The kickoff of the NFL regular season is filled with anticipation for what lies ahead for all the teams. Leading up to this point, coaches have typically played safe tactics and withheld star players, ramping up the suspense for Week 1 where strategies and key players are fully revealed. The debut week also brings to attention some standout performers. Here are five such players from Week 1 that stood out for their exceptional play.
First on the list is Saquon Barkley, the running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowler, formerly played for the New York Giants and his switch to the Eagles significantly boosted their offensive capability. In his debut, he clocked 132 scrimmage yards and scored three touchdowns. With trademark balance, body control and speed, Barkley showed his skill as a force to be reckoned with, injecting an exciting layer to the Eagles’ offensive strategy.
Baker Mayfield left his mark in the season opener, with a nearly flawless performance as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He completed 80% of his attempted passes and was responsible for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Demonstrating surgical precision, Mayfield distributed the ball to seven different pass catchers. The synergy between Mayfield and receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rachaad White proved particularly potent.
The Kansas City Chiefs fast and dynamic wide receiver Xavier Worthy impressed with his performance, showing off his 4.2 speed, which made him a standout at the NFL combine. Andy Reid’s clever plays maximized Worthy’s abilities, reminding fans of similar tactics used with DeSean Jackson – another big play specialist under Reid’s coaching.
Buffalo Bills’ Gregory Rousseau made it clear that he is ready to step up to the elite level with his dominant performance against the Cardinals. The defensive end recorded six tackles and three sacks, along with a game-changing forced fumble. With 20 career sacks to his name, and a game that is showing signs of refinement, Rousseau is poised to have a critical role in the Bills’ playoff campaign.
Lastly, Dallas Cowboys’ veteran defensive end Demarcus Lawrence turned in a remarkable performance. Lawrence harkened back to his prime form of 2017 and 2018, with a two-sack game reminiscent of his previous dominance. His showcase of energy and pass-rushing expertise coupled with Mike Zimmer’s tactics greatly amplified his impact on the game, earning him worthy recognition for his first week efforts. These player highlights from week one set a high bar for the rest of the NFL season and show a promising start to the games ahead.
