The Battle of the Blooms: Roadrunners Outpace Oilers in Week 1 Showdown
Written by Curtis Lambeau (Roadrunners Sideline Reporter)
A long-standing rivalry between the Austin Oilers and Albuquerque Roadrunners took center stage once again to open the 2024 NAFC season. On Draft Day, Oilers’ owner Ben Tidgren suggested giving the fierce rivalry an official name – “The Battle of the Blooms.” The unique twist? Each team, after a win, adds a flower to a bouquet of blooms in their team colors, symbolizing their dominance in this spirited series. Since 2018, the Oilers have led the all-time series 7-3, but in Week 1, the Roadrunners narrowed the gap with a hard-fought victory.
The Roadrunners, ranked #2 in the Commissioner’s Power Rankings, entered the season with high hopes and a stacked roster. On the other hand, the Oilers, ranked near the bottom at #11, lacked depth and creative playmaking. Despite the long-standing rivalry, these two teams appear to be heading in opposite directions in 2024.
In the much-anticipated Week 1 matchup, the Roadrunners edged the Oilers 114.0-95.5. Josh Allen led the charge for the Roadrunners, putting up an impressive 33.4 fantasy points to prove that this is his team. While Christian McCaffrey was out of the lineup, Stefon Diggs stepped up in his 2024 debut, contributing 21.9 points. The Dallas Cowboys Defense also made a significant impact, adding 20.0 points to secure Albuquerque’s win.
For the Oilers, the game exposed several concerns. Their star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who had threatened to sit out due to a contract dispute, managed a modest 12.2 points – far below what’s expected from the 7th overall pick. Quarterback Brock Purdy struggled as well, only contributing 10 fantasy points, leaving the Oilers with an underwhelming start. But perhaps the biggest issue for Austin was their running back performance, with their top two starters combining for just 10.9 points. Mark Andrews, their usually reliable tight end, was quiet with only 3.4 points. Despite these struggles, WR Nico Collins and the Vikings’ DST were bright spots, keeping the Oilers competitive for parts of the matchup.
With the win, Albuquerque looks ready to live up to their lofty preseason expectations. However, the Oilers will need to regroup and address some glaring weaknesses if they hope to compete this season.
As the flowers continue to be added to the Roadrunners’ bouquet, they’ll set their sights on Week 2, traveling to Los Angeles to take on USMC. The Oilers, meanwhile, will have their work cut out for them as they travel to Moscow, Idaho, to face a dangerous Black Bears squad. The Battle of the Blooms has just begun for 2024, but it’s clear that these two teams are on very different trajectories.
