Each and every Sunday, 3 of The Athletic’s NFL writers react to the most important information, performs and performances from the era’s video games.
The primary Sunday of the NFL season introduced a dominant Dallas efficiency (led via the protection and a well-paid QB), one main disillusioned, an extraordinarily shaky era for the draft’s manage select, and a few habitual effects for the Giants (regardless of Brian Daboll calling the performs), Panthers (regardless of a current educator), and Falcons (regardless of a current quarterback and educator).
Jerod Mayo will get his first win as @Patriots head educator pic.twitter.com/xXpEQ18ehQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
It’s just one competition, however what does it ruthless for the long-range outlook? The Athletic NFL writers Mike Jones, Ted Nguyen and Dan Pompei proportion their ideas on all of those storylines.
Are the Dallas Cowboys this just right, or are the Cleveland Browns (particularly that offense) this unholy?
Jones: The Cowboys are surely a just right staff. They have got again and again dissatisfied within the postseason, however they’re constructed to contend. So it comes as disagree amaze that they appeared just right within the opener. The Browns shouldn’t have appeared this unholy, alternatively. They are adjusting to the adjustments on offense that Ken Dorsey introduced, however there’s nonetheless a batch of endurance in what they do. Deshaun Watson nonetheless doesn’t look out just right. He has familiarity with a batch of those avid gamers, however now not having Nick Chubb hurts, as does shedding David Njoku within the first part on Sunday. There’s additionally some rust for Watson to paintings off then enjoying simplest six video games latter season. Pin some blame for the offensive struggles at the series, which historically is robust however performed poorly on Sunday. It would shoot a few weeks for this unit to gel, however you continue to would’ve preferred to have noticeable higher from the Browns than what they confirmed Sunday.
Nguyen: The Cowboys have high-end skill in key spots. Society underestimated how just right current defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was once getting to be for this Dallas protection; he was once dialing up the power towards Watson. The Browns are coping with a ton of accidents however Watson appeared like a bottom-five quarterback. You could possibly hope he would raise the ceiling of the staff, enjoying at house, regardless of their trauma condition, however Watson had disagree solutions towards Zimmer’s pressures. I simply don’t see the way it’s getting to recover. We’re happening presen 3 of Watson taking a look like a shell of his former self.
Pompei: We’re almost certainly all to blame of underrating the Cowboys, in response to the avid gamers they didn’t upload within the offseason and their fresh postseason struggles. It’s simple to disregard they have got extra regular-season victories than any staff within the league since 2021 with the exception of the Kansas Town Chiefs (who’ve yet another win). Dallas is robust in all of the proper fields, and they’re one thing else now that positive word of honour had been labored out: satisfied. The Cowboys will have to be regarded as a Tremendous Bowl contender.
How constructive are you in regards to the Los Angeles Chargers’ formulation in Jim Harbaugh’s first competition and primary win: superb protection, environment friendly — if now not essentially explosive — offense?
Nguyen: The Chargers’ win towards the Raiders was once as “Harbaugh” because it will get. They received the giveover combat 3-0. They saved operating the ball even if they’d just about disagree luck early within the competition, banging their heads towards the wall till they had been ready to pop a couple of runs. Come what may they completed with 176 speeding yards. Justin Herbert averaged simply 5.5 yards in step with go. It is a competition they might have most often misplaced within the pace, however with Harbaugh, that’s a win. Untouched defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s protection was once noteceable. The mix of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa was once dominant and the run protection was once a lot stepped forward over latter season. That is definitely a formulation that would win and the passing competition will reserve getting higher — Herbert is simply too proficient. Slightly the debut for Harbaugh.
Pompei: The Chargers don’t seem to be as proficient as some groups, particularly a undeniable AFC West rival, however they will have to be aggressive in nearly each and every competition they play games. To some extent, we will be able to trait that to the best way Harbaugh coaches, which has helped him conquer skill deficits with a number of groups. It’s in part scheme, nevertheless it’s greater than that. Harbaugh understands the best way to maximize skill each with the best way he aligns avid gamers and the best way he interacts with them.
Jones: This formulation will probably be high-quality for the Chargers once they play games alternative rebuilding groups just like the Raiders. They have got a skilled quarterback in Justin Herbert, however L.A. is definitely retooling in relation to the receiver place. They have got to win gritty like this now, leaning at the protection and run competition. However don’t be expecting this sort of luck (176 speeding yards and 3 takeaways on protection) towards detail groups just like the division-leading Chiefs; it is going to shoot a batch greater than 144 passing yards from Herbert to reserve the Chargers in maximum video games. And J.Ok. Dobbins, who had 135 yards on 10 carries, can’t be counted on for this sort of manufacturing on a constant foundation. He ignored all however one competition latter season, had simplest two 100-yard video games in 2022, didn’t play games in 2021 and simplest two 100-yard video games in 2020.
