NFL Week 1 Recap

Week 1 is in the books. As always, the NFL delivered a little bit of everything – from down-to-the-wire games to shocking upsets and unexpected breakout individual performances.

Let’s break down some top storylines from Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Titans let Bears off the Hook

Expectations soared in Chicago thanks to a productive offseason in which the Bears acquired quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. For a while, it looked like this up-and-coming team would lay an egg in Week 1, but they recovered from a 17-0 deficit to defeat the Tennessee Titans 24-17.

Williams had an uneventful afternoon, but that should not be too concerning given that it was his first-ever game in the NFL. If anything, it is encouraging that Chicago can win even with its QB being a non-factor. Williams will be showcased in primetime this weekend, as he prepares for a tough Sunday Night Football test against the Houston Texans. The Bears are +6.5 road underdogs. Undoubtedly, they cannot get away with such a poor start against an opponent like Houston as they did against Tennessee. 

Break out the Patriots! 

Not many people would of had the Patriots to win in their NFL predictions. The New England Patriots were underdogs by more than a touchdown this past Sunday at the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Pats would have covered even if they had been -5.5 favorites! That’s right; New England went into Cincinnati and improbably pulled off a 16-10 upset. It doesn't who is at QB if Rhamondre Stevenson runs for 120 yards and a TD every game.

It’s probably a bit too early to start planning another parade, but at the same time, the Patriots clearly aren’t the worst team in football – as many expected them to be. The Carolina Panthers are definitely worse; the New York Giants are probably worse; the Denver Broncos might be worse; heck, even the Bengals look worse! 

Daniel Jones' Struggles Continue

It’s still early (in fact, it could not be any earlier in the season), but current indications are that the Giants are a disaster of a franchise. They have compiled losing records in six of the last seven seasons, and not once in those six years have they recorded more than six wins. 

Now, New York is off to a losing start in 2024 following a 28-6 loss to a Minnesota Vikings team that is not expected to be a contender in the NFC. Daniel Jones was horrendous, going 22-of-42 for 186 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions, one of which resulted in Minnesota linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel walking into the endzone from 10 yards out.

The Giants being bad is not exactly a groundbreaking story. What is alarming, though, is that wide receiver Malik Nabers’ fantasy football stock may already be plummeting, given the ineptitude of his quarterback. With Jones delivering – or more like trying and failing to deliver – the football to Nabers and Darius Slayton, it’s hard to envision much production from those guys moving forward.

Dak Gets a Contract and Dallas Win Big

Sunday could not have gone any better for the Dallas Cowboys. First, they got a deal done with quarterback Dak Prescott (four years, $240 million and $231 million guaranteed – making him the highest-paid player in NFL history). Second, they walloped the Cleveland Browns 33-17. Dallas dominated in all three phases of the game to score a resounding road win.

The Philadelphia Eagles also looked good in Week 1, beating the Green Bay Packers 34-29 in Brazil. Thus, the stage is set for another intriguing battle in the NFC East. Philadelphia is a -130 favorite; Dallas is +120.

Key injuries in the NFC

Week 1 saw the injury bug hit a few NFC teams hard.

The Packers’ business trip to Brazil certainly did not go as planned. Not only did they lose to the Eagles on Friday night, but quarterback Jordan Love also suffered a sprained MCL that will likely keep him out for approximately four weeks. That means that Malik Willis will be starting in Green Bay – which also means that the Indianapolis Colts will like their chances a lot more in Week 2.

Puka Nacua was one of the league’s breakout stars as a rookie in 2023, but he will have to make up for lost time later this season if he wants to post big numbers in 2024. Just how long he is on the shelf with a knee injury remains to be seen, but it will be at least four games since the Los Angeles Rams placed him on injured reserve following Sunday night’s overtime loss to the Detroit Lions.

Christian McCaffrey was a late scratch from the Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets. It was not an entirely surprising development, as the star running back had been dealing with a calf issue. However, it now sounds like McCaffrey will miss Sunday’s date with Minnesota. San Francisco is a -5.5 road favorite.

Read More:

• NFL Week 2 Preview
• NFL Best Bets