Saquon Soars, Punches Fly👊, and the Panthers Plummet🐾⬇️

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Saquon finished with more yards than the Giants’ entire offense, Trent Williams was ejected for throwing a punch, Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles, the Chiefs are the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten, and the Panthers have put together the worst 7-game stretch since 1920.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Russell Wilson throws for 264 yards in first start of 2024, Steelers win 37-15 (PFT)

• Chiefs are 6-0 for the first time in Patrick Mahomes era, Chiefs defeat 49ers 28-18 in Super Bowl rematch (Yahoo Sports)

• Packers beat Texans, 24–22, on 45-yard walk-off field goal in thriller (Yahoo Sports)

• Bills dominate Titans in second half, win 34-10 in Amari Cooper’s debut (ESPN)

• Jared Goff outduels Vikings, Sam Darnold as Lions win with late field goal (ESPN)

• Saquon Barkley runs wild, Daniel Jones benched in Eagles' rout of Giants (ESPN)

• Richardson wills Colts to victory despite passing struggles (NFL.com)

• Bengals claw their way to gritty divisional win, 21-14 over Browns (NFL.com)

• Seahawks blow out Falcons in Atlanta (PFT)

• Rams pick up four takeaways off Gardner Minshew, defeat Raiders 20-15 (PFT)

• Jaguars come back from double-digit deficit over Patriots in London (Yahoo Sports)

• Commanders QB Jayden Daniels left game early in win over Panthers with rib injury (NFL.com)

• Haason Reddick ends holdout, Jets will waive $12M in accrued fines (ESPN)

• Browns' Deshaun Watson carted off with noncontact Achilles injury, likely out for the season (ESPN)

• Kyle Shanahan says 49ers fear torn ACL for Brandon Aiyuk (PFT)

• Jets OL Xavier Newman carted off field on backboard, taken to hospital with neck injury (Yahoo Sports)

• Aidan Hutchinson hopes to return if Lions make Super Bowl (ESPN)

• Dolphins expecting to open QB Tua Tagovailoa's 21-day practice window ahead of Week 8 (NFL.com)

• Giants HC Brian Daboll made in-game QB switch for 'spark,' but Daniel Jones will start going forward (NFL.com)

• Jets star Garrett Wilson drawing trade interest (ESPN)

• 18 months ago, Jake Bates was training to be a brick salesman—and thought his football career was over (AP)

• Bidding is “open and active” for NFL apparel deal after Nike contract expires in 2027 (PFT)

• Browns move forward with $2.4B plan to relocate to Brook Park (FOS)

• NFL owners approve Jaguars stadium renovation plan (PFT)

• NFL eyes multibillion-dollar international rights package (FOS)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Saquon Barkley. Saquon Barkley made a statement against his former employers on Sunday, gashing the New York Giants' defense for 176 rushing yards and a touchdown to power the Philadelphia Eagles to a 28-3 rout at MetLife Stadium.

The 2018 2nd overall pick by the Giants looked right at home in his return, outgaining New York's entire offense by himself. Barkley ripped off explosive runs of 55, 49 and 41 yards, routinely breaking tackles and leaving Giants defenders grasping at air.

Barkley's huge day fell just 13 yards shy of his career-high 189 yard performance back in 2019 as a Giant. His 176 yards are the most the Giants have allowed to a single rusher in over a decade. The 27-year-old back signed a 3-year, $37.7 million deal with Philadelphia this offseason after failing to agree on a long-term contract with New York. He's rewarded the Eagles' faithful so far. Barkley is the second leading rusher in the NFL with 658 rushing yards through 6 games.

While Barkley thrived, his former quarterback Daniel Jones struggled mightily, completing just 14 of 21 passes for 99 yards while being sacked 7 times before being benched in the 4th quarter.

The Giants, now 2-5, have major offensive line issues to address after this embarrassing home defeat. As for Barkley, he continues to make Giants fans wish the organization had held on to him.

Who’s down?
The 49ers. The San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl aspirations are quickly fading amid a rash of injuries and poor performances. Star running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve with Achilles tendonitis, joining defensive standouts Javon Hargrave and Dre Greenlaw on the sidelines.

Without their offensive catalyst, the 49ers have sputtered in the red zone, ranking 29th in touchdown efficiency inside the 20. Turnovers have plagued them as well, tied for second-most giveaways in the league.

Their struggles were on full display in a 28-18 loss to the Chiefs. All-Pro tackle Trent Williams was ejected for throwing a punch, while rookie QB Brock Purdy tossed three interceptions. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a gruesome knee injury, with fears of a torn ACL.

The vaunted 49ers defense hasn't provided much support either. They're allowing 4.4 yards per carry coming into yesterday, and struggle to get off the field on third down. Special teams remain a liability, ranking 31st in efficiency.

Despite a talented roster, the injury-riddled 49ers have failed to finish games, blowing double-digit fourth quarter leads against the Rams and Cardinals. At 3-4, their margin for error is razor thin. Unless they can get healthy and rectify their red zone, turnover, and defensive woes quickly, their Super Bowl window may be slamming shut.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

Gang Green road whites are 🔥 

The orange pants and white facemask complete this Browns look.

The Packers all white unis were spectacular.

STATS OF THE WEEK 📈 

Not a stat you want to own.

Interesting stat.🔴🔴🟡 

Is Andy Reid the new 🐐 ?

MEMES OF THE WEEK

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