NFL Week 1: Surprise Sunday Performance for Each Team
Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3). Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints: Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd play like crap
The New Orleans Saints defense looks terrific on paper, and they fielded a very good pass defense last season behind Keenan Lewis, Kenny Vaccaro, and a top-quality pass rush. But they didn’t exactly get off to a great start in yesterday’s overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons, as Matt Ryan dominated them en route to a 400-yard day complete with 37 points on the scoreboard. The elite safety duo of Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro will be difficult to stop as the year rolls on, but they were dominated by Ryan and the Falcons receivers. Per PFF, Vaccaro missed six missed tackles, and he was one of the worst players in this entire week of play thus far, whereas Byrd looked anything but an assured coverage safety.
Atlanta Falcons: Devin Hester goes off
It was a real parade for the Atlanta Falcons passing attack against the Saints defense yesterday, as Ryan had a nice coming-out party with Julio Jones back in the fold. The Falcons are back and as dangerous as ever with the kind of explosive passing attack that can make up for a defense that lacks any semblance of a pass rush. Devin Hester joined the parade in his first season as a real offensive player on a team other than the Chicago Bears, as the legendary returner picked up 99 yards on five receptions, needing just six targets. I want to see if Hester can become a legit part of this offense, because it was exciting to watch him burn a dumbfounded and thoroughly disappointing Saints secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Uh, Josh McCown…is that really you?
We’re all still trying to find out who the “real” Josh McCown is after his magical season in relief of Jay Cutler under ace QB guru Marc Trestman, and he didn’t exactly put the most flattering image of himself in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. McCown looked like a flat-out incompetent, journeyman backup, as he lacked any composure or ability in a performance that included an embarrassing fumble-interception combo that might rank as one of the worst plays in recent memory. Seriously, it was just that pathetic. McCown doesn’t exactly have a long leash with Mike Glennon breathing down his neck, and I’d wager that a couple of more bad performances from McCown will make Lovie Smith put in Glennon, whom the team would like to make you think is their QB of the future.
Carolina Panthers: Whoa, Derek Anderson can play again
The Carolina Panthers offense is based on pretty simple stuff, because the M.O. of this team is to win ugly behind the league’s most impressive front seven. Those big uglies up front were on display in a gritty 20-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they made a strong statement that they are still in contention for the division crown. Despite letting Cam Newton rest as a precaution due to a rib injury, the Panthers still won behind Derek Anderson, who turned back the clock to his one-hit wonder year of 2007. A preseason standout the past two years, Anderson looked like a composed backup in a solid, efficient day. Like any great veteran backup, Anderson didn’t try to do too much, as he methodically moved the offense and finished with a QB Rating well over triple digits.