Football is finally back. The NFL just wrapped up its first week of the season and former NC State football players were making big plays all weekend. Here are some of the best Pack Pro performances of Week 1.
Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots quarterback
Brissett was taken 91st in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Since then, he hasn’t had much of a chance to show himself as he’s bounced around the league.
Now, Brissett is back in New England eight years after he was drafted by the Patriots, leading the charge in new head coach Jerod Mayo’s first game. Even though Brissett didn’t record a touchdown, he had 121 yards through the air and 32 yards on the ground.
Brissett looked very comfortable in his first game with New England. He dealt with the Bengals’ defensive line pressure well, staying composed and making throws in the pocket. When he was flushed out of the pocket, Brissett used his legs to gain extra yards.
Brissett marched the Patriots down the field and allowed running back Rhamondre Stevenson to punch in the only touchdown scored for the Patriots on Sunday. Brissett’s calming presence and turnover-free-play are a big reason why the Patriots pulled off an upset over the Bengals.
Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Wilson looked like his collegiate self out on the field against the Atlanta Falcons in his official NFL debut.
Wilson recorded three solo tackles in his debut and was all over the field causing havoc for the Falcons offense. The rookie had a touchdown-saving tackle on Bijan Robinson to prevent the Falcons from scoring early in the game.
Perennial All-Pro linebacker TJ Watt had high praise for Wilson in his first game, calling him a “gazelle” because of his quick bursts of speed.
Brayden Narveson, Green Bay Packers kicker
Narveson spent his graduate season with the Pack last season where he ranked fifth in the ACC in field goals made with 18. Narveson also holds the NC State school record for longest field goal made, a 57-yarder against Duke in 2023.
Narveson was originally picked up by the Tennessee Titans but was waived after the end of training camp. The Packers were in need of a starting kicker and offered the spot to Narveson after he was cut. The former Wolfpack kicker became the first undrafted kicker for the Packers since Ryan Longwell in 1997.
Narveson made his NFL debut last Friday against the Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil. The rookie went 3-4 in his debut.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Meyers started his sixth season last Sunday, where he racked up 61 yards on three catches in a Raiders loss to the Chargers.
Since arriving in Las Vegas, Meyers has been a reliable number two option behind star receiver Davante Adams and he continued that with a solid performance Sunday.
