The NFL Roundup 2022: Week 1 Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Just… wow. What a weekend, am I right? Because every single game in Week 1 was just plain epic. Not to mention there were upsets galore and of course, the revenge games were compelling. But most important of all, we finally have football back and you can never go wrong with being surrounded by something you love. But I digress, because aside from the joy that has returned to our world, a lot happened around the league and with that in mind, let’s recap Week 1 in the NFL and all the big moments it sent our way. 
​
Big upsets are becoming the norm in the NFL.
Something that happened often last year, were epic upsets after epic upsets. The kind that saw teams that had no business losing big, lose in a supremely embarrassing and painful manner and well… guess what? Those kinds of losses are back for this season. Because week one saw a lot of upsets take place and that likely means we need to prepare ourselves for more of such stunning upsets. Because we are simply entering a new era in the NFL, where the underdog believes they have a chance and will take every opportunity that comes their way, and it will be incredible to see which titans fall at critical times this season as this new mantra of anything can and will happen… takes control of the NFL.
 
The Baker Mayfield Revenge Tour stopped before it started.
Usually the revenge game, where a cast-off player takes on his former team… is the definitive moment that determines who made the right call, in parting ways, and well… that can be quite the embarrassing moment for certain. Because no one in the NFL likes to be wrong, especially about a player or their own quality of play and unfortunately for Baker Mayfield… he looked like quite the fool on Sunday. For his epic revenge game against the Cleveland Browns, wasn’t epic in the slightest. In fact, it was a low energy disaster that reinforced Cleveland’s decision to toss him aside, and it definitely made Carolina fans worry about the future of their team. Because #6 might just be mediocre after all, and that means the Panthers will continue to languish and lose.
 
Nathaniel Hackett learned some valuable coaching lessons on Monday Night.
There was definitely cause to be angry on Monday Night if you are a Broncos fan. Because the Russell Wilson Revenge Bowl ended in a painfully embarrassing manner. With his new head coach calling for a field goal instead of giving him the ball to try and beat his old team. A move that made it seem as though Denver didn’t have faith in the guy, they traded tons of draft picks for and signed to a mega-deal. But in retrospect, none of that was the case. This was nothing more than a boneheaded mistake from a rookie head coach. Who simply let the night get the better of him and made a frantic decision. And if you don’t believe me, just check today’s press conference where he admitted to making the wrong call. So, if anything, this was just a fine learning experience for the new guy and hopefully the lessons stick and next time the game is on the line, he lets his star QB handle it. 
 
Stick a fork in the Dallas Cowboys, they’re done.
I’m sure reading that phrase will cause a few football fans to roll their eyes but hear me out. Because the Cowboys looked awful in every possible way on Sunday Night. Their defense was porous and soft, the offense was a tragedy, and that o-line couldn’t stop a toddler from getting through. Not to mention their franchise quarterback suffered a nasty thumb injury and might be gone for up to 6-8 weeks. And he is the keystone to the offense and any way you slice it, that means Dallas is basically done. Because Cooper Rush isn’t the long-term answer at QB, and that offensive line isn’t getting any better. So, better luck next year Cowboys fans, and hopefully Jerry invests in some better players on the o-line in the offseason (and maybe upgrades the coaching staff too, while he is at it) so next year goes smoother.
 
The New England Patriots might be in a heap of trouble.
Normally when the Dolphins and the Patriots take the field, the Patriots walk away with a win. Because Bill Belichick is a solid coach that game plans well and knows how to exploit the weaknesses of his opponent through great coaching and preparation. Which is why Sunday was such the shocker. Because for the first time in years… the Pats looked like a Pop Warner squad. Their execution was terrible, their game plan a joke and Mac Jones took a step back in a system that was supposed to be designed for him.  It could just be early season rust and a need for routine or something ugly could be happening here. Wherein Big Bill has selected the wrong coaches to help him guide his team. Time will tell of course, but that doesn’t make life any easier for Patriots fans, because they’re used to winning now and if Bill’s new coaching scheme doesn’t pan out… the longstanding honeymoon he has in Foxboro may come to an end.  

---