By Around the NFL staff
NFL.com
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On the surface, the opening Sunday of the 2016 NFL season delivered a string of fantastic finishes.

Digging deeper into a slate of games that failed to register a single noteworthy upset, one theme emerged: 2015 held serve.

The Bengals and Seahawks found a way to win a close game against quality competition.

With no vertical threat, the Packers relied too heavily upon Aaron Rodgers‘ ability to come through with a series of brilliant, unrepeatable “wow” plays. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Robert Griffin III suffered a sprained shoulder in the Browns‘ 29-10 loss to the Eagles on Sunday, but he’ll be good to go for Week 2.

Griffin told reporters he was “in pain,” but will “be OK”.

Griffin took a shot to the chest while scrambling out of bounds late in the fourth quarter and doubled over in pain after throwing an incomplete pass on the following play, a failed fourth down conversion attempt, before being examined on the sideline. He returned to hand the ball off to running back Isaiah Crowell three times before the clock expired, and did so gingerly. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The NFL and NFL Players Association are addressing the circumstances surrounding decisions made by medical personnel during Thursday’s season opener between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.

The NFL has initiated a review of the medical team’s response to a late-game hit on Cam Newton by Broncos safety Darian Stewart that sent the reigning NFL MVP hard to the ground, per a statement from NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy: Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Rob Ninkovich might not be able to play during the first four weeks of the 2016 season, but he’s successfully shed the lame-duck linebacker status.

Ninkovich and the New England Patriots agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $4.7 million that keeps the 32-year-old under team control through 2017, according to report from the Boston Globe. The deal could be worth as much as $5 million based on playing time and incentives, the Globe added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Awakening has entered the starting lineup in Seattle.

Christine Michael will start at running back for the Seahawks on Sunday, coach Pete Carroll told reporters Friday.

Faced with his football mortality, Michael experienced a rejuvenation at the end of the 2015 season, which carried over into the 2016 preseason. It left Carroll raving about “strong indicators that he’s ready to take advantage of this opportunity,” and lauding Michael as an “explosive and dynamic athlete.” Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s short and sweet response coined the “Awakening” phrase. It’s culminated with Carroll’s announcement that Michael will be the lead back for the Seahawks, who are set to take their first real step into a world without Marshawn Lynch. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Sam Bradford was worth a first-round pick to keep the hope alive in Minnesota. That hope just won’t be in the starting lineup until Week 2.

Vikings players were informed quarterback Shaun Hill will start this week, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources.

Hill last saw meaningful action in 2014 for the then St. Louis Rams, coincidentally in place of Bradford, who suffered a torn ACL during that year’s preseason. Hill’s most notable season came in 2010, when he came off the bench to complete 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,686 yards and a 16-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Lions aren’t taking Friday of Week 1 lightly.

Detroit has locked up two key players under 27 years old, agreeing to extensions with running back Theo Riddick and punter Sam Martin, the team announced. Riddick and the Lions came to terms on a three-year extension worth $12.75 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source with knowledge of the contract.

“We are excited to announce contract extensions for Sam Martin and Theo Riddick,” Bob Quinn, executive vice president and general manager, said. “Both players have earned these extensions through their hard work that dates back to 2013 when both joined the Lions. I would like to thank Sam, Theo, and their representatives for their hard work assisting us in our goal of completing these extensions prior to the start of the regular season. I’m very pleased that both players can join their teammates in fully concentrating on our opening game.” Continue reading →

By Around the NFL staff
NFL.com
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A new NFL season is upon us, and that means it’s time for another round of bold predictions. As always, this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon as we head into Sunday and Monday’s Week 1 contests. Warning: these predictions are not for the faint of heart.

Carson Wentz accounts for four touchdowns against Browns

The future is now — maybe sooner than most expected — in Philadelphia, and while rookies tend to have average-at-best debuts (not looking at you, Marcus Mariota), Carson Wentz is set up for a memorable one. His opponent? The Cleveland Browns, which let both of their starting safeties go in the offseason, cut starting nickel back K’Waun Williams and traded former first-rounder Justin Gilbert. They’re left with Joe Haden, veteran journeyman Jamar Taylor, safeties Jordan Poyer, Derrick Kindred, Ibraheim Campbell and Don Jones, and 33-year-old Tramon Williams. The latter is increasingly showing the effects of Father Time. It’s like a gift from the football gods. First professional game? Here are the hapless Browns, who kept their entire draft class (save for one) and jettisoned veterans with reckless abandon. Have at ’em. — Nick Shook

To read full bold predictions from the Around the NFL writers, click here.

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ah, there’s nothing quite like a head coach playing coy about his starting quarterback.

Count Mike Zimmer among those choosing to reveal his man on game day. But unlike past situations, this one might be out of necessity.

When franchise quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was lost for the season with a torn ACL and dislocated knee, Minnesota reacted quickly by sending first- and fourth-round picks to Philadelphia for Sam Bradford. Teams don’t trade first-round picks for players they aren’t planning to start, so common sense says Bradford will be under center Sunday. But he’s only had a few days to learn Minnesota’s offense. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Kicker Caleb Sturgis had to battle for his job in July and August. He won, and earned himself a contract extension as a result.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed the 27-year-old kicker to a one-year extension, the team announced Wednesday. The extension can be worth as much as $1.3 million with incentives, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the situation. Continue reading →