The NFL Roundup 2017: Week 1 - What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Steven Senne/Associated Press)

Well, if there is a word to properly describe this year's Kickoff Weekend, it would have to be; magnificent. One great game was followed by another and to top it off, Week 1 was filled to the brim with unexpected heroes and incredible surprises. So let's not waste any time today and get right down to breaking down the weekend that was and discuss what we learned from Week 1 in the NFL. 

The New England Patriots need to learn to check their egos at the door. 
I'm all for any franchise celebrating the hell out of any Championship that they win in the NFL because let's be honest, it's a monumental task to make it to the Super Bowl, much less win one. But on Thursday Night Football...the New England Patriots let their Championship run go right to their heads. Because this is a team that walked out on to the field, expecting to win the game with minimal effort. They believed their own hype, they thought the win would just fall into their lap and they were embarrassed for believing in such nonsense. The game has no room for ego in this fashion and it's a wonderful thing that the Chiefs handed New England a loss in their own house on Kickoff Weekend. Perhaps now the Pats will remember that putting in the work is what wins games and they'll be prepared and focused for Week 2.

Houston Texans Head Coach Bill O'Brien needs to quit messing around when it comes to Quarterbacks.
It only took one half of the regular season for Coach O'Brien to make a change at the QB position and well...that's just utterly ridiculous. Year in and year out O'Brien treats his signal callers like running backs, rotating them in and out as he pleases and well, enough is enough. You cannot expect any QB to find a rhythm or confidence when they're constantly waiting for their hot head of a coach to replace them on a moment's notice and someone in the front office needs to pull Bill aside and tell him point blank that he needs to quit toying with the position and stick with one player, so that the team can find some continuity and give someone, a chance to succeed under center. 

The Los Angeles Rams were scary good on Sunday. 
A year ago, the Rams were quite frankly, the butt of many a football joke. But clearly, Owner Stan Kronke has had enough of his franchise's losing ways and his offseason revamp of the team has already yielded some impressive results. Wade Phillips' new look defense scored two touchdowns off of interceptions and the offense was no slouch for that matter either. QB Jared Goff finally lived up to his potential, showing poise in the pocket while firing off some impressive throws to boot and RB Todd Gurley was in full on beast mode, grinding out yards and one impressive touchdown as well. In the end, they dropped 46 points on the Colts and if they can continue this kind of aggressive play, expect the Rams to do some incredible things this season. 

There will apparently be no Sophomore Slump for Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
Facing off against the only team to beat them twice last season, and facing the prospect of seeing some level of regression as is sometimes the case with second year players; both Prescott and Elliott answered the call and conquered their foes and doubters in fine fashion. Dak was calm, cool and collect on the field, and ready for everything the Giants threw at him and his preparation paid off with some impressive throws as the night rolled on and he was complimented nicely by Elliott's running as he locked up 104 yards on the ground. It was exactly what the coaches needed to see from these young players; they battled against a team that got under the skin the year before and they showed solid growth and that means their opponents in the NFC East are going to be in for some tough battles when they face this team, since their keystone players are only continuing to get better.

The Denver Broncos won in thrilling fashion, but there are still concerns when it comes to this team.
Every year Broncos fans are hoping to see the team of old return, wherein the Broncos drop a ton of points on their opponents and walk away with an easy win. But it would seem the winds are shifting in the Mile High City and it's not Broncos football unless the game is close and the fans are left clutching their chests. Because once again the Broncos won a close one at home and while a win is a win, there is cause for concern for Denver going forward. The depleted defensive line was porous against the run and poor offensive line play and turnovers once again put this team in a precarious position. The Broncos have to figure out how to protect the ball and Trevor Siemian and get their defensive lineup healthy before their luck runs out and a team better than the Chargers, takes full advantage of Denver's mistakes...

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