Hi everyone, it’s Wednesday which you know what that means. It’s Top 12 time, for the NFL Season I am going to put up my Top 12 Moments of every week. As always this is meant for debate. If you feel like I missed the mark, call me out!! As always thank you for reading and responding.
12. Herbert’s back should toss for the W
I could have put the 15 yard fumble pass on this list. But I thought it would only be appropriate to put Justin Herbert’s awesome back shoulder throw to Mike Williams for the clinching touchdown in the Chargers huge Week 1 road win in Washington. Verdict is out folks, Justin Herbert can ball.
11. Deebo almost fumbles the game away
The 49ers had a 41-33 lead over the Lions and just needed a 1st down to clinch the game. They got that first down when Jimmy Garoppolo found Deebo Samuel. But Deebo would fumble the ball after he crossed the first down. The 49ers would hold on to win but you know that Kyle Shanahan will be ripping Deebo all week in practice to hold onto the football.
10. Melvin Gordon with the clincher
The longest run in Week 1 goes to Melvin Gordon of the Broncos. With the Broncos up 20-7 in the 4th Quarter and just getting a huge defensive stand, Melvin Gordon would take a 70 yard run to the house. The Broncos look to be one of the most improved teams in the NFL from last season, may be the first fun season in over a half a decade in the land of the Rocky Mountains
9. Was Dalvin Cook down, 4th and 1 conversion, Vikings @ Bengals Madness
Dalvin Cook is a great running back. But he did lose 4 fumbles last season and a critical one in overtime at Cincinnati this Sunday. He may have had his back side down, that’s up for debate but what is not up for debate is his ball security must improve. A Bengals would have a 4th and inches on the ensuing drive. Really the only call is to go for it with under a minute to play and the Bengals did with a nifty play action play that saw Joe Burrow find C.J Ozomah for 24 yards to setup the game winning overtime field goal. 1:00 PM PDT in the fall is always my favorite time of the week.
8. Kyler Murray to Christian Kirk Willie Mays style
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals had one of the most impressive Week 1’s around the league. The play that would put the game away was a Kyler Murray fade back throw to Christian Kirk for a 26 yard touchdown. Kyler Murray could be an MVP candidate if he plays like this all season, to be determined.
7. Russ Moon Ball
Russell Wilson throws the best deep ball in football. This was in full display on Sunday as Russell Wilson found Tyler Lockett for a 70 yard touchdown right before the half in a 28-16 Seahawks win. The throw was just as textbook as it could be. When opposing fans see Russ line up to throw the ball deep they cringe in fear.
6. Damien Harris fumbles the game away
The Patriots looked like the better team against the Dolphins in Week 1. But the Dolphins took a page from the Pats playbook stealing the game away with the Patriots making uncharacteristic mistakes throughout the game. The Pats were going to at least take a 2 point lead late but running back Damien Harris fumbled the ball, the Dolphins recovered the fumble and the game was subsequently over. Pupil learning from the teacher.
5. Jameis throws five touchdowns
Jameis Winston threw five touchdown in a 38-3 sort of home win over the Packers in Week 1. The Saints had the most impressive victory in the entire league in Week 1 and was proven that they can still hang with the best in the game. Plus throwing a touchdown every 4 throws is some flag football like awesomeness, it’s Winston’s team now in the big easy.
4. Matt Stafford’s big debut
Sean McVay has a new toy and his name is Matthew Stafford. Stafford showed off his skills immediately on Sunday with this 67 yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson. The Rams appear to be a team not to be reckoned with in 2021.
3. Push off or not? Brady with another last second comeback
Tom Brady does not have as many 4th Quarter comebacks in recent season as Matthew Stafford or Derek Carr. But that is because he is winning by a lot in so many games it’s unnecessary. But when he does need to go and score with under 2 minutes on the clock, he’s as deadly as they come. As for the game sealing play to Chris Godwin, you be the judge on whether the hanky should have been tossed. All of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico certainly thought it should have.
2. Mahomes Magic again
Patrick Mahomes makes things happen every week. This past game the Chiefs were down 29-20 early in the 4th Quarter and needed a big play to get them back into the game. Many pundits would call this an ill advised throw but when Patrick Mahomes makes a play like this happen usually twice a game I think that statement in this case is highly debatable. Of course the Chiefs came back to win the game, can you ever doubt them?
1.Vegas Baby
I know it’s Week 1 but that Ravens Raiders Monday night game is a probable candidate for a Top 10 game of the year and might even be a candidate for the game of the year. The Raiders won, then they lost, then they won again. This is after a 47 and 55 yarder was kicked by each team in the last 37 seconds to force overtime. What a game and what an ending to a wild Week 1.