At the start of the NFL season, every fan feels that their team will contend for the playoffs and perhaps even win the championship. However, after a week one win that belief will skyrocket, but after a loss, hopes will plummet like the stock market. Week 1 of the NFL season contained upsets, a few teams showed the league sent a message across the league, and some fans are already panicking because their season looks lost although it just started. Yes, there are a lot of reactions to what we saw in Week 1. In this article, we decide on the over or correct reactions from a wild opening week.
1. Green Bay will not win the AFC North- Overreaction
The Packers lost their opening game to their divisional rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, with a final scoreline of 23-7. The Vikings played a good game with Justin Jefferson showcasing his talent as one of the top 5 receivers in the NFL by recording nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Packers should not panic after this loss because they still have Aaron Rodgers at the helm. The momentum-turning point of the game was on the very first play when Rodgers found a wide-open Christian Watson, who proceeded to drop the ball, which negated an easy 75-yard touchdown. Imagine, Green Bay taking the early lead and settling down in a tough environment. Rodgers proved last season that he can recover from a bad opening loss after losing 38-3 to the Saints. The Vikings proved they can challenge for a playoff spot, but I don’t think they are ready to take the crown from the Packers. So, in the words of Rodgers, everyone can R.E.L.A.X!
2. The Bengals will not win the AFC North- Overreaction
The Bengals sit at the bottom of the division after a surprising loss to the Steelers. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers deserve the credit for executing a great game plan, and Mitch Tributsky played well under pressure. However, it was devastating to see T.J. Watt get injured and potentially miss the rest of the season. Joe Burrow had a bad day at the office with four interceptions and seven sacks on the day. It will concern the Bengals that the team seemingly upgraded on the offensive line and still gave up so many sacks in the opening game. Still, the Bengals mounted a comeback and should have won the game on the PAT attempt. Ja’Marr Chase reminded the world that he is a talented receiver with ten catches, 129 yards, and one touchdown. If Joe Burrow cleans us the interceptions and the Bengals can marginally improve in their protection, the Bengals should still win the division with so much talent on the roster.
3. The Chiefs and Bills look likely for a rematch in the AFC title game-Correct Reaction
Last season, the two teams played one of the greatest playoff games in recent memory. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes put on one of the best shows in a head-to-head matchup in that fourth quarter to produce an unbelievable finish. In week 1, the two teams proved that could be on a collision course to face each other in the AFC title game. The Bills overcame a slow first-half start to produce an exhilarating second half to demolish the Rams 31 to 10. On the hand, Mahomes proved that he did not miss Tyreek Hill in a virtuoso performance against the Arizona Cardinals to win 44 to 21. In the game, Mahomes went 30 of 39, 360 yards, and five touchdowns to fire a warning shot to the rest of the NFL. After week 1, it appears both teams are prepping for a rematch.
4. Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson are in trouble at new locations-Overreaction
One of the hardest things in sports is to play against your former team. The game is filled with emotions, and surreal to see your opponent’s wear the uniform that you donned before. It must have been tough for Mayfield and Wilson to face their former teams, especially on the opening weekend with their new team. Mayfield was able to engineer a comeback but lost the game on a 58-yard game-winning field goal. On the other hand, Wilson had to return to Seattle on Monday Night Football, and his anxiety showed in the game. Russell looked tentative and rusty in his performance with a new receiving corp. Wilson came up short in the comeback bid to fall to his former team 17-16. The overreaction is to believe both teams are in trouble, but they were close games, and things will improve with more reps. I think both have a shot at contending for a playoff spot.
5. Cowboys staring at a losing season-Correct Reaction
The team that had the worst opening week 1 is clearly the Dallas Cowboys. The Patriots should be happy that America’s team took the crown from them because that offense is terrible. Anyway, against the Buccaneers on Sunday Night, the Cowboys started with a field goal on their opening drive and then laid a goose egg for the rest of the game. Dak Prescott was harassed; the wide receivers could not get any separation, and the offensive line did not protect well. Things got worse for the team in the 4th quarter when Dak injured his hand while making a throw and hit a helmet. He immediately left the field, and the team later reported that the quarterback will likely need surgery and miss several weeks of football. It was a tough way to end a disastrous opening game at home, and Jerry Jones is already staring at a losing season.