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Results and synopses of every Week 1 NFL matchup

PFF conducted post-game statistical analysis for each NFL Week 1 match, encompassing aspects such as scores, exceptional rookie showings, and beyond.

DETROIT LIONS 21, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 20

Key Offensive Insights: In the absence of Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes was forced to distribute the football to 11 different receivers. He completed 21 of 39 passes for 226 yards and recorded two touchdowns while also contributing 45 rushing yards on six carries. However, victory remained elusive, partly due to the struggles of his receivers, including Kadarius Toney, who had three dropped passes.

Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for the game’s initial touchdown. Notably, the Lions’ offense didn’t manage to score again until the middle of the fourth quarter. Goff masterminded a 75-yard touchdown drive, with Josh Reynolds contributing 51 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown from David Montgomery. This effort provided the Lions with a fourth-quarter lead, which ultimately proved to be enough, as the Chiefs’ offense couldn’t regain its momentum.

ATLANTA FALCONS 24, CAROLINA PANTHERS 10

Defensive Star: With the direction of their recently appointed defensive coordinator, Ryan Nielsen, the Falcons’ defense made an impressive start to the match. This featured a pivotal stop on a fourth-down play within their own red zone and an interception inside the Carolina Panthers’ 20-yard line, both taking place in the game’s opening quarter.

The interception subsequently set the stage for a touchdown by the Falcons’ offense. Jessie Bates, a prominent free-agent addition, left a significant mark in his inaugural game for Atlanta, registering two interceptions and making two crucial defensive stops.

BALTIMORE RAVENS 25, HOUSTON TEXANS 9

Emerging Rookie: Zay Flowers appears set for a substantial role within the team’s offensive strategy. In the opening quarter alone, he was the target of four passes and took one rushing attempt, culminating in a total of 87 combined rushing and receiving yards across 11 touches during the game.

C.J. Stroud faced a challenging adversary and encountered moments of brilliance alongside significant pressure from the Ravens’ defense. He completed 28 out of 44 passes for 242 yards. In the fourth quarter, Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, recorded his maiden professional sack by tackling Lamar Jackson. Additionally, wide receiver Tank Dell received four pass targets, collecting 34 yards through three receptions.

CLEVELAND BROWNS 24, CINCINNATI BENGALS 3

Offensive Emphasis: Both passing offenses encountered significant difficulties during this matchup. Joe Burrow had a challenging performance, managing just 14 completions on 31 attempts for 82 yards, without any touchdown passes.

On the contrary, Deshaun Watson posted improved numbers, going 16 of 29 for 154 yards and a touchdown, but his performance was marred by a critical interception in the third quarter, thrown directly to Bengals defensive back Dax Hill.

However, the Browns found more success in their ground game. Nick Chubb accumulated 106 rushing yards on 18 carries, while an additional 100 yards came from the collective contributions of Watson, Jerome Ford, and Elijah Moore. Ultimately, their capacity to rely on the running game played a pivotal role in the Browns’ triumph over the Bengals.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 30, PITTSBURGH STEELERS 7

Defensive Star: Although there were limited positive moments for the Steelers in this match, one player stood out prominently – T.J. Watt.

Watt wrapped up the game with three quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and five quarterback hits, pending the official review. Irrespective of the team’s collective performance, these impressive statistics undoubtedly position him as an early frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year accolade.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 20, MINNESOTA VIKINGS 17

Rookie Spotlight: The focus was on the newcomer, Jordan Addison, chosen in the first round of the draft by the Vikings, who made an encouraging start by grabbing four receptions out of six passes directed his way in the match against Tampa Bay.

Two of his receptions resulted in first downs, and one even led to a touchdown for Minnesota. While Justin Jefferson continued to deliver his exceptional performance, Jordan Addison’s debut suggested that he has the potential to become a vital complement to the star receiver.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 31, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 21

Offensive Spotlight: Calvin Ridley smoothly transitioned into the role of the Jaguars’ top receiver alongside Trevor Lawrence, confirming the preseason buzz that had enveloped him upon his reinstatement from suspension. Ridley was the target of 11 passes, making successful receptions on eight of them, accumulating 101 yards, and notching a touchdown.

His touchdown catch was especially remarkable, marked by a sensational reception followed by an impressive run after the catch. In essence, Ridley showcased the same level of performance that had defined his career before his league suspension.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 20, ARIZONA CARDINALS 16

Defensive Emphasis: The Commanders’ defense put substantial pressure on the Cardinals’ offensive line, tallying 14 pressures as confirmed by PFF’s preliminary analysis. This pressure led to three sacks against Dobbs and resulted in the retrieval of two fumbles.

