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“NFL–What Happened–What I Think:

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CHARGERS…They found a tough guy running back in Joshua Kelly after Justin Jackson went down with another injury.  A tough blow losing LB-Drue Trnaquill with a broken ankle-he played so well last year.  I liked what I saw in the sideline-to-sideline action of LB-Kenneth Murray.  QB-Tyrod Taylor’s escapability can make plays stay alive, but can he lead scoring drives on a consistent basis.

RAIDERS…WR-Henry Rugg goes 45-yards the first time he touched the ball.  Impressed with new veteran WR-Nelson Agholor.  Josh Jacobs versatility, run and catch, looks bigger this year than last year.

COLTS…What a loss, the torn Achilles to RB-Marlon Mack, thus the need for a physical running back from the free agent market.  Alarming to see how bad the throws were that Philip Rivers made into impossible coverage, that led to picks, surely a flashback to last year with the Chargers.

RAMS…Statement game and a shift in personality, as they ran for (155Y) against a pretty good Cowboys defense.

PATRIOTS…These are not your Dad’s team from New England.  Cam Newton pulling off run-pass option plays in addition to pin point accuracy down the field.  A different and impressive start.

EAGLES….Knew if would be hard for the Eagles to overcome the loss of LT-Andre Dillard after losing RG-Brandon Brooks, but never imagined they would give up 8-sacks against Washington, though the Ryan Kerrigan led defense is good.  Now Philly has a wrath of injuries on the defensive side of the ball too after the opening day defeat.

BALTIMORE….Picking up where he left off last year, another great outing by Ravens QB-Lamar Jackson, his (275P-45R) day.

TAMPA BAY…A tough debut for Tom Brady.  His left tackle allowed 6-hits on the Bucs QB.  The Saints defense had 3-sacks and 3-takeaways in a blowout New Orleans win.  Brady was weak in the opening half, played well after that, but too big a holed to climb out of.  Coach Bruce Arians spread blame around everywhere.

CLEVELAND…How long is it till people start to wonder if Baker Mayfield can really be a good NFL-QB.  Awful opening day loss, and his start to the game included sacks, incompletions, an interception and a fumble.

WASHINGTON…Ron Rivera had to have IV’s at halftime in his fight with chemo treatments, and the team proceeded to rip off 23-straight points in their come-from-behind win.  The locker room needed it.

BENGALS…Joe Burrow was panic stricken early facing the Chargers blitz, but he was solid and dangerous in the second half.  and could have led Cincy to a win.

CAROLINA…Maybe you saw some potential on opening day with the trio of Teddy Bridgewater-Christian McCaffrey and newly acquired Robby Anderson.

SEATTLE…How is that for a start, Russell Wilson’s (31-for-35) passing day and the 4TD outing in Atlanta.  The Seahawks are so loaded.

ATLANTA…Matt Ryan has to throw for (450) in an opening day loss.  Too bad he cannot play defense.

ARIZONA…Some opening day showing by QB-Kyler Murray (230P-91R) and his new best friend DeAndre Hopkins (14R).  They are going to be good on offense.

PITTSBURGH….A very slow start by a tentative QB-Ben Roesthlisberger, but the Steelers got rolling reeling off 23-points in a row in the Monday night drubbing of the Giants.

DENVER…Drew Lock had a nice rookie season, and he looks even better his second year.  Adding Melvin Gordon, Jerry Jeudy and another tight end means they may be good on offense.

MIAMI…Let’s not be ridiculous.  Dolphins fans stormed talk shows and columnists wanted to start the countdown towards Tua Tagovailoa’s debut as quarterback after a 2-interception outing by journeyman starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.

JETS-GIANTS….Two bad losses opening day and not alot of help around the young QBs Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold.

49ers….Are doubts starting to creep in about San Francisco QB-Jimmy Garoppolo after his offense went (2-11) on third downs in their opening day loss.  He didn’t finish up the season last fall with good outing.

PACKERS…A year ago everyone covering that team wondered aloud how Aaron Rodgers and new coach Matt LaFleur.  No problem I’d say.  They are (14-3) in regular season games since opening day last year, after Rodgers (344Y) passing day.

VIKINGS…What an awful start at home on defense, giving up (522Y) to the Packers and having your defense on the field nearly 42-minutes.

BUFFALO…QB-Josh Allen meet WR-Stefon Diggs.  This should be fun.

SAINTS…When would anybody talk about defense winning games in New Orleans.  3-takeaways, 3-sacks in an opening day win over you know who, Tom Brady-Tampa Bay.

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