2011 NFL Kickoff Weekend: Seven from Sunday

by Dave Cariello on Sep 12, 2011 11:00 AM CDT

Official NFL Release

SEVEN FROM SUNDAY - KICKOFF WEEKEND

A look at seven statistical highlights from games played at 1:00 p.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 11, the first week of the 2011 season.

The THREE KICKOFF RETURN TOUCHDOWNS (Packers' RANDALL COBB, 108 yards; 49ers' TED GINN JR., 102 yards; Vikings' PERCY HARVIN, 103 yards) so far in Week 1 tie for the most in NFL history on Kickoff Weekend (1970, 1998).

Ginn also had a 55-yard punt-return touchdown in the 49ers' 33-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the first player to have a kickoff-return touchdown and punt-return touchdown in the same game on Kickoff Weekend. He is also the 12th player in NFL history to have both a KR-TD and PR-TD in the same game.

The CHICAGO BEARS, who defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-12, have won 52 games on Kickoff Weekend, tied with the GREEN BAY PACKERS for the most wins all-time on Kickoff Weekend. The Bears also posted their 63rd win in home openers, the most in NFL history.

Philadelphia quarterback MICHAEL VICK had 98 rushing yards in the Eagles' 31-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. Vick now has 4,728 career rushing yards and joins RANDALL CUNNINGHAM (4,928) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 4,700 rushing yards.

Vick's 98 rushing yards were the second-most by a quarterback in a season opener. He holds the record with 103 rushing yards on Kickoff Weekend last year (September 12, 2010 against Green Bay).

Carolina quarterback CAM NEWTON passed for 422 yards against the Arizona Cardinals in his NFL debut, tying Detroit Lions quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD (422 on November 22, 2009) for the most passing yards in a game by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Newton's 422 passing yards are the most by a rookie quarterback on Kickoff Weekend in NFL history and fifth-most all-time by any player on Kickoff Weekend.

Baltimore safety ED REED had two interceptions in the Ravens' 35-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reed now has 12 games with at least two interceptions, the most by any player who began their career in the Super Bowl era.

Washington rookie linebacker RYAN KERRIGAN had a nine-yard interception-return touchdown in the Redskins' 28-14 victory over the New York Giants. Kerrigan is the first rookie linebacker since 2002 (James Allen, September 8) to score a touchdown on Kickoff Weekend.

The HOUSTON TEXANS defeated the Indianapolis Colts 34-7 on Kickoff Weekend. The Texans became the first team since the 1994 Indianapolis Colts (35 points vs.Houston Oilers) to score at least 34 points in the first half of a game on Kickoff Weekend.

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Comments

First

Now can people stop complaining about the new kickoff rules???

Hey Drew, get your son's headphones ready.

by Triple A on Sep 12, 2011 11:02 AM CDT reply actions

I was thinking the same thing.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 12, 2011 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Not to toot my own horn, but

I may be alone in this, but I think the new kickoff rule may actually lead to MORE returns for TDs. The kickoff coverage will let their guard down more often as they will just assume that it will be a touchback. On kick returns, you usually only have to make one or two guys miss. If those one or two guys slow down, they’re toast.

TOOT TOOT

Peyton, I can eat Oreos faster than you!!!!

by mknkachow on Sep 12, 2011 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw it when you first posted that. I have to say, after this weekend, that I agree.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 12, 2011 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions