One factor we realized about every crew in Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Cowboys, Lions register as NFC heavyweights

One week of 2024 NFL soccer is within the books, and already we have loved loads of fireworks on the gridiron, from a stunning upset of the Cincinnati Bengals and an explosive debut for the freshly paid Dallas Cowboys to the return of a gritty Detroit Lions membership and the continued crunch-time excellence of the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Here is one factor we realized about every crew throughout Week 1 of the 2024 marketing campaign:

The offense is on the upswing. The mere truth they might go toe to toe with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills is a significant win. Kyler Murray at the very least appears to be like wholesome and cozy dishing the ball round.

Kirk Cousins is just not a cure-all. The truth is, he could have held Atlanta again greater than helped in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ robust go rush. Chalk a few of it as much as rust. Nevertheless it’s a state of affairs value monitoring.

Lamar Jackson wants extra steadiness. This man’s clearly nonetheless overflowing with MVP electrical energy. He additionally wants a stabler line, or a busier Derrick Henry, or extra settled No. 2 receiver spot to be sustainable.

Josh Allen can, the truth is, do all of it. How lengthy he can do all of it stays to be seen. However even with a remade receiving corps and iffy protection, the veteran gunslinger was a one-man wrecking crew in opposition to Arizona.

The sorrows of 2023 will not be over but. New coach, similar ugly outcomes. Dave Canales should still restore Bryce Young, however man, does the previous No. 1 choose nonetheless have few solutions in opposition to NFL defenses.

There will probably be rising pains on offense. Caleb Williams‘ magic was so pronounced within the preseason it was simple to get forward of ourselves. At the least Matt Eberflus’ protection got here to life in crunch time.

It is time to fear about Zac Taylor. Sure, his groups have rebounded from gradual begins earlier than. However a Week 1 dud even with a wholesome Joe Burrow was particularly uninspiring after an offseason filled with contract drama.

Deshaun Watson could not final (once more). Partly as a result of he is working behind an awfully embattled O-line, partly as a result of, now into Yr 3 with the Browns, he is but to look comfy for consecutive drives.

Super Bowl aspirations are justified. We mentioned aspirations. Sure, Dak Prescott has big-game hurdles to clear. However the Mike Zimmer protection appears to be like nasty as ever. Their Browns beatdown confirmed their upside.

Bo Nix has a protracted solution to go. So, apparently, does your complete Sean Payton rebuild mission. The rookie quarterback was agile however erratic when throwing the ball remotely downfield in his first NFL begin.

They have much more upside than throughout their 2023 NFC title bid. Why? Jameson Williams is shifting like a No. 1 wideout. David Montgomery is working like Marshawn Lynch. The younger protection is feisty.

They want the remainder of the NFC North to take it simple. Jordan Love’s big-money arm was obvious once more in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles, however now that he is sidelined for just a few weeks, they simply want to remain afloat.

C.J. Stroud’s run assist is far improved. It wasn’t simply the numbers, however the eye check. Joe Mixon showcased easy imaginative and prescient and motion as a shock 150-yard workhorse in his Texans debut.

They could have the NFL’s greatest fireworks present underneath middle. Anthony Richardson could also be scattershot as a passer, however when he is on, there may not be a extra gifted thrower in your complete NFL.

Trevor Lawrence’s setup continues to be a piece in progress. He wasn’t good, both, however as soon as once more, poor safety, blatant drops and vanilla play-calling did not precisely launch this membership again into star standing.

They’re very a lot the crew to beat. Apparent? Perhaps. However they give the impression of being much more formidable, maybe, than they did on the Tremendous Bowl stage! Patrick Mahomes as soon as once more has legit pace at his disposal.

The Antonio Pierce period may very well be crushingly conservative. It is a defensive coach with an uneasy quarterback state of affairs, however nonetheless, the embrace of curious crunch-time punts was foreboding.

The preseason emphasis on the run sport was justified. Jim Harbaugh pounded the rock to help Justin Herbert, and it labored, with J.K. Dobbins and/or Gus Edwards poised to be season-long workhorses.

Accidents are the largest risk to Matthew Stafford. Not a lot to the quarterback as the blokes round him, with Puka Nacua and components of the O-line each dropping by the wayside in an in any other case spicy Week 1.

The offense nonetheless hums. Tua Tagovailoa seemed spry with extra fairly deep flicks. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill did their factor. Mike McDaniel’s squad is a lock to place up numbers as soon as once more.

Sam Darnold is succesful. Taking part in a harder protection will probably be a greater check, however nonetheless, the journeyman seemed calm, assured and cozy to assist shepherd a stepping-stone win for an in any other case missed crew.

The Invoice Belichick protection stays. Or ought to we are saying Jerod Mayo protection? Both approach, the brand new coach deserves props for his unit bottling up Joe Burrow and Co. Nobody anticipated a Week 1 win for this group.

Derek Carr is just not completed, in any case. Perhaps it is the Klint Kubiak affect. Perhaps it is a well-rested arm. No matter it was, Carr seemed like a completely rejuvenated quarterback in opposition to the lowly Panthers.

Brian Daboll could also be out of solutions. And it is solely Week 1. Daniel Jones seems as listless as ever, and never even Malik Nabers‘ presence may get environment friendly, explosive play design from the embattled head man.

The entire operation is rusty. Or, worse, plain-old stale. Aaron Rodgers confirmed some trademark zip in his return, however the offensive design, execution and even defensive run-stuffing was very mercurial.

A few of their mojo is again. Their debut in opposition to Inexperienced Bay was sloppy at occasions, however they nonetheless scored 34, had improved solutions for the blitz and stood tall as a red-zone protection in opposition to a fellow NFC contender.

T.J. Watt controls their future as soon as extra. Justin Fields protected the ball in his emergency debut, to be truthful, however as normal, this crew runs off the motor of Mike Tomlin’s most harmful go rusher.

Kyle Shanahan’s infrastructure stays elite. No shock, however even with out Christian McCaffrey, they ran wild with Jordan Mason in opposition to the Jets, and Brock Purdy was extra poised than his numbers point out.

The protection is in good arms. They had been up in opposition to a rookie quarterback in Denver, however Mike Macdonald’s in-game administration additionally deserves applause. Do not sleep on this NFC West contender.

Baker Mayfield refuses to be written off. By some means, recent off an enormous deal for his 2023 rejuvenation, the gutsy journeyman seemed even higher in opposition to the Washington Commanders, slinging it with authority.

Their quarterback and offensive line points are cyclical. Will Levis nonetheless is not getting respectable safety, and but he is additionally reckless on his personal. Tennessee must resolve each in the event that they wish to win this 12 months.

Jayden Daniels will most likely lead them in dashing. So long as the younger signal-caller can keep away from taking too many open-field hits. Passing has nonetheless been low-risk for Daniels, however the mobility is plain.