Alabama Football in the NFL: Week 1 roundup and season leaders
By Matt Melton
Alabama Football in the NFL: Week 1 Roundup
The 2021 NFL season officially kicked off this past weekend with numerous former Alabama Football greats taking center stage across the league. Here is a look at how each former Crimson Tide star performed, including the offense and defense, as well as a short look-ahead to Week 2.
Offense
QB Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
Fully cemented as the Eagles starting quarterback going into Week 1, Hurts was phenomenal leading the Eagles to a 32-6 road win over the Falcons. Hurts completed 27 off his 35 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing the ball seven times for 62 yards.
WR Amari Cooper – Dallas Cowboys
Cooper led the Cowboys in receiving during Thursday night’s season opening 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers. Cooper hauled in 13 of his 16 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
QB Mac Jones – New England Patriots
Jones made his first career NFL start Sunday in an impressive showing despite New England’s 17-16 loss to Miami. Jones completed 29 of 39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown.
QB Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa led Miami to a big 17-16 road win Sunday afternoon over the Patriots completing 16 of 27 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and interception, as well as four carries for a yard and a touchdown.
RB Mark Ingram – Houston Texans
In what was his first game as a member of the Texas, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner certainly impressed. Ingram rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in Houston’s 37-21 win over Jacksonville on Sunday.
RB Damien Harris – New England Patriots
Harris had a strong season debut carrying the ball 23 times for 100 yards, as well as two catches for 17 yards in a 17-16 loss to the Dolphins.
WR DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
The 2020 Heisman Trophy winner burst onto the scene Sunday in a 32-6 win over the Falcons catching six of his eight targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in his first career NFL game. Smith led all Philadelphia receivers in targets and yards, while also tied-first in catches.
WR Jaylen Waddle – Miami Dolphins
In his first career NFL game, Waddle caught four passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in a 17-16 win over the Patriots on Sunday.
RB Josh Jacobs – Las Vegas Raiders
Despite battling injuries, Jacobs had a strong showing in Monday night’s 33-27 win over the Ravens. Jacobs turned 10 carries into 34 yards and two touchdowns, as well as one catch for six yards.
WR Jerry Jeudy – Denver Broncos
Jeudy recorded six catches for 71 yards in a 27-13 victory over the Giants on Sunday before exiting with an injury.
Other Notables:
RB Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) – 17 carries, 58 yards, 3 catches, 19 yards
WR Calvin Ridley (Atlanta Falcons) – 5 catches, 51 yards
RB Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers) – 16 carries, 45 yards, 1 catch, 4 yards
RB Kenyan Drake (Las Vegas Raiders) – 6 carries, 11 yards, 5 catches, 59 yards
WR Henry Ruggs III (Las Vegas Raiders) – 2 catches, 46 yards, 2 kick returns, 33 yards
WR Julio Jones (Tennessee Titans) – 3 catches, 29 yards
WR Cam Sims (Washington Football Team) – 1 catch, 17 yards, 1 tackle