Week one in the NFL had students and faculty buzzing. Many teachers and students were excited to watch their favorite teams play. Going around the school it is easy to learn how many students and teachers like different teams, so here at Prep a lot of people’s Monday mornings involve conversations about Sunday’s games. Read on for a review of the past week’s five best games and what impact it left here at Cathedral Prep.
Opening Game (Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The NFL kicked off the 2021-22 season last Thursday in fashion, starting with the reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting “America’s Team,” the Dallas Cowboys. This game was full of excitement, offensive firepower, and for the first time since Super Bowl LIV, a sold-out stadium! The Buccaneers started right where they left off putting up 21 points in the first half, but the Cowboys never went away. Dak Prescott threw for over 400 yards to keep Dallas in the game. But like fans have seen for many years, Tom Brady got the ball back with about 3 minutes left in the game. Once he had the ball in his hands the Buccaneers never looked back and kicked the game-winning field goal to secure the first win of the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
The first NFL Sunday included a powerhouse matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. The Bills and Steelers both entered the season coming off division titles with high hopes for this year. Josh Allen and the Bills led at the half 10-0, behind the dominant Bills defense. But Big Ben and the Steelers outscored Buffalo 23-6 in the second half and earned the Week 1 win.
Senior Theology teacher and Bills fan Mrs. Slaby was disappointed in the Week 1 result.
“The Bills’ offense looked really out of sync, she said. After Pittsburgh had a punt block returned for a touchdown, Mrs. Slaby said it “took all of her interest out of the game.”
Cleveland Browns vs. Kanas City Chiefs
One of the most highly anticipated matchups from Week 1 was the Cleveland Browns taking on the Kansas City Chiefs, a rematch of last year’s divisional round playoff game. The Browns’ offense was looking dangerous in the first half, scoring 22 points while the defense did its job, holding Kansas City to just 10 points. But they could only keep Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs quiet for so long, as the Chiefs scored 23 points in the second half in a comeback win.
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots hosted the Dolphins in a classic AFC east matchup that included two young former Alabama quarterbacks in Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa. Knowing these two teams, many expected a low-scoring, defensive battle, and that’s exactly what they delivered. The Patriots had the ball deep in Miami territory down by a point with about 3 minutes left. Then, Patriots running back Damian Harris fumbled the ball, and the Dolphins recovered, sealing the win for Miami 17-16.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Monday Night Football opened with an instant classic. For the first time, the Raiders played in front of a packed Allegiant Stadium. The crowd brought the energy, and the Raiders didn’t fail to deliver. With 35 seconds left, the Ravens and Lamar Jackson drove down the field to set up a Justin Tucker field goal and take a 27-24 lead. But in just two plays, Derek Carr led the raiders down the field, and Daniel Carlson kicked a game-tying 55-yard field goal at the end of regulation.
Overtime was bizarre. The Raiders won the coin toss, and thought they won the game on an opening drive strike from Derek Carr to Bryan Edwards, but he was ruled down a yard short of the end zone. Following a penalty, the Raiders then turned the ball over two plays later and gave the Ravens a shot to win in overtime. The Raiders’ defense stood tall, forcing Lamar Jackson to fumble for the second time in the game. Derek Carr and the Raiders took advantage, scoring a TD to Zay Jones three plays later, giving the Raiders the overtime win.
Cathedral Prep Journalism teacher and Raiders diehard Mr. Hubert came into class with excitement on Tuesday after he watched his Raiders take down the Ravens in what he said was “an insane game.” He added that he wasn’t feeling too good after the Raiders turned it over in overtime but was ecstatic once the Raiders finally won the game “in which it felt like they had already won and lost it four times before.”
Other Week 1 scores:
- Seahawks 28, Colts 16
- Jaguars 21, Texans 37
- Eagles 32, Falcons 6
- Chargers 20, Football Team 16
- 49ers 41, Lions 33
- Vikings 24, Bengals 27
- Jets 14, Panthers 19
- Cardinals 38, Titans 13
- Broncos 27, Giants 13
- Packers 3, Saints 38
- Bears 14, Rams 34
The NFL never fails to excite its fans, and with stadiums back at full capacity, this season should be even more fun. Week 2 kicks off with the Giants facing off against the Washington Football Team tomorrow night. Then, Sunday has a bunch of good games including Raiders vs. Steelers, Seahawks vs. Titans, and Chiefs vs Ravens.