Throughout the course of the 2013 NFL season we are going to take a look at the week that was and draw a few conclusions on which team or player is ‘hot’ and which ones are ‘not’. Week 1 of the 2013 NFL Season is complete with the exception of two Monday Night Football games that are kicking off tonight.
But we got a full slate of Sunday football in the NFL, and there were some great performances, and some not-so-great performances by teams.
- HOT – 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick
If you thought that Colin Kaepernick was going to have his one great season and then be done, you might need to think again. The 49ers quarterback threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday in a 34-28 win over the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick developed a nice chemistry with new receiver Anquan Boldin, and it looks like these two will be very good going forward. Just imagine when Michael Crabtree returns from injury as well. Kaepernick might be the most difficult quarterback in the league to prepare for.
- NOT – The Jaguars Offense
The Jaguars accounted for two points on Sunday in Week 1. Jacksonville lost 28-2 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Jacksonville had just 171 total yards, including 107 yards passing. This is a theme that is expected to continue throughout the season. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks like a deer in the headlights anytime any pressure whatsoever comes his way. This will be a problem for the Jaguars, which could translate into the No.1 draft pick in 2014.
- HOT – Safeties
For a while it looks like two teams could end the day with only a safety as their only score. The Jaguars finished with a 28-2 loss while the Pittsburgh Steelers were staring a 16-9 defeat in the face until they finally scored a fourth quarter touchdown. Pittsburgh dropped at home 16-9 to the Tennessee Titans, and it appears that this team might have difficulty trying to make the playoffs. There were talks of that already in the preseason, but now that the regular season is underway it doesn’t look to be much better.
- NOT – Tampa Bay’s Prevent Defense
After going up 17-15 over the New York Jets with just 30 seconds remaining, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up a couple of big plays that put the Jets a midfield. The only problem was that on the Geno Smith run, he was hit late out of bounds which tacked on an additional 15 yards. That put New York in field goal range, and the Jets won the game 18-17 for an improbable Week 1 win.
- HOT – Dallas Cowboys Defense
How does six turnovers sound? The Cowboys forced three turnovers in the first three possessions by the New York Giants on Sunday night. By the time the night was over, Dallas had caused six turnovers to be committed, which was good enough for a 36-31 win. The defense did give up some yards and points, but the turnover margin can’t be overlooked. This defense makes some big plays happen, and they need to get respect for it.
- NOT – Atlanta’s Goal Line Offense
The Falcons had 1st-and-goal inside the New Orleans 10-yard line on Sunday and were denied on four-straight plays. The Saints defense, which ranked last in the NFL a season ago, was able to come up with the big stops needed late in the game, which was good enough for a 23-17 victory over their NFC South rival.