The best way to describe Sunday’s action to start the 2022 NFL season is to say that it picked up where it left off in 2021. Teams rallied back to win, gutsy calls from first year head coaches and a tie! Not to mention a couple of very untimely injuries to star players, week 1 has not been a letdown. It’s time to do what we do best and overreact to five of the bigger storylines throughout the league.
Dolphins dominate Pats in opener . The Dolphins bully New England from the opening kickoff. Tyreek Hill (8 rec, 94 yds) had a decent debut but it was the defense that was constantly in the face of Pats QB Mac Jones. The second-year signal caller was under duress the entire game giving up two turnovers one directly resulting in a defensive score for the Dolphins. What’s the overreaction here ? That’s simple once you add Tyreek in the red zone, this team will be Buffalo’s biggest challenge this season.
The Bengals are okay. There’s no need to overreact about Joe Borrow’s 4 INT performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He lost a fumble as well which brings his turnover total to 5 for the game and somehow they lost in overtime. This game could’ve been won in regulation by Cincinnati but Minkah Fitzpatrick’s block on the game winning PAT send the game into overtime. The reigning Comeback Player of the Year showed that he will continue to fight even when the odds are stacked against him. If you are a Steelers fan, You would think to start to overreact simply because you forced 5 turnovers and had to win in overtime, on the last play might I add. However, Mike Tomlin makes winning ugly look routine. A Mike Tomlin coached team will find a way to win.
Justin Jefferson the first ever WR to win MVP ?. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 23-7 but it could’ve been a whole lot worse. 3rd year receiver Justin Jefferson (9 rec, 184 yds, 2TDs) had a career day. He was just open, the defense wasn’t even looking for him on plays. The Vikings have Kevin O’Connell as head coach this year. Last year, with the Rams, O’Connell help Copper Kupp have the best year as a wide receiver. Ever. Insert Jefferson into the fold this year for O’Connell, this offense can be scary. The Packers had drops from receivers, the offensive line wasn’t good and they got away from the run game early. Don’t overreact though as the Pack lost 38-3 last year to open the season last year.
Kansas City will be alright as long as Mahomes is the QB. For the first time in their young careers, Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray squared off against each other. Mahomes went 30 for 39, 360 yards and 5 touchdowns. He found 9 different receivers in this post Tyreek Hill offense. Another day in the office for Travis Kelce (8 rec, 121 yds, TD) and the Kansas City Chiefs should feel like they are in a decent position to defend the AFC West crown
Dallas’ struggles were highlighted well before Dak Prescott’s injury. Prescott’s final stat line (14-29 134 yds, INT) was pedestrian to say the least. Dak left the game in the fourth after hitting the helmet of Shaq Barrett. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Bummer for a team that was a top team last year. The offensive line looked like prey for the Tampa Bay defensive. Dak wasn’t sharp at all. The only receiver on the same page as the Dallas QB was TE Dalton Schultz (7 rec, 62 yds). With Prescott sidelined for the next two months, the future looks bleak for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Bucs looked like one of the best teams in the conference as expected. It was good to see the run game get going. There’s only a couple teams that will compete with the Bucs for the NFC crown. That’s not an overreaction.
