Let's get to it:
NORBERT ROSSI FROM KENNEWICK, WA: What are the stats on the number of penalties called in all games in the NFL during the first week of the regular season? I do not enjoy watching the zebras insert themselves where not needed.
ANSWER: Like you, I also don't enjoy games that become flag-fests, or games that otherwise are dominated by the guys in the striped shirts. And that domination can extend beyond the actual throwing of penalty flags to constant time-consuming conferences after the penalty flag(s) come out. Anyway, to answer your question, here are the number of penalties called during Week 1 of the regular season, broken down on a game-by-game basis:
Ravens-Chiefs: 13 penalties for 109 yards
Packers-Eagles: 17 penalties for 128 yards
Steelers-Falcons: 14 penalties for 94 yards
Cardinals-Bills: 14 penalties for 96 yards
Titans-Bears: 15 penalties for 105 yards
Patriots-Bengals: 7 penalties for 50 yards
Texans-Colts: 9 penalties for 50 yards
Jaguars-Dolphins: 17 penalties for 174 yards
Panthers-Saints: 16 penalties for 175 yards
Vikings-Giants: 16 penalties for 158 yards
Raiders-Chargers: 9 penalties for 65 yards
Broncos-Seahawks: 14 penalties for 101 yards
Cowboys-Browns: 22 penalties for 149 yards
Commanders-Buccaneers: 14 penalties for 97 yards
Rams-Lions: 12 penalties for 106 yards
Jets-49ers: 7 penalties for 50 yards
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ERIC FRISHKORN FROM ELIZABETHTOWN, PA: If it were you, who would you start at quarterback in Week 2 vs. the Broncos in Denver?
ANSWER: If Russell Wilson is healthy, I would start him at quarterback. And by healthy, I mean based on the medical staff's judgement on whether he will be able to move around in the pocket and do the things he has done throughout his career to allow him to play the position the way he has, the way he needs to play it to be successful. He has to be able to protect himself from the pass rush. This should not be a situation, in my opinion, where a player is pushing to "gut it out" and get onto the field, because Justin Fields is a legitimate option, and as was shown last Sunday in Atlanta the Steelers can win games with him at quarterback. Not to ruin this with a quote from someone with the authority to make the decision, but here is what Coach Mike Tomlin said at his news conference on Tuesday: "As I sit here today, we're preparing as if Justin (Fields) is going to be our quarterback. I think that's the appropriate way to do it. Speculation is a waste of time. Russell's hurt." During Wednesday's practice, Wilson was listed as a limited participant with a calf injury.
JAMIE STRAHL FROM OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA: Sadly, I had to work last Sunday and missed watching the game. How did Patrick Queen do in his first game with the Steelers? And I did not see Elandon Roberts' name on the stat sheet. Did he play? How long will Isaac Seumalo be out with his injury? Is he sidelined for a minimum of 4 games?
ANSWER: Patrick Queen played 56 defensive snaps (100 percent) and 2 special teams snaps (8 percent), and he was credited with 2 tackles on defense. Elandon Roberts played 23 snaps on defense (41 percent) and 2 special teams snaps (8 percent), and he was not credited with any tackles. I cannot tell you how long Isaac Seumalo's pectoral injury will keep him sidelined, but because the Steelers didn't place him on injured reserve/designated to return, it leads me to believe there is hope he can return in fewer than 4 weeks.
TREVOR BENNETT FROM PEMBROKE, VA: Did you notice Arthur Smith playing his Atlanta guys over tried and true Steelers players, with examples being Cordarrelle Patterson over Jaylen Warren and MyCole Pruitt over Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward?
ANSWER: The way you worded your question indicates to me you're looking for controversy where there isn't any. Jaylen Warren wasn't used a whole lot in the game against the Falcons, because when he initially injured his hamstring during the preseason there was some fear he might have to go on the injured reserve list to open the season. My sense is the Steelers were easing him back into things to try to prevent any kind of setback. As for the tight ends, Pat Freiermuth (50 offensive snaps; 4 targets), Darnell Washington (37 snaps; 1 target) and MyCole Pruitt (40 snaps; 2 targets) all played a similar number of offensive snaps and were similarly involved in the passing attack. Don't jump to conclusions after one game.
