A note for new readers: Jim Monos scouted for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and served as the director of personnel for the Buffalo Bills. Today, he runs personnel for the UFL. He also co-hosts the “Real Football” podcast with me and will be writing weekly recaps each Monday, riffing on all games.
Also, subscribers can read my column from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Vikings’ stunning 39-22 comeback win over the Packers said so much about the DNA of both teams. An “unfortunate situation,” indeed, for Matt LaFleur.
By Jim Monos
Always remember, Week 1 does not matter.
That being said, let’s make some evaluations.
Who made an impact? Who surprised us — good or bad?
Seattle 13, New England 10
Looked like Drake Maye had another game lined up to win against a back-up QB after Sam Darnold went down, but Drew Lock showed toughness and delivered in big moments. Maye helped by delivering the wrong team the ball in critical moments. Maye was poor last playoffs and poor again Week 1. What makes franchise quarterbacks special is their ability to stack good days, weeks, games and seasons together year-in and year-out. It’s an absolute grind being the face of the franchise if you are doing it correctly. Seattle is well run and has the core four (owner, GM, HC & QB) in place if Darnold is healthy.
San Francisco 27, Los Angeles Rams 7
Whippings happen time to time. The 49ers looked professional and prepared. The Rams looked out of sync and confused. RB Kaelon Black runs hard and is a nice compliment to McCaffery (Stanford). Hope to see both of these teams in the playoffs but throw this one out to make any judgements.
Cincinnati 33, Tampa Bay 27
Did not think anyone could gain a yard or score a point against Tampa Bay with the addition of edge rusher Rueben Bain this spring but the Bengals were able to keep Bain in check and force Baker Mayfield to fumble three times. Hard to win losing the turnover battle. Both teams scored defensive touchdowns and if Mayfield holds on to just one of those fumbles, this game is a toss-up. Tee Higgins had a couple big-boy catches showing what makes him a tough cover. His length combined with speed and body control in tight spaces is why he wins most jump ball situations. Both of these offenses are high-powered and must-watches each week.
Detroit 31, New Orleans 30
Nothing was looking easy for Detroit despite a 21-0 lead. Then, it happened. Tyler Shough and Chris Olave are officially a problem. They have natural chemistry combined with coaching. Natural chemistry comes from trust and talent. They have it. Saints could not finish the comeback but will not be sneaking up on anyone moving forward. Jahmyr Gibbs is everything to this offense. Goff is Goff. He needs help. Lions are used to winning shootouts but that’s a hard way to make a living.
New York Jets 23, Tennessee 10
Titans HC Robert Saleh could not get his revenge on his tornado of a tenure with his former Jets team. We now have evidence that Cam Ward has not taken to new OC Brian Daboll’s style just yet. A very hard to watch offense. Titans may want to revisit running back Tony Pollard in terms of usage. Get him touches! Jets QB Geno Smith is always capable when he has a running game. Nice start for New York, but the season officially starts next week against Green Bay.
Baltimore 41, Indianapolis 23
Lamar Jackson looked relaxed and mechanically sound in the pocket. We know when fully healthy what his legs can do and when he is comfortable scanning the field he is obviously unstoppable. Wide receiver Zay Flowers is more important than Derrick Henry for this offense and he needs to stay healthy. He can score on his own from anywhere on the field. If Daniel Jones cannot create with his legs, I’m not sure what his value is? The Ravens look primed to contend.
Chicago 59, Carolina 37
Anyone who listens to Real Football when I join Tyler Dunne knows I say that Caleb Williams will complete throws every week that nobody else can make. He’s been doing this since college. He is an incredible athlete with his legs and possesses a cannon — a weapon who can throw with touch as well. Does not make sense. And they may need Williams and the offense to do this each week because the defense did not slow down Bryce Young (Alabama) or the Panthers. Young is just not special enough to win games like these. Panthers hung around but if the Bears are going to shove DeAndre Swift and Kyle Monangai down people’s throats the Bears will break points and yardage records.
