The first week of the 2024 NFL season is in the books, and as usual, there was no shortage of drama. A combination of huge upsets, breakout stars and unexpected busts provided a roller coaster of a viewing experience.
Now that the dust has settled, here are some of the week’s biggest winners and losers:
Winners
New England Patriots
Week 1’s biggest upset belongs to New England. The Patriots were eight point underdogs on the road and held Cincinnati to just 224 total yards.
The Bengals’ rushing attack was a concern coming in, as Joe Mixon departed for Houston in the offseason. Outside of a 16-yard run by Zack Moss, Cincinnati carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards. New England’s physicality turned the Bengals into one-dimensional team, and the passing game wasn’t clicking either.
Predicted to be one of the NFL’s worst teams, the Patriots have shown that their defense can keep them in games. If they can manufacture some offense, they won’t be an easy out for anyone.
New England will play its home opener against Seattle next Sunday.
Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud and the Texans bagged an important division win on the road in Week 1. They lived up to the expectation of being an elite offense with their balanced attack. Stroud threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns, while offseason acquisition Joe Mixon ran for 159 yards and a score.
Though their schedule is one of the toughest in the league, the Texans were the only AFC South team to win in Week 1. Their hopes of staying on top of the division are intact.
Houston faces Chicago at home on Sunday Night Football in Week 2.
Detroit Lions
The Lions looked to be in control for much of their game against the Rams, but they relinquished a 17-3 lead in the second half and trailed by three points with four minutes remaining.
Jared Goff was able to move his team down the field and into field goal range, where rookie kicker Jake Bates knotted the game at 20.
The Lions won the coin toss in overtime and never let the Rams touch the ball, cruising 70 yards down the field in less than five minutes. The winning drive was capped by a David Montgomery touchdown run from one yard out.
Detroit will be back at Ford Field in Week 2 to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Losers
Carolina Panthers
Most fans didn’t expect much from Carolina, as they were a popular preseason pick to finish last in the NFC. But I’m sure nobody saw them trailing 30-0 against New Orleans in the first half.
Bryce Young’s struggled continued as he completed just 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards and two interceptions. The run game was of no help, either, contributing just 58 yards.
Carolina will host the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday. Someone has to win that game, right?
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had everyone fooled. Sure, Pittsburgh’s defense is talented. But Atlanta’s arsenal of offensive weapons was one of the biggest storylines heading into the week, and they only managed 10 points.
Pittsburgh didn’t even score a touchdown. In fact, each of Chris Boswell’s six made field goals were from 40 yards or longer. Yet the most hyped up offense in the NFL was nonexistent.
Wide receiver Drake London, who was talked about as a top ten player at his position, caught two passes for 15 yards. Kirk Cousins looked immobile in his first game back from his Achilles tear, throwing for 155 yards, a touchdown and two picks.
Atlanta faces another tough test next week as they travel to Philadelphia for a showdown with the Eagles on Monday Night Football.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee jumped out to a 17-0 first half lead against Chicago. They proceeded to give up 24 unanswered points, none of which came from an offensive touchdown. How bad do you have to be to do that?
The Titans host the Jets, another team that is capable of scoring defensive touchdowns, in Week 2.
In the Shadows Sports 
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