Every Sunday, three of The Athletic’s NFL writers react to the most important information, performs and performances from the day’s video games.
The primary Sunday of the NFL season introduced a dominant Dallas efficiency (led by the protection and a well-paid QB), one main upset, an awfully shaky day for the draft’s prime decide, and a few acquainted outcomes for the Giants (regardless of Brian Daboll calling the performs), Panthers (regardless of a brand new coach), and Falcons (regardless of a brand new quarterback and coach).
Jerod Mayo will get his first win as @Patriots head coach 👏 pic.twitter.com/xXpEQ18ehQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
It’s just one sport, however what does it imply for the long-range outlook? The Athletic NFL writers Mike Jones, Ted Nguyen and Dan Pompei share their ideas on all of those storylines.
Are the Dallas Cowboys this good, or are the Cleveland Browns (particularly that offense) this dangerous?
Jones: The Cowboys are undoubtedly a great crew. They’ve repeatedly disillusioned within the postseason, however they’re constructed to contend. So it comes as no shock that they appeared good within the opener. The Browns shouldn’t have appeared this dangerous, nonetheless. They are adjusting to the adjustments on offense that Ken Dorsey introduced, however there’s nonetheless loads of continuity in what they do. Deshaun Watson nonetheless doesn’t look good. He has familiarity with loads of these gamers, however not having Nick Chubb hurts, as does dropping David Njoku within the first half on Sunday. There’s additionally some rust for Watson to work off after enjoying solely six video games final season. Pin some blame for the offensive struggles on the road, which historically is powerful however performed poorly on Sunday. It may take a few weeks for this unit to gel, however you continue to would’ve favored to have seen higher from the Browns than what they confirmed Sunday.
Nguyen: The Cowboys have high-end expertise in key spots. Folks underestimated how good new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was going to be for this Dallas protection; he was dialing up the strain towards Watson. The Browns are coping with a ton of accidents however Watson appeared like a bottom-five quarterback. You’d hope he would carry the ceiling of the crew, enjoying at residence, regardless of their damage scenario, however Watson had no solutions towards Zimmer’s pressures. I simply don’t see the way it’s going to get higher. We’re occurring yr three of Watson trying like a shell of his former self.
Pompei: We’re most likely all responsible of underrating the Cowboys, based mostly on the gamers they didn’t add within the offseason and their latest postseason struggles. It’s simple to neglect they’ve extra regular-season victories than any crew within the league since 2021 besides the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (who’ve another win). Dallas is powerful in all the proper areas, and they’re one thing else now that sure contracts have been labored out: blissful. The Cowboys ought to be thought-about a Tremendous Bowl contender.
How optimistic are you in regards to the Los Angeles Chargers’ method in Jim Harbaugh’s first sport and first win: excellent protection, environment friendly — if not essentially explosive — offense?
Nguyen: The Chargers’ win towards the Raiders was as “Harbaugh” because it will get. They received the turnover battle 3-0. They saved working the ball even once they had just about no success early within the sport, banging their heads towards the wall till they had been in a position to pop a number of runs. In some way they completed with 176 speeding yards. Justin Herbert averaged simply 5.5 yards per cross. It is a sport they’d have usually misplaced up to now, however with Harbaugh, that’s a win. New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s protection was spectacular. The mix of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa was dominant and the run protection was a lot improved over final season. That is definitely a method that would win and the passing sport will maintain getting higher — Herbert is simply too gifted. Fairly the debut for Harbaugh.
Pompei: The Chargers aren’t as gifted as some groups, particularly a sure AFC West rival, however they need to be aggressive in virtually each sport they play. To a level, we will attribute that to the best way Harbaugh coaches, which has helped him overcome expertise deficits with a number of groups. It’s partly scheme, but it surely’s greater than that. Harbaugh understands find out how to maximize expertise each with the best way he aligns gamers and the best way he connects with them.
Jones: This method will probably be advantageous for the Chargers once they play different rebuilding groups just like the Raiders. They’ve a gifted quarterback in Justin Herbert, however L.A. is definitely retooling in relation to the receiver place. They need to win gritty like this now, leaning on the protection and run sport. However don’t anticipate this kind of success (176 speeding yards and three takeaways on protection) towards high quality groups just like the division-leading Chiefs; it can take much more than 144 passing yards from Herbert to maintain the Chargers in most video games. And J.Okay. Dobbins, who had 135 yards on 10 carries, can’t be counted on for this kind of manufacturing on a constant foundation. He missed all however one sport final season, had solely two 100-yard video games in 2022, didn’t play in 2021 and solely two 100-yard video games in 2020.
