The NFL regular season is officially back, and Week 1 certainly did not disappoint. Between come-from-behind victories, upsets, and injuries, there is plenty of news to unpack after the weekend.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest news stories of the week.
Saints Sign Lattimore To Extension, Lose Him To Injury
The New Orleans Saints signed their Pro Bowl cornerback, Marshon Lattimore, to a massive extension this week. The 25-year-old signed a five-year deal worth $97.6 million. Of that, $44 million is guaranteed.
Lattimore was set to play on his fifth-year contract, but this gives both Lattimore and the Saints some security moving forward.
Last season, Lattimore had 62 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. After breaking into the NFL in 2017, he has been exceptional each of the last four years.
Unfortunately, on the same day, the extension was announced, it was also announced that he would need surgery due to a thumb injury.
He played through the injury in the Saints’ 38-3 victory over the Packers in Week 1. In the game, he had three tackles, and a pass defended.
It appears that Lattimore will not miss significant time, but he could still be out for the next couple of weeks.
After their win over the Packers, the Saints are now +330 to win the NFC South and +2500 to win the Super Bowl.
Watts Gets Massive Extension
Lattimore was not the only defensive player to agree to an extension recently. In fact, T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to make Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
The extension is for four years and $112 million. Of that total, Watt is guaranteed $80 million.
In the midst of a “hold-in,” Watt signed his new extension prior to the team’s Week 1 win over Buffalo. In that game, he had three tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
Last year, in 15 games, Watt had 53 tackles, 15 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
At 26-years-old, the Pro Bowl linebacker is trying to help a defense that ranked fifth in the NFL last season in scoring defense, allowing just 21.2 points per game.
Pittsburgh is currently +3200 to win Super Bowl LVI.
Fitzpatrick To Hit IR
For Ryan Fitzpatrick, his tenure with the Washington Football Team did not start the way that he was hoping. In a 20-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Fitzpatrick suffered a hip subluxation in the first half.
As a result, Washington is putting him on the injured reserve, meaning that he is out for at least the next few weeks.
Prior to his injury, Fitzpatrick threw for just 13 yards on three completions. Last season, with Miami, he threw for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Having been in the NFL since 2005, the 38-year-old will now try to work his way back from injury. For WFT, who is +340 to win the NFC East, they will turn to Taylor Heinicke under center moving forward.
Mostert To Miss Significant Time
The San Francisco 49ers’ running back Raheem Mostert has unfortunately been familiar with injuries, and in Week 1, he suffered another one.
In fact, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Mostert will be missing the next eight weeks with chipped cartilage in his knee.
Prior to his injury, he had rushed two times for 20 yards in the 49ers’ 41-33 win over Detroit.
Last season, he was limited to just eight games, but in that time, he rushed for 521 yards and two scores. He also had 16 receptions for 156 yards and another score.
With Mostert out, the team will turn to Elijah Mitchell.
For the 49ers they are currently the favorites to win the NFC West at +185. They have the fifth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +1300.
