Week 1 of the NFL regular season was a week full of surprises, comeback victories and players who impressed in their respective team's wins and losses. This article will highlight 16 individual performances, one from each game, that highlighted each matchup during the first week of September.
Packers vs. Seahawks: Richard Sherman
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Packers vs. Seahawks: Richard Sherman
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Although Sherman was not targeted a single time, he still impacted this game; the Packers' entire gameplan revolved around not getting the ball near Sherman. Credit Sherman's reputation and the Packers' horrific play-calling and strategy for this performance. Teams will not try this strategy again, as it clearly did not work against a strong Seahawks (nor would it work against a majority of the teams in the NFL).
Saints vs. Falcons: Matt Ryan
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Saints vs. Falcons: Matt Ryan
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The Falcons were bad in the first half, but they played like a playoff contender in the second half, coming back against a Saints team that had a top five offense and defense in 2013. Matt Ryan was responsible for this comeback. Ryan distributed the ball to many receivers, getting each player involved. Five Falcons receivers tallied at least 50 receiving yards in this game, and Ryan threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns.
Bengals vs. Ravens: Wallace Gilberry
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Bengals vs. Ravens: Wallace Gilberry
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Anyone who watched the game between the Bengals and Ravens knows that the Bengals should have blown out the Ravens in this matchup. The Bengals failed to convert five field goals into at least one touchdown; in fact, A.J. Green's 77-yard TD grab, the Bengals' only TD, won the game at 23-16 despite their six total scoring drives. Gilberry recorded back-to-back sacks on third and fourth down of the Ravens' final drive, sealing Cincinnati's victory.
Bills vs. Bears: E.J. Manuel
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Bills vs. Bears: E.J. Manuel
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On Sunday, E.J. Manuel looked surprisingly efficient, despite the fact that he was playing against a subpar Bears defense. Manuel completed 16 out of his 22 passes, passing for a touchdown and scoring a touchdown on the ground. Manuel posted a passer rating of 91.7 and only threw one interception. Helping guide the Bills to a road victory at Soldier Field gives Manuel a spot on this list of the league's 16 most outstanding performances.
Redskins vs. Texans: Arian Foster
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Redskins vs. Texans: Arian Foster
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Foster looked like his old self on Sunday, running for 103 yards on 27 attempts. Although he didn't score a touchdown, Foster gave Texans fans and his fantasy owners hope for a return to his past elite form, potentially scoring 10-plus fantasy points each week while helping the Houston Texans win games. He's not there yet, but Foster could run for 1,000 yards this season if he avoids injury.
Titans vs. Chiefs: Jason McCourty
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Titans vs. Chiefs: Jason McCourty
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Jason McCourty has quietly grown into one of the league's most unheralded cornerbacks. People love to talk about the Sherman, Revis, Peterson, Haden argument for the league's top cornerback, even throwing Brent Grimes and Aqib Talib into the discussion, but where's the love for McCourty? The Titans CB recorded three tackles, two pass deflections and two interceptions in Week 1. The Colts better watch out; the Titans could be good this year.
Patriots vs. Dolphins: Knowshon Moreno
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Patriots vs. Dolphins: Knowshon Moreno
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Many fans were skeptical of Moreno's ability to run in an offense outside of Denver, but Moreno proved the skeptics wrong, tallying 134 yards on 24 carries. Moreno firmly established himself as not only the Dolphins' lead running back, but also as a solid running back who is not dependent on Peyton Manning. Moreno could have a big season in 2014 if the Dolphins' line plays as well as it did against New England on Sunday.
Raiders vs. Jets: Chris Ivory
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Raiders vs. Jets: Chris Ivory
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The Jets' backfield has teams around the league concerned; with the trio of Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, the Jets could potentially lead the league in rushing for the first time since 2009, when Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones led the Jets' backfield. In Sunday's game, Ivory broke off for a 71-yard touchdown run, prematurely celebrating when he reached the Raiders' 40-yard line. Ivory ended up with 102 yards on 10 carries.
