The games got even better on Sunday with several nail-biting, last minute heroics, including the Oakland Raiders stunning come-from-behind victory on the road in New Orleans. Not only did the silver and black pull off a 35-34 victory, but it was how they did it as head coach Jack Del Rio decided to go for a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown in the final minute.
Quarterback David Carr hit Michael Crabtree on a fade to make the conversion, but it wasn’t over yet as Drew Brees completed a couple last minute passes to give rookie kicker Will Lutz a shot at winning on the last play, but the long 61 yard attempt sailed just wide and Oakland’s bench went wild.
The AFC West had a great start to the year as the other contest had rivals San Diego facing Kansas City. The Chargers dominated the first half, leading 21-3 after thirty minutes of action, but the Chiefs rallied behind veteran quarterback Alex Smith to score 17 points in the final quarter to force overtime. Smith than led the opening drive in extra time to a touchdown, giving Kansas City the largest comeback win in franchise history, 33-27.
Seattle also had a last minute victory when quarterback Russell Wilson guided the Seahawks on a 75 yard drive to score the go-ahead touchdown on a pass to Doug Baldwin, giving the NFC West favorites a 12-10 victory over a feisty Miami Dolphins squad.
In all, 10 of the first 13 NFL games where decided by 7 points or less, giving the fans one of the best opening weeks in league history and plenty more on the horizon as it was just week one of the seventeen weeks of great football action, all of which will lead to the Super Bowl early in 2017.
