With the first week of the NFL season in the books, fans and analysts alike are already making bold predictions and overreactions. And with the highly anticipated return of football, it’s no surprise that ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith and former NFL player Marcus Spears have joined in on the fun by sharing their top five teams after week one.
In a recent segment on ESPN’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith revealed his top five teams, which included the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and the New Orleans Saints. Smith’s list was met with mixed reactions, with some agreeing with his choices and others questioning his reasoning.
But it was Marcus Spears who stole the show with his own list of top five teams. The former NFL player and current ESPN analyst had a different take on the top teams in the league, naming the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Kansas City Chiefs as his top five.
While both lists have some similarities, there are also some notable differences. So, let’s take a closer look at each team and why they made it onto these experts’ lists.
First up, the Buffalo Bills. It’s no surprise that both Smith and Spears have the Bills on their lists. After all, they dominated the Miami Dolphins in week one, with quarterback Josh Allen throwing for 369 yards and two touchdowns. The Bills’ defense also showed up, holding the Dolphins to just 11 points. With a strong start to the season, it’s clear that the Bills are a team to watch out for.
Next, we have the Baltimore Ravens. Led by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, the Ravens had a dominant performance against the Cleveland Browns in week one. Jackson threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 45 yards. The Ravens’ defense also showed up, holding the Browns to just six points. With a well-rounded team and a dynamic quarterback, it’s no surprise that both Smith and Spears have the Ravens on their lists.
Moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles, who had a tough matchup against the Washington Football Team in week one. Despite losing key players to injuries, including wide receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive end Brandon Graham, the Eagles managed to pull off a comeback win. Quarterback Carson Wentz threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, showing that he can still lead his team to victory even with a depleted roster. Both Smith and Spears recognize the Eagles’ resilience and have them on their lists.
The Los Angeles Chargers also made it onto both lists, thanks to their impressive performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in week one. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert stepped in for an injured Tyrod Taylor and threw for 337 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers’ defense also showed up, holding the Bengals to just 13 points. With a strong showing from their young quarterback and a solid defense, the Chargers are a team to keep an eye on this season.
Last but certainly not least, we have the Kansas City Chiefs. The defending Super Bowl champions had a tough matchup against the Houston Texans in week one, but they managed to come out on top with a 34-20 win. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown. The Chiefs’ offense is as explosive as ever, and their defense showed improvement from last season. It’s no surprise that both Smith and Spears have the Chiefs on their lists.
While it’s still early in the season, these five teams have certainly made a strong case for being at the top of the league. But as we all know, anything can happen in the NFL, and there are sure to be plenty of surprises and upsets throughout the season.
So, whether you agree with Stephen A. Smith’s list or Marcus Spears’ list, one thing is for sure – the NFL season is off to an exciting start, and we can’t wait to see how these top teams continue to perform in the coming weeks.
