Week 1 Game Thread

[QB_Eagles]

Jared Goff revenge game!

[Mariner]

Rams had no chance after they loss the toss.
They were totally gassed.
Lions could have driven 500 yards if they needed too.

[bluejerseyjinx]

Looks like Seattle will be in first place in the NFC West after tomorrow night.

[Cactus Jack]

Detroit finally realized they had to run the ball to win.

[Cactus Jack]

I didn't realize the Raiders D was this good. Or the Raiders in general. I guess when Pierce took over last year they went 5-4, had the fewest penalties (the RAIDERS!), and allowed the fewest PPG.

Read on Twitter

[righterwriter]

My thoughts on QBs around the league. This is just based on Red Zone watching and reading stat lines, so totally cool with being corrected if there's any alternative opinions out there.

- Caleb Williams: overhyped (at least based on game #1). Seemed to have big time accuracy issues on downfield throws. Still elusive under pressure, but the hype train seems to have gone a little bit out of control after Hard Knocks and a few decent quarters in the preseason. Seems very much like a rookie who needs to figure out how to be an NFL QB and can't just get by on his athleticism like he did in college. Obviously he can improve, but not the "ready to lead the team to the playoffs" type of QB many in the media were touting him to be.

- Jayden Daniels: Impressive composure. I liked his pocket presence and his running ability. He needs to be able to make more downfield throws. I think he'll get there sooner than the other rookie QBs.

- Bo Nix: looked overwhelmed. Seemed like the game was moving too fast for him. Lots of check downs and dangerous passes into traffic. He did play with toughness, but things really need to slow down for him. Curious to see if he calms down a bit after his debut or if he's just out of his element. Seattle has a really tough defense to start your career against.

- Deshaun Watson: continued his horrific play. Poor accuracy, bad decisions, no pocket awareness, didn't protect the ball, looked panicked. It's shocking that he still has $73M cap hit EACH YEAR of the next two seasons after this one. An absolute franchise killer of a QB and I don't think he suddenly turns it all around.

- Justin Fields: business as usual for underwhelming FIelds. Had a few impressive plays and then a lot of checkdown throws to the flat. Ended up producing 180yds passing and 6 field goals (mostly very long attempts). On the positive side, at least he didn't turn the ball over. But that's just enough to barely beat the Falcons, one of the worst defenses and worst teams in the league. It won't go as well against above average defenses. Nonetheless, not a bad option at backup QB. Any win you can get with your backup starting the game is a plus, so its already turned out to be a decent trade for Pittsburgh. Just don't expect him to become a good starter at any point. He is what he is.

- Will Levis: looked really bad. Just a lot of dumb throws, particularly when they were in the lead and he simply had to protect the ball. I think Chicago's defense is legit, but he did very little to impress. I don't think he has much of a ceiling beyond average starter, at best. It's too bad, as Tennessee has a really good defense that's going to be wasted.

- Daniel Jones: terrible. NY has to be circling QB in the next draft already. Going to be a very long season for Giants fans.

- Bryce Young: he's done. The only question is, when will CAR have the balls to bench their young former #1 overall pick? He may have lost the locker room already after that embarrassment in New Orleans. Andy Dalton at least gives you some professional QB play back there, and can throw an out route past 15 yards.

Ending on one positive: Dak and Dallas looked like a juggernaut. Haven't seen their offense move that crisply in a long time, and the Browns are no joke on defense. I think they could be in for a very impressive season.

[WentzerWuver]

My thoughts on QBs around the league. This is just based on Red Zone watching and reading stat lines, so totally cool with being corrected if there's any alternative opinions out there.

- Caleb Williams: overhyped (at least based on game #1). Seemed to have big time accuracy issues on downfield throws. Still elusive under pressure, but the hype train seems to have gone a little bit out of control after Hard Knocks and a few decent quarters in the preseason. Seems very much like a rookie who needs to figure out how to be an NFL QB and can't just get by on his athleticism like he did in college. Obviously he can improve, but not the "ready to lead the team to the playoffs" type of QB many in the media were touting him to be.

- Jayden Daniels: Impressive composure. I liked his pocket presence and his running ability. He needs to be able to make more downfield throws. I think he'll get there sooner than the other rookie QBs.

- Bo Nix: looked overwhelmed. Seemed like the game was moving too fast for him. Lots of check downs and dangerous passes into traffic. He did play with toughness, but things really need to slow down for him. Curious to see if he calms down a bit after his debut or if he's just out of his element. Seattle has a really tough defense to start your career against.

