NFLSU Week 1 Openthread

Good evening, welcome to week 1 of the NFL season.

Football is officially all the way back now that the college game is in full swing the NFL kicks off the 2021 season Thursday night as the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs take on the Dallas Cowboys.

We’re making some slight tweaks to our NFLSU coverage this year. On Thursdays we’ll put the thread up for the entire NFL slate, and on the subsequent Tuesdays we’ll recap which former Tigers balled out on Thursday/Sunday/Monday night.

On to the games.

Cowboys vs. Buccaneers 7:20 P.M., NBC

Devin White, Kevin Minter, Leonard Fournette and the defending champs raise their championship banner in Tampa, while in the other corner La’el Collins seems okay to go after missing all of 2020 and Jabril Cox makes his professional debut.

Eagles vs. Falcons, 12:00 P.M., FOX

No Tigers are on Philly’s active roster, though JaCoby Stevens signed with the practice squad. As for Atlanta, Russell Gage’s name has started to emerge as a guy primed to take a big leap now that Julio Jones has been dealt to Tennessee, and Debo Jones hopes to lead a bounce back year for the Falcon defense.

Steelers vs. Bills, 12:00 P.M., CBS

Reid Ferguson continues to handle longsnapping duties for the Bills and was named one of Buffalo’s team captains and Tre’Davious White hopes to keep Buffalo’s defense elite. The Bills are good, And hey look at that, Trai Turner signed with the Steelers!

Vikings vs. Bengals, 12:00 P.M., FOX

The game of the week for an LSU fan. Joe Burrow makes his return to the field after tearing his ACL, while Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Shelvin make their professional debuts.

Justin Jefferson is back after having literally the best season by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history, meanwhile Patrick Peterson will once again wear the No. 7 that he made so famous at LSU. Also welcome back Danielle Hunter! Hunter missed all of last season with a neck injury but is back and is expecting big things.

49ers vs. Lions, 12:00 P.M., FOX

You can probably skip this game though Arden Key has landed with a 49ers team many are expecting to contend for the NFC crown, while Michael Brockers signed with a Lions team that many are expecting to umm...not contend.

Seahawks vs. Colts, 12:00 P.M., FOX

Fresh off signing a fat contract extension with Seattle, Jamal Adams is back to try and get Seattle back to a Super Bowl. They’ll need improved play for the offensive line (hey just like LSU!) namely Damien Lewis and Ethan Pocic to get through a loaded NFC.

Cardinals vs. Titans, 12:00 P.M., FOX

It’s year two for both Rashard Lawrence and Kristian Fulton. Fulton will be Tennessee’s No. 1 corner which means he has the unfortunate privilege of having to cover DeAndre Hopkins. I also want to wish a hearty congrats to Racey McMath who made Tennessee’s roster despite being taken in the seventh round.

Chargers vs. Washington, 12:00 P.M., CBS

No Tigers are on the Charger’s active roster but Breiden Fehoko, who played sparingly last year for L.A., is on the practice squad. As for Washington, Saahdiq Charles is the football team’s second string right guard and right tackle.

Jets vs. Panthers, 12:00 P.M., CBS

Terrace Marshall makes his NFL debut and it is my sincere hope being reunited with Joe Brady will lead to 2019 levels of production for him. Also Donte Jackson is still a Panther, he’s been fine since entering the league.

Jaguars vs. Texans, 12:00 P.M., CBS

Last season, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Chark and Jacksonville won their season opener game against the Colts. In the locker room after the game then-quarterback Garnder Minshew said they weren’t finished. Except come to find out they were finished and the Jags went on to lose the final 15 games of the season. Oh and Al Woods is still here, entering year 11. Good for him!

Browns vs. Chiefs, 3:25 P.M., CBS

The game of the day whether or not your an LSU fan though there’s plenty of former Tigers here too! Of course there’s still Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham for a Cleveland team many are saying could make the Super Bowl. We also finally get to see Grant Delpit, who ruptured his Achilles in training camp last year but we won’t see Jacob Phillips who was placed on IR. Phillips tore a bicep tendon but Cleveland placed him on the 53-man roster meaning they’re hoping he’ll be able to return at some point later in the season.

Meanwhile the defending AFC champion Chiefs are looking to make their third straight Super Bowl appearance but may open the season without Tyrann Mathieu who tested positive for COVID. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrell Williams are hoping a reworked Kansas City offensive line leads to better production on the ground.

Dolphins vs. Patriots, 3:25 P.M., CBS

Ah yes the battle of former college teammates everyone is dying to see: Blake Ferguson vs. Davon Godchaux. Jalen Mills also makes his New England debut after coming over from Philly. Also shoutout to me for discovering today that Duke Riley is now a Dolphin.

Packers vs. Saints (In Jacksonville) 3:25 P.M., FOX

The Saints unfortunately are having to spend time away from New Orleans after Hurricane Ida. Here’s hoping they can return as soon as possible. Speaking of hopeful returns, Will Clapp was placed on the COVID list and Kwon Alexander is still working his way back from his ruptured Achilles tendon.

Broncos vs. Giants 3:25 P.M., FOX

Not a particularly exciting game but we do have Lloyd Cushenberry returning to his center duties for Denver and Kary Vincent Jr. making his NFL debut. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is a turnover machine so there’s a good chance we can see Vincent house a pick or a fumble with his track speed.

Bears vs. Rams 7:20 P.M., NBC

Chicago insists on not having a former Tiger on their roster which seems like a mistake. The Rams, on the other hand, still have Andrew Whitworth manning the offensive line spot for what will be his 15th NFL season.

Ravens vs. Raiders, 7:15 P.M., ESPN (Monday September 13)

Patrick Queen’s second season in the league begins in The Roomba against Foster Moreau. And I’ll remind you all until it happens, but we’re gonna play USC in that very same stadium in less than three years.