Granted, we had a Tremendous Bowl champion that misplaced a house opener a yr in the past, however was Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots extra of a purple flag for the Cincinnati Bengals, or was the soccer world merely underestimating Jerod Mayo’s group?
Jones: No, it’s not a purple flag when you think about: 1) Joe Burrow didn’t have Tee Higgins and simply received Ja’Marr Chase again on the sphere, and a couple of) the Bengals historically begin gradual. Groups don’t play starters within the preseason, so these first few regular-season video games will actually characteristic loads of rust — after which whenever you’re counting on third and fourth receivers to play expanded roles, I don’t care how good a quarterback you’re, you’re going to battle. Nice job by Jerod Mayo and Co., however take this end result with a grain of salt (for each groups).
Nguyen: This Bengals crew had method too many query marks to be counted as actual contenders this season. Exterior of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they don’t have many weapons. These two give them an elite duo however Higgins was out and Chase has hardly practiced due to his contract dispute. Even when they’re each again, this crew will want somebody to step up as a 3rd weapon. A extra full crew beats the Patriots, however the Bengals are utterly reliant on their WR duo.
Pompei: Unusual issues can occur the primary week of the NFL season, as this sport confirmed. This was an out-of-character sport for the Bengals, who may have a bit time to search out their groove because the Ja’Marr Chase contract drama goes on. Burrow is simply too good for the Bengals to maintain dropping video games they need to win, but it surely’s truthful to surprise if Cincinnati will probably be impacted by the departures of a number of gamers and coaches.
The Chicago Bears will definitely take the win, however what will we make of the new-look offense after Caleb Williams’ debut?
Nguyen: There’s no method round it: Caleb Williams was horrible. He pressed and rapidly discovered that making an attempt to increase performs towards an NFL cross rush could be very tough; the 29 yards he misplaced in sack yardage is proof of that. (Internet passing, the Bears solely gained 64 yards.) You aren’t going to win loads of video games like that — this was a particularly unlikely victory. However a part of the explanation that everybody stated Caleb Williams is coming into probably the greatest conditions ever for a rookie QB is due to the Bears’ protection, and that confirmed immediately. Nonetheless, it’s solely the primary sport. Williams must maintain specializing in making the simple performs earlier than making an attempt to do extra.
Sebastian Joseph-Day takes down Caleb Williams for the sack #TitanUp
📺: #TENvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/jO9gkSJcBL— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Jones: You’ll be able to’t take a complete lot from Week 1 motion for a rookie quarterback and a brand new offense, although I do know our instincts inform us to leap to conclusions. A protracted-time NFL head coach advised me years in the past that it actually takes a couple of quarter of the season for a crew to actually outline itself — that’s much more relevant now that few starters play within the preseason. So, issues aren’t all the time as dangerous as they appear, and in some circumstances, issues aren’t pretty much as good as they appear. Within the case of Williams and the Bears: Was it the debut that they wished? Completely not. His stat line (14-for-29 for under 93 yards and a passer ranking of 55.7) is fairly embarrassing. However it was his first time going towards a protection that truly game-planned for him, and this Bears offense, whose gamers are nonetheless studying Shane Waldron’s system, could be very a lot a piece in progress. Williams and Co. will get higher. All the things I’ve heard from coaches working with him has been constructive. They describe him as a fast learner and tireless employee. So, I’m curious to see what changes Williams and the Bears make and what classes he takes away from his first outing. One other robust protection awaits in Houston subsequent week, so we’ll study a bit extra based mostly on that response.
Pompei: The offense deserved to lose on Sunday. The Bears received due to their protection and particular groups, and since Will Levis made extra expensive errors than Williams. One of the best factor Williams did was get down earlier than he received hit. The gifted trio of vast receivers was quiet. Take away one 20-yard run, and D’Andre Swift had 9 carries for 10 yards. This unit must be loads higher for the Bears to be what they had been speculated to be. And not using a higher efficiency offensively subsequent Sunday, Chicago will get steamrolled by the Texans.
