The NFL wasted no time in returning to its high-octane, dramatic and generally chaotic self in week one of the 2022 season.
An offseason littered with high-profile trades and free agent signings led to the birth of numerous narratives ahead of the opening week, from quarterback moves to the sensational retirement-unretirement of the iconic Tom Brady. Many wondered how Patrick Mahomes would fare without Tyreek Hill following the receiver’s move to Miami, but it appears both men will be just fine.
Sky Sports NFL presenter Neil Reynolds is a big fan of narratives and storylines, but he is chiefly enamoured by the league’s unrelenting drama on the field. The first slate of action ensured the NFL hit the ground running ahead of an 18-week season.
“It always feels like Christmas morning when you get to Sunday of week one and the games are about to kick off - and it delivered,” Reynolds exclusively told Mirror Sport. “It will continue to deliver week after week.
“We try to predict what’s going to happen in the NFL but there will be storylines we couldn’t even dream of come October, November and December. I’m very happy it’s back and it was a good start to the season.”
Reynolds was right: last week did feel like Christmas morning. As smooth as Santa Claus sliding down a chimney, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick delivered not one but two gifts as he intercepted Joe Burrow and returned it for a touchdown before making the game-saving block on Evan McPherson’s field goal.
Burrow ultimately struggled as he put in one of the worst first half performances in NFL history en route to four interceptions. Reynolds pointed to Cincinnati’s offensive line as the chief culprit for his troubles, which was a running theme as the Bengals stormed to the Super Bowl last season.
“Joe Burrow struggled because he got sacked seven times - again,” Reynolds exclaimed. “That’s an issue that has to be fixed and yet, he still should have won the game. The extra point is blocked and yeah, the Steelers missed a field goal - but Evan McPherson was ice cold in the playoffs and he missed a 29-yard attempt!
“You never know what’s going to happen from Sunday to Sunday.”
The Bengals loss to the Steelers was the pick of the early window, but if that was akin to Christmas morning, then the late games resembled lunch. No turkey, but there was enough for any fan to sink their teeth into as Sunday delivered an unending feast of football: the New York Giants - who had won just 22 times over the last five seasons - emerged victorious during a frantic clash in Tennessee, while the LA Chargers topped the Las Vegas Raiders as Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs crushed the Arizona Cardinals.
Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers made light work of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football and the Seattle Seahawks spoiled Russell Wilson’s homecoming on his Denver Broncos debut. Denver have gone through 11 starting quarterbacks since Peyton Manning left and they haven’t returned to the playoffs since, so there will be expectant fans calling for improvement when the Broncos host the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Reynolds believes results like Monday’s defeat will only serve to increase the pressure on Wilson and head coach Nathaniel Hackett given what the franchise offered to secure the quarterback’s services.
“The win over Denver will boost the Seahawks’ belief - but it also heaps pressure on the quarterbacks on the other teams that lost those games,” Reynolds added. “Look at what Denver gave up for Russell Wilson. There's only one reason reason you give up all of that collateral: Wilson has to deliver a Super Bowl win for the Denver Broncos. It’s only one game but it just turns that pressure up a little bit.”
The plight of Wilson and other quarterbacks during the opening week is particularly interesting given the narratives surrounding them heading into 2022. Reynolds offered insight into what a number of new signal-callers represent at their respective franchises, and suggested several stars must deliver if they want to avoid coal in their stocking come actual Christmas morning.
“Some of these quarterbacks are supposed to be the final pieces for teams,” Reynolds exclaimed. “The Broncos were desperate and gave up a lot because it’s Russell Wilson, while the Indianapolis Colts haven't had an answer at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired three years ago.
“They keep rolling through veteran quarterbacks, and now they believe they've got the team to compete and the quarterback is Matt Ryan. He has to deliver a win on the road against Houston.
“Even the Cleveland Browns were so desperate [to add a quarterback] that they held their nose to avoid the stench of 24 sexual assault cases to sign Deshaun Watson to a record breaking contract. Neutrals no longer want to cheer for them anymore. It will be interesting to see how these quarterback dramas play out.”
Amid the uncertain quarterback play around the NFL, there remains one constant; it was time to talk about Brady. After somewhat boldly asking his age to segue onto the timeless wonder of the GOAT, Reynolds - who laughed at the transition - suggested he hopes he is presenting at as high a level as Brady is performing on the pitch at age 45.
However, he did question the impact of off-field drama on the quarterback’s form amid plenty of questions surrounding his personal life. Reynolds added: “He retired and came back. He took 11 days off in training camp. Maybe I’m reading way too much into it.
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“Ultimately, Brady looks 25 and throws it like he’s 25. The velocity he gets on his throws is incredible. It’s unfair. Get on that TB12 method! We’re definitely living in historic NFL times. It’s quite incredible what he is achieving.”
With the NFL’s continued International expansion around the world, it is clear that we are indeed living in historic times for the sport. It is also an exciting time to be an NFL fan even with all the off-field narratives stripped away, as the product on the turf continues to deliver.
In 2021, the playoffs were wide open and proved to be thrilling for neutrals and fans alike. Reynolds - who picked the ‘complete’ Buffalo Bills as the best team in the NFL following their 31-10 win over the Rams in Los Angeles - believes this will be another crowded road to Super Bowl LVII.
“This is going to be a 10 or 12 team race to the Super Bowl,” Reynolds concluded with a palpable hint of excitement in his voice. “You could argue that means there isn't a great team out there, but I think it's fantastic drama. We just don't know. There are are there are a number of teams that can win it this year.”
Fans can watch Neil Reynolds on Sky Sports NFL every Sunday at 6pm. Sky Sports is the home of the NFL in the UK with over 100 live fixtures this season.