- Deshaun Watson: continued his horrific play. Poor accuracy, bad decisions, no pocket awareness, didn't protect the ball, looked panicked. It's shocking that he still has $73M cap hit EACH YEAR of the next two seasons after this one. An absolute franchise killer of a QB and I don't think he suddenly turns it all around.

- Justin Fields: business as usual for underwhelming FIelds. Had a few impressive plays and then a lot of checkdown throws to the flat. Ended up producing 180yds passing and 6 field goals (mostly very long attempts). On the positive side, at least he didn't turn the ball over. But that's just enough to barely beat the Falcons, one of the worst defenses and worst teams in the league. It won't go as well against above average defenses. Nonetheless, not a bad option at backup QB. Any win you can get with your backup starting the game is a plus, so its already turned out to be a decent trade for Pittsburgh. Just don't expect him to become a good starter at any point. He is what he is.

- Will Levis: looked really bad. Just a lot of dumb throws, particularly when they were in the lead and he simply had to protect the ball. I think Chicago's defense is legit, but he did very little to impress. I don't think he has much of a ceiling beyond average starter, at best. It's too bad, as Tennessee has a really good defense that's going to be wasted.

- Daniel Jones: terrible. NY has to be circling QB in the next draft already. Going to be a very long season for Giants fans.

- Bryce Young: he's done. The only question is, when will CAR have the balls to bench their young former #1 overall pick? He may have lost the locker room already after that embarrassment in New Orleans. Andy Dalton at least gives you some professional QB play back there, and can throw an out route past 15 yards.

Ending on one positive: Dak and Dallas looked like a juggernaut. Haven't seen their offense move that crisply in a long time, and the Browns are no joke on defense. I think they could be in for a very impressive season.

Bryce is done?!? Lol he played better than the score indicates being assertive all game, even forced miss plays from broken protection, which cannot be said of their horrendous defense. Horn was horrible all game covering his man. But da Bears QB was not assertive, playing passively from being worried on looking bad maybe than trying to win the game which ended up being that for him. How can anyone missed more than half their passes to a sure handed Keenan so badly. When not only the guy you replaced last year but Bryce and Watson all did better in fantasy for week 1, it was a bad look but do believe he will bounce back from this. The only QB worst than bobby boucher in week 1 was Danny Dimes, the guy NYG rather lavish with a big bag when he was still under contract instead of the more deserving loyal FA Saquon. His days as a starter are numbered and will be replaced by Tommy boy DeVito before long this season otherwise the NY crowd will be booing for a change. Same with the overpaid Cousins, who will be replaced if he continues to play with that deer in headlight fear whenever the pocket breaks down, by Penix Jr. sooner than later before their season with so much offensive talent is lost. Very similar situation when the Eagles replacing my Wentz with the rookie Hurts that fateful season, which still pains me but it was the right call. Finally, Nix also played better than your assessment, his pocket presence and assertiveness stand out from this close game. He played like a veteran and should be fine.

Best rookie starter in week 1 was Daniels. This guy will be a superstar like Lamar in this league imo. WFT should have given into the 49ers' demands for McLaurin and a 3rd to reconnect Aiyuk with Daniels because their college connection was eerily similar to Burrow and Chase. What a missed golden opportunity flop from the Commanders.

https://youtu.be/Qv3l4q1g3Z8?si=qTjLjvGWdJIKQqKw

For tonight, home town kid Arod vs Purdy at Levi's is the most hype matchup this week. I expect fireworks!

[Micah Prescott]

Really hard to gauge Bryce Young IMO, his team is just so bad. He is at least part of the problem. He's young and still inexperienced.

I think that he is a QB who would have benefitted tremendously by sitting out his rookie year and watching a vet play.

[DOT]

I know this sounds like just making excuses, but I was listening to the PFF guys whining about how it's Trevor's fault the Jags lost and he needs to make the comeback, but they don't bring up the fact he had 4 total dropbacks after the Etienne fumble

For context, Etienne fumbled at 2:27 to go in the 3rd. So over the next 17 and a half minutes, Trevor only got 4 dropbacks. One was complete but the defense was offsides, one was incomplete that hit Kirk in his hands, and then 2 sacks. Yeah you can say sacks are on QBs, but I genuinely don't know what he's supposed to do when he only got off one pass in 17 and a half minutes of game time and it hit his receiver in his hands, he just dropped it. I get this is what narratives are, but still.

[bwgood77]

Wait, how is the LV-LAC game over already? No commercial breaks?

Chargers have turned into a running team under Harbaugh. It also started at 4:05 ET (along with Den/Sea) and the other late games started at 4:25.

I find it shocking that Staley has managed to become the assistant HC / DC of the 9ers after how awful he was. It's baffling to me.

