Paul Gallant recaps EVERYTHING you need to know from the NFL's first Sunday of 2019
NFL Sunday Week 1: In a nutshell
Sep 9, 2019, 5:42 am
Paul Gallant recaps EVERYTHING you need to know from the NFL's first Sunday of 2019
Sup peeps. I host NFL Rush Sundays from 3-6 CT on SB Nation Radio. And since I'm keeping tabs on all of Sunday's games on the 9 TVs we have in studio, I'll be giving you an NFL cheat sheet every Monday...
Titans tight end Delanie Walker flamed the Browns after beating them by 30 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/GoCmHIjA1q
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 8, 2019
The Titans are a decidedly average football team. Still, they deserve credit. After all, scoring 40+ points with Marcus Mariota at quarterback is like scoring a single touchdown with Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback. Having Delanie Walker back (5 catches, 55 yards, 2 TDs) certainly helped, as did Derrick Henry (159 all purpose yards including a 75 yard screen and scramble, 2 TDs) picking up where he left off at the end of last season.
The Browns SHOULD be different than the Titans. They've got star-power and a potential star at quarterback. Unfortunately, one of these names is not like the others:
#Jaguars LB Myles Jack was ejected from the game after the play where Patrick Mahomes got injured but did not want to leave.pic.twitter.com/0mgt1RKsbk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2019
Jaguars fans have gotta be throwing Myles Jack-esque temper tantrums after Nick Foles broke his clavicle. Now they'll be starting Gardner Minshew for the forseeable future. In Minshew's defense, he didn't play poorly. But it's hard to take any quarterback that looks like Uncle Rico seriously.
The Chiefs offense - as expected - looked unstoppable in this one. And even though they've got a gimpy Patrick Mahomes (ankle) and no Tyreek Hill (shoulder, out for a few weeks) after this win, they've got to be feeling great about the offense:
Cam Newton outfit ratings
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 8, 2019
Week 1: barbed wire wrapped hat, handkerchief, and t-shirt jacket: 10/10 pic.twitter.com/0DcXqTizXz
Never change Cam Newton.
The Rams did get the road victory. But they can't be feeling great coming out of this game.
First off, they were unsure of Todd Gurley's knee (per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, they were "going in blind" into Sunday's game) and used him sparingly (just 14 carries, though he was effective late).
Second, newly acquired safety Eric Weddle got kneed in the head and was bleeding PROFUSELY.
Third, Jared Goff - who L.A. just gave $110 M guaranteed - did not look worth anywhere close to that. He was just 23-39 for 186 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.
INT no. 2 of the day for Anthony Harris! 📈#ATLvsMIN
— PFF (@PFF) September 8, 2019
(Via @Vikings)
pic.twitter.com/ErqEz1AqUD
This was a very Gary Kubiak (the Vikings offensive advisor) feeling asskicking. Kirk Cousins only threw the ball 10 times, and Minnesota's zone blocking scheme helped Dalvin Cook and rookie Alexander Mattison combine for 160 yards on the ground against a supposedly decent Falcons defense. At the very least, Atlanta was healthy on that side of the ball. Combine that with:
On the Falcons front:
DeSean Jackson 🔥🔥
— PFF (@PFF) September 8, 2019
The deep threat is at it AGAIN!#WASvsPHI
(Via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/0K0e6s28X1
The Eagles got off to a VERY slow start. But Carson Wentz is an MVP candidate (and my MVP choice), especially with burner Desean Jackson back in green. Jackson had 8 catches for 154 yards and 2 TDs (51 and 53 yarders).
PS - Shoutout to Case Keenum for helping Washington look respectable out there. "The Wanderer" was 30-44 for 380 yards and 3 TDs despite throwing to 100 years old Vernon Davis and someone named Terry McLaurin.
Lamar Jackson really went there 😅 pic.twitter.com/NTAyjYQwLW
— ESPN (@espn) September 8, 2019
The Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL, could EASILY go 0-16, and actually may be about to follow through on that whole mutiny thing they suggested. But...
I'm SO PUMPED for Lamar Jackson. He's one of my favorite college football players ever. And for those who watched him at Louisville, YOU KNEW he can throw the football. So it was great to see him show off that arm with a 17-20 day for 324 yards and 5 TDs. Even more promising? Jackson only ran the ball 3 times on the game.
