Editor’s note: Each week, we’ll read between the lines and profile stories that got overlooked on the NFL’s “Overreaction Monday.”
1. Where did the running games go?
While people have been saying that this is a passing league for years, it has never been more evident than it was in Week 1. Cam Newton, Chad Henne, Drew Brees and Tom Brady all surpassed 400 yards through the air. But the aerial attack overshadowed how much the running game is disappearing across the league.
With so many NFL fans being invested in fantasy football, and with so many running backs being taken with in their drafts, it came as a shock to many that the running game was lacking in Week 1, with just seven backs topping the century mark.
It should have come as a surprise to very few that Chris Johnson had a lackluster game, considering his lengthy contract holdout during the preseason, the likes of Bradshaw, Gore and Peyton Hillis fell on their face in the inaugural game of the season.
2. Slow-Starting Superpowers.
Atlanta, Kansas City, Seattle, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh all made the playoffs in 2010. They also were all blown out of the water in Week 1.
While Seattle was not expected to repeat their division title this year, and Indy will surely struggle without Peyton, the others were expected to repeat their success.
Atlanta was expected to be a Super Bowl contender this year, but they walked into Soldier Field and got served by what looked like the best defense in the NFC.
Kansas City was hosting a rebuilding Buffalo team, and coming off of an AFC West title, they were expected to roll over the Bills. But Ryan Fitzpatrick had other ideas. He tossed four TD’s, and the new-look Bills defense shut down Jamaal Charles, Matt Cassell and the rest of the Chiefs attack.
Then there was the much hyped match-up between the Ravens and the Steelers. This was supposed to be a defensive showdown, with some last second field goal clinching the game. But the Ravens D has other ideas. They forced seven turnovers and left the Steelers reeling.
3.The NFC’s balance of power moves North.
The NFC South was supposed to feature a pair of Super Bowl contenders, with the Bucs knocking at the door if they were able to overcome the Saints or the Falcons. But surprise, surprise, all three of the supposed powerhouse teams lost their opener, and might have signified a power shift in the NFC.
The Packers are favorites to win it all once again, and along with the Bears and the Lions, the NFC North might be taking over the role as the power division.
The Bucs may have got ahead of themselves last year with a nearly perfect season, but the Saints and Falcons are considered to be powerhouse teams. It will be interesting to see if they recover and take the power back from the North.
4. Touchbacks affecting kickoff coverage more than returns?
Everyone was talking about the touchbacks in Week 1, as the new kickoff rule made the vast majority of kickoffs into touchbacks. But there were a few kickers that fell short, and the return teams did their best to exploit the soft cover.
Randall Cobb kicked it off in a big way (pun intended) with a 108-yard return during the Thursday game. Percy Harvin started the Vikings-Chargers game in a big way with a 102-yard return to the house as well. Teddy Ginn capped it off with another 102-yard return as the Niners pulled away late from the Seahawks.
With the amount of touchbacks, it became clear with these three huge take backs that the cover teams may have gotten a bit lazy and got out of their lanes as they made their way down the field. Not every kicker can launch it out of the park like Janikowski, but so many cover guys assume that the ball will go for a touchback now.
It shall be interesting to see how many kicks that do get returned get taken back to the house in coming weeks.
5. A generational shift at wide receiver.
Gone are the days of Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison. The new era of wide-outs are upon us whether we are ready for it or not.
Calvin Johnson showcased on several occasions against the Bucs that he is amongst the elite in the league with his ridiculous mixture of body control, length and vertical jump.
Despite his team getting blown out, Mike Wallace continues to cement his position as one of the best down-field threats in the league. He surpassed the century mark against the Ravens, an will surely pair up with Big Ben on several occasions for big plays this year.
Despite being shadowed by Devin McCourty and Ras-I Dowling all night, Brandon Marshall found a way to get himself back on track in Week 1. While the Dolphins-Pats game was a shootout, Marshall took the next step despite being blanketed all night.
DeSean Jackson was another player who had a brief holdout early in preseason action, but he clearly does not have any rust left on his hinges. The Rams pass defense is nothing to write home about, but he found seams all over the field and gouged St. Louis for 102 yards and a score.
