NFL: Raimann celebrates historic debut

“It was really exciting, my heart was beating a little bit,” Raimann said after the game in the APA interview, relieved: “I’ve dreamed of it for years. And still I don’t think it’s finally a reality. I tried not to disappoint the other ten guys. In general, I did it too. “

Raimann, who started as a substitute in the left tackling position in the Colts offensive, didn’t have to wait long for his first assignment. In the first quarter, the 24-year-old was sent out twice in front of 69,415 fans at Houston’s atmospheric NRG Stadium to provide another blocker to pave the way for running back star Jonathan Taylor. On his second play, the rookie, who was the first ever Austrian to be selected in the third round of the draft in April, hits a strong block.

The Colts are catching up

At the start of the second half Raimann was already in first training, the athlete 2.01 m tall and 138 kg heavy did not allow himself errors. Shortly thereafter, he was again replaced by Pryor. However, the clearly favorite Colts around quarterback Matt Ryan, who offered an interception and fumble, had huge problems in offensive play for a long time.

With a chase after falling behind by 3:20, the Colts saved themselves in extra time, where Indianapolis kicker Rodrigo Blankenship kicked the field goal for a possible win. This ended the Colts in the duel of the AFC South division, but at least the unsuccessful streak of eight defeats in eight years.

Prior to Raimann, former national team footballer Toni Fritsch had won the Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1972, although he didn’t play in the last game. Raimund “Ray” Wersching had success in 1982 and 1985 with the San Francisco 49ers. Mondsee’s emigrant son also played the last NFL game by an Austrian in 1987. Third in the group was Toni Linhart. Born in Styria, he played with the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.

The Bengals make false starts

Aside from Raimann’s debut, the first day of the 103rd season was full of surprises. In Cincinnati, last year’s finalists Bengals also had to do extra time in a turbulent exchange of blows with the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost 20:23 there.

Though Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered four interceptions – the first of which brought Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the end zone – and lost another turnover, Cincinnati equalized the game with a late touchdown. However, kicker Evan McPherson missed the extra point attempt in the last second and also missed the shot in extra time. His opponent, Chris Boswell, finally blocked Pittsburgh’s first win since the end of the era of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Other division winners from last season also got a nasty surprise at the start of the new season. The Green Bay Packers were clearly beaten by the Minnesota Vikings by 7:23 and started the new season with a rebound like last year. Most importantly, receiver Justin Jefferson was delighted by the guests with 184 yards and two touchdowns.

The New York Giants also caused a surprise for the Tennessee Titans. Led by running back Saquon Barkley (164 yards, one touchdown), the four-time Super Bowl winner won 21:20, not least because Titans kicker Randy Bullock didn’t hit his goal in the final seconds from 47 yards.

Mahomes-Show and Brady-Comeback

In Glendale, Arizona, where the Super Bowl will be held next February, Patrick Mahomes, protected by the roof of the hall, demonstrated that the passage from his favorite Tyreek Hill transit station in Miami had no effect on the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes led the 2019-20 champion with five touchdown passes for a compelling 44-21 triumph at the Arizona Cardinals.

Incidentally, Hill was able to celebrate a surefire 20-7 win with his new employer, the Miami Dolphins, against the New England Patriots. The receiver, who earns $ 30 million a season, received eight passes for 94 yards.

Tom Brady also celebrated a successful start to his 23rd season after a 40-day short-term retirement. The 45-year-old superstar clearly won 19: 3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Dallas Cowboys. Brady, the most successful player of all time with seven Super Bowl titles, contributed to the guests’ success with a touchdown pass and 212 yards. Mike Evans spectacularly captured the only one-handed touchdown pass. In addition to defeat, the Cowboys also need to think about their quarterback situation. Dak Prescott has been injured, needs surgery and will be out for weeks, according to team owner Jerry Jones.

National football league

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