Also important: the contributions that the Ravens got from their 3 biggest offseason acquisitions:
PS - shout out to Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing an interception for an 8th NFL team, a record!
Did not expect Jets-Bills to be on the big TV at 1pm PT - but definitely expected a Jets fan to be reacting like this. pic.twitter.com/bW2dsEVXfl
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) September 8, 2019
NOBODY circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills, who rallied from a 16-0 second half deficit FTW.
And NOBODY disappoints the Tri-State area like the New York Jets. The Bills have a great defense. But you can't feel good about the Jets regressing offensively in Sam Darnold's second season.
DK Metcalf with the pacifier mouth guard today 🤣 👶 #Seahawks @SONTHighlights pic.twitter.com/PsAun01QQ0
— Sports ON Tap Seattle (@SONTSeattle) September 8, 2019
The Bengals might have stumbled into something by hiring Zac Taylor. Who knew that Andy Dalton had a 400 yard passing game left in the tank? Or that John Ross (7 catches for 158 yards and 2 TDs) actually might not be a first round bust?
The Seahawks are SOOO lucky to have walked away with a win. Their offensive line struggled to protect Russell Wilson (4 sacks allowed) AND pave the way for Chris Carson (15 carries for just 46 yards). Worse? It's GLARINGLY obvious how badly they miss safety Earl Thomas. ANDY DALTON JUST THREW FOR 400 YARDS.
In Kellen Moore’s play-calling debut, @dak became the 4th QB in the Super Bowl era with 400+ pass yards, 4+ pass TD and a perfect passer rating, per @NFLResearch pic.twitter.com/f1kovMcsBn
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) September 9, 2019
I don't want to overreact to a win over the Giants. But it's hard not to after Dak Prescott had perhaps his best game ever. With a full compliment of weapons (Amari Cooper, offseason signing Randall Cobb, Michael Gallup, and Ezekiel Elliott) Prescott ALSO had a perfect passer rating. He threw for 405 yards, with 4 TDs and just 7 incompletions on the game. He was so effective that the Boys only needed to give 'Zeke 13 carries.
Prescott had a strong finish to the season once Dallas traded for Amari Cooper. And now with Randall Cobb in the fold, he's got one of the strongest offensive supporting casts in the league. If he's still looking for $40 M a season, he might be able to statistically justify it.
The Giants? Until they take Eli Manning out back Old Yeller style, they're a waste of your time.
@Melvingordon25 there is no advantage to staying at home. #chargers #MelvinGordon pic.twitter.com/k7umv2XJwY
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) September 8, 2019
Well, the Juice is right. The Chargers didn't miss a holding out Melvin Gordon at all. In fact, his backup Austin Ekeler IS a better running back. Ekeler had an Alvin Kamara esque day at the office (12 carries for 58 yards and a TD, 6 catches for 96 yards and 2 TDs) and gave the Chargers the W with the final score of the game.
As for the Colts, don't sleep on them. Jacoby Brissett is likely nothing more than a plus game manager. But Indy's O-Line is no joke, helping Marlon Mack run 25 times for 174 yards and a 63 yard touchdown.
Jameis Winston copies Jimmy Garoppolo and throws a pick-six. This one is by Richard Sherman.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2019
Sherman had 0 INTs last season. pic.twitter.com/12xTLH5Juj
If you've got stock in "Jameis Winston / Jimmy Garoppolo are going to be good quarterbacks...some day [gulps at latter]" takes, it's time to sell it. ALL OF IT. PANIC. PANIC. PANIC.
You can't fully appreciate Jameis if he's not making dumb throws, so you've got to thank Bruce Arians for keeping unintentional comedy in our lives. But Jimmy G picked up right where he left off in the preseason - Schaubing - and the 49ers have got to be regretting giving him $74.1 M. He might need another "learning experience" with an older adult film star to get him back on track.
Kyler Murray is really pulling this off, they were down 24-6 earlier to Matt Patricia's #Lions and Murray managed to come all the way back to tie it. pic.twitter.com/1mvWQMtntT
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2019
WHY WOULD YOU WATCH THIS GAME? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Kyler Murray and Arizona's offense looked completely lost in the early going of this game. Sure, Murray eventually rallied the Cards back from a 24-6 deficit. But don't be too impressed. After all, how many Lions can you name after Matt Stafford?