Granted, we had a Tremendous Bowl champion that misplaced a house opener a presen in the past, however was once Sunday’s loss to the Untouched England Patriots extra of a pink flag for the Cincinnati Bengals, or was once the soccer international merely underestimating Jerod Mayo’s crew?
Jones: Disagree, it’s now not a pink flag whilst you believe: 1) Joe Burrow didn’t have Tee Higgins and simply were given Ja’Marr Chase again at the garden, and a couple of) the Bengals historically get started sluggish. Groups don’t play games starters within the preseason, so those first few regular-season video games will truly component a batch of rust — and later whilst you’re depending on 3rd and fourth receivers to play games expanded roles, I don’t aid how just right a quarterback you’re, you’re getting to attempt. Admirable task via Jerod Mayo and Co., however shoot this end result with a grain of salt (for each groups).
Nguyen: This Bengals staff had method too many query marks to be counted as actual contenders this season. Out of doors of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they don’t have many guns. The ones two give them an elite duo however Higgins was once out and Chase has rarely practiced as a result of his guarantee dispute. Even though they’re each again, this staff will want anyone to step up as a 3rd weapon. A extra entire staff beats the Patriots, however the Bengals are utterly reliant on their WR duo.
Pompei: Bizarre issues can occur the primary age of the NFL season, as this competition confirmed. This was once an out-of-character competition for the Bengals, who would possibly want a negligible era to seek out their groove because the Ja’Marr Chase guarantee drama is going on. Burrow is simply too just right for the Bengals to reserve shedding video games they will have to win, nevertheless it’s truthful to marvel if Cincinnati will probably be impacted via the departures of a number of avid gamers and coaches.
The Chicago Bears will definitely shoot the win, however what will we construct of the new-look offense then Caleb Williams’ debut?
Nguyen: There’s disagree method round it: Caleb Williams was once unfortunate. He pressed and temporarily realized that seeking to prolong performs towards an NFL go speed could be very tricky; the 29 yards he misplaced in sack yardage is proof of that. (Web passing, the Bears simplest won 64 yards.) You aren’t getting to win a batch of video games like that — this was once a particularly not going victory. However a part of the explanation that everybody stated Caleb Williams is getting into one of the vital highest conditions ever for a rookie QB is as a result of the Bears’ protection, and that confirmed these days. Nonetheless, it’s simplest the primary competition. Williams must reserve that specialize in making the straightforward performs ahead of seeking to do extra.
Sebastian Joseph-Moment takes indisposed Caleb Williams for the sack #TitanUp
: #TENvsCHI on FOX
: pic.twitter.com/jO9gkSJcBL— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Jones: You’ll be able to’t shoot a complete batch from Future 1 motion for a rookie quarterback and a current offense, regardless that I do know our instincts let us know to leap to conclusions. A protracted-time NFL head educator instructed me years in the past that it truly takes a few quarter of the season for a staff to actually outline itself — that’s much more appropriate now that few starters play games within the preseason. So, issues aren’t at all times as unholy as they appear, and in some instances, issues aren’t as just right as they appear. In terms of Williams and the Bears: Was once it the debut that they sought after? Completely now not. His stat series (14-for-29 for simplest 93 yards and a passer ranking of 55.7) is nice-looking embarrassing. However it was once his first era going towards a protection that in truth game-planned for him, and this Bears offense, whose avid gamers are nonetheless finding out Shane Waldron’s machine, could be very a lot a piece in proceed. Williams and Co. will recover. The whole lot I’ve heard from coaches running with him has been certain. They describe him as a snappy learner and tireless associate. So, I’m curious to look what changes Williams and the Bears construct and what classes he’s taking clear of his first day trip. Any other tricky protection awaits in Houston then age, so we’ll be informed a negligible extra in response to that reaction.
Pompei: The offense deserved to lose on Sunday. The Bears received as a result of their protection and particular groups, and since Will Levis made extra pricey errors than Williams. The most productive factor Williams did was once get indisposed ahead of he were given clash. The proficient trio of large receivers was once calm. Remove one 20-yard run, and D’Andre Fast had 9 carries for 10 yards. This unit must be a batch higher for the Bears to be what they had been meant to be. With no higher efficiency offensively then Sunday, Chicago gets steamrolled via the Texans.
