Best Highlights, Facts, & Takeaways From NFL Sunday Week 1

The NFL’s first week of the 2021 season was an exciting reintroduction to the most physically entertaining sport in the world. Fresh faces made lasting first impressions even though all three rookie QBs (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, & Mac Jones) took a loss, while proven veterans continued to show why they are who they are. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs led another signature comeback victory against the Cleveland Browns after Baker Mayfield‘s game-sealing INT to Mike Hughes.

Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston both enjoyed big season debuts to start the 2021 MVP chatter early. Matthew Stafford made a statement with a tremendous Rams debut on SNF and the Bengals-Vikings OT thriller ended up being the best game of the day. The Russell Wilson-Tyler Lockett connection continues to be as strong as ever and Sam Darnold got his revenge against his old team. Rookie WRs had a historically good showing with all three of the top drafted wideouts finding the end zone to kickstart their promising careers.

Best plays from 2021 NFL Week 1 https://t.co/DWOS2seHXG
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 14, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

Cleveland Browns extended their NFL record with a 17th consecutive season-opening loss (0-16-1)
Mahomes extended his NFL record for the most consecutive TD (35) without an INT during a calendar month in NFL history
2021 NFL Week 1 featured the most QB’s (12) making their 1st GS with a new team during 1 Week in NFL history
Last 14 No.1 overall pick QBs are now 0-13-1 in their 1st career GS since 2003, with David Carr in 2002 being the last winner
Trevor Lawrence took his 1st regular-season loss since before High School (38-0) and College (31-0)
2021 NFL Week 1 featured the most rookie QB’s (4) recording their 1st career PASS TD in the same week since 1970 merger
Aaron Rodgers had the lowest PASS RTG (36.8) by a reigning NFL MVP in his 1st game of the next season in NFL history
Jameis Winston is the 1st player to record 5+ PASS TD & under 150 PASS YDS during 1 GP in NFL history
Jameis is the 1st QB with 5+ PASS TD & 0 INT during his 1st career GS with a new team in NFL season-opening history
Mac Jones recorded the most PASS YDS (281) during his NFL debut in New England Patriots history
2021 is the 1st season with 3+ rookie 1st Rd WR’s (Chase, Waddle, Smith) recording a REC TD in Week 1 since 1967
Chandler Jones recorded the t-most SK (5) during 1 GP in Arizona Cardinals history, tying Haason Reddick
Most REC YDS by a Bengals rookie in NFL debut: 1. Chase (101), 2. Jordan Shipley (82), 3. Peter Warrick (80)
Kyler Murray is the 1st Cardinals player with 4+ PASS TD & 1+ Rush TD during 1 GP since 1962
Highest team PPG among starting QBs since 1950: 1. Mahomes (31.4), 2. Lamar (30.6), 3. TB12 (28.2), 4. Jimmy G (28.2)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

KYLER MURRAY & JAMEIS WINSTON ARE LEGITIMATE MVP CANDIDATES

COLORS KEY | FULL SAINTS OUTLOOK

The biggest story coming out of NFL Week 1 is the impressive performances from Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston. Two former No.1 picks in very different situations entering the season. Kyler could have the worst year of his career and still be guaranteed to be the opening day starter next year without any competition. However, Winston will need to have the best season of his pro career to keep his job in New Orleans.

Each of the former CFB Heisman Trophy winners showcased their massive potential with 5-TD performances against two teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Kyler diced up the Titans with his arm and legs, making it look like a video game with how easy he was able to succeed. The Saints offense actually collected more yards on the ground than through the air but Winston finished every drive with a PASS TD and most importantly, post-lasik Jameis played mistake-free football that that has some seeing MVP.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Unreal plays by Kyler Murray

Off his back foot. @K1 drops a DIME for his 3rd TD pass of the day! @ckirk #AZCardinals

📺: #AZvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/iluWB4zrhD
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Kyler’s playmaking ability is unreal. @K1 #AZCardinals

📺: #AZvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/st94I91csz
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Tyrod taking over in Texas

Tyrod going DEEP! #WeAreTexans

📺: #JAXvsHOU on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/Gpjj1unbhQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Matt Stafford’s statement Wk1

WELCOME TO LA, MATT STAFFORD 🔥

(via @NFLBrasil)pic.twitter.com/pA2xEnu48n
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 13, 2021

STAFFORD HAS THE LAUNCH CODES
pic.twitter.com/reOnfEKYxj
— PFF (@PFF) September 13, 2021

Russ to Lockett money as always

Nothing more automatic than Russ and Lockett. #Seahawks

📺: #SEAvsIND on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/RVwFmkftyE
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

DIALING UP THE DEEP BALL: @DangeRussWilson + @TDLockett12 connect again! #Seahawks

📺: #SEAvsIND on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/kphVSAFLJh
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Terry Mac somehow caught this

Terry McLaurin HOLY COW. This is absurd. pic.twitter.com/hBUgPHwu2V
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 12, 2021

Wild Bengals-Vikings game

EVAN ALMIGHTY!

Visit https://t.co/KpeqK4RKUm for more highlights. pic.twitter.com/OqO09pQSzZ
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 12, 2021

BURROW!

Pure onions on 4th down in overtime. #RuleTheJungle | @Bengals

📺: #MINvsCIN on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/xrUCpx0fQ5
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

GREG JOSEPH CASHES THE OVER (47.5) AND SENDS THE VIKINGS TO OVERTIME #MINvsCIN pic.twitter.com/VHSJPkK2Z3
— PFF NFL Podcast (@PFFNFLPod) September 12, 2021

BURROW.
CHASE.
SIX FOR CINCY.

Right where they left off at @LSUFootball.@JoeyB | @real10jayy__ | @Bengals

📺: #MINvsCIN on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/8TGbksVvAJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Jameis looking good in NOLA

JAMEIS WINSTON HAS FIVE TOUCHDOWN PASSES. #Saints

📺: #GBvsNO on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/bqrTNmxwLe
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

14 completions. 20 attemps. FIVE @Jaboowins TOUCHDOWNS.

The man couldn't be stopped in Week 1. ⚜️🙌

(by @CourtyardHotels) pic.twitter.com/2Iae9URtIf
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2021

KC sealed comeback win v. CLE

Mike Hughes seals the win for the @Chiefs! #ChiefsKingdom #CLEvsKC pic.twitter.com/MjTbeBiYVL
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Only @PatrickMahomes and @Cheetah... WOW.

📺: #CLEvsKC on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/gUGq3ez4xb
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

They had to get 1 vs. the Jets

DARNOLD TO ANDERSON!

Just like old times. #KeepPounding @Panthers | @chosen1ra

📺: #NYJvsCAR on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/rrUVjnrXfT
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Dolphins game-sealing FF in NE

Huge takeaway by the @MiamiDolphins defense.

Miami takes over up one with 3:31 to go. #FinsUp

📺: #MIAvsNE on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/o3BdlvXGYz
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Melvin Gordon hit the burners

70-yard HOUSE CALL ☎️ @Melvingordon25 #BroncosCountry

📺: #DENvsNYG on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/lhBd7Ame3W
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Chandler Jones was a PROBLEM

Chandler Jones is having himself a day. That’s four sacks and two forced fumbles for the #AZCardinals pass-rusher! @chanjones55

📺: #AZvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/AncrIuaw6N
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

What’s better than four @chanjones55 sacks? FIVE. #AZCardinals

📺: #AZvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/SCqhTrdEFX
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

Best rookie plays in Week 1