were probably in a transition year.
Their playmaker Joshua Dobbs, the replacement for star Kyler Murray, who was not yet ready for action, managed a meager 132 yards and lost the ball once later in the game. But the victory wasn’t a given because the Commanders performed extremely poorly at the start – lots of penalties, turnovers and six sacks.
Ravens vs. Texans (25:9): And one more rookie quarterback to finish – CJ Stroud. The second overall pick from Houston had little to report with his Texans in Maryland (242 yards, no TD, no int., five sacks) and deservedly lost 9:25. The home team from Baltimore had a manageable performance offensively, star quarterback Lamar Jackson only achieved just over 200 total yards. Running back Justice Hill stormed into the end zone twice, and another touchdown came from JK Dobbins. But he was to pay dearly for his efforts that day. Because Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon, the season is over for the running back.
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