GO DEEPER
Greenberg: Caleb Williams’ debut didn’t are living as much as expectancies, however he did enough quantity for now
Later the Steelers’ win in Atlanta, which veteran QB is feeling a negligible extra tense: Russell Wilson then Justin Subjects’ 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 snappy hook in Atlanta would construct disagree sense. Penix may get pleasure from sitting and observing for many if now not all the season relying on how issues play games out. It’s a distinct situation in Pittsburgh, the place the Disagree. 1 task was once up for grabs this summer time. Subjects didn’t brightness it up Sunday, alternatively, so Wilson is more likely to stay the starter if he can go back quickly.
Nguyen: Wilson will have to really feel a bit of shaky, despite the fact that Subjects didn’t cement the task together with his efficiency. Nonetheless, Subjects’ legs had been an element these days and Wilson isn’t getting to serve that dynamic for the offense. I believe popping out of Atlanta with a win will probably be a consider Mike Tomlin’s thoughts. For Cousins, I believe the Falcons are intent on giving Penix a redshirt presen. Cousins is coming off a significant trauma and performed an elite protection. The Falcons will give him all of the era he must determine it out.
Jones: Meh, neither will have to really feel tense. If Justin Subjects had long gone out and lit up the scoreboard, later possibly Wilson would sweat a negligible. Subjects finished 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and pressed for time for 57 yards — roughly pedestrian, and the Steelers didn’t rating a landing. Had it now not been for a fierce protection (two interceptions and a fumble healing) and a obese era for kicker Chris Boswell (six garden targets), the Steelers almost certainly would’ve misplaced this competition. Subjects didn’t journey out and i’m ready this kind of lofty bar that Mike Tomlin would have 2d ideas about turning issues again over to Wilson if the veteran is wholesome then age. And I don’t suppose Cousins will have to be tense both. Penix is a rookie with a batch to be told. The Steelers beaten Atlanta’s offensive series, hitting Cousins seven instances and sacking him two times. The Falcons are finding out a current offense, so a stumble out of the gates towards a protection just like the Steelers’ isn’t precisely unexpected.
GO DEEPER
5 takeaways from Steelers’ season-opening win over Falcons
Which fan bottom will have to be paying extra consideration to school soccer Saturdays: the Carolina Panthers’ or the Untouched York Giants’?
Jones: Each? The Giants for quarterbacks, and the Panthers for the entirety else. The Giants will have to’ve drafted a quarterback this pace April, however didn’t have a anticipation to get one of the vital guys they truly preferred. They felt like they’d such a lot of wishes it was once higher to paintings on atmosphere the desk for the quarterback they’ll draft then spring in lieu than achieve on a QB they didn’t love and put him at the garden with a supporting solid stuffed with holes. The Panthers clearly would have preferred to look indicators that Bryce Younger (13-for-30, 161, 0 TDs, 2 INTs) has made strides underneath current educator Dave Canales, however they will have to have a batch of shock a few protection led via the well-regarded Ejiro Evero. Carolina has endurance on that facet of the ball, however you might’ve by no means recognized it in response to Sunday’s efficiency. Sure, the Saints are operating a current offense, however there’s disagree method they will have to’ve let Derek Carr carve them up for 47 issues.
Nguyen: The Giants had been already observing faculty quarterbacks latter season as “Hard Knocks” viewable, however they couldn’t business up for Drake Maye. Brian Flores’ protection gave a batch of quarterbacks problems latter presen, however Jones appeared abysmal on Sunday. It was once simply some other listless efficiency stacked on manage of too a lot of them in his profession. If the Giants imagine Drew Lock is a viable additional, it can be era to take a look at him quickly. The excellent news for the Giants is what first of all appeared like a vulnerable quarterback draft elegance is origination to circumstance up a bit of with risers like USC’s Miller Moss. It’s early, however the Giants’ sights have already wandered ahead of the season.
Pompei: The Panthers had been soccer’s worst staff latter presen, and there isn’t a lot proof thus far to indicate they have got stepped forward considerably. Given the impatience of proprietor David Tepper, it’s most likely they’ll be within the draft quarterback marketplace until Bryce Younger can trade the narrative over the then 16 video games. However a shedding season for the Giants is more likely to lead to sweeping trade as properly, and that would ruthless a first-round quarterback will probably be an opportunity for them.
(Supremacy picture: Nick Cammett / Getty Pictures)
