The biggest NFL disappointments after Week 1

It’s hard to write off a player or a team after the first week of the season, but it was clear that some were not ready to kick off the new campaign. We’ll dive deeper into the miserable performances from Week 1. All statistics are sourced from Football Reference.

Falcons fans were promised a more exciting and productive brand of offense in 2024, spearheaded by new quarterback Kirk Cousins and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. However, Atlanta’s attack wasn’t much more potent in Week 1 than it proved to be under the much maligned Arthur Smith in 2023.

USA Today believes that Atlanta is in trouble, as Cousins’ two interception performance has already dampened the hype for a more explosive offense. One change Falcons fans may welcome on the positive side was Bijan Robinson’s utilization, as the running back touched the ball 23 times. With that said, it was still a largely inefficient day for him.

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Now feels like the time to press the panic button for Young and the Panthers. Working with a fresh slate under a new coach and improved pass catchers, Young was nothing short of inept in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. He finished 13/30 for 161 yards and two interceptions. The first pick came on Carolina’s first offensive play of the game.

That’s the question Panthers fans have to be asking, as the Charlotte Observer wrote about the team’s humiliating loss. There’s still 16 games left to play, and the leash on Young has to be short. New coach Dave Canales could tab veteran Andy Dalton to replace Young, but that also wouldn’t inspire much confidence for the future.

Love continued to build on the red-hot finish he authored in 2023 by playing well in Green Bay’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, his night ended in disappointing fashion, as he went down with a knee injury on the second to last play for the game. It’s a brutal turn of events for a player who is becoming a star in his own right.

According to ESPN, Love suffered a sprained MCL. The Packers are hoping that he only misses three to four weeks of action. It’s a precarious scenario for Green Bay, who will want their main passer back as soon as possible, but will also need to weigh the risks of further injury if he comes back too quickly.

The Washington Commanders allowed the most passing yards and most passing touchdowns in the NFL in 2023. It doesn’t look like that much has changed to start 2024, as the unit allowed Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to throw for four touchdowns against them on Sunday.

Mayfield told Sports Illustrated before the game that there were talented players on Washington’s defense that he was concerned with, but his actions spoke louder than his words. New Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has a defensive background, and will have to go back to the drawing board for answers ahead of Week 2.

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The Tennessee Titans had a 17-3 lead at halftime over the Chicago Bears in Week 1, but that quickly unraveled as they couldn’t maintain their advantage. One back-breaking play by Levis helped the Bears complete the comeback.

As he was being dragged to the ground for a sack, Levis pitched the ball backhanded towards the sideline. The dangerous play resulted in a Tyrique Stevenson interception that was returned all the way for a touchdown. Levis got back up to his knees and put his hands on his head, realizing the gravity of the mistake he made.

The Las Vegas Raiders have cycled through quarterbacks over the last couple of seasons, and they haven’t seemed to find the type of solution they would have hoped for. In theory, the main job of the Raiders’ signal caller is to get the ball into the hands of Davante Adams early and often, but that didn’t really happen on Sunday.

Adams finished with five catches for 59 yards, drawing as many targets(6) as reserve running back Alexander Mattison. After the game, Adams told the Raiders’ website, “there’s a lot to learn from this tape.”

Fox Sports called 2024 a make-or-break year for Jones, and so far, all indications are trending towards things breaking. The New York Giants quarterback threw for 186 yards on 42 attempts, to go along with two interceptions. There weren’t many positives to take away from another shaky performance.

Giants fans appear ready for the team to go in a different direction. Yahoo Sports wrote about the vociferous boos Jones heard on and off the field. The Daily Mail chronicled Giants fans burning the quarterback’s jersey as a way of expressing their frustration.

Watson wasn’t much better, having thrown for 169 yards on 45 attempts, to go along with two interceptions of his own. This is the same player that the Cleveland Browns signed to a fully guaranteed mega contract, and the return on investment has fallen short of expectations to say the very least.

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The New York Post believes that Browns fans are clamoring for reserve Jameis Winston, but it doesn’t seem like Cleveland will be too quick to pull their starter. Despite the struggles, Watson still has a winning record with Cleveland, but will need to show more starting in Week 2.