The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season was supposed to be the start of a brilliant new era for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears. With Aaron Rodgers now calling New York home, the Bears were supposed to take advantage of an inexperienced Jordan Love. They were supposed to announce their presence to the NFC North and the rest of the league.
Instead, the Packers laid an absolute beatdown. The 38-20 final score was not nearly indicative of how Green Bay outpaced and outclassed Chicago in every facet. And as the Packers notch their ninth straight win in an extended 30-year run of dominance over their rival, it’s fair to wonder: Are Love and Co. about to tack on another 15 years to that number?
It’s only Week 1, but that’s how atrocious the Bears looked in every phase. I would not be remotely surprised if 30 years became 45, then 60 …
But Week 1 wasn’t bad news for everyone. Well, it was still bad for Patrick Peterson after talking so much trash about Brock Purdy. But, again, some people did have fun weeks!
Let’s have some fun and hand out awards from a truly wild and unpredictable opening NFL Sunday.
Best job of maintaining dominance in a rivalry: The Packers and Jordan Love in Chicago
Bears-Packers was close for a half before Love and the Packers predictably blew it wide open, making plays like this in a commanding 38-20 win:
An unbelievable recovery and pass down field by @jordan3love 👏
📺: #GBvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/Q0tWFo9tge— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
Worst job of trying to hype up a new starting QB with a musical: FOX with Jordan Love
I still can’t believe someone thought an actor playing Love singing “I’m Just Ken” would be a good idea:
How down bad are the Packers since Aaron Rodgers left???
The Packers had Jordan Love perform a theatrical number to express the pressure he's facing with living up to Rodger's legendary status in Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/tEI6S430Mz
— Bartholomew Willijax (@B_Willijax) September 10, 2023
Best job of keeping the Cardinals' unofficial tank job going: Kyzir White on this dirty hit on Sam Howell
We were MINUTES into the season and White took this reckless cheap shot. There’s no place in the game for plays like this:
Sam Howell scrambled and took a SHOT at the end of the run.
He popped up and appears to be okay.#HTTC | @Sam7Howell pic.twitter.com/dmexedue3h
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) September 10, 2023
Worst job of trash talking a better team and QB: Patrick Peterson against Brock Purdy and the 49ers
I mean, my goodness. It’s been a while since trash talk like this blew up in someone’s face so horrifically:
Brandon Aiyuk is back to running nasty routes 😮
📺: #SFvsPIT on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/uvYRoJhivU— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
Best job of saving a horrific Sunday of poorly-played football: The Dolphins and Chargers in an instant classic
36-34? In Week 1? In a week filled with gross quarterback play? Thank the heavens for Miami and Los Angeles.
TUA TO TYREEK. THIS COMBO.
DOLPHINS TAKE THE LEAD.
📺: #MIAvsLAC on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/OboJsspwD0— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
Best job of understanding he's in immediate danger: Geno Smith when he saw Aaron Donald coming at him
Smith knows the deal. There are few more terrifying sights in football than an unblocked Aaron Donald:
Geno Smith yelling "OH MY GOD" as Aaron Donald sprints at him (r @Brook_Weber) pic.twitter.com/Azk1XN9FTn
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 10, 2023
Best job of ringing in the new year with a trademark stiff arm: Derrick Henry
Another year and another season of Henry making grown men look absolutely silly in the open field with his brute strength:
FIRST STIFF-ARM OF THE SEASON FRON @KingHenry_2 👑
📺: Watch #TENvsNO on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lwrZLK1vde
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 10, 2023
Best job of backing his QB up after an awful INT: Justin Jefferson on this hit
You gotta hand it to Justin Jefferson. Apparently, he’s a great receiver AND linebacker. Kirk Cousins should count himself extremely fortunate:
Justin Jefferson confirmed best wide receiver and linebacker in the league
(Watch the hit) pic.twitter.com/ayUbrhuQBa
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 10, 2023
Worst job of keeping a play alive: Deshaun Watson on this all-time bad INT
Deshaun Watson — who once faced more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct in what the NFL would later characterize as predatory behavior — is going to want this throw back:
Deshaun Watson just threw one of the worst INTs you'll see all year pic.twitter.com/1EniiSeysf
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) September 10, 2023
Best job of living up to the hype right away: Bijan Robinson on this beautiful TD run
Call it a hunch, but I think he’s going to be EXTREMELY good, perhaps even special. What a hot take, I know:
Welcome to the @NFL, @Bijan5Robinson!
📺: FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/yHKxx8fed4
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 10, 2023
Best job of playing to the whistle: The Colts on this bizarre defensive TD
Every JV football coach in America loved seeing DeForest Buckner not give up on this play. Every JV football coach in America was also scratching their head at Tank Bigsby. DON’T. STOP. PLAYING:
Great heads up football by @DeForestBuckner, and the TD stands! 😮
📺: #JAXvsIND on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/42JHr2dWPe— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
Worst job of mounting a credible comeback: Mike Vrabel and his cowardly FG decision
The Titans could’ve won! They had a real chance to score a touchdown! But Vrabel turtled like a coward when his team needed more from the sideline:
Titans kick on 4th-and-6 with 2:20 left at Saints 11.
WP Go: 33.0%
WP Kick: 23.7%A massive, massive error according to our model.
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 10, 2023
