By: Sean Davis 9/9/24
Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is in the books, and we've got some hot takes! Let's break down the biggest first impressions from the opening weekend.
Assessing first impressions from Week 1 of 2024 NFL regular season
Dynamic kickoffs are a hit: DeeJay Dallas of the Cardinals scored the first TD under the new rules with a 96-yard return. We saw more exciting returns, with fewer touchbacks overall.
New coaches make their mark: Jerod Mayo led the Patriots to a 16-10 upset over the Bengals. Jim Harbaugh's Chargers relied heavily on the run game, with J.K. Dobbins rushing for 135 yards.
Veteran QBs in new places: Kirk Cousins struggled for Atlanta with just 155 yards and 2 INTs. Sam Darnold shined for Minnesota, throwing for 208 yards and 2 TDs.
Rookie QBs face reality: Caleb Williams (93 yards), Jayden Daniels (184 yards), and Bo Nix (138 yards, 2 INTs) all had tough debuts.
Top rookie WRs quiet: Marvin Harrison Jr. (1 catch, 4 yards), Malik Nabers (5 catches, 66 yards), and Rome Odunze (1 catch, 11 yards) had minimal impact.
Tom Brady's broadcast debut: The GOAT showed promise in the booth, especially when predicting plays and breaking down defenses.
Biggest surprises from NFL Week 1
Bengals stumble again: Cincinnati lost 16-10 to the Patriots, continuing their trend of slow starts. Joe Burrow threw for just 164 yards as the Bengals face a tough Week 2 matchup in Kansas City.
Caleb Williams' rocky debut: The Bears' rookie QB struggled with only 93 passing yards, but Chicago still beat Tennessee 24-17 thanks to strong defense and special teams play.
Cowboys dominate Browns: Dallas silenced critics with a 33-17 win over Cleveland. Dak Prescott looked sharp, and the defense racked up 6 sacks and 2 interceptions.
Falcons' offense sputters: Kirk Cousins and Atlanta managed just 226 total yards in an 18-10 loss to Pittsburgh. Cousins threw for 155 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.
Lions roar in primetime: Detroit's improved secondary and Jameson Williams' breakout (5 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD) led to a 26-20 OT win over the Rams.
Which Week 1 storyline surprised you the most? And which rookie QB do you think will bounce back first? Let me know in the comments!
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