NFL Week One: Paul’s Potpourri

NFL Week One: Paul’s Potpourri – by Paul Pulley – Here are some observations from the first week of the 2020 NFL season starting with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs Up First

Linebackers

It can’t be stated enough so I’ll say it again: “They were bad.” Hitchens may be a good vocal leader, but the best way to lead is by example, and his playing example is horrid. Wilson and Niemann may even be worse. Niemann had 36 defensive snaps, 61%, and yet, not one single stat: no tackles, no pbu, nothing but time wasted. Granted this was just Game One, but this group needs to improve quickly or drastic changes need to be made.

Demarcus Robinson

A lot has been made of DRob having three ‘drops.’ That could have been the first score of the season, and was an excellent play by Justin Reid, DB of the Texans. Reid got himself in perfect position to break up the pass. Another ‘drop’ was an overthrow by Mahomes, quite similar to another overthrow to RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a similar pattern. The third was the acrobatic, off-balance perfect throw by Mahomes that hit DRob in his hands in the end zone. DRob really should have caught that one. 

If we’re going to give other players a pass on substandard play because it was their first game of the year, such as the offensive line and the linebackers, then we should afford that same consideration to Robinson, for now.

Chiefs Injuries

In week one of 2019 at Jacksonville, we lost Tyreek Hill for an extended period, plus Patrick Mahomes sustained a serious ankle injury. Fortunately, there were no injuries of import on the offensive side of the ball in game one this year. Unfortunately, there were a few on the defense. I have yet to hear any reports about the seriousness of those injuries, but I would imagine DT Khalen Saunders will miss some time with a dislocated elbow. CB Charvarius Ward may miss time with a fractured hand. If there is any good news to take from this, these are the two deepest groups of players on the team. Rashad Fenton and Antonio Hamilton covered well at corner, also Tershawn Wharton and Mike Danna both showed why they made the 53 man roster. Speaking of Danna, I believe he is the one that inadvertently landed on Saunders on the play that Saunders was injured.

Chiefs Special Teams 

Not enough has been mentioned about the Chiefs special teams play. Rookie punter and new holder, Tommy Townsend was rock solid. PK Harrison Butker was a perfect 4/4 on PAT’s and 2/2 of FG’s in wet, rainy conditions. Kickoffs were excellent and both punt and kick coverages were very good.

Chiefs Penalties

I have to mention the penalty, yes singular. One flag for 5 yards against the Chiefs. That’s a superior way to maintain long sustained drives.

More About the NFL

Artificial Crowd Noise

Noise is the proper word. What a joke! The simulated crowd noise was annoying at best, in all honesty, it was just plain ludicrous. One would think that a multi-billion dollar organization could have provided something that didn’t seem so disjointed.

Fans in the Stands

Our very own Kansas City Chiefs, being the best run team in the NFL, and being the innovators that they are with great foresight, showed that even under the current conditions, it is possible to not only allow fans to attend games, but that fans should be allowed to attend games. Did the fans provide some home field advantage? You bet your bottom dollar they did, and more power to them. The entire football universe is talking about how just 20% of stadium capacity at least made the game seem real, especially as compared to the fake noise. Heck, I’m positive that even the Houston Texans will enjoy their defeat at Arrowhead in front of real fans much more than they will their upcoming defeat this Sunday in their own empty venue.

Ball Security

Wow, week one of this season really showed the importance of not turning the ball over. 14 quarterbacks threw at least one interception each in this opening week. Of the 14 QB’s that threw picks, 12 of those teams lost. While Drew Lock of the Broncos didn’t throw an interception, Melvin Gordon fumbled and Denver lost. Consequently, 13 of the 15 teams that lost the turnover battle, also lost the game.

The two exceptions were the Arizona Cardinals defeating the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, who beat the Dallas Cowboys. Both the Cardinals and the Rams had to overcome just a single turnover, and both teams won the time of possession battle, just squeaking out a victory. Even the nameless team from our Nation’s capital won a game by creating three turnovers (2 interceptions and a fumble) against the Philadelphia Eagles. Plus, the interception by Matt Stafford of the Detroit Lions, allowed the Mitchell Trubisky led Chicago Bears to secure a come from behind victory.

The only turnover free game of the weekend was the Las Vegas Raiders visiting the Carolina Panthers. This turned out to be a closely contested game, going back and forth, with the Raiders coming away with a 4 point victory.

On to Week Two

This Thursday night matchup has the Browns hosting the Bengals. I will guess there will be dozens of people tuning in to watch this game. The early games Sunday have a few intriguing contests. Jacksonville at Tennessee should be an enjoyable game to watch. The Eagles hosting the Rams should be entertaining. For the early games, I’m mostly interested in the game featuring Denver visiting Pittsburgh.

The late afternoon game to watch will, of course, be our Kansas City Chiefs visiting the L.A. Chargers. No Chiefs fans will be allowed to attend the game, so it will truly be an empty stadium.

Baltimore visiting Houston may provide some quality entertainment.

The Sunday night contest has the New England Patriots traveling across the country to Seattle, just to have their butts stomped by the Seahawks.

Monday night will showcase the Raiders christening their new stadium by getting trounced by the Saints.

Enjoy the games everyone.

Paul Pulley — ArrowheadOne

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