Jaguars vs. Eagles: Nick Foles
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Jaguars vs. Eagles: Nick Foles
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Nick Foles scared Eagles fans and fantasy owners in the first half, losing two fumbles and throwing an interception. However, the former Arizona quarterback led the Eagles to score 34 unanswered points in the second half, while the defense also held the Jags scoreless in their 34-17 comeback victory. Foles was also sacked five times in the matchup; although he still looks like a good quarterback, Foles needs some help from his offensive line.
Browns vs. Steelers: Antonio Brown
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Browns vs. Steelers: Antonio Brown
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Brown made news on Sunday after idiotically trying to jump over Browns punter Spencer Lanning rather than running around him on his way to what would have been a punt return touchdown. Although Brown's poor attempt at a highlight-reel play was what most people noticed about his game against the Browns, Brown caught a beautiful 35-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone; he ended up with 116 receiving yards on five catches.
Vikings vs. Rams: Harrison Smith
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Vikings vs. Rams: Harrison Smith
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Harrison Smith's performance was overshadowed behind his teammate Coradelle Patterson's performance, but Smith impressed in his return from injury. In his return, Smith recorded two tackles, one pass deflection, one sack and an 81-yard pick-six, absolutely shutting down the Rams' offense. Smith has become a focal point of Mike Zimmer's revamped defense, and he looked good on Sunday.
49ers vs. Cowboys: Patrick Willis
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49ers vs. Cowboys: Patrick Willis
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Willis stepped up in teammate NaVorro Bowman's absence, making the Cowboys' offense look horrendous. Willis recorded six tackles, one pass deflection and a beautiful interception in the end zone, shown in this picture. Although the 49ers' defense looks like it will struggle without Bowman, Willis made fans forget about the 49ers' other All-Pro middle linebacker. He will look to help this defense overachieve in Bowman's absence until his return.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers: Derek Anderson
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Panthers vs. Buccaneers: Derek Anderson
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I don't think anyone envisioned Derek Anderson starting the Panthers' Week 1 division rivalry matchup against the Buccaneers, let alone winning. Anderson threw two touchdowns and posted a passer rating of 108.7. He not only accomplished this, but he led the Panthers to victory in Tampa against a decent Buccaneers defense. After resting Cam Newton for a week yet winning an away game in the division, Ron Rivera is smiling somewhere.
Colts vs. Broncos: Rahim Moore
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Colts vs. Broncos: Rahim Moore
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Rahim Moore became famous for his mental error against the Ravens, giving up a last-minute touchdown to Jacoby Jones, and ending the Broncos' playoff run in 2012. However, Moore showed up in the Broncos' Week 1 victory over the Colts. Moore recorded three tackles, deflected two passes and picked off Andrew Luck twice. Although Moore is overshadowed behind new acquisitions T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib, he could make a big impact this season.
Giants vs. Lions: Matthew Stafford
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Giants vs. Lions: Matthew Stafford
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The Lions couldn't get their running game going against the Giants, but that didn't matter; Matthew Stafford passed for 346 yards and two touchdowns, posting a passer rating of 125.3. Stafford threw passes of 20 or more yards to four different receivers, making the Giants' defense look mediocre. If Stafford becomes more consistent, the Lions could sneak into the playoffs this season, as a division champion or as a Wild Card.
Chargers vs. Cardinals: Jeremiah Attaochu
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Chargers vs. Cardinals: Jeremiah Attaochu
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The last game of Week 1 was exciting. John Brown made a case to be considered the player who stood out most, but I had to go with Chargers' reserve rookie Jeremiah Attaochu. He recorded four tackles, strip-sacked Carson Palmer and blocked a punt. Buried behind Dwight Freeney, Melvin Ingram and Jarret Johnson on the Chargers' depth chart at outside linebacker, Attaochu could become an impact starter if he keeps making big plays like these.
Connor Howe is a Cincinnati Bengals writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @CHoweSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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