GO DEEPER
Greenberg: Caleb Williams’ debut did not reside as much as expectations, however he did sufficient for now
After the Steelers’ win in Atlanta, which veteran QB is feeling a bit extra uneasy: Russell Wilson after Justin Fields’ efficiency, or Kirk Cousins with Michael Penix Jr. looming?
Pompei: The Falcons didn’t pay Cousins $100 million assured to switch him with a rookie; a fast hook in Atlanta would make no sense. Penix may gain advantage from sitting and watching for many if not the entire season relying on how issues play out. It’s a distinct state of affairs in Pittsburgh, the place the No. 1 job was up for grabs this summer time. Fields didn’t mild it up Sunday, nonetheless, so Wilson is prone to stay the starter if he can return quickly.
Nguyen: Wilson ought to really feel a bit shaky, though Fields didn’t cement the job together with his efficiency. Nonetheless, Fields’ legs had been an element immediately and Wilson isn’t going to supply that dynamic for the offense. I feel popping out of Atlanta with a win will probably be a think about Mike Tomlin’s thoughts. For Cousins, I feel the Falcons are intent on giving Penix a redshirt yr. Cousins is coming off a serious damage and performed an elite protection. The Falcons will give him on a regular basis he must determine it out.
Jones: Meh, neither ought to really feel uneasy. If Justin Fields had gone out and lit up the scoreboard, then possibly Wilson would sweat a bit. Fields accomplished 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and rushed for 57 yards — form of pedestrian, and the Steelers didn’t rating a landing. Had it not been for a fierce protection (two interceptions and a fumble restoration) and a giant day for kicker Chris Boswell (six subject targets), the Steelers most likely would’ve misplaced this sport. Fields didn’t exit and set such a excessive bar that Mike Tomlin would have second ideas about turning issues again over to Wilson if the veteran is wholesome subsequent week. And I don’t assume Cousins ought to be uneasy both. Penix is a rookie with loads to study. The Steelers overwhelmed Atlanta’s offensive line, hitting Cousins seven instances and sacking him twice. The Falcons are studying a brand new offense, so a stumble out of the gates towards a protection just like the Steelers’ isn’t precisely stunning.
GO DEEPER
5 takeaways from Steelers’ season-opening win over Falcons
Which fan base ought to be paying extra consideration to varsity soccer Saturdays: the Carolina Panthers’ or the New York Giants’?
Jones: Each? The Giants for quarterbacks, and the Panthers for every little thing else. The Giants ought to’ve drafted a quarterback this previous April, however didn’t have an opportunity to get one of many guys they actually favored. They felt like that they had so many wants it was higher to work on setting the desk for the quarterback they’ll draft subsequent spring quite than attain on a QB they didn’t love and put him on the sphere with a supporting solid stuffed with holes. The Panthers clearly would have favored to see indicators that Bryce Younger (13-for-30, 161, 0 TDs, 2 INTs) has made strides below new coach Dave Canales, however they need to have loads of concern a couple of protection led by the well-regarded Ejiro Evero. Carolina has continuity on that aspect of the ball, however you’d’ve by no means recognized it based mostly on Sunday’s efficiency. Sure, the Saints are working a brand new offense, however there’s no method they need to’ve let Derek Carr carve them up for 47 factors.
Nguyen: The Giants had been already watching faculty quarterbacks final season as “Onerous Knocks” revealed, however they couldn’t commerce up for Drake Maye. Brian Flores’ protection gave loads of quarterbacks points final yr, however Jones appeared abysmal on Sunday. It was simply one other listless efficiency stacked on prime of too lots of them in his profession. If the Giants consider Drew Lock is a viable backup, it could be time to take a look at him quickly. The excellent news for the Giants is what initially appeared like a weak quarterback draft class is beginning to form up a bit with risers like USC’s Miller Moss. It’s early, however the Giants’ eyes have already wandered earlier than the season.
Pompei: The Panthers had been soccer’s worst crew final yr, and there isn’t a lot proof up to now to recommend they’ve improved considerably. Given the impatience of proprietor David Tepper, it’s seemingly they are going to be within the draft quarterback market until Bryce Younger can change the narrative over the following 16 video games. However a dropping season for the Giants is prone to lead to sweeping change as nicely, and that would imply a first-round quarterback will probably be a risk for them.
(High photograph: Nick Cammett / Getty Pictures)
