Boston — Some people love March Madness. They go crazy for it. can’t get enough of it. They want to take time off from work months in advance, book a table at their favorite establishment, fill out their beloved bracket, and sit back and witness the beautiful mess.
In honor of those folks…did they ever consider watching NFL opening weekend? Good gravy, it can get bananas.
Admittedly, the gap between Clayton and UAB in the Round of 64 wasn’t exactly on the level of a 40-minute Drake or Oral Roberts basketball contest. But Week 1 of his NFL season in 2022 was as crazy a sports weekend as anyone could have hoped for.
Thursday night’s season opener save for a spectacular show in which the defending champions are waxed on their home turf by the Buffalo team, who seemed intent on sending a warning shot to NFL-wide bows. , was not a great game. But at 1pm on Sunday, all hell broke loose.
The Bears rallied in the middle of a ten-year rainstorm to beat the Niners. Produced him one of the best sports visuals imaginable.
(If the Bears actually move to the dome, football should be canceled forever.)
The Steelers ragdolled Joe Burrow to beat the defending AFC champions at the end of overtime, but after the Steelers blocked the Bengals’ PAT attempt at the end of regulation, and Evan McPherson inexplicably in OT. Even after missing a 29-yard chip shot. When After Chris Boswell hit one off the uprights in OT. It just might stand as the game of the year.
The Colts and Texans were tied and better than expected. The Panthers took their first lead of the game against the Browns with his 77 seconds left in the 4th quarter… Rookie kicker Cade York scored his goal on his 58-yard field, giving the Carolina a You have won the match. (That kick would have been good from the 70, too.) The Lions (Detroit-mad Lions) yelled to cut their 17-point 4th quarter deficit to 3 points, forcing the Eagles to run a QB sneak-at. The Lions’ 40-yard line for the NFC East favorite to get away with the win. Even the Jaguars and Commanders made a rough entry into the world of football in their Week 1 feud.
Of the nine games at 1:00 PM, only the Pats Dolphins and Ravens Jets didn’t bring out the heat. That’s a solid ratio.
By the late window things cooled off, but only slightly. The Vikings held back Aaron’s Rodgers and Packers offenses, the Chargers fended off the Raiders, and he promised to become one of the greatest divisions in NFL history in contention for his crown. And out of nowhere, the Giants had a terrible first half and he shook off a 13-0 deficit to face the Titans in Tennessee. lead. Randy Bullock had no chance of doing anything like that, but he missed his 47-yard game-winner chance to give the Giants their first Week 1 victory since 2016. rice field.
Shi, senor, sure.
To be fair, Sunday’s night game featuring Tom Brady in Dallas was a total misfire. But Monday night more than made up for it, with Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle featuring a feel-good soundtrack Joe Buck and Troy Aikman debuting on his ESPN was an absolute show.From the pre-game, Geno Smith’s surprisingly good first half, Denver’s goal-line failure, and Nathaniel Hackett’s Worst coaching moment in NFL history …that was spectacular.
Peyton Manning on live TV pantomime timeout, Brady bombs Julio Jones, Kicker misses Chippy, goes down to the wire in overtime, Rogers yells at fellow Packers, Patrick Mahomes sweats Casually throwing five touchdowns, Justin Jefferson running wild, Justin slipping and sliding on the field — what more do you want?
Again, you might love watching Akron vs. Arkansas, or Seton Hall vs. Midwestern Iowa. Maybe every March, Marquette and St. He want to check out how his teens are doing in Hardwood at Mary’s. And hey, to each. Maybe one or two games each of the first two weekends will do. I personally take that sweet, sweet first week mess every time.
Of course, all the upsets and anarchy… led to a challenging first week of picks. But that’s a small price to pay for an entire week’s worth of entertainment. So let’s go back to it.
(CAPS home team; Wednesday line)
Kansas City (-4) over Los Angeles
after saying all of that As for how awesome the first week was, Mr. Mahomes and the Chiefs deserves a shake or two.That game in Arizona stinkThe Chiefs may make it in this world.
Cleveland (-6) New York Jets
I might have liked the Jets here if it hadn’t been made by Robert Saleh That comment about keeping receiptsThere are also positions where you can talk about receipts. The Jets head coach is not one of them. You can’t take a job with an organization that has been the laughing stock of the NFL for decades. They haven’t made the playoffs since his 2010. 500 or lower in 10 of the last 11 seasons. They are now 6-28 since the start of the 2020 season.
Keep your receipts, Robert. But you will need a bigger ship.
New Orleans Tampa Bay (-2.5)
As a warning, I already have a feeling this year is going to be one of those picking Tom Brady’s game like 3-14.
