What's Hot and What's Knott in Football - Week 1
By Rhys Knott
Traditionally, the NFL get off to a slow start with defenses overcoming offenses that are still dusting off the cobwebs. Not this time, 13 teams scored more than 21 points, and the running back renaissance continued.
Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry, Travis Etienne, and Breece Hall all carried the ball at least 13 times and averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry! Broncos’ rookie R.J. Harvey averaged 11.7 yards per carry, but he only carried the ball six times.
Bijan Robinson racked up some yards, too, but 100 of his 124 yards came through the air as the Falcons struggled to run the ball. Robinson is one of nine players to rack up more than 100 receiving yards in Week 1. Seven receivers did it, and, of course, Brock Bowers joined the party.
A Player ejection, Nick Sirianni calling run on first downs like clockwork and taunting penalties for “taunts” only the officials saw. We’re so back, baby!
Week 1 had a bit of everything. Lightning delays. A trip to Brazil. George Pickens clotheslining a defensive back, and very little discipline from both Eagles and Cowboys players. Even an injury that seriously impacts the Eagles’ ability to repeat. And that was just on Thursday night!
Before the season had even begun, Saquon was making the headlines. According to the President, the running back is a member of his council of sport, fitness and nutrition. Although the reigning Offensive Player of the Year says he declined the role, but he did play golf with the Apprentice star.
Landon Dickerson’s dodgy back will make the Eagles’ running back’s job difficult, and Saquon’s backup, Will Shipley, suffered a rib injury in Week 1. They’re still at the top of the NFC East, though.
What's Hot in Football - Week 1
On the subject of Saquon, girl dadding will never not be hot.
Saquon Barkley: The ULTIMATE Girl Dad. 🙌
— NBC Sports (@nbc-sports.bsky.social) 5 September 2025 at 03:30
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Are Daniel Jones’ Colts smoking hot (probably not, the Dolphins look lost)? They set an unexpected record in Week 1.
Sunday Night Football was so hot it made the sun look cold. 929 yards of total offense on 128 total plays! The Ravens ran for 238 yards, and Zay Flowers racked up 143 receiving yards! Lamar Jackson even did this, and somehow the Ravens still lost. Do they not like Orchard Park!
Even DeAndre Hopkins’ magical touchdown grab couldn’t stop the Bills.
DeAndre Hopkins one handed TD catch, whew
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) September 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
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Not to be outdone, the Bills performed some sleight of hand of their own!
Keon Coleman catches a tipped pass in the end zone
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) September 8, 2025 at 4:18 AM
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Lamar Jackson even did this, but it wasn’t enough to put the Bills away.
HUMAN JOYSTICK LAMAR JACKSON
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 8, 2025 at 3:55 AM
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But Ed Oliver is the Bills’ most important player in Week 1. Oliver made six tackles, three of which ended as tackles for a loss, and he sacked Lamar Jackson. Most importantly, he forced the decisive Derrick Henry fumble with 3 minutes left on the clock.
The play that swung the pendulum in favor of the Bills down the stretch Ed Oliver (91) shoots the right B gap with great pad level and timing, battles through a stiff arm from Henry, and rips the ball out. Tremendous effort and tenacity from Oliver
— Anthony (game script enthusiast) (@proant.bsky.social) September 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
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On the subject of explosive defenders, eight players made more than one sack in Week 1. Only Rasham Gary wound up on the winning team after recording multiple sacks, though! Myles Garrett has now sacked Joe Burrow 11 times!! 11!! But don’t get in a car with him.
Turning the ball over is hot in Week 1, too. 16 teams gave the ball away, nine of those teams ended the week with a negative turnover ratio! Somehow, the Broncos ended their game against the Titans with a –2 turnover ratio and still won.
Justin Herbert isn’t just hot, he’s the West Coast Lamar Jackson!
Justin Herbert gets a huge first down with his legs
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) September 6, 2025 at 4:10 AM
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On the topic of quarterbacks who are sneaky mobile, Patrick Mahomes’ legs they’re also hot. The 29-year-old (until next week at least) was responsible for 58% of the Chiefs’ yards on the ground!
Patrick Mahomes is so good at finding little things, and maximizing them as much as possible. Khalil Mack reads this play out perfectly, but a double pump fake (lmfao) freezes him and gives Mahomes enough space for the TD
— JP Acosta (@acosta32jp.bsky.social) September 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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Isaac TeSlaa is not just hot, he’s hotter than a hot thing’s hot bits!
Isaac TeSlaa incredible catch ruled a touchdown.
— ✶ MarcusD ✶ (@marcusd.bsky.social) September 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
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The AFC West and the NFC West have started the season like houses on fire. Only the Seahawks and Chiefs failed to win their opening games.
Only Josh Allen threw for more yards than Geno Smith!
Geno Smith took some sacks today vs the blitz, but he also went 9/13 for 189 yds and a TD. 🔥
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
What's Knott in Football - Week 1
Bills Mafia, baby
— Christian D'Andrea (@trainisland.bsky.social) September 8, 2025 at 3:38 AM
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Smacking a player around the head because he scored a touchdown against your team is definitely Knott. Lamar Jackson might cop some flak for retaliating, but he shouldn’t. Bills Mafia should make sure this spoon never gets near the field again.
While we’re on the subject of smacking people around the head, Punching someone in the face while they’re wearing a football helmet with a facemask on it? You better believe that’s Knott.
Some unhappy swifties have swanned the mentions of LA Chargers’ Teair Tart with racist depictions following his altercation with Travis Kelce.
— Let Me Hear It On Bluesky (@letmeheariton.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
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Spitting on someone is disgusting, but it’s pretty mild by Jalen Carter’s standards. Carter’s ejection, combined with the loss of Ben VanSumeran to a knee injury, made the start to the Eagles’ 2025 season absolutely Knott.
CeeDee Lamb’s hands in the fourth quarter also fall squarely into the Knott category.
CeeDee Lamb with a big drop and a miss on a tough catch
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 5:17 AM
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Based on the Chiefs’ display, flying the 5,342 miles to Brazil two days before you play is definitely Knott the way to do it.
Kansas City’s defensive backfield is so Knott that red flags are flying all over Missouri. The sloppy defensive backfield was only matched by the clunky offensive line play. Andy Reid and Steve Spagnolo will ensure their team improves. But the AFC West promises to be a bear pit; there could be some tough-sledding ahead.
We’ve already established that Saquon is a great dad and a decent running back, but for the love of God, don’t ask him to make you a sandwich!
Inside every Philadelphian, there are two wolves.
— 95Sports (@95sports.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
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And it wouldn’t be a Hot or Knott without the regular grumbling about kickers. Eight kickers missed field goals this week, and three even missed extra points! As hilarious as the “doink” sound is, missing from 33 yards out is so Knott.
RHYS KNOTT
NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST
Rhys has been watching the NFL for 30 something years and still hasn’t managed to pick a team to support. When he’s not fixatED on pass rushers you can find him blithering on about most sports on Twitter @wrhys_writes