NFL Week 1 winners and losers: Derek Carr, Sam Darnold exceed expectations with strong starts to 2024 season

A full week of regular-season NFL action is almost in the books. And, boy, has the start of the 2024 campaign been flush with drama: From the Miami Dolphins overcoming a pregame police incident and edging the Jacksonville Jaguars to the New England Patriots stunning the Cincinnati Bengals with a major upset, Week 1 is already promising a roller-coaster ride to the next Lombardi Trophy.

Amid all the action, here are some of Sunday’s biggest winners and losers:

Winner: Sam Darnold

In his first go-round as the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback, the ex-New York Jets castoff was smart and steady in a perfect game script under Kevin O’Connell, going 19 of 24 to coast past the New York Giants … in his old East Rutherford stomping grounds, no less. It won’t always be this easy, but Vikings fans will take victories when they can get them after losing J.J. McCarthy before his rookie year could begin.

Loser: Panthers fans

Speaking of Darnold, is there any chance Carolina faithful might actually prefer the journeyman to Bryce Young right now? That’s harsh, but so is watching the Panthers offense, which has a new director in Dave Canales but looked as hapless as ever in a 47-10 stomping at the hands of the rival New Orleans Saints. It’d be one thing if Young was flashing promise in a bad situation. It’s simply ugly right now.

Winner: Matt Eberflus

Sunday wasn’t necessarily the inspiring debut he might’ve wanted for No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams (14 of 29, 93 yards), but everyone anticipates the rookie quarterback will improve. Besides, the Chicago Bears coach’s defense showed up when it mattered most, embarrassing Will Levis down the stretch to steal a gut-it-out victory from the Tennessee Titans.

Loser: Zac Taylor

The Cincinnati Bengals may be an AFC contender by year’s end. They almost never look like one in early September under Taylor’s direction. Tee Higgins was missing, yes, but with…

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Author : Cody Benjamin

Publish date : 2024-09-08 22:55:00

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