Tuesday Evening Kicker: 2021 Week 1 Recap

The unpredictability of Week 1 reared its head again as not only did several players come from the middle of nowhere to light up the scoreboard, but several MFFL teams turned the league on its head. Switzerland already matched its win total from each of the past two years with a huge first week, leading the league in scoring. Wake Island scored a huge upset over Ukraine. Egypt held on in the fourth quarter for a big win over Jamaica. And Nagasaki, Turkey, and San Juan rolled to comfortable victories.

Go Nuts! Squirrels explode for big Week 1 upset

Switzerland Squirrels 197.43, Bangkok Blitz 185.38 — The victory parade will have to be put on hold temporarily as one of the league’s heavy favorites to win the 2021 Super Bowl took an unexpected detour in a Week 1 loss to Switzerland. Bangkok’s front office did a great job compiling the makings of a winning team, but the coaching staff fumbled it away in Week 1, leaving 78.85 points on the bench. Aaron Rodgers dropped the ball with just 4.18 points while Dak Prescott lit it up from the bench. Tyreek Hill (45.05 points) and Darren Waller (33.25) kept things close, but the team just couldn’t catch up to Switzerland. Receiver Adam Thielen (35.2) and quarterback Tom Brady (32.63) led the way for the Squirrels. Cooper Kupp added 27.8 points while D.J. Chark finished with 22.1. Next Week: Switzerland faces another team coming off a big victory in Week 1, Egypt. Bangkok will look for their first victory against Ukraine.

Ai-YUCK: Goose egg helps sink Grainers in big Wookiees win

Wake Island Wookiees 168.9, Ukraine Grainers 155.02 — Ukraine has sustained injury after injury after injury, and a zero-point performance from hobbled receiver Brandon Aiyuk helped drop the Grainers in Week 1. Wake Island received big performances from T.J. Hockenson (31.7), Matthew Stafford (28.2), Marvin Jones (22.45) and Jarvis Landry (22.05) in the victory. The Grainers welcomed back Christian McCaffrey, who led the team with 31.9 points. They also got a big week out of quarterback Russell Wilson, who notched 30.87 points. Not only did Aiyuk fail to contribute, but the Grainers’ high-priced, $16 million offseason acquisition, Julio Jones, put up just 8.4 points. To add insult to injury, second-year receiver Jerry Jeudy left the game with an ankle injury and will miss several weeks. Next Week: Wake Island will try to make it two in a row when they face Jamaica. The Grainers will have a tough test against another team that suffered a Week 1 loss in Bangkok.

Mixon’ it up with Mahom-ies: Pharaohs cruise to strong Week 1 victory

Egypt Pharaohs 181.33, Jamaica Jerks 175.4 — Led by 38.78 points from Patrick Mahomes, 36.9 from Deebo Samuel and 30.8 from Joe Mixon, the Pharaohs busted out for a huge Week 1 victory over Jamaica. The Jerks tried to make a comeback, but fell just 6 points short. The Pharaohs nearly had a fourth player score 30 points with Sterling Shepard, who finished just shy of that mark with 29.55. Jamaica was led by tight end Rob Gronkowski with 33.5 points in the loss. Keenan Allen racked up 25.75 points while Dalvin Cook added 23.4 and Joe Burrow finished with 22.1 Next Week: Egypt will face another team that had a huge first-week victory in Switzerland. Jamaica will try to pick up their first win when they take on Wake Island.

Murray, Kelce drive Kamikazes to big win over Renegades

Nagasaki Kamikazes 185.58, Russia Renegades 152.2 — Quarterback Kyler Murray blew up for 5 touchdowns and 37.88 points and tight end Travis Kelce added 30.35 as the Kamikazes cruised to a big Week 1 victory over Russia. Prized offseason acquisition Derrick Henry struggled in his Kamikazes debut, scoring just 14.1 points. The Kamikazes needed 24.05 points from the Pittsburgh Steelers defense and 18.9 points from A.J. Brown to offset the struggling backfield. For the Renegades, receiver CeeDee Lamb led the way with 29.65 points. Lamar Jackson added 21.58 points while Miles Sanders finished with 20.3. Rookie Najee Harris turned in a dud in his debut with just 9.1 points while tight end Mike Gesicki added just 0.5. Next Week: Nagasaki looks for revenge in a Super Bowl rematch with San Juan. Russia tries to pick up their first victory in a battle with Turkey.

Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper: Jerky bursts out to early lead and hangs on to beat Ecuador

Turkey Jerky 152.03, Ecuador Ewoks 139.72 — Receiver Amari Cooper busted out of the gate with 46.9 points, scoring 30% of his team’s offense as the Jerky held on for a big Week 1 victory. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick left the game early with an injury and scored just 1.58 points. Running back D’Andre Swift tallied 26.6 points and Darrell Henderson notched 18.9. For the Ewoks, receiver DeAndre Hopkins started earning his paycheck by scoring 30.3 points in the loss. Rookie DeVonta Smith tallied 23.1 points while running back Melvin Gordon added 23. Brandin Cooks also pitched in 21.95 points. Next Week: Turkey will try to tally another victory when they face Russia. Ecuador will gladly accept a gift from Christmas Island.

Defending champion Scorpions cruise in “exhibition game” against Christmas Island

San Juan Scorpions 175.15, Christmas Island Crabs 128.37 — Despite a huge early game performance from receiver Chris Godwin, who tallied 29.5 points, the Crabs made good in their effort to take a step toward the first overall pick next year in a big loss to the defending champions. San Juan got a balanced effort from their squad with Nick Chubb leading the way (24.1 points). Josh Allen pitched in 23.7 points, Alvin Kamara added 22.1 points and Stefon Diggs finished with 21.4. Receiver Nelson Algholor tallied 21.95 points for the Crabs in the loss. Ben Roethlisberger added 16.07 and George Kittle finished with 14.55. Next Week: San Juan will try to defend their title in a Super Bowl rematch with Nagasaki. Christmas Island will face Ecuador, who is coming off a Week 1 defeat.