NFL Sunday Whiparound: A recap of results around the NFL
Eagles 38, Lions 35
It was a shootout at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon, as Jalen Hurts and a powerful running game led the Eagles to a 38-35 win on the road. Hurts would finish with 243 yards passing and 90 yards rushing, with his only touchdown coming on the ground. Three different Eagles running backs would score as well, and newly acquired receiver AJ Brown went off for 10 receptions and 155 yards. Detroit wouldn’t go away quietly, constantly finding a way to keep the game close behind a massive day by D’Andre Swift (15 carries, 3 receptions, 175 all-purpose yards, and a touchdown) and two Jamaal Williams touchdown runs. Detroit’s fourth quarter rally would ultimately fall short, and Philadelphia escaped with a big road win to open the year.
Next Week:
Eagles: vs Vikings , Lions: vs Commanders
Dolphins 20, Patriots 7
New England spent an extra five days preparing for Sunday’s extreme heat in Miami, but couldn’t get anything going at all offensively against a stout defense for the Dolphins. Mac Jones was intercepted and lost a fumble, as New England turned the ball over three times and produced only one touchdown drive in the loss. Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with new teammate Tyreek Hill for 94 yards through the air, and delivered a strike on a deep touchdown to Jaylen Waddle to put Miami ahead by 17 in the second quarter. It wasn’t much of an offensive showcase on either side, but the Dolphins’ ability to take the ball away repeatedly carried the day.
Next Week:
Dolphins: at Ravens , Patriots: at Steelers
Bears 19, 49ers 10
On a wet and sloppy track in Chicago, the 49ers were in complete control at Soldier Field until they weren’t. San Francisco led 10-0 at halftime, stifling a struggling Bears’ offense and feeding Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell in the early going. Justin Fields took over in the second half, making huge touchdown throws to Dante Pettis and Equanimeous St. Brown to put the Bears ahead for good. Chicago’s defense and the field conditions both seemed to trouble Trey Lance, who finished the game completing fewer than half of his passes while fumbling once and throwing an interception without a touchdown. It was an all-around ugly start for San Francisco, and a surprising win for a Bears team with low expectations.
Next Week:
Bears: at Packers, 49ers: vs Seahawks
Browns 26, Panthers 24
One of the most anticipated games of the Week 1 slate, the Baker Mayfield Bowl delivered and them some. Mayfield passed for one touchdown and ran for another, furiously leading Carolina back from a 13-point deficit to ultimately lead with 1:13 to go. While Mayfield was the story pregame, it was rookie kicker Cade York who would steal the show for the Browns. York made all four field goals he attempted, most impressively driving home a 58-yard bomb to win the game.
Next Week:
Browns: vs Jets, Panthers: at Giants
Steelers 23, Bengals 20 (OT)
After an impressive run to the Super Bowl last season, Joe Burrow and the Bengals looked completely overwhelmed in the early portion of Week 1’s loss to the Steelers. Burrow turned the ball over five times in total including four interceptions, and the Bengals fell behind 17-3 in the second quarter. Cincinnati kept fighting, and eventually battled back within an extra point of winning the football game 21-20. Pittsburgh would block Evan McPherson’s game winner though, and the Bengals kicker would miss two more field goals in overtime. As the overtime period nearly expired, it was Chris Boswell of the Steelers who would eventually drill the decisive 53-yard kick.
Next Week:
Steelers: vs Patriots, Bengals: at Cowboys
Commanders 28, Jaguars 22
Rookie Jahan Dotson led the way with two touchdown catches in his debut for the Washington Commanders, who won a back-and-forth game over Jacksonville. Carson Wentz would throw for four touchdowns in total, but also threw two crucial interceptions – one of which was snagged by No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. After the Commanders led 14-3 early, Jacksonville rattled off 19 consecutive points to take a 22-14 lead with 11:45 to go. Carson’s Commanders were clutch in the final minutes though, scoring 14 points in the game’s last 10 minutes to secure the win.
Next Week:
Commanders: at Lions, Jaguars: vs Colts
Ravens 24, Jets 9
The Ravens and Jets got off to a slow scoring start at Metlife Stadium in Sunday’s Week 1 game, but it was Lamar Jackson’s three passing touchdowns that made the difference in what amounted to an easy Baltimore win. Jackson hit Duvernay twice and Bateman once, finishing the game with 213 passing yards on 17 of 30 completions. Baltimore’s defense dominated the game on third down, allowing only two conversions in 14 New York opportunities.
Next Week:
Ravens: vs Dolphins, Jets: at Browns
Chiefs 44 , Cardinals 21
Two playoff teams from 2021 kicked off their seasons in the desert when the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Arizona Cardinals, but only one of the two looked like they belonged. Patrick Mahomes didn’t miss a beat in his first game without wide receiver Tyreek Hill, throwing five touchdowns over the first three quarters while the Chiefs jumped out to a 37-7 lead. Kyler Murray would tack on two late passing touchdowns, but it wasn’t nearly enough for Arizona.
Next Week:
Chiefs: vs Chargers, Cardinals: at Raiders
Chargers 24 , Raiders 19
While Derek Carr and Davante Adams clearly haven’t lost the relationship that made them a dynamic duo at Fresno State, the Chargers’ retooled secondary was too much for Derek Carr in Sunday’s battle at SoFi Stadium. Despite a stadium filled with Raiders fans on the road, Carr’s three interceptions were too much to overcome for Las Vegas. Justin Herbert was efficient and productive for the Chargers, passing for three touchdowns without an interception in another impressive display.
Next Week:
Chargers: at Chiefs, Raiders: vs Cardinals
Vikings 23 , Packers 7
Justin Jefferson had a lot to say in the offseason about comparisons to his former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase, and certainly looked like the best wide receiver in the NFL on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins found the wideout time and time again, totaling a ridiculous 184 yards over 9 catches with two touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get anything going, finishing with only 195 passing yards and zero touchdowns in a dominant defensive effort by the Vikings.
Next Week:
Vikings: at Eagles, Packers: vs Bears
Giants 21, Titans 20
Despite trailing almost the entire day, the New York Football Giants stormed all the way back to take a 21-20 lead after an incredibly gutsy 2-point conversion attempt with 1:08 to go in Tennessee. Tennessee led by as many as 13, catalyzed by two touchdown passes from Ryan Tannehill to backup running back Dontrell Hilliard. On the Titans’ final drive, two Giants’ penalties and a clutch throw to rookie Kyle Philips set up a field goal to win. Randy Bullock would miss the 47-yarder, giving the Giants a huge road win to open the season.
Next Week:
Titans: at Bills, Giants: vs Panthers
