32 Great Plays from Week 1: A Highlight from Every Team

September 15, 2021

That's a wrap folks! 

After patiently waiting for several months, Week 1 of the NFL regular season is officially behind us. This past weekend featured a full slate of 16 games featuring all 32 teams and it certainly did not disappoint. Fans around the league were treated to exciting games start to finish; from Tom Brady's season opening touchdown to Monday night's nail-biter between the Ravens and the Raiders, and what better way to recap this past weekend's action other than a highlight from every single team. 

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals opened the season 1-0 after travelling to Tennessee and laying a 38-13 beating to the Titans. DE Chandler Jones was a man on a mission Sunday afternoon harassing QB Ryan Tannehill's offensive line for a surreal 5 sack performance while QB Kyler Murray led the way for the Cardinals with a 5 touchdown performance of his own.    

Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and the Falcons hosted the Eagles on Sunday and while they drew first blood with a field goal by Younghoe Koo, the game unfortunately started to slip away from them after the Eagles struck a critical blow with a decisive 2 minute drill before the half. The Falcons were competitive for most of the afternoon and have plenty to build on heading into next week. 

Buffalo Bills

The Bills built a 10 point lead over the course of the opening half of their game against the Steelers on Sunday, but after holding the Steelers scoreless until halftime they ultimately failed to contain them all afternoon allowing 23 second half points. The Bills' offense will be eager to score early and often in Week 2. 

Baltimore Ravens

Unfortunately the Ravens were at the wrong end of an exhilarating overtime loss to the newly settled Las Vegas Raiders to close out Week 1 on Monday night. A tough loss, but the season definitely is going to be an exciting and competitive one for Lamar Jackson and his Ravens.  

Carolina Panthers

Ex-Jets QB Sam Darnold and WR Robby Anderson got their revenge quickly and sweetly this week by defeating their old squad on Sunday 19-14 as the Carolina Panthers held on against the Jets and Darnold's usurper Zach Wilson. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals fans were witness to a rollercoaster of an afternoon with the return of QB Joe Burrow and an overtime 27-24 win against a disorganized Vikings unit. Rookie WR Jamar Chase opened his campaign with an exciting 5 reception, 101 yard performance on Sunday and also caught his first NFL touchdown from his former LSU QB this week. The pair will look to continue to build on their productivity heading forward. 

Chicago Bears

A rough outing against the Matthew Stafford led L.A. Rams this weekend led to a 34-14 loss and an 0-1 start to the Bears' season. Despite a long game, rookie QB Justin Fields scored his first NFL touchdown this past week and on a positive note, RB David Montgomery had a strong 108 yard, 1 touchdown performance despite the Bears trailing all game. 

Cleveland Browns

Despite holding a lead heading into the final quarter of regulation against the Chiefs late Sunday afternoon, the Browns could merely watch as Patrick Mahomes flexed his late game heroics in the fourth quarter to steal a hardly fought Week 1 victory away from them. Regardless of the outcome, the Browns provided plenty of entertaining football against a top-tier opponent.   

Dallas Cowboys

A strong performance ultimately fell short to open the league's first week against the magic of the seemingly ageless Tom Brady. While an 0-1 start is not ideal the Cowboys have plenty to build on after a competitive game against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers. The Cowboys passing attack was in mid-season form as QB Dak Prescott eclipsed 400 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. 

Denver Broncos

The Broncos led by newly acquired QB Teddy Bridgewater visited the Giants to open the season on Sunday. The Broncos then proceeded to slowly make their hosts absolutely miserable by providing a 27-13 pounding of their opponents. Bridgewater connected for 2 touchdowns, spread the ball to 9 different receivers and totaled 264 yards as the Broncos dominated possession for over 35 minutes.   

Detroit Lions

Head Coach Dan Campbell and QB Jared Goff made their debuts, and the Lions were mostly as advertised showing grit and determination. Despite falling short in a 41-33 shootout to the 49'ers to open the season, the Lions showed a tenacity in the second half that was admirable and can build on that momentum heading into next week.

Green Bay Packers

The wheels simply fell off the wagon for Green Bay this weekend as the Saints and Jameis Winston toppled the Packers 38-3. It was a forgettable performance that both fans and the organization would like to quickly put behind them with a strong performance next week.

Houston Texans

The Texans overcame their division rival Jaguars and first overall pick Trevor Lawrence on Sunday without Deshaun Watson. Behind a 3-headed monster in the backfield led by Mark Ingram this past weekend, the Texans firmly secured a 37-21 win and with that recipe will look to replicate it in Week 2.  

Indianapolis Colts

It was a slightly grim season opener for the Colts, 2 failed 4th down conversions in enemy territory and a frustrating second half on offense led to a 28-16 defeat at the hands of the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Carson Wentz is yet to ever secure a win in his career against the Seahawks.  

