Wentz, Raiders have long way to go
The first week of the NFL season brings not only plenty of action but also a rush to judgment by plenty of fans. Here are five overreactions we’re pushing back on after Week 1:
1 CARSON WENTZ IS BOUND FOR STARDOM Let’s keep in mind that Wentz’s debut came against the Cleveland Browns, who might be the worst team in the league. The Philadelphia Eagles also had the element of surprise on their side, given the lack of NFL tape on Wentz. Having said that, Wentz’s numbers — 22-for-37 passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns — and the cool manner in which he compiled them were impressive. Remember, he is a rookie from the Football Championship Subdivision, missed most of the preseason with a rib injury and hadn’t practiced much with the first string before Sam Bradford was traded. No doubt, it was a strong start under the circumstances. But did we mention Wentz was playing against the Browns?
2 THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AREN’T THE SAME WITHOUT BEAST MODE There’s no replacing Marshawn Lynch. But quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense will have better days than Sunday, when they needed to score with 31 seconds left just to squeak past the Miami Dolphins 12-10 in Seattle. The Seahawks offensive line is an issue, especially without their top draft pick, guard Germain Ifedi (high ankle sprain). And Wilson’s mobility was limited after Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh’s foot bent Wilson’s ankle awkwardly. They still found a way — a hallmark under Wilson, who audibled to the winning play. They’ll be fine.
3 TREVOR SIEMIAN WILL BE THE DENVER BRONCOS’ STARTING QUARTERBACK ALL YEAR It’s way too soon to say, given how Denver coach Gary Kubiak handled things on the way to last year’s title and the presence of 2016 first-round draft pick Pax- ton Lynch on the sideline. But there was a lot to like in Siemian’s debut Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, two interceptions notwithstanding. Kubiak put together a smart game plan that let Siemian get the ball out and exploit Carolina’s young cornerbacks, who didn’t really challenge Denver’s receivers in the Broncos’ 21-20 win. It helps any quarterback to have C.J. Anderson healthy and rolling, too.
4 THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS ARE DOOMED AGAIN As long as they have Andrew Luck at quarterback, they have a chance to win every week. But Sunday’s 39-35 loss to the Detroit Lions, who netted 448 yards and drove 50 yards in 33 seconds for the winning field goal, was a reminder of how short the Colts are on defensive playmakers. In his first regular-season game action since November, Luck was 31for-47 for 385 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. And lost. Not much margin for error in Indy.
5 THE OAKLAND RAIDERS JUST LAUNCHED AN AFC WEST TITLE RUN If Derek Carr plays like this, anything is possible. But the defense didn’t exactly look championship-caliber in Sunday’s 35-34 win at the New Orleans Saints. One of the Raiders’ high-priced free agent acquisitions, cornerback Sean Smith, was benched after giving up a 98-yard touchdown on a day when the Saints racked up more than 500 yards of offense. It’s a young team with a lot of work ahead in a division with the more seasoned Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.