The inaugural NFL Sunday of the 2024 season has wrapped up, bringing the excitement that football enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating.

Additionally, DeeJay Dallas of the Arizona Cardinals made history with the first dynamic kickoff return for a touchdown of the season. Here’s a look at the Week 1 winners and losers.

WINNERS

The Detroit Lions’ Grit and Determination

The Lions didn’t have their best performance on the field. Their offense hit some major roadblocks in the second half, recording three consecutive three-and-outs in their first five possessions and throwing an interception during that time. Despite these struggles, Detroit managed to outlast the Rams, proving their status as a worthy contender in the NFC. This was their first game since suffering a heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game. Although it wasn’t perfect—top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught only three passes for 13 yards, and the Lions converted just two of four red zone opportunities—they showcased their strength. In overtime, the offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, running the ball seven times for 60 yards on a crucial drive that led to the game-winning touchdown. The Lions made it clear that their identity remains intact.

Houston Texans’ Bold Moves Pay Off

The Texans deserve credit for recognizing and enhancing their promising young roster. With a thrilling 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, they took an early lead in the AFC South, thanks to key contributions from their newly acquired players.

Running back Joe Mixon was a central figure, carrying the ball 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Stefon Diggs, acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills earlier in the year, caught six passes for 33 yards, including two touchdown receptions, with one coming late in the fourth quarter to extend Houston’s lead.

Solid Support for Caleb Williams

The Chicago Bears’ rookie quarterback didn’t shine in his debut, but it didn’t impact their game. The Bears demonstrated their ability to rebound from a significant 17-point deficit, winning in various ways. Their defense performed admirably, shutting out the Titans in the second half, while special teams also contributed a touchdown.

Sooner rather than later, Williams will need to step up and lead his team, but it’s a large advantage for a rookie to have a supportive team environment. If the Bears can secure victories even when their offense struggles—converting just 2-of-13 on third down and managing only 148 total yards, with a mere 64 yards through the air—they could develop into unexpected contenders once Williams and the offense find their rhythm.

Kickoff Returns Add Some Excitement

This aspect isn’t quite a clear winner or loser but more of a tentative success, considering the limited data as teams mostly opted for touchbacks. However, when kickoffs were returned, the modified rules certainly added some thrill to those plays.

As of Sunday night’s game, there were 101 touchbacks on 157 kickoffs, translating to 54 returns—or about 34.4%—with two going out of bounds. The average return yardage was 27.2 yards, showing an increase from last season’s average of 23 yards per return. Notably, the Cardinals vs. Bills game witnessed some impressive returns, including the season’s first kickoff return for a touchdown.

Nevertheless, the return percentage remains low. A significant number of returns stemmed from just one game, as the Carolina Panthers faced the New Orleans Saints. While the return aspects appear promising, more needs to be done to encourage teams to avoid touchbacks for these rule changes to gain real traction. One proposed solution: move the touchback location to the 35-yard line to create more opportunities for returns.

LOSERS

Concerns for the Cincinnati Bengals

Despite the absence of receiver Tee Higgins, the Bengals’ loss to a Patriots team in transition is simply unacceptable. Known for starting slow in seasons, the Bengals, who last appeared in a Super Bowl three years ago, displayed troubling signs that suggest a regression in their offense.

Last season, the Bengals committed only two fumbles. By the third quarter on Sunday, they had already matched that total. Cincinnati was the only offense throughout Sunday’s games that failed to score before halftime. Joe Burrow managed just 164 passing yards, and aside from Ja’Marr Chase’s 62 yards, Bengals receivers totaled merely 37 yards from five catches. Additionally, the Bengals struggled in the running game, with only 70 rushing yards, second-worst in Week 1, ahead of only the Panthers’ 58.

The New York Giants Must Move On from the Daniel Jones Situation

As Year 6 progresses, the experiment with Daniel Jones has reached its limit. While he hasn’t had much talent surrounding him since joining the New York team, the decision to grant him a four-year contract extension in March 2023 is proving to be increasingly problematic with each passing game.

Jones continues to repeat errors that have plagued his career, like in a game where he threw two interceptions and the team suffered a 28-6 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. He tends to hold onto the ball for too long, leading to him being sacked or under pressure. He also takes sacks when there are easier options available, such as dumping the ball off or throwing it away, and he tends to turn the ball over at critical moments. According to Spotrac.com, Daniel Jones is set to count $47.86 million against the cap for 2024, and if the team decides to cut him in the offseason, they would still face a dead cap hit of $22.2 million.

The Cleveland Browns Don’t Have the Same Freedom

The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a difficult position with Deshaun Watson following a 33-17 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys. After signing him to a fully guaranteed contract in March 2022, despite facing 24 allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, the Browns are left with no options but to cope with his lackluster performances. It’s unlikely that any team would take the chance on a player who struggles to run an NFL offense effectively, especially one with Watson’s controversial history. If the Browns were to release him, they would face a staggering dead cap charge of $172.78 million, as noted by Spotrac.com.

While Watson bears some of the blame, not all of Cleveland’s problems stem from him. Last season, the offense faltered under his leadership until Joe Flacco stepped in and rejuvenated the downfield passing game, showcasing the overall effectiveness of the Browns’ offense. On the other hand, unlike Jones, Watson has access to numerous talented players, including Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and David Njoku.

Kirk Cousins and the Updated Atlanta Falcons Offense Need More Time to Adjust

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to win 18-10 against the Falcons despite failing to score a touchdown. Atlanta’s offense struggled in their opening game with Kirk Cousins as quarterback and Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator, resulting in a lack of effectiveness.

Cousins recorded only 155 passing yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions—one occurring at a crucial moment with 2:47 left in the game when Atlanta was attempting to fight back in Steelers territory. Throughout the game, Cousins faced constant pressure, particularly from T.J. Watt. The Falcons lost the turnover battle 0-3, and with many new players involved, it may take time for the offense to find its groove. Unfortunately, with upcoming games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, a possible 0-3 start looms as a significant concern.