Kansas City Chiefs

In what was a uncharacteristic first-half against the Cleveland Browns this past Sunday, Patrick Mahomes flashed mesmerizing moments in consecutive succession to ultimately steal victory back from the Browns in a dramatic 33-29 win. The Chiefs open the season 1-0 and immediately reclaimed their position as a team never to be taken lightly no matter what score or clock reads at any point during a football game. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Second year QB Justin Herbert led his team to a 20-16 victory over the Washington Football Team with a strong 337 yard performance and a key 4th-quarter touchdown. Herbert was efficient going 31 for 47 and leading 3 long scoring drives of over 65 yards; the sophomore quarterback is trending in the right direction to begin his season. 

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford despite wearing a new uniform to start 2021 he faced off against a familiar foe in his former division rivals, the Chicago Bears. Tossing for 3 touchdowns and over 300 yards Stafford looked comfortable with his new offense and his familiarity with his host of weapons will only continue to develop. A strong 34-14 win has the Rams feeling great after the first week of games.

Jacksonville Jaguars

A new rookie QB, a new Head Coach, and still the Jaguars end up with an 0-1 start to their season. A work in progress is an appropriate classification for the team. After an up and down day for Trevor Lawrence and company, the Jaguars have a foundation to build from heading forward but have to wait until Week 2 in order to potential secure their first win.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins were successful in spoiling the debut of rookie QB Mac Jones this past Sunday with a well-fought 17-16 victory of their division rivals. A key touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the second-half and a turnover secured by defensive-back Xavien Howard lifted the Dolphins to 1-0.  

Minnesota Vikings

A ridiculous combination of penalties, mental errors and poor execution left the Vikings at the disappointing end of a 27-24 overtime loss in Cincinnati on Sunday. While the Vikings can rejoice in a rejuvenated pass-rush, their offensive line struggles from last season have seemingly carried over in full force which is worrisome. While reasonably disappointed with the results of the matchup Vikings fan should not be entirely discouraged.     

New England Patriots

Rookie QB Mac Jones unfortunately will have to wait until Week 2 to potentially secure his first victory as a professional after losing 17-16 to the division rival Miami Dolphins. On a positive note, Damien Harris looked capable of filling the role of RB1 after a strong 117 total yard performance and Mac Jones looked comfortable in his first regular season game.  

New Orleans Saints

In what was probably the most surprising result of the weekend, the displaced New Orleans Saints handily handed the Packers a 38-3 whopping. Led by Jameis Winston under center and his absurd stat line of 14 completed passes for 148 yards and a wild 5 touchdowns, the Saints caught lightning in a bottle. If that level of production remains consistent week to week is unlikely but a win is a win regardless of how exactly it looked. 

New York Giants

The return of Saquon Barkley was spoiled with a disappointing 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos and a meager 26 yard performance on 10 carries. The Giants will have a quick turnaround this week playing on Thursday night against their division foes, the Washington Football team.  

New York Jets

The Jets travelled to Carolina and were hosted by their former QB and first-round pick Sam Darnold. The end result of the contest was a 19-14 loss for the Jets as rookie QB and newly acquired 2021 first-round pick Zach Wilson valiantly battled through consistent pressure all afternoon. Next week, the Jets and Patriots will faceoff in a battle of rookie signal-callers.     

Las Vegas Raiders 

A 1-0 start could not be any more exhilarating. The Raiders landed a huge win on Monday night as QB Derek Carr craftily engineered 3 game-tying drives in the final quarter of regulation before finally winning the game in a 33-27 overtime victory against the Baltimore Ravens.  

Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts seemingly introduced a new era of Eagles football on Sunday leading his squad to a 32-6 stomping of the Atlanta Falcons. The young QB looked efficient and poised as he logged a 3 touchdown day to open the year.  

San Francisco 49ers

After building a 4 score, 28 point lead the 49ers were able to hold on and log a win to start their campaign defeating the Lions 41-33 despite an attempted rally from their opposition. 

Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson was efficient and comfortable in Seattle's new offense with a 4 touchdown performance, leading his team to a 28-16 victory and 1-0 start against the Colts.  

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers rallied on Sunday to overcome the Buffalo Bills 23-16. A 17 point effort in the final quarter of regulation perpetuated the Steelers to a 1-0 start to their season. DE T.J. Watt quickly proved the worth of his new contract with the team providing two sacks and a forced fumble during the game. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The reigning champions provided an exciting display of football to open the season for the league against Dallas last Thursday, stealing in thrilling fashion, a last second 31-29 victory. Tom Brady threw for nearly 400 yard and 4 touchdowns; in other words the man is seemingly ageless.

Tennessee Titans

Week 1 will be an experience that the Titans and their fans will want to quickly forget, falling to 0-1 with a frustrating 38-13 loss. Tennessee will face Seattle in the second game of their regular season. 

Washington Football Team

After losing QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to injury in the first-half of regulation the Washington squad could not obtain a victory over the Chargers and fell to 0-1 with a 20-16 loss. However, backup QB Taylor Heinicke showed well throwing for 122 yards and 1 touchdown on 11 completions and 15 attempts. 

That concludes our trip around the first week of the NFL with one highlight from every team! What were your favorite moments from Week 1? 

Photo Credit ©  Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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