NFL Week 1 2022: Notes and observations
Analysing the NFL Week 1 results, these are the top reactions and observations from a wild weekend of action.
– No team had a worse Week 1 than the Dallas Cowboys. Not only were they humiliated in a 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, but quarterback Dak Prescott was lost for 6-8 weeks with a broken thumb which will require surgery. Without Prescott, it’s almost impossible to imagine a scenario where the Cowboys aren’t buried in the NFC East race. Especially with the Philadelphia Eagles looking quite formidable.
Want $250 to bet on Monday Night Football?
– The Cincinnati Bengals have to be sick. After rallying in the final seconds to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers at 20-all, Cincinnati had a game-winning extra point blocked before star kicker Evan McPherson missed a 29-yard field goal in overtime. The Steelers somehow won 23-20, despite only scoring 16 offensive points with a +5 turnover ratio. For the Bengals, it’s a horrid loss that was incredibly avoidable.
– The Kansas City Chiefs might be sleeping better after their opening act of the 2022 NFL season. Kansas City has a slew of new faces on both sides of the ball. However, entering the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals they led 37-7 before putting in a plethora of backups to finish out the 44-21 triumph. The Chiefs were dominant in all phases. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns in the NFL Week 1 victory.
Read: Lamar Jackson, Ravens Can’t Find Common Ground On New Contract
– What to make of the Miami Dolphins? Tua Tagovailoa was efficient in a win over the New England Patriots. Although, the offense only scored 13 points against a team low on talent. If the Dolphins are going to survive an upcoming three-game stretch against the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Bengals, they’ll need to make sure their point production increases.
– After an offseason that saw a new coach hired in Kevin O’Connell, the Minnesota Vikings were hoping to see a talented roster finally pay dividends. Minnesota’ stock is up after a Week 1 thrashing of the Green Bay Packers, winning 23-7 at home. Kirk Cousins was solid, Justin Jefferson was spectacular, and the newly-acquired edge rusher Za’Darius Smith was impactful, adding a sack against his former team. Minnesota has to be thrilled with how everything came together to begin the long campaign.
