The Football Special: we're back!

Bills vs. Rams: Season opener

This game looked like it was going to be a hard-fought, close game, until it wasn't. And Josh Allen did Josh Allen things. The Rams still tried, though. Los Angeles went into halftime after tying the game at 10-10, and then they didn't score once from there, as Buffalo took this one at a score of 31-10.

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers

This game was a story of turnovers. Not much can be said other than both teams were fumbling the ball and throwing picks. The tide shifted late in the game, when Matthew Stafford threw a couple interceptions in a row, and Josh and the Bills capitalized on those mistakes greatly. This didn't stop Cooper Kupp from having a particularly great game, however. What's new?

Players of the game

• Josh Allen: He threw 2 picks, but he still ended with an 84% completion rate and some key plays, including one rushing and three passing touchdowns.

• Cooper Kupp: Effectively the only guy to show up for the Rams, having their only touchdown along with 13 catches for 128 yards on 15 targets.

• Von Miller: Miller ended the game with three tackles for loss with two sacks, playing a large part facing his former team in his first game with the Bills.

Micah Hyde also tossed a flare, which was cool.

Week 1 takeaways

• The Bills are here for revenge. Don't be surprised if you see them go on a long streak and come away with the 1- seed in the AFC.

• The Rams did not have a good showing, but I wouldn't be too worried, because the Bills might be the best team in the NFL. This will probably happen a lot for their opponents.

• Jameis Winston is a winning QB, and the Buccaneers system was holding him back. The first half did not look well, but he came up big time in the clutch.

• As much turmoil as their offense is going through, the Steelers still have an elite defense, up until the point where T.J. Watt had a pectoral injury, and Najee Harris was knocked out, which will hurt them badly.

• The Bengals are not unstoppable. They will need a big season from all of their players to make a return to the Super Bowl.

• Is Bill Belichick's reign over? Probably not, because he's Bill Belichick, but the Patriots are suffering without Tom Brady once again.

• Tyreek Hill looked amazing on the field for the Dolphins, and he is going to really help Tua throughout the season.

• Lamar Jackson needs to get paid. He is the top tier quarterback that everyone has said he is for years.

• Trevor Lawrence looked better with at least a somewhat competent coaching staff. He'll be good in the NFL, last year should not represent his career at all.

• Saquon Barkley is back and better than ever! The Giants may win more than four games this year if he can do this consistently, but it's not enough to just have a powerful RB. This team still needs a reset.

• The Packers aren't in trouble. They lost in week 1 last year. I see them taking a step back without Davante Adams, but they have the back-to-back reigning MVP on their team.

• I'm scared of this Vikings team. Kirk is an A-tier QB, they have a top-3 receiver in Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook is up there with the best runningbacks. Watch out for this team possibly making a run deep into the playoffs.

• Patrick Mahomes benefited from Tyreek Hill. He does not need Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs are still a top-2 team in the AFC with the Bills, and possibly the best.

• The Raiders have a very strong team. Carr is a good QB and Davante Adams is a top-3 receiver, so this could be a very strong offense throughout the season.

• The Cowboys' season is over. Dak Prescott is out for a minimum of six weeks, and their offense wasn't running well even with him at QB.

• The Broncos' coaching needs a LOT of work. The Broncos had an awful showing, in no part by Russell Wilson.

• Pete Carroll is still an amazing head coach for the Seahawks.

Season award overreactions

MVP

Patrick Mahomes is the best football player in the world. He started the season with a league-leading 360 yards and five passing touchdowns, which doesn't surprise me at all, because he is Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is currently the leader in the MVP race, and there's no reason that he'll slow down. - Not an overreaction

OPOY

Saquon Barkley balled out in his first game of the season, but this isn't sustainable. He will be very good, and possibly one of the best runningbacks this season, but this award will have to be forced on him by actually forcing the ball into his hands at an incredibly high rate every single game. - Overreaction

DPOY

Khalil Mack recorded three sacks and a forced fumble in his first game with the Chargers on his way to a 19-24 win against one of his former teams, the Las Vegas Raiders. Mack looked amazing in this first game and I could see production at least close to this continuing throughout the entire season, possibly receiving his second defensive player of the year award. - Not an overreaction

ROTY

Jahan Dotson had a very promising debut, bringing in three catches for 40 yards, two of which were touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown. I was impressed and he is definitely among the front-runners for rookie of the year, but I wouldn't bet on it because of how volatile rookies can be. - Not an overreaction / unsure

CPOY

Derrick Henry had a solid first game back, doing Derrick Henry things. I believe that Henry is the front-runner for comeback player of the year, and even a solid season should clinch that award for him, unless Michael Thomas has an absolutely outstanding year. - Not an overreaction

Notable injuries

Dak Prescott most likely out for 7-9 weeks

Dallas Cowboys star QB Dak Prescott fractured his thumb this past Sunday during their loss to the Buccaneers. He underwent a successful surgery following the injury. Prescott is not being placed on injured reserve, and is expected to return on either Week 8 or Week 10 following the Cowboys' bye. Owner Jerry Jones optimistically hopes for a return in the next 4 weeks following a successful surgery. The Cowboys have not placed Prescott on the IL.

Elijah Mitchell out for two months

San Francisco 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell suffered a sprained MCL during their loss to the Bears. He is expected to be out for two months. Mitchell was knocked out in the second quarter after a diving tackle by safety Eddie Jackson. Mitchell finished the drive, lasting almost three more minutes, which concluded with a touchdown by Deebo Samuel.

Tee Higgins concussion

Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins suffered a concussion during their loss to the Steelers, and is hopeful to play against the Raiders next Sunday.

A quick wrap-up for the week

Pujols counter: 697 with 19 games left. He is now 4th all-time!

Judge counter: 57 with 19 games left. Will he pass Maris?

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina have now started 325 games together as a battery, a record that will never be broken ever again!

Clinched teams

The Dodgers are the first team to officially clinch a playoff spot (and their division)!

Eliminated teams

Nationals, Reds, Pirates, Tigers, Athletics

Sorry for only having football this week, I just wanted to do an extended special to kick off the 22-23 NFL season. More sports will be back for the next episode!

My playoff picks are already ruined by the Dak Prescott injury. This is why I don't bet on sports.

Thanks for reading!