Tag: NFL Week 1

Report: Texans work out punters Matt Haack and Pat O’Donnell

The Houston Texans worked out veteran punters Pat O’Donnell and Matt Haack to conclude Week 1.

The Houston Texans want to see if they can get better with their punting unit.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans worked out veteran punters Matt Haack and Pat O’Donnell Monday.

Haack was last with the Indianapolis Colts where he played 17 games in 2022. The former Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins punter averaged 44.8 yards per punt and had 28 inside the 20-yard line with just three touchbacks.

O’Donnell spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears and last year with the Green Bay Packers. The former 2014 sixth-round pick produced 44.5 yards per punt and had 24 punts inside the 20 with one that went for a touchback. O’Donnell also led the league with two punts blocked.

Rookie Ty Zentner punted four times with a 44.0 average and one touchback in the 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

The Texans also brought in running back Gerrid Doaks and receiver Jared Wayne for visits.

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7 crazy stats from the Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Ravens

Here is a look at seven interesting statistics to come out of the Houston Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

The game of football has become a statistical, analytic game with more pie charts and graphs at times than the midday programming on CNBC.

Nevertheless after each game there are some stats that are fascinating for one reason or another. Maybe they encapsulate the 60-minute contest, or perhaps they are merely miscellaneous but a delightful kicker.

The Houston Texans started off the DeMeco Ryans era with a 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 at M&T Bank Stadium. Technically, it was the first time the Texans had lost a season opener since 2020.

Here are seven interesting facts to come out of the 0-1 start.

Patriots’ top 10 offensive players in Week 1, per PFF grades

What Patriots offensive players had the highest PFF grades in Week 1?

It only took one regular season game for newly-hired offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to spark hope in the New England Patriots offense.

They were aggressive in successfully attacking the Philadelphia Eagles defense in Sunday’s season opener. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones looked as confident as ever under center, and he even outplayed Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in a 25-20 loss at home.

He finished with 316 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a game that came down to a failed drive in the red zone. But it wasn’t just Jones that came alive.

The Patriots offensive line played exceptionally well, despite missing two starting guards, and both tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne looked like the 2021 versions of themselves. Overall, it was a tremendous effort against one of the league’s best teams

Let’s take a look at the top offensive performers from Week 1, by Pro Football Focus grades.

ESPN stat shows Texans DE Will Anderson dominated against the Ravens

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson made himself known as a pass rusher against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

Will Anderson demonstrated in Week 1 why the Houston Texans had to make a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to draft the defensive end No. 3 overall.

According to statistics posted by ESPN’s Seth Walder, Anderson tied with Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor for the fourth-highest pass rush win rate off the edge with a game to go in Week 1.

The former Alabama product generated six combined tackles, 1.0 sack, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits in the Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Despite the loss, Anderson admitted after the game he relished getting a chance to begin his NFL career.

“Yeah, it was fun,” said Anderson. “You know, I took in every moment, and I think the team did a really good job. Of course, we made some mistakes, but we just have to keep learning and getting better.”

Anderson was also influential in Lamar Jackson’s interception early in second quarter.

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Texans QB C.J. Stroud emphasizes giving WR Nico Collins more chances

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had some connections with receiver Nico Collins against the Baltimore Ravens, but sees room for improvement.

The Houston Texans’ passing game showed some promise despite the 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 at M&T Bank Stadium.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with receiver Nico Collins six times for 80 yards.

The problem for the No. 2 overall pick was the amount of targets. Stroud went for Collins 11 times, and knows there were missed opportunities that don’t reflect the amount of work the pitch-and-catch combo put into the offseason.

“Me and Nico put in a lot of work in the offseason, just trying to get consistent reps and consistent chemistry down,” Stroud said after the loss. “And frankly today, we were connected on a couple of those throws. Even with some of them, I want back. I just got to give him the chance, because Nico is a really special talent to where he touches the ball, he’s probably going to catch it.”

