Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
1 2 3 4 FINAL
CINCINNATI 14 3 7 7 31
NEW YORK 6 3 0 7 16
NEW YORK – A pair of devastating Ryan Tannehill interceptions in the 3rd quarter (including one returned for a Bengals touchdown) doomed the home side from New York as the Jets (0-1) fell 31-16 to Cincinnati (1-0).
Tannehill started off well in the first half to keep his team close after Cincinnati shell-shocked the vaunted New York defense with two quick touchdowns to start the game.
"I was just as baffled as you all to be honest," head coach Todd Bowles said. "Our defense needs to play better than that and (Ryan) Tannehill can't make those mistakes if he wants to be our starter."
Despite boasting an offensive line full of potential future Hall of Famers with Marshal Yanda, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin, the Jets managed a paltry 31 rushing yards on the day.
"Yeah, I'm pissed off man," runningback David Johnson said. "We said a lot of things this offseason and none of that happened today. We need to run the rock."
A visibly frustrated Aaron Donald refused to talk to reporters after the game and will surely face a fine from the league.
"Our goal is to win the division and this didn't help us," safety Kam Chancellor said. "We have to buck up quick and not feel sorry for ourselves. We are a championship team. Week one is done, no looking back on this, it's just motivation and a learning opportunity now."
The Jets have no time to rest as they face a short week as they are scheduled to welcome in their division rivals from Buffalo (1-0) for Thursday Night Football.
Tannehill started off well in the first half to keep his team close after Cincinnati shell-shocked the vaunted New York defense with two quick touchdowns to start the game.
"I was just as baffled as you all to be honest," head coach Todd Bowles said. "Our defense needs to play better than that and (Ryan) Tannehill can't make those mistakes if he wants to be our starter."
Despite boasting an offensive line full of potential future Hall of Famers with Marshal Yanda, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin, the Jets managed a paltry 31 rushing yards on the day.
"Yeah, I'm pissed off man," runningback David Johnson said. "We said a lot of things this offseason and none of that happened today. We need to run the rock."
A visibly frustrated Aaron Donald refused to talk to reporters after the game and will surely face a fine from the league.
"Our goal is to win the division and this didn't help us," safety Kam Chancellor said. "We have to buck up quick and not feel sorry for ourselves. We are a championship team. Week one is done, no looking back on this, it's just motivation and a learning opportunity now."
The Jets have no time to rest as they face a short week as they are scheduled to welcome in their division rivals from Buffalo (1-0) for Thursday Night Football.
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
1 2 3 4 FINAL
BUFFALO 7 7 7 7 28
BALTIMORE 10 14 0 0 24
BALTIMORE – A second-half shutout by their defense propelled the Buffalo Bills (1-0) to a 28-24 opening weekend victory over the Baltimore Ravens (0-1).
Newly acquired tight end Luke Willson proved to be a difficult matchup for the Ravens linebacking corps finishing with 8-catches for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"It felt good out there," Willson said. "Aaron (Rodgers) kept finding me and the defense kept sitting back there to stop Amari (Cooper) and Travis (Benjamin). It was my turn today."
Fresh off his award-winning campaign from a year ago, runningback Todd Gurley picked up 151 yards rushing on 26 carries with a touchdown.
"Numbers...I don't care. We are 1-0," Gurley said. "Last year was nothing - we want that Lombardi. On to New York."
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked to have no rust after last year's injury with a 275 yard passing day to go along with the two TD strikes to Willson.
Much was made in the postgame interviews surrounding John Harbaugh's decision to essentially dare the Bills to lean on Gurley in the running game by keeping his safeties deep all game.
"Don't question that," Harbaugh said. "You're a guy with a clipboard who probably never suited up a day in his life. We got beat by a better team and that's that."
The Bills suit up again in four days, once again on the road, where they face off with the New York Jets (0-1).
Newly acquired tight end Luke Willson proved to be a difficult matchup for the Ravens linebacking corps finishing with 8-catches for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"It felt good out there," Willson said. "Aaron (Rodgers) kept finding me and the defense kept sitting back there to stop Amari (Cooper) and Travis (Benjamin). It was my turn today."
Fresh off his award-winning campaign from a year ago, runningback Todd Gurley picked up 151 yards rushing on 26 carries with a touchdown.
"Numbers...I don't care. We are 1-0," Gurley said. "Last year was nothing - we want that Lombardi. On to New York."
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked to have no rust after last year's injury with a 275 yard passing day to go along with the two TD strikes to Willson.
Much was made in the postgame interviews surrounding John Harbaugh's decision to essentially dare the Bills to lean on Gurley in the running game by keeping his safeties deep all game.
"Don't question that," Harbaugh said. "You're a guy with a clipboard who probably never suited up a day in his life. We got beat by a better team and that's that."
The Bills suit up again in four days, once again on the road, where they face off with the New York Jets (0-1).
Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks
1 2 3 4 FINAL
MIAMI 7 16 7 7 37
SEATTLE 3 6 0 7 16
SEATTLE – The defending Super Bowl Champions started 2016 much like 2015 ended, with a dominating 37-16 demolition of the Seattle Seahawks (0-1) in Seattle, Washington.
The Miami (1-0) ground and pound attack was alive and well with the team splitting carries between backs Chris Ivory, Thomas Rawls and Duke Johnson throughout the game.
Many pundits predicted that Miami's one-dimensional scheme would fail in year two (and with a new coach in Adam Gase). Writers lamented how the defense would not be able to keep up their takeaway pace or pressure on opposing quarterbacks once teams had enough film to gameplan around.
All wrong.
"You know, it's one thing for you all (writers) to disrespect us, that's your job," safety Calvin Pryor said. "But look, they got us playing across the country on opening weekend in a non-primetime spot after winning the Super Bowl - that's crazy disrespect man. We want to not only win it all again, but to make enemies in every city throughout."
Pryor's 13 tackles and a 17-yard fumble recovery for a score led the way for a Dolphins defense that yielded only 34 rushing yards on the day.
Adam Gase was pleased with his team's efforts, including that of his rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett who finished 6-8 for 198 yards passing with three touchdown passes.
"People have taken shots at us left and right - but our style works," Gase said. "It's a copycat league gentlemen - start copying."
The Dolphins next travel to New England (1-0) to take on the Tom Brady-less Patriots.
