The first week of NFL football is in the books and there were plenty of story lines to go around.
Here are the top headlines as observed by Pass the Mike Sports.
Tampa Bay shocks New Orleans in the Dome: With Jameis Winston out for the first three games it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Tampa Bay would get steamrolled by the Saints in their season opener.
However, backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had other plans, marching the Bucs offense up and down the field behind 417 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-40 win over Drew Brees and the Saints.
Head coach Dirk Koetter said Winston wouldn't be handed the starting job back when he returned and if Fitzpatrick continues to play like he did Sunday, there's no reason for Winston to see the field.
But stay humble Bucs fans, there's a reason Fitzpatrick has played for seven different teams in his NFL career and it's usually because defenses figure him out as the season progresses. While you should relish in the "Fitzmagic" it's just a matter of time before he drops cake.
Browns avoid winning against the Steelers: Only the Browns can find a way to not lose and still seem like losers. New quarterback, new receiver, and a new outlook but the same result for Cleveland's football team: another winless Sunday.
Facing the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers without running back Le'Veon Bell, the Browns fought valiantly to erase a 21-7 fourth quarter deficit to force overtime but failed to complete the rally when their game-winning field goal attempt was blocked to force a 21-21 tie. It's fitting that they're called the Browns because this organization is the Charlie Brown of football in that things just never go their way.
The good news is Cleveland ended its 17 game losing streak, the bad news is they extended their winless streak to 18 games.
Ravens "mollywop" the Bills: The final tally was eerily similar to a college football score after powerhouse school plays one of those obscure FCS schools. Baltimore routed Buffalo 47-3 in a game between two professional teams. The Bills decided to go in another direction from QB Tyrod Taylor, although he led the team to its first playoff appearance in 18 years. Enter Nathan Peterman. Yes, the same Nathan Peterman that tossed five interceptions in two quarters of play against the L.A. Chargers last season. The second year signal caller wasn't much better Sunday finishing 5-for-18 for just 24 yards and two interceptions and abysmal QB rating of: 0.7.
Atlanta's déjà vu in Philly: In a rematch of the 2017 divisional round game, the Falcons traveled up to Philadelphia to grab a modicum of revenge against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
The stage was set perfectly for Matt Ryan and Atlanta to steal the win when the Falcons ended up with 1st and goal at the Eagles 10 yard line trailing 18-12 with seconds to go. Situations like these are where great quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have earned their reputation. Yet despite five tries, Ryan and the Falcons came up short again, losing as the clock expired when Ryan's throw to Julio Jones was ruled incomplete. "It was deja vu," said cornerback Ronald Darby, who covered Jones on the last play this time around. "Jones is one of the best but we got the stop.
Here are the top headlines as observed by Pass the Mike Sports.
Tampa Bay shocks New Orleans in the Dome: With Jameis Winston out for the first three games it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Tampa Bay would get steamrolled by the Saints in their season opener.
However, backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had other plans, marching the Bucs offense up and down the field behind 417 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-40 win over Drew Brees and the Saints.
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| Ryan Fitzpatrick |
But stay humble Bucs fans, there's a reason Fitzpatrick has played for seven different teams in his NFL career and it's usually because defenses figure him out as the season progresses. While you should relish in the "Fitzmagic" it's just a matter of time before he drops cake.
Browns avoid winning against the Steelers: Only the Browns can find a way to not lose and still seem like losers. New quarterback, new receiver, and a new outlook but the same result for Cleveland's football team: another winless Sunday.
Facing the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers without running back Le'Veon Bell, the Browns fought valiantly to erase a 21-7 fourth quarter deficit to force overtime but failed to complete the rally when their game-winning field goal attempt was blocked to force a 21-21 tie. It's fitting that they're called the Browns because this organization is the Charlie Brown of football in that things just never go their way.
The good news is Cleveland ended its 17 game losing streak, the bad news is they extended their winless streak to 18 games.
Ravens "mollywop" the Bills: The final tally was eerily similar to a college football score after powerhouse school plays one of those obscure FCS schools. Baltimore routed Buffalo 47-3 in a game between two professional teams. The Bills decided to go in another direction from QB Tyrod Taylor, although he led the team to its first playoff appearance in 18 years. Enter Nathan Peterman. Yes, the same Nathan Peterman that tossed five interceptions in two quarters of play against the L.A. Chargers last season. The second year signal caller wasn't much better Sunday finishing 5-for-18 for just 24 yards and two interceptions and abysmal QB rating of: 0.7.
Atlanta's déjà vu in Philly: In a rematch of the 2017 divisional round game, the Falcons traveled up to Philadelphia to grab a modicum of revenge against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
The stage was set perfectly for Matt Ryan and Atlanta to steal the win when the Falcons ended up with 1st and goal at the Eagles 10 yard line trailing 18-12 with seconds to go. Situations like these are where great quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have earned their reputation. Yet despite five tries, Ryan and the Falcons came up short again, losing as the clock expired when Ryan's throw to Julio Jones was ruled incomplete. "It was deja vu," said cornerback Ronald Darby, who covered Jones on the last play this time around. "Jones is one of the best but we got the stop.
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