One week of 2024 NFL football is in the books, and already we’ve enjoyed plenty of fireworks on the gridiron, from a shocking upset of the Cincinnati Bengals and an explosive debut for the freshly paid Dallas Cowboys to the return of a gritty Detroit Lions club and the continued crunch-time excellence of the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Here’s one thing we learned about each team during Week 1 of the 2024 campaign:
The offense is on the upswing. The mere fact they could go toe to toe with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills is a major win. Kyler Murray at least looks healthy and comfortable dishing the ball around.
Kirk Cousins is not a cure-all. In fact, he may have held Atlanta back more than helped against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tough pass rush. Chalk some of it up to rust. But it’s a situation worth monitoring.
Lamar Jackson needs more balance. This guy’s clearly still overflowing with MVP electricity. He also needs a stabler line, or a busier Derrick Henry, or more settled No. 2 receiver spot to be sustainable.
Josh Allen can, in fact, do it all. How long he can do it all remains to be seen. But even with a remade receiving corps and iffy defense, the veteran gunslinger was a one-man wrecking crew against Arizona.
The sorrows of 2023 are not over yet. New coach, same ugly results. Dave Canales may still restore Bryce Young, but man, does the former No. 1 pick still have few answers against NFL defenses.
There will be growing pains on offense. Caleb Williams’ magic was so pronounced in the preseason it was easy to get ahead of ourselves. At least Matt Eberflus’ defense came to life in crunch time.
It’s time to worry about Zac Taylor. Yes, his teams have rebounded from slow starts before. But a Week 1 dud even with a healthy Joe Burrow was especially uninspiring after an offseason full of contract drama.
Deshaun Watson may not last (again). In part because…
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Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-09-10 12:30:40
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