We are now a quarter of the way through the NFL season and the sport is now international as the first NFL London game took place on Sunday.
TIBS News looks at the takeaways from the action.
Jimmy Garoppolo leads 49ers to convincing 24-9 win over Super Bowl champs
In a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the LA Rams on Monday night to continue their strong start after Trey Lance went down with a broken ankle in week two.
Many pundits have stated that the 49ers have a better chance this season with Jimmy Garoppolo due to his experience and known talent and it is hard to argue after the team’s performance. Garoppolo himself finished the game with 239 yards and one touchdown pass on 16 out of 27 throwing.
But it’s the team that has galvanised around him, that one touchdown came on a bad throw that star wideout Deebo Samuel snagged and turned into an electrifying 57-yard touchdown. The defence, despite multiple injuries, has flourished with Talanoa Hufanga – a second-year safety – icing the game with a pick six.
Green Bay Packers barely survive against Patriots third-string quarterback
It took a late, overtime Mason Crosby 31-yard field goal to separate Aaron Rodgers and a debuting Bailey Zappe.
It was a dreadful start for Green Bay Packers quarternacl Rodgers who went four for 11 for 44 yards and a whopping 11.2 passer rating (out of 158.3) in the first half. This included a Jack Jones’ 40-yard pick six which saw the New England Patriots up 10-7 up at half-time. Rodgers would up his game for the second half and overtime, finishing 21-for-35 for 251 yards, two touchdowns and the one interception.
The Packers are tied for second in ‘explosive’ plays, which are receptions of over 20 yards and runs of over 10 yards, sitting only behind the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. However, there is a sense of grumbling among the Packers’ faithful due to displays like they had in the first half. There have been multiple instances of poor performances, but they are 3-1. In the regular season, the only thing that matters is the win.
Is Baker Mayfield’s time in the NFL nearing its end?
Let’s not beat around the proverbial bush, this might be Baker Mayfield’s final season in the NFL. The former No 1 overall pick finished the game with 197 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions as the Carolina Panthers lost 26-16 to the Arizona Cardinals.
The 6ft 1in Mayfield had five passes batted at the line of scrimmage and was off the mark on several other throws. He’s had an NFL-high 11 passes batted down. After a fourth deflection ended a fourth-quarter drive, Mayfield punched the air in frustration as boos erupted from the Bank of America Stadium crowd.
Mayfield has completed 54.7 per cent of his passes this season with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He came into the weekend second-to-last in the league in total quarterback rating and Sunday’s effort isn’t going to help.
To rub salt in Baker’s wounds, Sam Darnold is set to come off of injured reserve this week and Carolina may turn back to him for week five.
By Charlie Parker
