The Dime Package: 10 Takes On NFL Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL season featured several close games and two big comebacks by the Chiefs and the Raiders. Here are 10 thoughts on NFL Week 1 from Sunday

NFL Week 1 has certainly come and has almost gone. With only the two opening Monday Night Football games left to play, we have a more grand idea about teams and the league. However, it’s never a bad idea to put the biggest, most important thoughts in one place.

That’s what we’ll be doing here. Every Monday, the Dime Package will offer up 10 thoughts on the week and Sunday that was. Here is The Dime Package for NFL Week 1.

1. The Cincinnati Bengals were depleted by free agency this offseason, but somehow Marvin Lewis‘ team found a way to win a tight game against the New York Jets. I still don’t think Lewis and his staff get enough credit for the job they do. Don’t count the Bengals out, though, after this performance on Sunday.

2. Carson Wentz had an impressive rookie debut. Wentz finished 22-37 for 278 yards and two touchdown passes. Sure it was the Cleveland Browns, but it doesn’t matter. It was a positive debut for the Philadelphia Eagles rookie.

3. For three quarters, I second guessed my decision to buy into the 2016 Oakland Raiders. Then, Derek Carr and company proved me and many other others who jumped on the bandwagon right by coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints, 35-34.

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4. Kudos to the Kansas City Chiefs. They could have folded their tents and moved onto next week when they were down 24-3 to the Chargers. Instead, Andy Reid‘s team chipped away and came away with a 33-27 OT win. Don’t sleep on the Chiefs. They know how to win and they’ll be in the mix come January.

5. The Minnesota Vikings 25-16 win over the Titans wasn’t pretty. Quarterback Shaun Hill got the start and he finished an unimpressive 18-33 for 236 yards. It didn’t matter however because Mike Zimmer’s side of the ball scored two defensive touchdowns. It was a great all around effort by a team that needs it.

6. I am starting to come around to the notion that Jameis Winston is a franchise quarterback. Winston had an impressive start to his second season in the league going 23-33 for 281 yards and four touchdown passes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a quiet confidence about them and they made a statement with this win in Week 1.

7. Dak Prescott had an impressive debut for the Dallas Cowboys. He looked poised in and out of the pocket and the arm strength was evident. I know people want to focus on Terrance Williams bonehead play to end the game but they shouldn’t ignore what Prescott did in his first game as the starting quarterback of the Cowboys.

8. I thought the Seattle Seahawks were going to be more explosive offensively now that they are not relying on Marshawn Lynch as much? I guess not. In fairness to the Seahawks, Russell Wilson rolled his ankle and he was not the same. The injury affected Wilson and the Seahawks offense. But still, you want to see a little more from that unit moving forward.

9. Do you think Jim Irsay regrets bringing back Chuck Pagano? I’m serious. The Colts losing to the Lions is inexcusable. They came out flat and out-of-sync and that’s not a good way to start the season. Sure, the comeback was nice. But no matter how you slice it, this was a bad loss for the Colts.

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10. Looks like all of us who picked against the Patriots have egg on our face. In fairness to us losers, they didn’t have Brady and Gronk. It was easy to pick against them. If you picked the Patriots to win, you were either an irrational homer or intoxicated when you picked them. Still, good for you.

That’s the inaugural edition of The Dime Package. What thoughts did you have about the Week 1 action from Sunday? Let us know in the comments.

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