NFL week 1 review

Performance of the week (team)

Buffalo Bills: Numerous contenders stand out: Houston, Baltimore and Chicago. All three faced play-off sides from last year, all secured emphatic wins in week 1. But performance of the week has to go to the unfashionable, unfancied (to say the least) Buffalo, facing a road trip to the hostility of Arrowhead Stadium to face 2010’s best-of-the-west Chiefs. They emerged with a 34-point triumph, shutting down Jamaal Charles, and allowing Dwayne Bowe only two receptions. They also clicked on offense. Excellent on both sides of the ball, the Bills provided food for thought for the many who had written them off.

Performances of the week (individual)

Cam Newton: In Week 1 of season 1 in the NFL career of the number 1 draft pick, Carolina’s quarterback, a number 1 adorned on his jersey, threw two touchdowns and a rookie record-equalling 422 yards in the Arizona desert. Admittedly, Panthers fell short of their first road win since December 2009, but Newton’s passer rating of 110.4 belied his lack of professional experience, and proved to remaining doubters that Carolina has a gem under center.

Tom Brady: Brady posted a career-high yardage – and when you have had a career like that of the Patriots’ quarterback, that is nothing to be sniffed at. With 517 yards and 4 touchdowns, Brady once again led his team to a big road win at a divisional rival, though Pats fans also raved about Nate Solder’s showing, who effectively nullified the Cameron Wake effect.

Moments of the week

Randall Cobb: Perhaps surpassing Newton in terms of impact from a rookie was Green Bay’s wide receiver. His 108-yard kickoff return TD tied a league record and came as commentators and fans were berating the new rule which see kickoffs on the 35, rather than 30-yard line. Already, Al Michaels told viewers, Lambeau had seen more touchbacks than in the whole of last season, but, displaying to-heck-with-that spirit, Cobb emerged from deep inside the end zone, his sensational run including an almost gravity-defying pirouette. Oh, and he also hauled in a receiving touchdown with his first reception.

Sebastian Janikowski: The tied-longest field goal in NFL history was enough to see Oakland win at Denver. The air is thinner at Mile High, but this is still some achievement from the Raiders’ kicker, who once – ridiculously – attempted a 76 yarder.

Beasts of the week

Baltimore Ravens: Seven turnovers, seven points allowed – and facing the Steelers. Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and company, the Ravens were at their fearsome, disciplined best.

Chicago Bears: At Soldier Field, Matt Ryan’s offense was blunted and managed only two field goals (the Falcons’ TD was also a defensive score). The Bears, led by the irrepressible Julius Peppers, Henry Melton and, of course, Brian Urlacher, picked up one interception, forced two fumbles (one of which Urlacher returned for six), sacked Ryan five times and hit him 11.

Surprise of the week

Ryan Fitzpatrick: Bills head coach Chan Gailey will claim that this was no surprise, that they had faith in their QB all along. Undoubtedly, Fitzpatrick repaid their trust by tossing four scores in his team’s stunning win at the Chiefs, for a rating of 133.0.

Disappointments of the week

Chris Johnson: The contract dispute is behind him, but CJ still looks unsettled. He barely had an impact in the Titans’ defeat in Jacksonville, carrying the ball nine times for just 24 yards.

Donovan McNabb: The Vikings’ replacement for Brett Favre was embarrassingly unproductive. He completed only seven passes (of 15 attempted) for 39 yards, a touchdown and an interception – although did gain 32 yards with his feet. Former positional rival at Washington Rex Grossman, incidentally, put in a very assured performance in the Redskins’ 28-14 win over the New York Giants.

Inevitability of the week

San Diego’s special teams were abysmal last year, in all probability costing Norv a play-off berth. And so, you could just tell what would happen as Nate Kaeding kicked off the season at Qualcomm Field. With Percy Harvin returning, the resulting kick return touchdown, in hindsight, had more than a whiff of predictability. Kaeding also had to leave the game with an injury sustained in trying to stop Harvin; you could almost hear southern California sighing a collective ‘here we go again’.

Improvisation of the week

But that Chargers misfortune also saw them land this slightly more coveted award. Punter Mike Scifres could deal with PATs, though not with field goals; it must have been the first time in Philip Rivers’ career that he had had to stay on the field for a 4th-and-20, in the first half, just outside the red zone. The FG would have been 43 yards – too long for Scifres – while the punt was barely worth it. But, at the start of the fourth quarter, Scifres brought his side level with a 40-yarder, the pigskin barely sneaking through the posts – ugly, but effective, and Scifres notched his first career field goal.