NFL fans were treated to a great opening weekend, thanks to some highlight-reel plays, game-winning drives and shocking moments. While no one was surprised when Case Keenum and the Rams stunk it up on “Monday Night Football” to end Week 1, there were still some surprises that occurred. Here are the five biggest eye-openers.
Jimmy Garoppolo beats Cardinals in the desert
Apparently the New England Patriots don’t need Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski to beat one of the final four teams from 2015 (on the road and in primetime, no less). Jimmy Garoppolo was stellar in his first NFL start, completing 24-of-33 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown as New England upset the Cardinals in Arizona.
Brady’s backup started fast, hitting Chris Hogan for a touchdown on the opening drive. He then finished strong, leading the Patriots on a 13-play, 61-yard drive to set up the go-ahead field goal with 3:44 left. Yes, the Patriots lucked out on Chandler Catanzaro’s missed field goal late. But even if Arizona’s kick had split the uprights, it wouldn’t have tarnished Garoppolo’s very promising debut.
Raiders roll the dice and win big
In a world where NFL coaches do everything in their power to minimize risk and potential scrutiny, Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio went all in and put a game’s outcome into his quarterback’s hands. It was refreshing to see. When Derek Carr threw a late touchdown to pull the Raiders within one point of the New Orleans Saints, Del Rio kept his offense on the field—and Carr calmly hit Michael Crabtree for the two-point conversion to give Oakland a 35-34 win.
The Raiders had no intentions of taking a track meet contest into overtime, especially on the road and against a red-hot quarterback in Drew Brees, so Del Rio went bold and won big. It’s a shame more coaches don’t trust their guys to perform in difficult situations late in games.
Carson Wentz impresses in his first start
Less than two weeks ago, No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz wasn’t even a lock to dress in Week 1. One big trade and one big decision later, and Wentz was starting under center for the Philadelphia Eagles on the opening Sunday of 2016.
The North Dakota State product took full advantage, starting with his first ever regular season drive. Wentz finished the nine-play, 75-yard march with a perfect throw to Jordan Matthews for a 19-yard touchdown. Later, the rookie quarterback found Nelson Agholor from 22 yards out to help seal Philadelphia’s 29-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. Wentz’s impressive stat line from Week 1: 22 of 37 for 278 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, with a passer rating of 101.0. Pretty good for a guy many were expecting to hold a clipboard in Week 1.
Cruz salsa dances in Dallas in first game back from injury
In a game featuring Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham (and introducing Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott), it was a former top-flight receiver who stole the show in Big D. Victor Cruz hadn’t played in an NFL game in over 700 days, but his triumphant return to an NFL field finished with him doing his signature salsa dance in the Cowboys end zone. Cruz’s 3-yard touchdown from Eli Manning with just over six minutes in the fourth quarter provided the Giants with the game-winning points in a 20-19 win over their division rivals.
Some were starting to have serious doubts about Cruz ever playing another meaningful down in the NFL. Now, he looks like he could be a serious contributor in New York’s passing offense. Perseverance is a powerful attribute.
Trevor Siemian wins Super Bowl 50 rematch
The first quarterback with zero career attempts to ever start a season opener for the defending Super Bowl champs, Trevor Siemian was an expected mix of good and bad against the reigning NFC champion Panthers. He threw two interceptions with the Broncos driving in the first half, but eventually settled down and managed the game well in the second half.
Denver scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to take the lead, with seven coming on Siemian’s 25-yard screen pass touchdown to C.J. Anderson. Did he outplay reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton? Absolutely not. But he did just enough over the final 30 minutes to help the Broncos win a Super Bowl rematch in his first career NFL start.
Jameis Winston making his case to be put in NFL’s elite QB club discussion
Quarterbacks drafted first overall are expected to become superstars. While Jameis Winston was up-and-down as a rookie, he now looks well on his way to stardom to start 2016. The top pick in 2015 started slow but eventually caught fire in Week 1, throwing four touchdowns as Tampa Bay beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road.
Winston was decisive with the football, and his supreme confidence in his receiving group—headlined by mammoth target Mike Evans—is obvious in every throw he makes. A recommitment to his body and another year of development as a passer could turn Winston into one of the league’s 10 best quarterbacks this season. And if he’s that good, the Buccaneers—who haven’t been to the playoffs since 2007—are going to come right along with him.