Here's one: rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson. You'd have to be in a VERY DUMB fantasy football league for Hockenson to be available to you. Take a look anyway, and put in that waiver claim if he's available. He had 6 catches for 131 yards and a TD...the best debut by a rookie tight end since 1950.
"Michael Bennett: WAKANDA FOREVER!!!"pic.twitter.com/JDD0x6iSe7
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 9, 2019
Things I'm not surprised by:
Paul Gallant hosts the "Gallant Says" podcast (Tuesdays & Fridays), "Just Sayin'", Friday nights at 10:30 on Kube 57. He also hosts "NFL Rush", Sundays 3-6 on SB Nation Radio. Have any questions? Get after him on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
For a second straight season, the Houston Texans will be without Tank Dell to end the regular season and for the playoffs after the dynamic receiver suffered another major injury.
“It’s tough to see guys get injured, the work that guys put in, how much they put their bodies on the line to play this game,” Ryans said. “It’s deeper than football. We are talking about real people who have real emotions and real feelings who are going through a tough time right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in that situation.”
The AFC South champion Texans will have to regroup quickly with a visit from the Ravens coming on Christmas Day. Dell’s injury is another blow to a team that was already missing Stefon Diggs after the four-time Pro Bowl receiver sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.
Dell ranks second on the team with 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns behind Nico Collins, who has 909 yards receiving and six scores.
Tight end Dalton Schultz has 482 yards receiving and two touchdowns and running back Joe Mixon 291 yards receiving and a touchdown grab. But with Dell and Diggs out, the Texans are thin at receiver.
John Metchie, who has just 182 yards receiving this season, could fill in for Diggs this week, but his status is uncertain after he missed Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury.
“There is a chance John could be back,” Ryans said. “I think he’s progressing, so we’ll see where he ends up on Wednesday.”
Other options at the position are veteran Robert Woods, who has just 143 yards receiving this season, and Xavier Hutchinson, who nine catches. Houston claimed former Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday, so he could factor in at some point.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, one of Dell’s closest friends, was distraught after Dell’s injury and remained upset after the game. He said it will be difficult for the team to bounce back after losing Dell to a serious injury again.
“The easy answer is to tell you something to make everybody feel nice, but it’s not the truth right now,” he said after the game. “The truth is that it’s not easy seeing your brother go down like that. (Sunday) we’ll have to get recovery, get ready for Wednesday because it’s another big-time opponent. The Ravens are a great team. It’ll be a playoff atmosphere on Christmas Day.”
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap previews the Texans' Christmas Day matchup with the Ravens!
Stroud distributed the ball well Saturday, completing passes to six different players. Dell led the way with six receptions for 98 yards and Collins had seven receptions for 60 yards while being double-teamed often.
With teams likely to place even more emphasis on stopping Collins with Dell out, Stroud will need to continue to spread the ball around against the Ravens.
The Texans continue to struggle in the red zone and converted just 1 of 3 opportunities Saturday. This comes after they were also 1 of 3 in a win over the Jaguars in Week 13 and converted just 2 of 4 chances in a loss to the Titans in Week 12.
“We had our opportunities, and it just comes down to as simple as guys being in the right spot,” Ryans said. “We just have to make the plays. We have to finish and that’s all it comes down to.”
LB Christian Harris had seventh tackles and a sack against the Chiefs in his second game of the season after missing the first 13 with a calf injury. His sack was Houston’s 46th of the season, which ties a franchise record that was set last season.
K Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an extra point Saturday. He’s been excellent from long range this season, making 13 field goals longer than 50 yards. But has struggled on shorter kicks, missing two from less than 30 yards before Saturday’s PAT miss.
S Jimmie Ward injured his foot Saturday and could miss the rest of the season. … G Shaq Mason injured his knee against the Chiefs and will likely miss Wednesday’s game.
10 — Dell’s touchdown Saturday was the 10th of his career, tying Hall of Famer Andre Johnson for most TD catches by a Texans through their first two seasons.
The Texans look for their first win over Baltimore since 2014 after five consecutive wins by the Ravens, including a 34-10 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.