NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins reacts after scoring a one-yard touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins reacts after scoring a one-yard touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson had a chance to torch his former team, and that’s exactly what he did in the Redskins’ impressive 24-6 victory out in Arizona.

Just consider this stat line:

  • Rushing: 26 attempts for 96 yards and one touchdown
  • Receiving: Two catches for 70 yards

That’s 166 all-purpose yards right there — nearly 40 percent of the 429 total yards Washington managed over the course of the contest.

All for a 33 year old, who is supposed to be “washed up” by now.

Peterson wasn’t the only one making his impressive debut with the Redskins. Alex Smith looked both methodical and efficient in his first game with Washington, tossing for 255 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. And it appears as if the Redskins offense functions much better with his safe decision making when compared to that of former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The Redskins defense did its job too, limiting the Cardinals to just 213 all-purpose yards and the six points.

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