Stroud finished going 28-of-44 for 242 yards along with four carries for 20 yards in his career debut.

The former Ohio State product understood the Ravens defense sought to disrupt their connection downfield, but still went for Collins.

“I definitely think there were definitely going to keep cueing on me and him and really everyone on offense,” said Stroud.

Collins’ six catches were the most since Week 12 last season when he hauled in six for 44 yards in a 30-15 loss at the Miami Dolphins.

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3 standout stars from Patriots’ Week 1 loss to Eagles

Who were the three standout stars for the Patriots in Week 1?

The New England Patriots couldn’t pull out the victory in the end of a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but they had a real chance at stealing a win against one of the best teams in the NFL.

It was a surprising effort by the Patriots, who took it to the wire when facing the defending NFC champions. Although we do not do moral victories around here, the Patriots fielded an elite defense and competent offense.

That’s clearly something to be excited about. Let’s take a look at the three standout players for the Patriots in Sunday’s near monumental upset victory over the Eagles.

4 Big takeaways from Patriots’ 25-20 loss vs Eagles

A comeback wasn’t enough to overcome the Eagles, but the Patriots still played good football on Sunday. Here are 4 takeaways from the game.

A celebratory day at Gillette Stadium provided New England Patriots fans with fireworks on and off the field in their Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady was honored both pregame and at halftime, with New England owner Robert Kraft making the announcement that the team would void the normal waiting period and would induct the signal-caller into the Patriots Hall of Fame this upcoming June.

On the field, New England’s offense overcame an early 16-0 self-inflicted deficit to make the game competitive, drawing within two and five points of the Eagles at different points throughout the match.

Ultimately, the self-inflicted mistakes were just too much to overcome, and multiple late drives by the Patriots deep into Philadelphia territory just couldn’t give the home team a lead.

Here are 4 big takeaways from the 25-20 loss.

Lions new RB room blew away the 2022 version in Week 1

Lions new RB room of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs blew away the 2022 version of Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift in Week 1

The Detroit Lions had a very successful ground game in 2022. It raised some eyebrows when the team swapped out the top two running backs, Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift, after the season.

In their place came prized free agent David Montgomery and No. 12 overall draft pick, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.

Based on the Week 1 results, the Lions made a smart move.

Montgomery ran well in the Lions win over the Chiefs, charging for 74 yards on 21 carries in the role Williams held a year earlier. In the old Swift role, Gibbs racked up 42 yards on seven carries and added 18 more yards on two receptions.

Williams went to New Orleans and was the Saints primary rusher, but he managed to gain just 45 yards on 18 carries. He also caught two passes for seven yards and had a fumble, which he recovered, in New Orleans’ 16-15 nail-biting win over the Titans. He did not score a touchdown but did effectively end the game with an impressive late pick-up.

In Philadelphia, Swift barely made a dent in the box score. Playing as the No. 2 RB behind Kenneth Gainwell, Swift had one carry for three yards in the Eagles’ 25-20 win over the Patriots. He also caught one pass that didn’t gain a yard. He and Gibbs played the exact same number of snaps (19).

It’s tough to make apple-to-apples comparisons across different offenses in divergent game situations, but the Lions new fruit was a lot riper than the old ones in Week 1.

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Magic Johnson reacts to the Commanders’ Week 1 win

The NBA legend and minority owner enjoyed his first Commanders’ game.

It was a celebratory day at FedEx Field. The Washington Commanders kicked off a new era. New managing partner Josh Harris led the way with several of his minority partners, which included Magic Johnson, Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein.

For a while during Sunday’s game, it looked like the Commanders might disappoint everyone. However, a stellar defensive effort and a Sam Howell touchdown run clinched the game for Washington.

The sold-out crowd at FedEx Field was ecstatic. So were Washington’s new owners.

Johnson took to Twitter to talk about the experience for him and his wife, Cookie.

Ein took to Twitter before Sunday’s game to thank the fans and community.

It was a landmark day for the Washington Commanders. The true dawn of a new era.