NFL Week 1: Top 3 Performances

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

There have been weeks of build up, pre season injury concerns, questions surrounding who would start, who would play well, and wondering whether your team could turn hope into victory… And that was just as a fantasy football team owner. The NFL kicked off last week with Superbowl XLVI Champions, NY Giants, playing host to the Dallas Cowboys, and were turned over at home by the boys from Texas. But what were the top 3 performances in week 1? This is our choice…

3: Buffalo Bills 28 - 48 NY Jets
The Jets were the surprise team of week 1, winning comfortably against the Bills. Mark Sanchez threw 3 TD passes, including two to rookie Stephen Hill. And the Jets were in control against a very poor Buffalo, and even poorer Fitzpatrick. Not a bad start for a team tipped to struggle offensively this season.

2: Jacksonville Jaguars 23 - 26 Minnesota Vikings

After returning from knee surgery, Adrian Peterson looked good as new in this overtime win for the Vikings; with two touchtowns. Blaine Gabbert’s  36-yard TD for the Jaguars saw them take the lead, but the Vikings’ Blair Walsh hit a 55-yarder to send the game into OT, and then won it in overtime.

1: Washington Redskins 40 - 32 New Orleans Saints

Washington’s game plan was spot on, and spearheaded by Robert Griffin III. His two touchdowns, and his phenomenal 88-yard pass to TD for Pierre Garcon one of the plays of the week. The victory made even sweeter by the fact they led the Saints for the entire game, a team normally so solid at home. 

Play of the Week

David Akers (San Francisco 49ers)
Akers kicked the tied longest field goal in history – 63 yards! See it here.