Two players stepped up in a big way to open the 2018 NFL season on Sunday, making fantasy owners around the world very happy early on. The first of which came as a bit of a surprise, as Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 48-40 win over the New Orleans Saints. Fitzpatrick threw for 417 yards in his first of three starts in place of Jameis Winston, who is serving a suspension.
Two of Fitzpatrick's touchdown passes were above 50 yards, including one to Michael Evans, who had seven catches for 147 yards and a score. He did not throw an interception while completing 21-of-28 passes, helping Tampa Bay build a 17-point lead on the road. DeSean Jackson also highlighted the Tampa Bay offense, catching five passes for 146 yards, including touchdowns of 58 and 36 yards.
The Saints did make things interesting late, but could not get one more score after pulling within eight in the fourth quarter. Drew Brees threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara caught nine passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while running for two more scores. Michael Thomas also set a single-game franchise record with 16 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. It was the third consecutive season-opening loss for New Orleans, as the two teams combined for 88 points to set an NFL record for a season opener.
Meanwhile, out west, in less shocking fashion, Tyreek Hill had himself a day in the Kansas City Chiefs' 38-28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill found the end zone three times, including a 91-yard punt return for a score. He also caught seven passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 49 yards on the ground.
Patick Mahomes looked impressive in his first start as the Chiefs' full-time starting quarterback, as they let Alex Smith go off to Washington. Mahomes did not turn the ball over and threw for 256 yards and his first four touchdown passes as an NFL quarterback. That performance included a 58-yard touchdown pass to Hill, giving the Chiefs a 14-3 lead in the first quarter.
Hill's big-time play resulted in him recording the second-most yards by a Chiefs receiver in a season opener, as he sits behind Carlos Carson's 173 yards against the New Orleans Saints in 1983. The explosive playmaker recorded his fourth punt return for a touchdown in 32 games with Kansas City, who now has a league-leading seven since 2013.
The win for the Chiefs extends their current win streak against the Chargers to eight games, as they now move on to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. The Chargers also hit the road to battle the lowly Buffalo Bills.
Two of Fitzpatrick's touchdown passes were above 50 yards, including one to Michael Evans, who had seven catches for 147 yards and a score. He did not throw an interception while completing 21-of-28 passes, helping Tampa Bay build a 17-point lead on the road. DeSean Jackson also highlighted the Tampa Bay offense, catching five passes for 146 yards, including touchdowns of 58 and 36 yards.
The Saints did make things interesting late, but could not get one more score after pulling within eight in the fourth quarter. Drew Brees threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara caught nine passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while running for two more scores. Michael Thomas also set a single-game franchise record with 16 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. It was the third consecutive season-opening loss for New Orleans, as the two teams combined for 88 points to set an NFL record for a season opener.
Meanwhile, out west, in less shocking fashion, Tyreek Hill had himself a day in the Kansas City Chiefs' 38-28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill found the end zone three times, including a 91-yard punt return for a score. He also caught seven passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 49 yards on the ground.
Patick Mahomes looked impressive in his first start as the Chiefs' full-time starting quarterback, as they let Alex Smith go off to Washington. Mahomes did not turn the ball over and threw for 256 yards and his first four touchdown passes as an NFL quarterback. That performance included a 58-yard touchdown pass to Hill, giving the Chiefs a 14-3 lead in the first quarter.
Hill's big-time play resulted in him recording the second-most yards by a Chiefs receiver in a season opener, as he sits behind Carlos Carson's 173 yards against the New Orleans Saints in 1983. The explosive playmaker recorded his fourth punt return for a touchdown in 32 games with Kansas City, who now has a league-leading seven since 2013.
The win for the Chiefs extends their current win streak against the Chargers to eight games, as they now move on to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. The Chargers also hit the road to battle the lowly Buffalo Bills.
