NFL Kickoff

(image via The Tower)

The NFL finally returned this past weekend and it started with a bang. There were several head-turning games this first NFL weekend, and some teams already look promising.
​by Drew Caraway and Sean Clift

(Kamil Krzaczynski/AP Photo)

The NFL finally returned this past weekend and it started with a bang. The first game was a nail-biting Ravens vs Chiefs game, which was very close. The Eagles and Packers played on Friday and ended with a close Eagles victory, 34-29. There were several head-turning games this first NFL weekend, and some teams already look promising.
Scores * via ESPN *

• (Thursday Night Football) Ravens 20-27 Chiefs
• (Friday Night Football in Brazil) Packers 29-34 Eagles

1:00 Games

• Steelers 18-10 Falcons 
• Saints 47-10 Panthers
• Vikings 28-6 Giants
• Titans 17-24 Bears
• Patriots 16-10 Bengals
• Texans 29-27 Colts
• Bills 34-28 Cardinals
• Dolphins 20-17 Jaguars

4:00 Games

• Raiders 10-22 Chargers
• Broncos 20-26 Seahawks
• Dallas 33-17 Browns
• Commanders 20-37 Buccaneers
• (Sunday Night Football) Rams 20-26 Lions (OT)
• (Monday Night Football) Jets 19-32 49ers

Notable Injuries * via USAToday *
Fantasy Football team owners, look away. The injury report for Week 1 was filled with big names.

• Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers, Out for 3-6 weeks
• Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills, Expected to Play vs. Dolphins on TNF
• Russell Wilson, QB, Steelers, Out first week from calf injury, Status for Week 2 Unknown
• Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers, Doubtful to Play vs. Vikings on MNF
• Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears, Injury Status Unknown
• Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams, Injury Status Unknown
• David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns, Injury Status Unknown
• Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys, Unknown for Week 2 vs. Saints
• Derrick Brown, DT, Carolina Panthers, Injury Status Unknown

Walnut Grove’s Insight
The Walnut Grove student body provides insight into the first week of a long NFL season. 

Cristofer Brown-Sanchez, 11, talks about Caleb Williams and the Super Bowl matchup. “It’s [Caleb Williams's] first start in the NFL. It will take time for him to warm up playing against starters. Considering he just came out from college, and he’s doing pretty good in the NFL, I think he has a good career ahead... I got the Eagles and Texans [playing] in the Super Bowl. That would be a cool game to watch.”
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Jason Cone, 11, talks about Thursday Night’s game and the Chiefs chances at a 3-peat. “[The] Chiefs are lucky and that’s how they have always been. [The] Ravens are a better team. It’s always the Chiefs and the refs.” He continues with a quick and precise answer, “No, the Texans and Cowboys exist.”

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(Shawn Hubbard/Baltimore Ravens Photos)

Isaiah Likely Can’t Get In for the Win
The catch that could have tied, or even solidified the win for the Ravens was counted as incomplete. The determining factor is Isaiah Likely’s foot being on the out-of-bounds line. 
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When asked about the catch, Cristofer Brown-Sanchez explained, “It sucks he was out of bounds, but the Ravens shouldn’t have let it come down to that. The Ravens shouldn’t have let it come down to one throw.” 

After one week, the NFL has already had many exciting games. Surely there’s much more to come in this season. The second week of the 2024 NFL Season will kick off Thursday Night Football with a Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins AFC East Battle at HardRock Stadium in Miami.

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