Four and Out: NFL Week 1 surprises

Let’s take a look at the biggest surprises from Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

Finally! The NFL regular season is here! Much of Week 1 went according to script. Despite high expectations and hopes that Robert Griffin III would somehow lead the hapless Cleveland Browns to victory, his team lost. Not only did the Browns lose, but RGIII ended up on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury. New team; new body part; same outcome.

Other teams from 2015 continued to struggle in 2016. The Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers were all handed big fat Ls. Meanwhile, many of the league’s powerhouses won their games, including the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos, the defending Super Bowl champions.

So what were the biggest surprises?

4. Minnesota Vikings doesn’t score a defensive touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.

Teddy Bridgewater’s offseason injury left the Vikings without a starting quarterback. It isn’t a complete surprise that the offense didn’t score a lot of points, but considering the team managed to score 25 en route to their victory against the Tennessee Titans, it is surprising that none of them came from offensive visits to the end zone.

Adrian Peterson only had 19 carries for 31 yards, while quarterback Shaun Hill completed 18 of 33 passes for 236 yards. The defense definitely picked up the slack, forcing three turnovers in less than ten minutes. In the third quarter, Eric Kendricks returned an interception for 77 yards. Then, Danielle Hunter scored a touchdown off of a fumble.

While many fans love a pass-happy NFL, plenty would be happy to see more throwback teams that rely more on their defense than a flashy offense.

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls the play in the huddle in the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts by the score of 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Detroit Lions won.

Without Calvin Johnson. I say again, without Calvin Johnson. Matthew Stafford completed 31 of 39 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Did I mention this was without Calvin Johnson, who had 1,214 receiving yards in 2015?

Who was Stafford’s go-to instead of Johnson? Relying primarily on a no-huddle offense, Stafford threw to eight different targets, six of whom had multiple receptions for at least 35 yards. Also surprising, the Lions ground game wasn’t nearly as horrendous as last year. In fact, it was good! The Lions defense gave up 35 points, but did just enough to ensure a victory.

In 2015, the Lions had only one victory in the first nine weeks of the season, and didn’t notch a win until Week 6 against the Chicago Bears. The Lions face the Tennessee Titans in their Week 2 home opener. A weak Titans squad, home field advantage, and momentum from last weak’s game could mean back-to-back wins for the Lions to start the 2016 season.

They also have momentum from strong play at the end of the end of last season to propel them forward.

The Minnesota Vikings have a quarterback crisis, while the Bears started their season with a sad loss to the Houston Texans. Could the Lions put up a serious fight in their division? Only time will tell. If they keep playing like they did in their season opener, the Lions could make the city of Detroit very happy.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) after catching a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

2. No Bell, No Bryant, No Wheaton? No problem.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were missing their superstar running back, Le’Veon Bell and super-speedy wide receiver Martavis Bryant in Week 1. Both were serving suspensions due to drug-related infractions. To make matters even more worrisome going into the game, receiver Markus Wheaton was out with an injury.

It turns out the Pittsburgh Steelers had absolutely no problem at running back and appeared to have endless depth at wide receiver. How much depth? Well, the Steelers either have clown car technology or receivers coach Richard Mann is an absolute genius.

The Steelers beat the Redskins 38-16, the second-most decisive victory of Week 1. After a shaky start to the game, Ben Roethlisberger and company showed why the Steelers are considered the best offense in the league, apparently even without several key players. Roethlisberger completed 27/37 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Running back DeAngelo Williams averaged 5.5 yards per run. With 26 carries, he had 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Next week, the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals. The only surprise that could come out of Week 2 for the Steelers is if that game is a display of good sportsmanship and camaraderie between two rivals.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots, also down a pair of superstars in Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowsky, managed to beat the competent Arizona Cardinals. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s trade value just shot up, and the Patriots system and coach came out of Week 1 looking as brilliant as ever.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

 2. Have the Philadelphia Eagles found their quarterback?

It’s no surprise the Cleveland Browns are having quarterback troubles. It is, after all, one of the things the Browns do best. The Philadelphia Eagles have had their share of personnel problems over the last few years, but with Andy Reid on the opposite coast with the 49ers, it looks like the Eagles might have finally found a reliable quarterback.

In Week 1, Wentz completed 22 of 37 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to a 29-10 victory over the Browns. The second-overall pick in the 2016 draft, Wentz came out of North Dakota State, an FCS school, hardly a football powerhouse. Going into the draft, scouts praised his size and pro-style skills, but worried he might not be able to handle NFL-level competition.  Well, the Browns are in the NFL, but it is debatable whether or not they can really be considered an NFL-level team. If Wentz has a repeat performance against more formidable teams, Eagles fans might be looking at the future of their franchise.

Next week, the Eagles take on the Chicago Bears, a franchise that has also struggled in recent years. A truer test of Wentz’s abilities will come in Week 3 on September 25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Long-suffering Eagles fans are ready for a successful season, and Wentz might be the game-changer they need.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: Robert Griffin III

1. Most players escaped Week 1 without major injuries

Last year, a major story line of Week 1 was the number of injuries key players suffered. So far this season, knock on wood, most players have made it through the preseason and Week 1 unscathed.

Sure, the oft-injured Robert Griffin III is on injured reserve; Teddy Bridgewater was sidelined with a gruesome knee injury in the preseason; and, a handful of other players ended up injured before the season started. Overall, however, Week 1 brought a lot of entertaining football without a lot of season-ending injuries.

The San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen tore his ACL. Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson suffered a minor ankle injury. Also suffering minor ankle injuries were Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu of the Atlanta Falcons. Perhaps the most disturbing injury scenario in Week 1, which should have been surprising, but sadly is business as usual in the NFL, were the head-to-head hits against Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton in his team’s season opener against the Denver Broncos. Both the NFL and the NFLPA are going to investigate the failed concussion protocol during that game.

Last year in Week 1, Baltimore Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles. Going into Week 2, a slew of other big name players were sidelined: Texans RB Arian Foster, Panthers LB Luke Kuechly, Giants WR Victor Cruz, Redskins WR DeSean Jackson, and Cowboys WR Dez Bryant.

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