NFL: Thoughts At First Sight

Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season is in the books. We’ve had a few surprises, a few disappointments, and a well awaited debut cut short. The one thing I’ve always prided myself on that not many can say themselves is, I try to never overreact after one week, especially at the beginning of the season like most people do. However, I do have some “thoughts at first sight” after the opening week.

Let’s start with the Cleveland Browns as they opened their season by yet again beating their in-state rival the Cincinnati Bengals by a final score of 24-3. The offense looked competent, but the defense looked downright incredible! My thought at first sight with them is if they can stay healthy, continue to get better, and come with that same aggression every week, they could be one of, if not the best defense in the NFL this season. On top of that, after what I saw from the rest, I trust the Browns right now to win the AFC North over any of the others on a quick glance.

We know now the Kansas City Chiefs opened their season at home and lost to the visiting Detroit Lions 21-20 at Arrowhead Stadium. KC had to do it without star Tight End Travis Kelce who was a late scratch due to injury. A lot of people are doing that quick to react thing and writing the defending Super Bowl champs off already. I however am not one of those people. Travis Kelce will eventually return to the lineup, and let’s not forget that they still have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Until those guys prove over time they can’t, I’ll stick with the fact that they will figure it out.

Last but not least I give you the Miami Dolphins. They opened their season with a victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. Miami traveled to the west coast on opening weekend to defeat Justin Herbert and company 36-34. This ‘thought at first site’ doesn’t have anything to do with the Dolphins team as a whole. It is about their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He finished that game going 28/45 for 466 yards, and 3 touchdowns. I’m here to say it. If he stays healthy and out of concussion protocol this year, he WILL be a finalist and in the final discussion for league MVP this season. He’s clearly got the talent, and he clearly has the weapons, now he just needs to stay upright and on the field.