2023 Bama in the NFL: 5 Takeaways from NFL Week 1
The first week of the NFL season is wrapping up, and once again Alabama had the most players on NFL rosters of any college.
In his first NFL game, former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch helped highlight the league's kickoff event for the 2023 season with a pick-six touchdown on Thursday night.
The Detroit Lions rookie also did it against both the reigning league MVP, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the defending Super Bowl champions on their home field.
The return was for 50 yards. Of note from Next Gen Stats: "The rookie reached a top speed of 20.74 mph on the play; Only three defenders reached faster speeds on defensive scoring plays all of last season."
The Lions went to pull off the upset, 21-20.
NFL Week 1 Takeaways
- Rookies make mistakes, and quarterback Bryce Young is no different. Although the first-overall pick did not wait very long to throw his first career touchdown pass, to tight end Hayden Hurst in the second quarter, Young also had two interceptions as the Panthers lost 24-10 to the Falcons. He showed promise and led all players in passing yards. While there is little doubt across the NFL that Young will rebound and clean up his mistakes, a much bigger problem for the Panthers is their offensive line. Young needs develop more consistency and chemistry with his receiving core, and he can't do that if he's consistently under pressure.
- Calvin Ridley had not played in an NFL game in 686 days, and many people had no clue how he would respond to his first NFL action in Jacksonville. He got his "Welcome back to the NFL" game, and picked up right where he left off in Atlanta with eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Jaguars to the 31-21 win over the Colts. Ridley is already the unquestioned top target for Lawrence and should be able to build on his opening week performance.
- The Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa tabled contract extension talks until after the conclusion of the regular season, meaning the quarterback is playing for his next contract. The Dolphins may come to regret that move, as Tagovailoa put on a show in a shootout with fellow 2020 draft quarterback Justin Herbert. Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to a thrilling 36-34 win over the Chargers. He threw for 466 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. It was the fourth-most passing yards in a season-opening game in NFL history, trailing only Norm Van Brocklin, (554 yards in 1951), Tom Brady (517 yards in 2011) and Dan Marino (473 yards in 1994). His top, target Tyreek Hill, had 215 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. The Miami offense was firing on all cylinders early in the season, and looks to only improve against the Patriots on Sunday Night Football next week.
- It's safe to say no NFL quarterback had as strange an offseason as Mac Jones. After being injured and then benched in 2022, Jones was supposedly in an open quarterback competition to begin the 2023 season. After he won the job, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick cut the remaining two quarterbacks from his roster, leaving Jones as the lone survivor. He showed out against the defending NFC champion Philadelpgia Eagles in Week 1, throwing for 316 yards and three touchdowns with a pick-six thanks to a tipped ball. Consequently, the Patriots lost in the rain at home, 25-20.
- The Patriots retired Tom Brady's jersey at halftime of their game, and Foxborough was an exciting environment thanks to the return of their long-time quarterback. Despite the odds stacked against them, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles marched into New England and defeated the Patriots 25-20. Hurts had 170 passing yards, a passing touchdown to DeVonta Smith, and 37 rushing yards. Smith had seven catches for 47 yards and the score. Philadelphia jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter, and let the Patriots make it a 16-14 game before turning the offense back on. Hurts and the Eagles spoiled Brady's night while still having several things to work on heading into Week 2.
Bama in the NFL: Week 1 Tracker
Click on the following link for updated NFL Week 1 statistics of former Crimson Tide players:
NFL Week 1 Preview
- The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, as the Detroit Lions travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. From the first snap, regardless of who wins the coin toss, there should be a presence from the University of Alabama. Offensively, Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to be a third-down, receiving running back for the Lions in his rookie season, and is currently listed as the "backup" to David Montgomery. Gibbs was the twelfth-overall pick by Detroit in the 2023 NFL draft after spending one season with Alabama football. Defensively, the Lions have two former Alabama players projected as starters. Isaiah Buggs is a starting defensive tackle for Detroit, entering his fifth season in the league, his second in Detroit. In his first season with the Lions, Buggs had 46 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble while playing in all 17 games. In the secondary, Brian Branch will be a rookie starter as a slot corner, similar to the "star" position at Alabama. He was the 45th-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Detroit will look to start its season with an upset of the defending Super Bowl champions, and the former Alabama players will need to have good games for Detroit to have a chance.
- Bryce Young will officially be making his NFL debut on Sunday after starting all three preseason games for the Carolina Panthers. The expectations are high for the first-overall pick, but Young has shown an ability to perform under pressure. He’ll also have former Alabama center Bradley Bozeman snapping him the ball. Defensively, LaBryan Ray is a backup defensive lineman for Derrick Brown. He should provide a chance for Brown to catch his breath on non-passing downs as a primary run defender. Young and the Panthers will be taking on the Atlanta Falcons, who list Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams as the backup to starter Richie Grant.
- Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins tabled contract extension talks until after the 2023 season, meaning Tagovailoa is playing in a money year. Currently projected as the fourth-best quarterback from his draft class, Tagovailoa was having a good year in 2022 before he was derailed by multiple concussions. After spending an offseason learning how to fall and protect his head, he should remain healthy this season as he's playing for a new deal. Tagovailoa will start his season against another quarterback from his 2020 draft class: Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers. Tagovailoa will be able to utilize another weapon from Alabama: Jaylen Waddle. The wide receiver is entering his third year and is poised to take advantage of a lack of coverage attention thanks to Tyreek Hill being his counterpart.
- Sunday will feature one of many "Battle of the Bama QBs" this season: Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Mac Jones and the New England Patriots. Hurts and the Eagles are beginning their campaign to return to the Super Bowl as the NFC champions. The Eagles will utilize several former Alabama players along with Hurts, starting with DeVonta Smith. The wide receiver starts for the Eagles opposite AJ Brown and is coming off a year that saw him tally 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith also led the Eagles in receiving in the Super Bowl with 100 yards. Offensively, the Eagles also start Landon Dickerson at left guard, and Tyler Steen is listed as the backup right guard. Defensively, cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks are both listed as backups to Darius Slay.
- For the Patriots, Jones was the only quarterback on the initial 53-man roster. New England is willing to ride with Jones to start the season, but it’ll have a tough test to start the year with Hurts and the Eagles. Jones will need to utilize his top two weapons: wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster and tight end Hunter Henry. Defensively, Christian Barmore is the only other Crimson Tide player listed as a starter. He was a second-round draft selection in the same 2021 draft class as Jones. He and the Patriots' defensive line will be tasked with slowing down Hurts and the stout Eagles run game. Mack Wilson Sr. and Anfernee Jennings are both special-team players and backup linebackers for the Patriots.
How to Watch NFL Week 1
Thursday's Game
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC, Universo
Sunday's Games
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons. noon, FOX
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens, noon, CBS
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, noon, CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, noon, FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings, noon, CBS
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints, noon, CBS
San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers, noon, FOX
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders, noon, FOX
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 3:25 p.m., FOX
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, 3:25 p.m., FOX
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 7:20 p.m., NBC, Telemundo
Monday's Game
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
See Also:
Active Alabama Crimson Players in the NFL
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL
