10 breakout performances of NFL Week 1
The first NFL weekend is officially in the books, and there is plenty to be excited about for football fans. There might finally be a battle in the AFC East, as all four teams begin the 2015 season at 1-0. J.J. Watt continues to dominate everyone with two sacks in a losing effort against the Chiefs. Two of the NFL’s biggest rivalries came down to the wire with the Packers and Cowboys beginning their quest to Super Bowl 50 in victorious fashion. Unfortunately, injuries was a big storyline during Week 1 with players such as Terrell Suggs, Andre Ellington and Dez Bryant going down. On the other hand, there were a ton of notable performances in Week 1. These ten were among the best.
10. Tyrod Taylor proves that he is worthy of being Bills’ starter
The most controversial quarterback race this offseason came in the Buffalo training camp, where it seemed like Matt Cassel would get the nod after the Bills traded for him in the offseason. Rex Ryan elected to go with the unproven Tyrod Taylor as his Week 1 starter, and it seemed to pay off. Taylor finished 14/19 for 195 yards and a touchdown in Buffalo’s win against the Indianapolis Colts, many people’s Super Bowl pick out the AFC. Taylor also added 41 yards on the ground, an element the Bills would not have gotten from Cassel or third-stringer E.J. Manuel.
9. Former first-round picks shine for the Rams
The St. Louis Rams were without their 2015 first-round draft pick, Todd Gurley, on Sunday against their division rival Seattle Seahawks. With a new quarterback under center against one of the NFL’s best defenses, the Rams were going to need all of the help they could get to pull off an upset. Former 2013 first-round pick Tavon Austin provided plenty of it. Austin scored two touchdowns for St. Louis, a 75-yard punt return and a 16-yard run to help the Rams to a 34-31 overtime win at home. The St. Louis defensive line is among the best in the league, and former 2014 first-round pick Aaron Donald has made a name for himself. Donald dominated the Seattle line and finished with 9 tackles and two sacks.
8. Matt Forte continues to be a fantasy football monster
The Chicago Bears’ No. 1 offensive weapon has finished with over 1,000 rushing yards in five of his seven NFL seasons and has never gained less than 900 yards during a single season in his career. Arguably the NFL’s most consistent back is at it again this season. One year after setting the record for receptions at the running back position with 102, Matt Forte is still carrying the load in Chicago. Despite running in a brand new offense, he finished with 24 carries for 141 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 31-23 loss to Green Bay. Forte is still underrated by many, but all of his fantasy owners should be excited for a big 2015 season.
7. Carson Palmer continues to win in Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals were the surprise team last season with their fast start. Carson Palmer was 6-0 with the Cardinals before suffering a torn ACL against the Rams in Week 10. The Cardinals finished with an 11-5 record and an early playoff exit in 2014. After a successful offseason of recovery, Palmer was firing on all cylinders in Arizona’s first game of 2015. He finished with 307 yards, 3 touchdowns and no turnovers in the Cardinals’ Week 1 win over the Saints, making Palmer 7-0 in his last two seasons as Bruce Arians’ QB.
6. Julio Jones leads the Falcons to victory
Atlanta’s No. 1 receiver earned his new contract on Monday night. In a gritty 26-24 win over Philadelphia, Julio Jones caught nine passes for 141 yards and the Falcons’ only two touchdowns. Matthew Berry predicted that Jones would end the season as the No. 1 fantasy receiver, and he is well on his way after this performance.