RICH HUGHES FROM CONNEAUTVILLE, PA: What are the odds of leaving Scotty Miller as the holder for Chris Boswell? I think it would be smart just in case you wanted to run a fake.
ANSWER: As I have explained many times, in the NFL it's common practice for the punter to be the holder because it allows for a more efficient use of practice time. To use your example, the Steelers want Scotty Miller to be with the offense during practice so that he can get repetitions in the game plan for that week's opponent instead of being off to the side working with the specialists. And how many fake field goals do you recall the Steelers using in the last 5 years? Clearly that miniscule number is not worth having a wide receiver who may have a developing role within the offense miss hunks of practice every week.
SHAWN BADLANI FROM ORINDA, CA: Does the entire team vote on all of the team captains? In other words, do offensive players vote on the defensive captains, and do their votes count the same as defensive players' votes?
ANSWER: Everybody votes, and it's one man, one vote. I thought this was made clear by Coach Mike Tomlin's explanation of the process in the Sept. 10 Asked and Answered, "I simply hand out ballots, and I tell them to put whoever's name they think is worthy, and I really don't put a limit on the number of names."
BURTON HARRIS FROM GREENSBURG, PA: With the punter going down for the whole season would he still get his regular pay, or is there a system that they use to adjust his pay?
ANSWER: OK, this is the LAST TIME I'm going to address the issue of players' compensation while on the injured reserve list: All players on injured reserve receive the salary that's called for in their contracts, and that money counts on the team's salary cap.
ROBERT YEAGER FROM CANYON COUNTRY, CA: After Chris Boswell's great day of kicking, I was wondering which NFL kicker has made the most 50-plus yard field goals?
ANSWER: Matt Prater, who is 40 years old, is in his 18th NFL season, and currently is Arizona's placekicker, has converted 80-of-107 field goals (74.8 percent) from 50-plus yards, which puts him No. 1 all-time. As an aside, Prater kicked 2 field goals in the Cardinals' 34-28 loss last Sunday to the Bills. After the game against the Falcons, Chris Boswell has converted 33-of-40 field goals of 50-plus yards (82.5 percent) during his career.
DAMIEN FRANK FROM QUINCY, CA: I have 2 questions about the hero of Sunday's game: Chris Boswell. Before Sunday's game, has he ever attempted a punt? Has he ever kicked 6 or more field goals in a game before?
ANSWER: That punt in Atlanta was Chris Boswell's first in the NFL. And there were two previous occasions when Boswell kicked 6 field goals in an NFL game: on Dec. 18, 2016, he kicked field goals of 45, 49, 49, 40, 49, and 30 yards in a 24-20 win over the Bengals in Cincinnati; and in the Divisional Round of the 2016 AFC Playoffs, Boswell kicked field goals of 22, 38, 36, 45, 43, and 43 yards in an 18-16 win over the Chiefs in Kansas City.
JAY MELVIN FROM THUNDERBOLT, GA: Was there something about Najee Harris' helmet being ripped off by an Atlanta defensive player in the game last Sunday that I missed that made it not a facemask penalty at the very least?
ANSWER: No. Just incompetent officiating.
GREGORY EDGAR FROM STUDIO CITY, CA: I could guess. I could consult Google or Wikipedia. However, I know the best answer I can receive is by submitting a question to Asked and Answered. What is a "flip card," and who issues it?
ANSWER: A game day flip card is double-sided and shows the rosters, starting lineups, depth charts for both teams, plus the names of the officiating crew, and other pertinent information. They are used in both NFL press boxes as well as at major college football games.
JOHN BOYD FROM CHESAPEAKE, VA: During Sunday's game I noticed that Russell Wilson had a patch on his jersey that none of the other players had. What's the patch for?
ANSWER: Russell Wilson had a patch on his jersey last Sunday, but he wasn't the only player who had it. The patch designated him as being a winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Cam Heyward had the same patch on his jersey.