Buffalo 36, Houston 31
First game as a head coach is on the road against the NFL’s top-ranked defense and Joe Brady never flinched. He has been locked in since training camp and knows how special Josh Allen is. He knows that Allen needs to start fast and score often. That is what the great offenses do and that is what the Bills did against the Texans. Houston’s defense could not match up with the spacing of the Bills routes in the pass game or James Cook’s (Georgia) explosiveness. Cook may lead the league in fumbles again. Stroud was too sloppy when it counted with his accuracy and obviously lacks awareness in the pocket by holding the ball too long. Bills are scary good on offense. The defense showed no improvements from last season yet.
Jacksonville 34, Cleveland 10
Treating Cleveland like an FCS team moving forward. Deshaun Watson is not good enough obviously. The defense lost Myles Garrett and, possibly more importantly, Jim Schwartz. Garrett is certainly more important but that’s how impactful Schwartz is as a DC. Wide receiver Parker Washington is on the big-boy stage now. Jacksonville did what you should do against a lower-level organization. The Browns won the Travis Hunter trade from 2025 with Jacksonville if that matters?
Pittsburgh 20, Atlanta 13
It does not matter if it’s Mike Tomlin or Mike McCarthy coaching and Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback. Steelers games always stink. DK Metcalf always had rock hands and it’s now consistently showing up. Atlanta had chances but when you have Cooper Rush playing quarterback you really do not have a chance. I’m a believer (Ben Affleck to JLo) that Rodgers can spark this offense, but it did not have a flow. The Falcons have some really good players.
Philadelphia 24, Washington 22
Both Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels showed their playmaking ability. Washington needs to get Terry McLaurin involved early and often or they are wasting their best player. Philly tight end Dallas Goedert is consistently a matchup nightmare and clutch player for the Eagles. The Eagles’ use of Barkley and Hurts’ legs are tough and almost unstoppable in short yardage. Neither offense looked in-sync throwing the football.
Minnesota 39, Green Bay 22
Another Matt LaFleur beauty. Hard to lose to backup quarterbacks and it’s unacceptable if you are a real team. The Packers are figuring out life without Parsons and Jacobs but that’ s the luxury of having a talent like Jordan Love at quarterback. Yes, he can be wild but he is making plays at a high level as a top-tier quarterback. The Packers need leadership more than ever with the makeup of this team and that is why they paid LaFluer. Vikings defense is tough and productive. They make you work. Back-up Carson Wentz was his typical spastically good self. He is tough and he is professional. It can look better in the stats than when you watch him play.
Las Vegas 27, Miami 13
The battle of low-end starting quarterbacks. Raiders’ Kirk Cousins did his thing with two interceptions and negative-six yards rushing while Dolphins Malik Willis completed 56 percent of his passes while throwing a pick. Ashton Jeanty was equally effective rushing and receiving. Give credit to Cousins for getting a win and finding Jeanty in space. This was not high-level NFL football.
Arizona 26, Los Angeles Chargers 14
The greatest quarterback to never do anything Justin Herbert has another all-timer on his resume. We know if there was a Hall of Fame for backup quarterbacks that Jacoby Brissett would make first ballot. Throws for 277 yards and more importantly no interceptions. Tight end Tre McBride is unguardable. Chargers need an identity on offense. Upset of the day. Cards have some players.
New York Giants 28, Dallas 20
Forgot Devin Singletary was in the NFL. Did not forget how tough he is and that is the theme on the Giants roster. Dart is a weapon. His legs are critical to max out his talent. I get hurt at home watching Cam Skattebo run but he is effective. Biggest shock for me this weekend is the lack of offense from the Cowboys receivers. Credit the Giants defense as well but the Cowboys are built to score early and often. Nice statement from the Giants.
Paid subscribers can get all of Jim Monos’ analysis in print and on the pod.
He’ll bring a scout’s eye all season long:
ICYMI:
Unfortunate Situation: Vikings roar and Matt LaFleur chokes (again)
MINNEAPOLIS — Give it up to him. Forty-eight hours after one of the most gutless answers you’ll hear from a head coach, Matt LaFleur managed to coach an equally pathetic game. His starting running back — accused of abhorrent domestic abuse — is merely involved in “an unfortunate situation,” you see. Per the police report, Josh Jacobs’ alleged victim said he gave her a lump on her head. But hey, as LaFleur noted, “situations occur in life.”
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