1. Robert Griffin III looked impressive in his NFL debut.  After botching a handoff on the previous drive, Griffin led the Redskins down the field with impunity.  He eventually got a Pierre Garcon touchdown on a wide receiver screen.  Griffin showed uncanny poise in the pocket for a rookie and seems to have good chemistry with Garcon.
  2. After just one carry, Ryan Mathews left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.  The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that Mathews has a broken clavicle and will be out for 4-6 weeks.  This is bad news for the Chargers as Mike Tolbert signed with the Panthers this offseason.  This is also awful news for people who drafted Ryan Mathews way to high (like me) in fantasy football.  He has been hyped up as the next great running back, but for now, his injury woes continue.
  3. Peyton Manning came out throwing for Denver.  Manning looked like the Manning of old; making checks, shuffling around in the pocket, and completing passes.  All of Manning’s short passes had a good zip to them and he was on target throwing down the field.  He was never under pressure and therefore never hit, so no questions about his durability have been answered.  The only stain on Manning’s opener is a tip interception on a pass he threw a little behind his tight end.
  4. One of the biggest storylines so far is an injury to Michael Vick.  After releasing a pass during the 2nd quarter, Vick’s hand hit the back of one of his lineman’s helmets.  Vick appeared to be in a lot of pain as he went to the sidelines and did not return to the game.  Apparently the injury is to his thumb.  So far the x-rays have been negative and Vick said he hopes to practice on Saturday
  5. Julio Jones and Matt Ryan seem to have developed some serious chemistry.  They connected a number of times including once for a touchdown.
  6.  Tale of two rookies:  Patriot’s rookie tackle Mike Adams looked awful and his mistakes were constantly putting Tom Brady under pressure.  Charger’s number one pick Melvin Ingram put on a strong showing in his first game.
  7. Both New England linebacker Dane Fletcher and Pittsburgh fullback Dave Johnson tore their ACL’s.
  8. The replacement refs made a couple obvious mistakes but the refereeing was not awful.

 


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