Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season came and it certainly delivered! What a way to start the season. This also means that we return with our weekly write ups, talking about things that stood out during the slate of games over the weekend. Comment below and let me know what stood out to you during Week 1!
1. Start Your Jet Engine!
Dare I say it, the New York Jets looked...good? Albeit one game, this was probably the most exciting a Jets team has ever looked in my lifetime. Despite ending the game against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers with a loss, I would be extremely optimistic if I were a Jets fan. Justin Fields played the best game of his career. He impressed in every facet. He navigated the pocket in a manner he has not done in his career, stepping up and delivering big time throws. He was zipping the ball across the field, fitting throws into the tightest of windows. He clearly was happy to have his Buckeye buddy in Garrett Wilson back on his team, as their chemistry was there from the start. Fields also utilized his legs as a weapon, but not as a crutch, as he often used to do. He never relied on them to bail him out, but rather ran or scrambled only after making his progression and realized running was the best option. He looked mature and poised and played with a swagger I hadn't seen in years. He looked like the guy Chicago hoped would save them years ago. Another extremely encouraging performance came from the backfield in the form of Breece Hall. After a disappointing season a year ago, there was lots of chatter about a split backfield this season. While the other backs got some snaps, it was Hall who was clearly the most dangerous weapon. He had the speed and burst and big play ability that has been lacking the last season or two. Now it is only one game of course, but if New York can sustain any sort of semblance of this performance weekly, look out for a sneaky playoff contender!
2. Drowning Dolphins
Before the season started I wrote about how the Dolphins were a team I expected to regress and how I thought Mike McDaniel was sneakily entering the season in jeopardy of losing his job. Well, Miami did everything and more in Week 1 to expedite that process. Everything about their 8-33 loss to Indianapolis was absolutely horrid. I have never been a huge fan of Tua Tagovailoa and each week he impresses me less and less. The Tua extension seems like a franchise tanking move. The offense and the play-calling leaves way too much to be desired. The defense never once looked capable of stopping Daniel Jones. I know it is Week 1 and we should not overreact, but I am going to overreact. It is time to blow it up. The team has regressed the last few years and with Tua at the helm I am afraid nothing will change. I sense a possibility of a season from hell for Dolphins fans. They face two divisional opponents in the Patriots and the Bills in the upcoming weeks. I think that will be enough to let us know just how bleak the future of Miami may be.
3. Can the Chiefs Float Above Water?
By no means am I writing off the Kansas City Chiefs after a loss to a good team. I will, however, admit that this team feels different from years past. And not in a positive manner. The offense lacks explosion and the defense disappointed against LA. I think they will be fine. Mahomes looked good. I just wonder what kind of move they might make? I think they need to do something. Especially early season with Rashee Rice out suspended and Xavier Worthy out with injury. Pacheco is not a high quality back in my opinion and the overall weapons leave a lot to be desired. While I still think KC will be ok, especially when Rice returns, I think the offense lacks explosion and I am curious to see how they manage the first half of the season down a few of their better weapons.
4. JSN is a DUDE
I have been vocally behind the masses when it comes to admitting that Jaxon Smith-Njigba is in the upper echelon of receivers in the league. I simply have been of the opinion he is a good receiver but had not been ready to call him great. That soon may be over. JSN had about as impressive of a week as anyone. He lined up on the outside more than he ever has and had an average depth of target of nearly 14 yards. Njigba clearly was Darnold's guy snagging 9 of Darnold's 16 completions and gaining 124 of Darnold's 150 yards. It is only one week into the season but we may be in store for a monster season from the year 3 wideout.
5. Why Does the Eagles Passing Game Leave So Much to Be Desired?
This is something that baffles me. I guess Philadelphia really has no reason to listen to me as they are literally the defending champions but I feel like there is still another level the Eagles offense can reach. They have arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith as well as one of the better tight end's in the league in Dallas Goedert. Hurts and Saquon spearhead a punishing rushing attack but the passing game is not one that I consider elite. I think it can be. One thing I would love to see over the course of the season is for Philadelphia to tap into this passing potential as they try to repeat!
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