NFL Week 1 takeaways: Chiefs look just fine without Tyreek Hill
NFL Week 1 takeaway no. 2: The NFC is pathetic
This can be categorized as an overreaction after just one week of play, but it is clear and obvious that the AFC has more good teams than the NFC. Coming into the season, the teams in the NFC that have been viewed as Super Bowl contenders are the Packers, Rams, Tampa Bay, and two honorable mentions in the Eagles and 49ers.
These teams combined to go 2-3, and there are glaring holes in each of these teams that could possibly go weeks before figuring it out.
Green Bay’s offense clearly misses Davante Adams, and yes, Allen Lazard was out in week one, but the weapons at Aaron Rodgers are underwhelming at this point. Depending on rookies and veterans like Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins is not a situation to be optimistic about. In Green Bay’s 23-7 loss to the Vikings, the leading receiver was A.J. Dillon with 46 yards on five catches. The Packers’ offense looked discombobulated to say the least.
The Rams were humiliated on opening night of the 2022 season, and their team looked like how it is constructed – top-heavy with little depth. What is important to note is that the Rams will not be playing the Bills every week, but there are several question marks about this team. Is Matthew Stafford’s elbow 100% healthy? Who will step up in the receiving game behind Cooper Kupp?
Stafford looked Kupp’s way often, and it seemed Stafford was locked onto Kupp all night. Allen Robinson was supposed to take advantage of the attention Kupp generates, but the 29-year-old wideout saw two targets, catching one for 12 yards. Not a good look for a receiver that struggled mightily last season, compiling only 410 yards and one touchdown for the Bears.
The offensive line is inexperienced and simply average. The fact that this offensive line was anchored by a 40-year-old last season lines up with the point that this team has no depth. Los Angeles will be an up-and-down team this season.
Tampa Bay has weird vibes going into this season with all the storylines revolving around Tom Brady, the offensive line injuries, and the lack of youth. Brady took a multi-day absence from the team during the preseason because of personal reasons that have rumors flying around about his marriage. In addition, Brady retired, and seemed to reluctantly return to the Buccaneers with evidence that proves he was trying to pave his way to Miami, but ultimately falling through.
Offensive line injuries across the interior have also made this a much more difficult task for Brady to succeed from the pocket. Also, despite defeating the Cowboys 19-3, there was something that was missing from Tampa Bay. It was a sluggish game that probably lulled people to sleep as both teams were horrendous offensively, especially the Cowboys, whose season looks bleak after Dak Prescott being expected out 6-8 weeks with a fractured thumb.
The Eagles unconvincingly won 38-35 over the Lions, allowing D’andre Swift to rush for 144 yards on 15 carries. The 49ers have quarterback question marks that could hold back the team. Meanwhile, the rest of the NFC outside of the Vikings, should not be taken seriously regardless of their week one outcome.