NFL’s 5 best throws from Week 1, starring Dak Prescott, Anthony Richardson, and more

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is officially over. Kansas City Chiefs Knock Off Baltimore Ravens AFC Championship Game rematch San Francisco 49ers They began their NFC title defense with a win over the visiting team. New York Jets.

While much of the discussion since Sunday has focused on the state of the NFL passing game due to the drop in passing statistics in Week 1, that's not to say there weren't some great moments from quarterbacks this weekend.

Let's take a look at five of the best throws from the weekend.

Geno Smith vs. Denver Broncos

It starts late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. Denver Broncos and Seattle SeahawksRookie quarterback Bo Nix scored six points to cut Seattle's lead to 26-20 with just minutes left. The touchdown came before the two-minute warning and, with Denver having two timeouts, the Broncos kicked deep, hoping to get one more stop.

Geno Smith and Tyler Lockett made sure the Knicks never had a chance.

On third down and six, the Seahawks ran a mesh concept and Smith threw a pass to Lockett on one of the tightest opportunities in the NFL on Sunday.

It doesn't get any better than this:

Not only is accuracy important, but so is the state of the pocket around Smith when he releases the pass: an incomplete pass would stop the clock and give the Broncos one timeout later, a chance to get the ball back and win the game. Furthermore, the pocket around him is collapsing, and Smith is dragged to the turf shortly after releasing the pass.

But he got up and took a knee to give himself a chance to finish the game off – a great throw-in at a crucial moment.

CJ Stroud vs. Indianapolis Colts

There's a saying about quarterback play: “Don't throw late up the middle.”

But when you have the arm strength of CJ Stroud and the eyesight to find open receivers at all levels of the field, you can break that unofficial rule.

On third down and 14 near midfield, Stroud was forced out of the pocket and sprinted toward the right sideline, only to find Nico Collins open in a weak spot on the field. Indianapolis Colts' Cover 3. Then, with a throwing motion that most closely resembles a shortstop throwing from the back of the hole to first base, Stroud gets just enough of this pass to move the chains for a first down.

Kids, don't try this at home unless you're good enough.

Dak Prescott vs. Cleveland Browns

Great throws sometimes come from great execution before the snap.

This touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Brandin Cooks is one example.

3rd and 5 Cleveland Browns On Sunday, Prescott sensed the Browns were pressuring him before the snap. There were several telltale signs that a blitz was coming, including the defender stepping in to blitz stances and the positioning of the defensive backs, so Prescott adjusted his protection before the play, helping his tight end defend while also changing his route concept.

The Browns got a free runner at the quarterback, but Prescott stayed in the pocket facing the pressure (not an easy thing to do) and threw a perfect corner route to Cooks for the touchdown.

The final aspect of this pitch? Anticipation. Look at the state of play when Prescott throws it.

It was a wonderful performance. For more information on the play, I highly recommend this breakdown Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel.

Trevor Lawrence vs. Miami Dolphins

Passes like this one from Trevor Lawrence to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. are worth analyzing in detail, as we covered yesterday .

But to make things simpler, if you thought the previous pass from Prescott to Cooks was a great example of prediction, take a look at this pass from Lawrence to Thomas.

and Miami Dolphins In Cover 2, Lawrence sees the safety on the offensive left side stranded on another route and knows Thomas can break through in the back corner of the end zone, and he “breaks through Thomas” and throws an incredibly accurate pass into the back corner of the end zone.

Perhaps the best angle on the play comes from Mike Renner, who posted another one on social media on Monday.

High level of execution by Lawrence.

Anthony Richardson vs. Houston Texans

But the best pass of the week? Anthony Richardson's throw in the Colts' loss. Texansa throw that received special treatment SB Nation.

Richardson stumbled, felt pressure in his face and couldn't get a step in to throw, resulting in the pass from the Colts' 33-yard line.

The ball then made it to the Houston 3-yard line, where Alec Pierce was waiting.

Simply sublime.

I was in Lucas Oil Stadium, that same building, during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and Richardson was in a T-shirt and shorts, making those kind of throws, putting on a great performance.

But will he do it on an NFL Sunday under pressure?

That's something different.