I wasn't sure he had become one, but he was the DC for the Rams when they won a SB. I think his biggest problem is decision making, particularly on offense. His defense was bad but so was the personnel. But I am kind of surprised he got a job. But most coaches after a bad job, get hired somewhere else. He's still young and probably will learn more, especially from his experience and maybe watching Harbaugh with largely the same team minus their best offensive skill players.

[Worm Guts]

If you were a head coach, it’s usually because at some point you were a good assistant coach. I’m not sure why anyone would be surprised Staley was hired as an assistant.

[El Turco]

Staley is also not the defensive coordinator at Niners. Even if he was he would be an upgrade over Wilks.

[azcatz11]

Staley is also not the defensive coordinator at Niners. Even if he was he would be an upgrade over Wilks.

Associate HC...he's probably a consultant like role or something?

[El Turco]

Staley is also not the defensive coordinator at Niners. Even if he was he would be an upgrade over Wilks.

Associate HC...he's probably a consultant like role or something?

More or less, Nick Sorensen is the DC so Staley probably assists him and day to day operations.

[WentzerWuver]

Staley is also not the defensive coordinator at Niners. Even if he was he would be an upgrade over Wilks.

Wilks is a solid defensive guy who doesn't sugarcoat bad effort like their prior DC pampering their players like overpaid babies. If their leaders weren't so adamant against change towards defensive philosophy and just buy-in to his style instead of their half-hearted play, the transition would have been transparent and successful cause talent win games! The blame goes to Bosa and Warner as team captains on the defensive side. Hope you're happy with first time DC Sorensen just cause he was willing go back to their old philosophy.

https://youtube.com/shorts/n1eadE8N4uc?si=ulwq8zQAH-47RIGl

https://youtu.be/dGYUGw_XtYQ?si=Yvqzz_AeIobtjAqj

[Cactus Jack]

Staley is also not the defensive coordinator at Niners. Even if he was he would be an upgrade over Wilks.

Associate HC...he's probably a consultant like role or something?

More or less, Nick Sorensen is the DC so Staley probably assists him and day to day operations.

Sorensen is a former assistant under Carroll. Shanahan seems to love picking from Pete's tree lol.

[El Turco]

Yeah I think he coached legion of boom latter stages, not a bad pedigree.

[Cactus Jack]

Bo Nix: looked overwhelmed. Seemed like the game was moving too fast for him. Lots of check downs and dangerous passes into traffic. He did play with toughness, but things really need to slow down for him. Curious to see if he calms down a bit after his debut or if he's just out of his element. Seattle has a really tough defense to start your career against.

Macdonald played zone pretty much the entire game. I haven't seen a more disciplined style from this defense really since the early Carroll years. They we're tackling & flying around. I think I only accounted for like one missed tackle the entire game. Which was a massive issue under Carroll the last couple of years. Denver got very little yards after the catch. Macdonald also has the reputation of being tough on rookie QB's. Nix will be fine.

[El Turco]

Staley is also not the defensive coordinator at Niners. Even if he was he would be an upgrade over Wilks.

Wilks is a solid defensive guy who doesn't sugarcoat bad effort like their prior DC pampering their players like overpaid babies. If their leaders weren't so adamant against change towards defensive philosophy and just buy-in to his style instead of their half-hearted play, the transition would have been transparent and successful cause talent win games! The blame goes to Bosa and Warner as team captains on the defensive side. Hope you're happy with first time DC Sorensen just cause he was willing go back to their old philosophy.

https://youtube.com/shorts/n1eadE8N4uc?si=ulwq8zQAH-47RIGl

https://youtu.be/dGYUGw_XtYQ?si=Yvqzz_AeIobtjAqj

Niners previously had a very good defensive culture with Demeco and Saleh, Wilks needed to buy into Niners way not the other way around. He was way too inflexible and couldnt play to the strengths of his best players, there is a reason nobody hired him after Niners.

[El Turco]

Bo Nix: looked overwhelmed. Seemed like the game was moving too fast for him. Lots of check downs and dangerous passes into traffic. He did play with toughness, but things really need to slow down for him. Curious to see if he calms down a bit after his debut or if he's just out of his element. Seattle has a really tough defense to start your career against.

Macdonald played zone pretty much the entire game. I haven't seen a more disciplined style from this defense really since the early Carroll years. They we're tackling & flying around. I think I only accounted for like one missed tackle the entire game. Which was a massive issue under Carroll the last couple of years. Denver got very little yards after the catch. Macdonald also has the reputation of being tough on rookie QB's. Nix will be fine.

Denver is garbage, they'll pick top 3.