With the first week of the NFL season in the books, fans and analysts alike are buzzing with excitement over the return of football. And with any new season comes overreactions, both good and bad. This week, ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith and former NFL player Marcus Spears shared their lists of the top five teams after the first week of play. Let’s take a closer look at Spears’ list and see if we agree with his choices.
At the top of Spears’ list is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills kicked off their season with an impressive 27-17 win over the New York Jets. Led by quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills’ offense looked sharp and their defense was dominant. Allen threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense held the Jets to just 254 total yards. It’s no surprise that Spears has the Bills at number one on his list.
Next up is the Baltimore Ravens, who also had a strong showing in their season opener. Led by reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, the Ravens dominated the Cleveland Browns with a final score of 38-6. Jackson threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, with two of those going to tight end Mark Andrews. The Ravens’ defense also had a standout performance, holding the Browns to just six points. It’s clear that Spears sees the Ravens as a top team in the league this season.
The third team on Spears’ list is the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite a rocky start to their game against the Washington Football Team, the Eagles were able to pull off a comeback win with a final score of 27-17. Quarterback Carson Wentz had a slow start, but came alive in the second half, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ defense also stepped up in the second half, shutting out Washington and forcing three turnovers. It’s clear that Spears sees potential in this Eagles team and believes they can make a run for the top spot in the NFC East.
In fourth place, Spears has the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers had a tough matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, but came out on top with a final score of 16-13. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert got the start for the injured Tyrod Taylor and threw for 311 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers’ defense also had a strong showing, holding the Bengals to just 295 total yards. It seems that Spears is impressed with the Chargers’ resilience and ability to win close games.
Rounding out Spears’ list is the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks faced off against the Atlanta Falcons and came out with a dominant 38-25 victory. Quarterback Russell Wilson showed why he is considered one of the best in the league, throwing for 322 yards and four touchdowns. The Seahawks’ defense also had a solid performance, holding the Falcons to just 506 total yards. It’s no surprise that Spears has the Seahawks in his top five after their impressive showing in week one.
While it’s still early in the season and anything can happen, Spears’ list of the top five teams after week one seems like a solid one. The Bills, Ravens, Eagles, Chargers, and Seahawks all had impressive performances and look like they could be contenders this season. But as always, it’s important not to overreact too soon and remember that there are still 16 more weeks of football to be played.
So there you have it, Marcus Spears’ top five teams after week one of the NFL season. Whether you agree with his choices or not, one thing is for sure: football is back and it’s already shaping up to be an exciting season. So buckle up and get ready for more overreactions, upsets, and thrilling moments as the season continues. Let the games begin!
