Quick Observations For Every NFL Team From Week One

Los Angeles Chargers – These guys just can’t start fast

I might have made a mistake. I predicted the Chargers would win 12 games and earn the AFC’s number one seed. What I forgot or rather what I blindly trusted would change was the fact this team simply can’t beat the Chiefs (now having lost the last nine meetings) and they don’t get out of the gates running. Yes, they were without Joey Bosa and yes, Antonio Gates still needs to find his way back, but this team made mistakes in all facets of the game. Philip Rivers threw a crucial pick in field-goal range in the third quarter, they didn’t run the ball often enough, the defense gave up seven plays of 20+ yards, they allowed a punt return touchdown over the entire field to Tyreek Hill and they still can’t convert field goals when they really matter, as Caleb Sturgis missed a 48-yarder when the Chargers still had more than a minute and all three timeouts left. I still believe in this team because they are so damn talented, but they better get started because Kansas City looks explosive.

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New York Jets – Sam Darnold is the Jets’ saviour

I had four blue-chip players at the top of my draft board, who I thought were can’t-miss guys, but right behind them I had Darnold, who also was my clear-cut number one QB and I feel pretty good about that right now. The rookie out of USC already looked very impressive when I watched his preseason tape, with how quickly he diagnosed coverages and processed information. He just doesn’t seem to get fooled by disguises and doesn’t show any hesitation when defenses change post-snap, but instead he just simply knows how to adjust and where to go with the ball. Outside of the anticipatory skills and his toughness, it was his even keel attitude that made me believe in him as a pro. That’s why I thought tossing that pick-six when trying to squeeze in a wheel route to the running back across the field was a perfect start to his career in the sense that you can see how he will respond. He went on to complete 16 of his 20 passes, while going four for four on third downs for 72 yards plus another conversion with his feet. The defense was unbelievable, but finally having that franchise quarterback is the key for Gang Green.