NFL Week 1 doesn’t define a team’s season, but it can certainly be a pretty good indication of how the other 15 games might go. The openers definitely answered some questions about some of the NFL squads.
The Kansas City Chiefs might be as good as advertised, and the Buffalo Bills could be even worse than previously thought. Other teams might be in for long years as well.
We pick out some winners and losers from the NFL’s first week, and highlight why they are trending up or down.
Winners
Kansas City Chiefs
The question of how quarterback Patrick Mahomes would do as a starter in the NFL got its first answer, as he dissected the San Diego Chargers, 38-28. The 22-year-old first-round pick of the Chiefs last year, who stepped up when Alex Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins, was 15 of 27 for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
It was the ninth consecutive time Kansas City has defeated the Chargers, and puts Kansas City in an enviable position in the AFC West early in the season.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are 10/1 to win the Super Bowl, behind just the New England Patriots, and Sunday they showed why. Minnesota, who was favored by 6.5 points, handled a pesky San Francisco team that was picked by many experts to upset the Vikings at home.
That didn’t happen, as San Francisco lost 24-16. Was Minnesota perfect? No, but they didn’t have to be. The defense showed why its one of the best in the leagues, and new free-agent acquisition, quarterback Kirk Cousins, proved he was worth the money.
Receiver Kyle Rudolph said Cousins also brings an intangible they didn’t really have at the position.
“A lot of the quarterbacks we’ve had here have done really good things,” Rudolph said. “But Kirk is the biggest competitor I’ve ever been around.
Losers
Buffalo Bills
Oh sweet mother of all things holy was that painful to watch, and it might be an even longer year for Buffalo than previously imagined. The Baltimore Ravens handed them their worst Week 1 loss, and second worst in franchise history with the 47-3 defeat.
Nathan Peterman started for the Bills, but just like last year’s start, it was a disaster. He didn’t throw five interceptions like he did against Los Angeles Rams, but he didn’t get a single first down and had two interceptions before Josh Allen took over for him.
Last year’s starter Tyrod Taylor went to Cleveland, but it is the Bills that might be the new Browns and get one or two wins at most this year.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott couldn’t lead the Cowboys when he needed to, and they lost a completely winnable game against Carolina. Granted they were on the road, but still that is a game they need to win if they are going to contend in a tough NFC East.
In addition kicker Brett Maher, who was chosen by the team over Dan Bailey, missed a 47-yard field goal that would have gotten them to within a touchdown. The Cowboys cut Bailey, one of the most consistent kickers of all time, because they didn’t want to pay him. His price just went up.
New Orleans Saints
This was a team that is supposed to challenge for the NFC Championship, but not if they play like they did against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers, whose head coach Dirk Koetter is the favorite to be the first NFL coach fired, helped him improve his chances of staying employed by beating the Saints, 48-40.
Losing to a team at home that has 50/1 odds to win the NFC is inexcusable. Letting them paint 48 points on you is even worse. New Orleans has a reputation for losing its first game, doing so for five consecutive years now, but they might lose a lot more if they play like they did Sunday.
