NFL football finally returned last Thursday after 207 days. The first week of the 2024 season did not disappoint. We witnessed a rematch of the 2024 AFC Championship on opening night, the league's first game in Brazil on Friday, a playoff rematch on Sunday night and much more. Before Week 2 begins on Thursday night with the Bills taking on the Dolphins, let's take one last look at Week 1.
Top Game from Week 1:
Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles:
The game of the week from Week 1 has to be the NFL’s first game in Brazil, right?
The fans were not disappointed as two NFC contenders clashed on Friday night in an action-packed matchup. The Eagles came out on top 34-29, starting 2024 on the right foot after 2023 ended on a sour note.
Trailing 34-29 with 27 seconds remaining and zero timeouts, Green Bay was able to get just over midfield before having to attempt a winning hail mary.
But after Jordan Love went down with a knee injury and backup Malik Willis was sacked on the final play of the game, they never got the chance.
Unfortunately, Love’s injury was the biggest talking point from the game. Love was later diagnosed with a sprained MCL, which will cause him to miss a few weeks.
After the Packers cut the deficit to 31-29 with 7:52 left to play, the Eagles drained 7:25 off the clock before a Jake Elliot field goal put them up 34-29. Green Bay’s inability to get off the field on the drive ended up being their demise.
Both offenses looked as expected in the first quarter of the first regular season game, with the Packers coming away with two field goals to take a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.
But that’s when Hurts and Love found a rhythm.
A second quarter that entailed 30 total points and four touchdowns woke the crowd back up in São Paulo and viewers at home.
Hurts found offseason acquisition Saquon Barkley down the left side on a wheel route out of the backfield to take a 7-6 lead. The play from Barkley was a sign of things to come.
Five plays later, Green Bay responded. Jayden Reed took a jet sweep 33 yards for the Packers’ first touchdown of the night and a 12-7 lead after a failed two-point attempt. Much like Barkley, Reed was just getting started.
On the ensuing possession, the Eagles moved into scoring range after two big passing plays. Hurts found A.J. Brown for 20 yards on 3rd and 8 then connected with DeVonta Smith two plays later for 22 yards.
Four plays afterward, Barkley found the end zone for the second time, this one from 11 yards out.
But before Hurts and the offense could breathe, Reed and Green Bay answered.
On the third play of the drive, Love climbed the pocket and hit Jayden Reed in stride around the Eagles’ 40-yard line. Reed pulled up quickly as C.J. Garnder-Johnson went sliding by and could only watch Reed skip into the end zone.
The Eagles went on to retake a 19-17 lead at halftime on a Jake Elliot 38-yard field goal.
To open up the half, Hurts linked up with A.J. Brown down the right sideline and watched his All-Pro receiver outrun the Packers defense for a 67-yard touchdown.
Green Bay fired a shot of its own yet again, this time costly penalties by Philadelphia assisted.
After a roughing the passer penalty kept a Packers drive alive on a failed third down, a pass interference penalty later placed the ball at the two-yard line. Love found Christian Watson on 1st and goal, taking a 26-24 lead early in the third quarter.
Following three total punts, the Eagles retook the lead after a Love interception. Barkley’s third touchdown of the night, from two yards out, put them back up 31-26.
Following the go-ahead score, both teams made mistakes that could have cost them the game.
Green Bay missed a 43-yard field goal late in the third quarter. Philadelphia drove down and nearly put the finishing touches on a Week 1 victory. Until Hurts threw back across the field looking for A.J. Brown on a ball that was intercepted in the end zone by Jaire Alexander.
The Packers could only capitalize with a field goal though, cutting the deficit to two. From there, the Eagles played the clock and left Brazil 1-0.
Top Performers:
Isaiah Likely TE, Baltimore Ravens
In a role that’s typically dominated by 2021 All-Pro Mark Andrews, Likely was Lamar Jackson’s No. 1 option on Thursday night. Likely was targeted 12 times by Jackson, the second most in his career. Those targets led to a new career high in receptions with nine, and yards with 111 to go with one touchdown.
Saquon Barkley RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Barkley made his Eagles debut Friday night and began his case for Offensive Player of the Year this season. In a performance that made Giants fans cover their eyes, Barkley ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. On top of that, Barkley caught two passes from Jalen Hurts for 23 total yards and a touchdown. It was a great showing for Barkley, who could return to his 2022 form in a much-improved situation.
Josh Allen QB, Buffalo Bills
Allen quieted all doubt about the Bills’ weapons and offensive production in Week 1. Maybe staking his claim for this year’s MVP early, Allen put the Bills on his back. Scoring all four of the team’s touchdowns on the way to a 34-28 comeback win, he threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 39 yards and two more scores.
Chicago Bears Defense and Special Teams
Chicago became one of three total teams in the Super Bowl Era to win a game while scoring zero touchdowns and trailing 17-0 or worse (ESPN). The offense struggled in the debut of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, relying on Cairo Santos to hit three field goals. The defense and special teams came through as well. The Bears cut into the lead 17-10 in the third quarter after a blocked punt led to a touchdown. With 7:35 to play in the fourth, the defense stepped up again. Tyrique Stevenson intercepted Will Levis as he desperately attempted to get rid of the ball. Stevenson would race down the sideline and into the end zone, giving Chicago the go-ahead and eventual game-winning score.
Zack Baun LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Like his teammate Saquon Barkley, Baun made his Eagles debut Friday night. Baun shined in Brazil, setting new career highs. The former Saint finished with 15 total tackles–11 solo–and two sacks. Baun’s career high in a single season for tackles is 30 and sacks is 2.5. It’s safe to say he should eclipse those numbers this season.
