NFL Sunday Week One: Cowboys defense destroys the Giants, Love leads Packers to victory
The Dallas Cowboys produced a defensive masterclass as an error-prone New York Giants side was crushed in the first Sunday Night Football game of the 2023 season.
In a 40-0 annihilation, the Giants lost the sack battle 7-0, the turnover battle 3-0, Daniel Jones threw a pick-six, had a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown and failed to score a single point.
Despite the action-packed affair, Dak Prescott had a quiet evening throwing for just 143 yards, while Tony Pollard starred with two touchdowns from 14 carries.
The Green Bay Packers started life without Aaron Rodgers with an impressive 38-20 win at the Chicago Bears, with new starting quarterback Jordan Love playing a big role in the victory.
In just his second start in his fourth year in the league, Love threw for three touchdowns and 245 yards. For the Bears, it was a disappointing display following the offseason excitement of improvement.
Tom Brady return to New England was no cause for celebration as the Patriots were downed by the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins edged a shootout game at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Money can’t buy you everything
Just days after becoming the highest paid player in NFL history, Joe Burrow had a nightmare performance as the Cincinnati Bengals lost the ‘Battle of Ohio’ against divisional rivals the Cleveland Browns.
A destructive defense performance meant the Bengals were restricted to just three points in the contest, as Nick Chubb and co. got their 2023 campaign off to a good start with a Week One victory.
Three quarterbacks were drafted in the top four spots pf this year’s NFL Draft, and while they all started in Week One all lost on their NFL debuts.
Number one overall Bryce Young threw two interceptions in the Carolina Panthers’ 24-10 loss at the Atlanta Falcons, while CJ Stroud was sacked five times and lost a fumble as the Houston Texans were beaten 25-9 at the Baltimore Ravens.
Anthony Richardson looked the most impressive of the rookie starters, almost guiding the Colts to an opening day win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but ultimately fell to a late 31-21 defeat.
Elsewhere, Baker Mayfield silenced the doubters in steering the Buccaneers to a win over the Vikings, Sam Howell survived a scare to turn it around for the Commanders against the Cardinals, while the Rams looked exciting against a woeful Seahawks.
All eyes will now be on Monday Night Football, as the hugely improved New York Jets look to topple the Buffalo Bills in a battle of the AFC East.
Full results of Sunday 10th September 2023:
Cleveland Browns 24 – 3 Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens 25 – 9 Houston Texans
Minnesota Vikings 17 – 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons 24 – 10 Carolina Panthers
Washington Commanders 20 – 16 Arizona Cardinals
Indianapolis Colts 21 – 31 Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers 7 – 30 San Francisco 49ers
New Orleans Saints 16 – 15 Tennessee Titans
Denver Broncos 16 – 17 Las Vegas Raiders
New England Patriots 20 – 25 Philadelphia Eagles
Seattle Seahawks 13 – 30 Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles 34 – 36 Miami Dolphins
Chicago Bears 20 – 38 Green Bay Packers
New York Giants 0 – 40 Dallas Cowboys
