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The NFL opened up its season last weekend, and there was no shortage of Wisconsin Badgers on the field. Here are the notable efforts from the nearly 20 Badgers that appeared in Week 1.
J.J. Watt was one of the Houston Texans' lone defensive bright spots in a 20-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, recording nine tackles and two sacks. The highlight of the game was Watt's sack after the right tackle pulled his helmet off in a futile attempt to block he who cannot be blocked.
Melvin Gordon could not take advantage of DeAndre Levy being out for the Detroit Lions, gaining just 51 yards on 14 carries. San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy was generally complimentary of Gordon, but was displeased with Gordon's second-half fumble.
Mike McCoy on Melvin Gordon fumble: "Don't let it happen again. That's what we told him. You fumbled once. You're done for the year."
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) September 14, 2015
Mike McCoy on Melvin Gordon: "You all saw how we let 28 get to the second level, what he's going to do at the second level." Gordon flashed.
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) September 14, 2015
Nice mix for Melvin Gordon. He was on field Sunday for 35 offensive snaps: 18 run plays, 17 pass. Woodhead took 43 snaps. Oliver 5.
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) September 14, 2015
Gordon also nearly had what could've been the most impressive touchdown of all of Week 1... but he was eventually ruled down by replay.
Lance Kendricks hauled in a 37-yard touchdown with less than a minute left to send the St. Louis Rams to overtime against Russell Wilson's Seattle Seahawks. Wilson had a lackluster outing, needing over 40 attempts to gain 250 yards through the air while adding 30 yards on the ground. Rob Havenstein started in his debut for the Rams, helping his team secure the 34-31 victory.
Travis Frederick, Ricky Wagner and Kevin Zeitler all retained their respective starting jobs from last year with Frederick and Zeitler coming out victorious in week one.
Brad Nortman helped hold the Jacksonville Jaguars to nine points by pinning two of his four punts inside the 20-yard line.
Joe Thomas started his ninth NFL season the same way his last eight begun; with a loss. Thomas, yet to miss a game in his career, continued to be the backbone of a hapless Cleveland Browns offense that saw starting quarterback Josh McCown leave the game with a head injury before Johnny Manziel entered and failed to impress.
Owen Daniels made his first start for the Denver Broncos, but joined the rest of the offense in struggling to do much with a pair of catches for a handful of yards.