Joe Mixon RB, Houston Texans
Mixon made his debut with the Texans Sunday and made it clear he was the GUY in the backfield. Mixon carried the ball 30 times in a game for just the second time in his seven year career. On those 30 opportunities, he tallied 159 yards and a touchdown. In the passing game, he added three receptions and 19 yards. If Mixon’s high usage continues throughout the season, he could be in for a career year.
Baker Mayfield QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former No. 1 pick opened his second season with Tampa looking more than comfortable in the offense. After the best season of his career in 2023, Mayfield continued the momentum to start 2024. In a blowout victory over Washington, he completed 24 of his 30 pass attempts, good for 289 yards and four touchdowns.
Jordan Mason RB, San Francisco 49ers
With Christian McCaffrey ruled out about 2 hours before kickoff, Mason was the next man up for the 49ers. He delivered and then some. Mason played 81% of snaps on Monday night, leading to career highs in carries and rushing yards. A breakout performance, the former undrafted free agent ran 28 times for 147 yards and one touchdown.
Injuries:
Jordan Love QB, Green Bay Packers
Unfortunately for the Packers, their $220 million man suffered a sprained MCL in the final seconds of their loss to the Eagles on Friday. Love will not be placed on the IR, which is great news, but he could miss anywhere from 3-6 weeks. In his absence, Malik Willis is slated to start for Green Bay.
Josh Allen QB, Buffalo Bills
Allen sustained an injury to his non-throwing hand in the team’s Week 1 matchup against Arizona. Though he went through further testing, he was quickly cleared for Thursday’s game against Miami and has been able to practice this week.
Jake Ferguson TE, Dallas Cowboys
Ferguson left Sunday’s game versus Cleveland in the third quarter with a knee injury. It was later determined after an MRI Monday morning that Ferguson had sustained an MCL sprain and bone bruise, but his ACL was fully intact. Ferguson is considered week-to-week and is questionable for Week 2.
David Njoku TE, Cleveland Browns
Njoku left Sunday’s game against Dallas with an ankle injury early in the third quarter and did not return. It’s believed that Njoku is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. On Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that the Pro Bowl tight end will miss the Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars.
Puka Nacua WR, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Rams’ Sunday night matchup with the Lions. He was one of several injuries for the Rams who appear to have caught the injury bug once again. The 2023 All-Pro injured his PCL, which he had trouble with during the summer and training camp. The team announced earlier this week that he would be placed on IR, forcing him to miss at least the next four games. Nacua was a fifth-round pick in 2023 and had the greatest rookie season from a receiver in league history, setting rookie records for receptions and receiving yards along with six touchdowns.
Jordan Addison WR, Minnesota Vikings
Addison suffered an ankle injury in Minnesota’s Week 1 victory over the New York Giants. While the details of the injury were not revealed, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday that there is a chance that Addison will play in Week 2 versus the 49ers.
Kenneth Walker III RB, Seattle Seahawks
Walker left Seattle’s opening game against Denver in the fourth quarter with what was described as an abdominal injury. Specific details have not been shared on Walker’s injury but he is considered day-to-day and is questionable for Week 2.
Joe Noteboom OT, Los Angeles Rams
Noteboom was given the starting role due to Alaric Jackson’s two-game suspension. Noteboom dealt with injuries last season and opening weekend was more of the same for him. He left Sunday night's game with an ankle injury and did not re-enter the game. Noteboom is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss a few weeks. He is one of several Rams offensive linemen that are banged up and will miss time.
Marshon Lattimore CB, New Orleans Saints
Lattimore is dealing with a hamstring injury he sustained late in the Saints’ 47-10 opening win over the Panthers. The injury is believed to be minor and he is questionable for Week 2. Losing Lattimore would be a big blow for the Saints, who face the Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb on Sunday.
Antione Winfield Jr. & Bryce Hall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Two big injuries for Tampa: Winfield is dealing with a foot/ankle injury stemming from the final defensive drive of the game in Tampa’s opening win over Washington. Winfield was in a walking boot on Monday and will likely miss Week 2 and could be sidelined for 3-4 weeks. Hall on the other hand will probably miss the remainder of the season according to head coach Todd Bowles. Tom Pelissero reported this week that Hall dislocated his ankle and fractured his fibula.
Steve Avila G, Los Angeles Rams
Avila suffered a knee injury in Sunday night’s game against Detroit and although he returned at first, he was later declared out in the third quarter. It was then revealed that Avila had tried to play through a sprained MCL. Like his teammate Puka Nacua, Avila will likely be placed on injured reserve which would force him to miss four weeks. According to Jordan Schultz, Avila is expected to miss between 4-6 weeks.
Rome Odunze WR, Chicago Bears
Odunze was banged up during his NFL debut and the Bears’ opening game versus the Titans on Sunday. An MRI earlier this week showed that the No. 9 pick is dealing with a sprained MCL according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter also reported that Odunze is considered week-to-week.
Christian McCaffrey RB, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey had been dealing with a calf injury for several weeks dating back to training camp. But it was always assumed that he would be ready for Week 1. That was until about two hours before kickoff when it was announced that he was out. As a result of the news, rumors and reports started flying regarding McCaffrey’s long-term status. McCaffrey is dealing with Achilles tendinitis as well as a calf strain and seems like “a long shot” to play in Week 2 according to Ian Rapoport. The team is considering CMC “day-to-day.”
Raheem Mostert & De’Von Achane RBs, Miami Dolphins
Mostert was ruled out for Miami’s Thursday night game on Wednesday afternoon, leaving the team without its top rusher from last season. Mostert is working through a chest injury and did not practice this week. Achane on the other hand, still has a chance to play Thursday and is considered a game-time decision for the matchup with Buffalo. Achane is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Monday or Tuesday.
*All stats were recieved from ESPN Stats & Info. Department
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