Particularly noteworthy were the standout performances of edge defender Montez Sweat and interior defender Jonathan Allen. Sweat notched 1.5 sacks, Allen secured one sack, and both players contributed four unofficial pressures each, underscoring their impact in the game.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 16, TENNESSEE TITANS 15

Rookie Spotlight: In his NFL regular season debut, Bryan Bresee, the Saints’ first-round pick as a defensive lineman, immediately made an impact with a half sack and two quarterback hits.

LOS ANGELES RAMS 30, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 13

Offensive Spotlight: Despite the significant differences between the current Rams team and the one that won the Super Bowl two years ago, numerous relatively unknown players stepped up and made their presence felt in this contest.

Running back Kyren Williams emerged as the primary force in the backfield, scoring two rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Cam Akers chipped in with another rushing touchdown, contributing to the Rams’ triumph against Pete Carroll’s squad.

On the receiving front, rookie Puka Nacua and former second-round pick Tutu Atwell led the way, accumulating a combined total of 238 receiving yards (with each player recording 119 yards).

Nonetheless, Geno Smith and the Seahawks’ offense encountered difficulties in generating momentum beyond an early touchdown pass to D.K. Metcalf. Seattle managed to produce less than 200 yards of offensive output for the day, as the unexpectedly stout Rams defense proved to be an insurmountable challenge.

MIAMI DOLPHINS 36, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 34

Defensive Highlight: What happened to the defense? This game provided scant evidence that the Chargers, who have a defensive-minded head coach in Brandon Staley, were making strides toward defensive improvement.

The Chargers allowed a staggering 531 yards of offensive production at an average of 8.2 yards per play. What’s particularly worrisome is that this significant offensive output occurred despite the Chargers forcing multiple turnovers, including an interception by J.C. Jackson and a fumble recovery by Nick Williams.

GREEN BAY PACKERS 38, CHICAGO BEARS 20

Focus on Rookies: Green Bay Packers’ newcomer wide receiver Jayden Reed impressed with his speed and ability in open space, securing two receptions for a combined 48 yards. Additionally, rookie tight end Luke Musgrave showcased remarkable speed, tallying three receptions for 50 yards. Reed also made a significant impact with a notable 35-yard punt return, setting up a short-field touchdown drive for Green Bay.

Meanwhile, on the Bears’ side, rookie running back Roschon Johnson exhibited determination in the second half, effectively carrying the ball and making multiple receptions. He concluded the game with five rushing attempts for 20 yards, including a touchdown, and contributed with five receptions for 30 yards.

Johnson’s physicality and ability to power through defenders were evident. Although much of his playing time occurred during what is typically considered garbage time, his performance strongly suggests that he deserves a spot in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 17, DENVER BRONCOS 16

Offensive Emphasis: The inception of the Russell Wilson-Sean Payton era began smoothly but lacked the expected explosiveness. Wilson completed 27 out of 34 passes for a total of 177 yards and contributed with two touchdowns. Running back Javonte Williams displayed sharpness despite his return from a significant injury suffered in 2022, accumulating 52 yards through 13 carries and adding four receptions to his impressive performance.

Meanwhile, on the Raiders’ side, newly acquired free-agent wide receiver Jakobi Meyers had a standout debut with his new team, securing an impressive nine receptions for 81 yards and notching two touchdowns. Unfortunately, his promising game was cut short when Broncos safety Kareem Jackson delivered a powerful hit to his head/neck region while Meyers was in the process of making a catch over the middle.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 25, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 20

Defensive Highlight: Eagles cornerback Darius Slay left a significant imprint on the game by intercepting a pass and returning it for a 70-yard touchdown within the first 10 minutes, contributing to Philadelphia’s early 10-0 lead.

Immediately after this, on the Patriots’ subsequent offensive play, linebacker Zach Cunningham made a pivotal play by forcing a fumble when tackling running back Ezekiel Elliott. As the Eagles expanded their lead to 16-0, the challenge proved insurmountable for the Patriots, despite their resilient efforts.

Patriots edge defenders Matthew Judon and Josh Uche maintained their impressive form from the 2022 season, with each of them registering a sack in this game. Overall, the New England defense succeeded in holding the Eagles to under 4.0 yards per carry and a mere 4.3 yards per pass, demonstrating a level of containment that few teams managed throughout the 2022 season.

DALLAS COWBOYS 40, NEW YORK GIANTS 0

Spotlight on Rookies: Despite the daunting circumstances faced by the Giants in this game, rookie cornerbacks Tre Hawkins III and Deonte Banks showed resilience and provided a ray of hope amidst the adversity. Banks faced two targets but successfully thwarted any completions, even forcing an incompletion. Meanwhile, Hawkins was targeted once and allowed a reception that gained 19 yards. This performance highlights the rookie cornerbacks’ ability to hold their own in challenging circumstances.

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