Elves!
PHOTO: KIRK IRWIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
“It’s frustrating, because I called them elves and we just lost to elves. So I’m angry, in part, with myself. That’s a rather fanciful response Ja’Marr Chase gave reporters after the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Angered by his team’s performance, Chase did not hide his displeasure. The receiver and the other Bengals guns, including Joe Burrow, only generated 142 yards of offense. Burrow was benched in the fourth quarter, having managed just 14 of 31 pass attempts for a total of 82 yards. It’s a small return for someone who signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension. Cincinnati will face the Baltimore Ravens next week.
The beginnings of two Quebec recruits
A native of Victoriaville, Matthew Bergeron made his debut with the Atlanta Falcons. The left guard savored the victory in his first start. A second-round pick in the last draft, Bergeron witnessed Bijon Robinson’s first career touchdown and Tyler Allgeier’s two majors. The ground game was productive, but the aerial attack was modest with 115 yards from Desmond Ridder. The offensive line allowed four sacks.
PHOTO WINSLOW TOWNSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sidy Sow (61), New England Patriots
Fourth-round pick in 2023 of the New England Patriots, Sidy Sow also experienced his baptism of fire. The guard made his debut due to injuries to Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu. The Bromont native, however, tasted defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sow and his linemates witnessed Darius Slay’s 70-yard touchdown run on an interception return.
Electrifying dolphins
PHOTO MARK J. TERRILL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
With two concussions diagnosed last season, Tua Tagovailoa aimed to dispel doubts in the first week of activity. We can already say that his first release was a success. Indeed, the quarterback generated 466 yards through the air and threw three touchdown passes. In addition, he suffered no sack of the quarter. This allowed the Miami Dolphins to win 36-34 against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Tyreek Hill was the big beneficiary of Tagovailoa’s performance. The receiver had 215 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. This is also his third game with more than 200 yards and at least 2 touchdowns in his career. It’s a good start for the Dolphins offense, which will however have to continue to maximize the protection of its quarterback.
No mercy for the giants
PHOTO ADAM HUNGER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tony Pollard (20), Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys spoiled their fans by trampling the New York Giants by a score of 40-0. Enough to recall the correction that Ivan Drago served on Apollo Creed in Rocky IV. A score this high without any touchdown passes from Dak Prescott, who totaled 143 passing yards, says it all. Special teams set the tone in the first quarter with a 58-yard touchdown from Noah Igbinoghene after a field goal attempt blocked by Juanyeh Thomas. DaRond Bland then scored a major on an interception return. Then the ground attack contributed with three touchdowns, including two from Tony Pollard. The Dallas defensive unit also manhandled Daniel Jones with seven sacks. Osa Odighizuwa and Dorance Armstrong each had two. This is quite a start for Mike McCarthy’s men.