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The NFL season has officially kicked off, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for us football fans. With a packed 2024 rookie class, the back-to-back defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, and numerous other storylines, the stage is set for an action-packed 17 weeks. Let’s delve into my three takeaways from the thrilling opening week.
Kansas City Much Improved At Receiver
The biggest weakness of the Chiefs last season was how weak their receiving core was, with a need for an elite primary option in the passing game. Now, while they might not have a Tyreek Hill or Justin Jefferson on their roster, they have much better personnel coming into the 2024-25 season with Rashee Rice with a year under his belt after a solid rookie season who was carving up the Ravens defense on opening night going for 107 yards on seven receptions.
Rice was making catches up the middle in tight spaces and seemed to know when to find the open gap against a Ravens defense that has numerous All-Pros and an elite secondary, such as safety Kyle Hamilton and inside linebacker Roquan Smith, to name a few. Rice has made significant strides in being more precise and sharper in his route running, and you’ll see a prime example in the video below starting at the 0:45 mark, where he reads the defense looking to pressure by dropping the safety in and goes over to find the gap for a significant gain to the 42-yard line.
The Chiefs have another young, exciting receiver in first-round draft pick Xavier Worthy out of Texas, who recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.21) in NFL Combine history and was impactful right out of the gate. Worthy used every bit of his lightning zip speed to score the Chiefs' opening touchdown on their first drive to open the 2024 season. He had two receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another touchdown to score 12 of the Chiefs 27 points in his NFL debut.
In the first drive, you see Worthy utilizing his god-given speed to maneuver his way through the traffic to the endzone like he’s “The Flash” from DC Comics, with defenders hopelessly trying to get a hand on him to no avail. Worthy’s next touchdown was a reception later in the fourth that saw him run a little route as if he’s going out of bounce but fools the defender, turns back to catch the pass with excellent body control before rushing to the endzone for the first reception touchdown of his career. They improved much from what they had last year with guys such as Kadarius Toney, who couldn’t catch anything in the open field.
That does not include currently injured wideout Marquis “Hollywood” Brown (shoulder), who will be out the first four to six weeks, and tight end Travis Kelce, who can turn in a vintage performance when his team needs it. With improved options at wideout, Patrick Mahomes will be able to utilize his arm talents again with faster, more reliable personnel this season. It should be exciting to see what they do this season, especially since they still have a suffocating defense.
Lamar Jackson Must Convert Big Plays To Overcome Chiefs
Jon Robichaud/UPI
The reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson, one of two players ever to win unanimous (Tom Brady) in NFL history, is a football fascination. The way he glides through defenders with his elusive agility and deceptive speed is unlike anything the quarterback position has ever seen. Yes, even better than Michael Vick.
Jackson has achieved everything a football player could dream of, especially a quarterback. He's won MVPs, shattered records, and transformed the Baltimore Ravens since his arrival in 2018 from Louisville. But there’s still a void in his resume, a glaring gap that will haunt him and keep his most prominent critics on him (ask Ryan Clark), and that is winning a Super Bowl.
A Super Bowl ring and appearance are the only things missing on Jackson’s Hall of Fame resume. A significant reason for this is the formidable Patrick Mahomes, who has consistently outperformed Jackson throughout their careers. They have won five out of the six times they’ve played each other, including last year's AFC title game, in which the Chiefs emerged victorious 17-10.
The Ravens added All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, the best running back of Jackson’s generation, when healthy to the backfield to alleviate pressure off Jackson to run the ball as often as possible to help him preserve energy. Their offensive line also didn’t help make life easier for Jackson or Henry, who had difficulty finding a lane to get that big run we’re accustomed to seeing from him at least once a game.
However, despite that, the media won’t want to hear excuses for Jackson if he’s really “That Guy.” He is the only multi-time MVP in NFL history who has not won a Super Bowl, which I know he doesn’t want to retire from. He had 116 rushing yards, 273 passing yards, and one touchdown. He showed us fans what makes him exhilarating and polarizing.
But one play stood out to me, and it was in crunch time. Ten seconds left, you’re on the road where you lost to this team that prevented you from reaching the Super Bowl. Feeling the oncoming pressure from the Chief's defensive frontline, Jackson launches one that goes over Zay Flowers's head in what could have been a potential game-tying touchdown that could have forced overtime.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Jackson must convert on these high-pressure plays. Mahomes has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under such circumstances, making it a norm. If Jackson aims to be a champion and not just a talented, great player, he must learn to deliver in crucial drives during high-stakes situations.
You can see it here.
Jackson must convert on these high-pressure plays as we look toward the playoffs. Mahomes has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under such circumstances, making it a norm. If Jackson aims to be a champion and not just a talented, great player, he must learn to deliver in crucial drives during high-stakes situations.
Saquon Shines In Eagles Debut
AP Photo/Doug Benc
After a bitter ending to his tenure with the New York Giants last offseason, Barkley was one of the most prevalent free agent signings when he chose to join the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles up the road for a fresh new start. He did not disappoint! Barkley was a blur against the Green Bay Packers, scoring the first two touchdowns for the Eagles, finishing with three in total (two rushing, one receiving), and finishing with 109 rushing yards on 24 carries in the Eagles 34-29 victory over the Packers in Brazil.
“Washed,” “Traitor,” and “Does he still have it?” were the criticisms we were hearing of Barkley the last few seasons, who dealt with nagging injuries after a great start to his career out of Penn State. He looked revitalized and rejuvenated with a better offensive line and a new scenery with the Eagles. Barkley was moving with power and a purpose.
He was evasive, moving with bursting speed, and showed why he’s one of the best running backs in the league when healthy, helping propel the Eagles. Barkley looked like an All-Pro out there, which the Eagles will need consistently if they hope to contend for a Super Bowl. The Eagles hope to return to where they were two seasons ago and in the first half of last season, going 10-1 to start the season before the epic collapse in the final six to seven weeks.
If Barkley continues to play like this, the Eagles can have much to be optimistic about as they say “Fly Eagles Fly” heading into week two against the Atlanta Falcons.
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