The first week of 2015 NFL action is coming to a close, with three games remaining in prime time on Sunday and Monday. In the meantime, we have our first crack at NFL storylines. Plenty is going to change by the end of the season, and very well could change as soon as next week. Remember that a year ago at this time, the San Francisco 49ers were coming off a thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins had handled their business against the New England Patriots.
We can't jump to too many conclusions quite yet, but I figured I'd take a look at some of the fallout for the NFC West from Week 1 Sunday action. It will be fascinating to see how much different things are when the season comes to an end.
Rams 34, Seahawks 31
I took the Rams as a 4-point home underdog. I figured their defensive line could do serious damage to the Seahawks Swiss cheese offensive line. They did find some success, but this game went different than even I expected. It was a tight affair early on, and then a Tavon Austin punt return seemed to set the Rams up for a big win. Instead, they stumbled down the stretch and the Seahawks tied it to force overtime.
And then this happened to start overtime:
After the game, Pete Carroll and Steven Hauschka both said the kick was mis-hit. It sounds like it was supposed to be a chip over the first line of defenders and Hauschka just messed it up.
Whatever the case, the Rams won following this play. They kicked a field goal, and then stopped the Seahawks on a 4th and 1 Marshawn Lynch run. They are now tied with the Arizona Cardinals atop the NFC West!
Cardinals 31, Saints 19
This one was back-and-forth for a while, but the Cardinals pulled away late. The Saints defense remains awful, the Cardinals offense could be interesting. John Brown had a big touchdown, and rookie running back David Johnson flashed some crazy speed late in the game. Carson Palmer was a big question coming off an ACL injury, but if he can build on this game, Arizona is a legitimate threat to win the NFC West.
The big issue to come out of this is that Andre Ellington suffered a knee injury. Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers is reporting it might be a PCL injury.
Final scores
Packers 31, Bears 23
Chiefs 27, Texans 20
Jets 31, Browns 10
Bills 27, Colts 14
Dolphins 17, Washington 10
Panthers 20, Jaguars 9
Rams 34, Seahawks 31
Cardinals 31, Saints 19
Chargers 33, Lions 28
Broncos 19, Ravens 13
Bengals 33, Raiders 13
Titans 42, Buccaneers 14