That being said… isn’t it because Brady doesn’t actually play badly against the Saints? Everyone — Hold Tom Brady forever. And since joining the Bucks, Brady has been 0-4 against the Saints in the regular season, throwing 6 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, and is arguably his home career in 2020. I’ve played my worst match of… maybe this is finally the time.
But probably not. Please fade me out with Brady until further notice. We welcome honesty.
Carolina (+2) New York Giants
The Giants proved last week that they can win games, even with the worst first half in football history. how about that?
Frankly, I don’t like either team. I give Carolina a slight edge because of how bad Daniel Jones is (Jones’ passer his rating was his 115.9 while his QBR last week was his 25.8 It’s a strange statistic!)
New England (-2) vs. Pittsburgh
I’m a little mad about this, but for some reason, I see the Patriots pulling this.The Patriots aren’t going to lose two in a rowConfident statements about what could never happen to a team coached by Bill Belichick have all been exhausted over the past two years as the Patriots have proven it. can It does many things that we thought were impossible.
I think the Steelers have an element of perhaps being overly impressed with their performance against the reigning AFC champions. Just right Veteran leadership and pride in New England to harass Mitch Trubisky and stun the home team.
I think
It feels like a bad pick, but some picks have to be bad to be good.
Jacksonville (+4) Over Indianapolis
Matt Ryan As Savior’s story hit.
Baltimore (-3.5) Over Miami
Washington (+2) vs DETROIT
I’m afraid the Lyons have run out of their best work. It is tough.
Meanwhile, now that the Dolphins have beaten the Patriots at home, we can get back to worrying about Mike McDaniels’ abilities as an NFL coach.did you see His ‘speech’ in the celebratory locker room? about.
San Francisco (-9) vs. Seattle
It’s possible the Niners have a real problem with Trey Lance. But you can’t use last week’s nightmare at the Deluge to judge that.
this is more Thanks to Nathaniel Hackett’s silliness, Jeno Smith-Pete Carroll-Feel Good-Seahawks may have put all their energy into an emotional Monday night victory over Denver. It’s pretty big, so you can see that no one bought the Seahawks’ Week 1 victory as anything meaningful.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (-10.5) vs Atlanta
When it comes to Genno Smith, it’s funny how much everyone loved his post-fight interviews. Meanwhile, Arthur Smith, head coach of the Falcons, said, “You guys wrote our obituary in May. You will continue to write our obituary. Who cares?” …write whatever people want…the same people who ranked us number 45. You buried us in May..and the reaction to Mr. Smith … crickets, because no one really cares about the Falcons enough to write an obituary.
Denver (-10) vs Houston
bet on your heart here very It would be interesting if the Broncos came back after last week’s debacle and lost to the Texans. in short, exceptionally interesting.
Oh. The Texans punted on fourth and third in midfield with 26 seconds left in overtime. Sadly they are losers. Big loser.
(Why is Houston playing a draw? Lovie Smith thinks they’ll be in the playoff mix? In AF-freaking-C? That you have to be a little paranoid to survive in that league? I know, but be kind..try..to win, man.. you literally have nothing to lose.)
Las Vegas (-5.5) Over Arizona
The Cardinals will probably win football games again. right? right? !
Yet… the last time we saw them — in the 4:25 p.m. window last week in a nationally televised playoff game — they were winning 78-32. Bloodied, both of them.
Picking the old Arizona Cardinals is a little tricky.
Cincinnati (-7.5) vs. Dallas
I’m not a Cowboys fan. But I don’t hate cowboys either. (I don’t hate Duke’s basketball either. Was I just born without that gene?) You certainly hope the Cowboys are at full strength or near perfection before collapsing in a catastrophic fashion at the worst possible moment. (You see, I didn’t say anything about my personal tendencies with Mike McCarthy.)
Green Bay (-10) Over Chicago
Can you imagine? You can do it? Did the Bears go into Rambo on Sunday Night Football and improve to 2-0 after a 0-2 record to Aaron “I Own You” Rodgers? Spectacle!
It won’t happen, be careful. Philosophically, we’re throwing everything in the trash from last week’s rain-soaked Bears victory. It is really a pity.
Buffalo in Tennessee (-10)
A doubleheader on Monday night of Week 2? We were once a society, a people.
anyway. The Bills were the scariest team of Week 1. Probably even with the Chiefs. But the buffalo come in with 10+ days of cool rest. 0-1 It’s a tough place for the Titans.
Minnesota (+2.5) Philadelphia
Something tells me this will be seen more than any other. Games overlap, folks! Roger Goodell, please fix this.
But until someone proves Justin Jefferson can If it’s covered, I can only assume he can’t really cover it.
Good luck to all of you.
Last Week: 6-10 (Ouch!)
You can email Michael Hurley or find him on Twitter. @michaelfhurley.
