The NFL Roundup 2021: Week 1 – What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Well, football fans, just like that… Week 1 of the new season has come and gone and wow, what a Kickoff Weekend this turned out to be. Because it was filled to the brim with thrilling matchups and harrowing shootouts and plenty of drama to whet one’s whistle as well, and it is that drama that we are going to discussing in great detail today. Because some big storylines took place over the course of the weekend, the kind that might alter the fortunes of the season for some teams and build hope for others. So, without further ado, let’s dig right into the weekend that was and examine what we learned from Week 1 in the NFL.

It would seem things are bad in Green Bay.
The hope of every team that finds itself going through a touch of strife, is that the players can put that aside and only worry about football. So that the fans don't get nervous about the future of their team and the franchise can project a sense of normalcy while they work their internal issues out. But sadly… that is not going to be the case for the Green Bay Packers. For the rift between Aaron Rodgers and management has impacted the play of the star quarterback and his teammates, for they are lost and confused on the field because their minds are on the drama and what comes next because of it and sadly… if Sunday is any indicator, what awaits this squad is more strife and a losing season. Because #12 is clearly not happy playing for the Packers anymore and that kind of disdain is downright infectious and things are only going to get worse from here.
 
The Denver Broncos have finally found a proficient quarterback.
At this point, the Denver Broncos have been through so many quarterbacks since their Super Bowl 50 victory, that trying to recap them here would make for a series of novels that would rival Tolkien’s work. So, it’s best we focus on the good news in the Mile High City. In that, at long last… the Broncos have finally found a quarterback that can play with efficiency. Because Teddy Bridgewater did a phenomenal job under center on Sunday and moved the ball in manner that hasn’t been seen in ages in Denver and thanks to his fine work… the Broncos finally put up more than 25 points in a game. Which in turn allowed for the defense to play light out and help to secure the first September win for the team under Vic Fangio and well, now that Denver finally has a quarterback that put points on the board, the Broncos might have a better season than anyone initially anticipated.
 
The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to have a rough season ahead.
It wasn’t that long ago that fans around the league, genuinely believed that new Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer and college QB sensation Trevor Lawrence, would quickly turn around Jacksonville’s misfortunes in the NFL. But Sunday’s game is definitely cause for concern regarding how this season is going to go… because uh, Jacksonville looked rough. For #16 was inconsistent on the field despite tossing three touchdowns and three hundred yards through the air and Coach Meyer, executed an awful game plan. One that featured a minimal run game and where the defense played soft. Which means 2021 is likely going to be a rough season for the fans of this storied franchise and anyone else who tunes in. Because their star QB isn’t ready for prime time yet and sadly… neither is their head coach and hopefully things will finally improve for the Jags in 2022.
 
There is hope in Dallas at last.
I will be the first to admit, that I have been supremely critical of the Dallas Cowboys over the past couple of years. Simply because this team has talent, and that talent is never utilized via the coaching staff. But I am also someone that knows it is important to give credit where it is due and that’s precisely why the Cowboys deserve a little recognition today. Because they actually played great on Thursday night and used their talent accordingly and while they didn’t win in Tampa, the played their hearts out and they hung with a top 5 defense no problem and that’s a huge deal. Because it means this team is finally putting it all together after years of dealing with ugly injuries and languishing through incompetent coaching and that also means… that hope has returned to Dallas at last and if Dem Boyz can keep this up, there’s a good chance they will have one hell of a season, one that might finally take them deep into the playoffs.
 
It would seem Sean McVay was right to trade Jared Goff away.
Anytime a blockbuster trade happens in the league, fans immediately want to know who got the better end of the deal and well, when it comes to this off-season’s blockbuster quarterback swap between the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions… it would seem the Rams won that trade. Because Matthew Stafford played some lights out football in Los Angeles, the kind that featured incredible accuracy and deep bombs. Whereas Jared Goff did uh… he did okay. I mean, his numbers are average, but his decision making on the field and some of his throws left plenty to be desired. Which means Sean McVay likely made the right call in making such a blockbuster trade and if Stafford can keep up this incredible level of play, and the defense can do its job… there is no reason why we can’t see the Rams back in the playoffs later this year, or potentially back in the Super Bowl.

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