The NFL season is officially underway. It is truly a great time of the year to be a football fan. Lets take a look at how some of the former Hokies performed in their week 1 debut and also award performer of the week.
Houston Texans - Duane Brown OT: The Houston Texans were beat by the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20. Brown was the lone bright light on the offensive line. Unfortunately it is a team effort, and the Texans gave up five sacks on the day. Houston's quarterback situation is not good, which means the men up front will be counted on to help establish the running game. It might be a long year for Brown and Texans.
San Diego Chargers - Brandon Flowers CB: Flowers had himself a day. The former Hokie held Calvin Johnson to just two catches on four targets for 39 yards. There is no need to adjust your eyes. You read that stat correctly. Flowers shutdown "Megatron" and helped the Chargers claw back from a 21-3 deficit and win the game.
Washington Redskins - DeAngelo Hall CB: Unfortunately Hall plays for one of the more frustrating teams in the NFL. The veteran corner left with a rib injury in the first half, but was able to return in the second. Hall is returning from a torn Achilles that sidelined him most of 2014. Washington's defense played great most of the game and only gave up 10 points on the day. Hall played well, but it looks like it will be another tough season for Washington.
Detroit Lions - Darryl Tapp DE: Tapp is the backup defensive end for a very talented Detroit D-line. The Lions got pressure on quarterback Phillip Rivers in the first half and jumped out to a quick 21-3 lead. Tapp finished with three tackles and played well when given the opportunity. In the second half, Detroit's defense was unable to get the same push upfront and eventually gave up the lead.
Chicago Bears - Kyle Fuller CB: Fuller and Brandon Flowers had the toughest matchups out of all the former Hokies. Fuller was facing the best quarterback in the league on Sunday and played well at times. Chicago held Rodgers to just 189 yards passing in the air. Fuller had a pass interference call that lead to a touchdown, and the Bears couldn't get a stop when they needed it the most. Chicago's secondary, including Fuller, need to play better if they want to compete in that division.
Chicago Bears - Will Montgomery C: The Chicago Bears offensive line played great on Sunday. Montgomery and the rest of the men upfront provided lanes for running back Matt Forte. Chicago finished with 189 rushing yards on the day. The offensive line gave up just 2 sacks and did a great job protecting Cutler.
Chicago Bears - Eddie Royal WR: Eddie Royal had the worse day out of all the former Hokies. He left the game briefly after his first catch with concussion like systems. He later returned, but did not haul in another pass the rest of the afternoon.
Buffalo Bills - Tyrod Taylor QB: After years of playing backup, Taylor finally got the chance to show off the talent that won him the starting position. The former Hokie finished the day with 194 yards in the air and also added 41 on the ground. He had a 52-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin that was perfectly placed. See below.
Hokie NFL Player of the Week: Tyrod Taylor: It was a tough decision, and it came down to Flowers or Taylor, but I had to go with Tyrod. Dubbed as "Willie Beamon" from running back LeSean McCoy, Taylor impressed in his first NFL start. Rex Ryan has something special up there in Buffalo and made the right decision when announcing the former Hokie as his starter. The Bills will have the opportunity to earn a playoff spot this year if Taylor keeps playing this way.