NFL Week 1: Surprise Sunday Performance for Each Team
Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) runs. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts: T.Y. Hilton lays an egg
Andrew Luck nearly led a ridiculous comeback for the Indianapolis Colts, but they fell short in the end and lost 31-24 to the Denver Broncos after searching for a repeat performance from last year’s stunning victory. At least Reggie Wayne came out of the game healthy and showing no ill-effects from last year’s ACL tear, as he hauled in nine receptions for 98 yards. The Colts have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league, but their lead playmaker came away with an incredibly disappointing game that frustrated fans. We know T.Y. Hilton is better than this, as he caught just five passes on 11 targets for 41 yards and added a drop. Not only was he inefficient, but he showed little big play ability and had his longest pass go for just nine yards.
Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker excels
It’s amazing what a real head coach can do for you. Fresh off of helping Philip Rivers become a star again, new Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive coordinator Jason Michael are ready to work wonders with former touted draft prospect Jake Locker, who was my top-rated QB in that year’s class. After showing some signs of growth with his accuracy and decision-making last year, the athletic Locker seemed to put it all together yesterday against a porous Kansas City Chiefs secondary. Helped by a season-ending injury to top coverage LB Derrick Johnson, Locker went 22-33 for 266 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks in a thoroughly impressive opener. We’ll see if he can stay healthy and have some follow-up performances, because he looked extremely comfortable out there and didn’t look like the inaccurate passer he was early in his career.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Allen Hurns looks the part
In the Jacksonville Jaguars first preseason game, rookie quarterback Blake Bortles struck up an immediate connection with rookie UDFA wide receiver Allen Hurns, who shredded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers work-in-progress Cover 2 defense and made a name for himself. Well, Hurns is now a national name after showing some major playmaking skills with four receptions for 110 yards and two TDs. His first two receptions went for touchdowns, and Hurns showed a nice hook-up with stopgap QB Chad Henne. The Jags raced out to a 17-0 lead behind Hurns’s big plays, but they allowed 34 unanswered points to a much better Philadelphia Eagles team, as Nick Foles improved as the game wore on.
Houston Texans: Derek Newton plays well
Last season, I probably criticized Houston Texans right tackle Derek Newton more than any other player in the league, because he was simply that awful last year, as he led Matt Schaub to feel pressure play after play. But yesterday, Newton looked like a changed man for at least one game, as he kept Ryan Kerrigan at bay and put in some dominant work in the running game. Arian Foster finished with over 100 rushing yards but averaged just 3.8 yards, though his best average came on runs to the right. As a whole, the Texans offensive line did a great job of keeping the Washington Redskins star OLB duo away from Ryan Fitzpatrick.