NFL’s Return and the Reaction to Week 1

The NFL has kicked off! All 32 teams have now completed their first game. Yet, it seems people will treat this single game out of 17 as if it holds all the answers for the rest of the season.

But, honestly, it doesn’t. Not even close.

NFL WEEK 1 TAKEAWAYS: BENGALS SHOW PROMISE, BEARS THRIVE, AND PACKERS STRUGGLE

There’s perhaps no bigger week for overreactions in sports than the time between Week 1 and Week 2 of the NFL season. After a lengthy period with little to no information, we finally had teams on the field competing in meaningful games.

However, let’s keep in mind that Week 1 only represents about 5.9% of the entire season. That’s a tiny fraction.

Every year, sports media tends to jump to wild conclusions based on just this limited sample size. Imagine if you hired a home inspector for a house, and they came back saying, “Here’s 5.9% of my findings. Are you ready to buy?” I mean, really.

Yet, here we are again, making sweeping decisions based on a mere sliver of the available data. It’s ridiculous. Let’s delve into some of the overreactions that emerged and examine them more closely.

The Rams Will Miss the Playoffs

This is quite an overreaction. The Rams started the season as Super Bowl contenders, and it feels like everyone has abruptly abandoned ship after just one game. For example, Chris Brockman of the Rich Eisen Show suggested that the Rams’ so-called “dream team” may suffer a playoff absence similar to the 2011 Eagles.

There are a couple of issues with this reaction. First, the Rams played only one game against a strong divisional rival in Australia. Honestly, they entered the matchup a bit overconfident, and the long journey—28 hours before kickoff—was probably not the best idea. The 49ers prepared for the conditions by arriving a week early.

Secondly, the Rams weren’t even at full strength. Aaron Donald didn’t play, and Myles Garrett, who played despite a knee issue, will be out for at least four games. The lack of a pass rush was evident; they didn’t sack Brock Purdy at all. That’s unlikely to be the case for the whole season.

Moreover, sometimes teams get a bit caught up in their own hype. There was immense pressure on the Rams this season, which led some to label them a “super team” with a Super Bowl as the only acceptable goal. Ironically, perhaps that tough Week 1 loss was the wake-up call they needed. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them rebound strongly in the weeks ahead.

The Bears Offense Might Be Historic

There’s no denying the Bears put on quite a show in Week 1, scoring a franchise-record 59 points in their opener. Caleb Williams displayed impressive playmaking skills, leaving fans buzzing. Some, like Bucky Brooks, even speculated the Bears could average 40 points per game, a record-setting pace for the season.

But let’s temper that excitement a bit, shall we? For one, the Panthers’ defense isn’t particularly formidable. They allowed hefty scores in previous seasons, including 42 points to New England and 40 to Buffalo. Plus, scoring was notably high in Week 1 overall. Since many teams don’t play their starters much during preseason, defenses are often at a disadvantage; they may not have faced full-speed opponents in quite a while, thanks to injury protocols changing practice intensity.

The Bears also had a sprinkle of luck on their side. The Panthers committed three turnovers and racked up 11 penalties for 84 yards. The Bears converted all four red-zone trips into touchdowns and succeeded on 10 out of 14 third downs. That’s commendable but, frankly, very hard to maintain over an entire season.

Additionally, they made several explosive plays, with three players (Williams, D’Andre Swift, and Kyle Monangai) registering carries of 29 yards or more. Four pass catchers also made receptions of at least 20 yards. It’s great when offenses create big plays, but this felt like an exception rather than the rule. The Bears are definitely going to score points, but expecting 40 points per game is probably unrealistic.

The McDaniel-Herbert Combo Was a Mistake

The Chargers faced a disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, despite being nine-point favorites at home. They dealt with a blocked punt and an interception thrown by Justin Herbert, managing only 117 yards of offense in the second half. Mike McDaniel’s offensive system was supposed to elevate Herbert’s game, yet they could only generate two scoring drives, one of which benefitted from a 48-yard pass interference call.

In light of that start, it’s easy to hastily deem the McDaniel-Herbert pairing a flop after just one game.

But here’s the thing—I’m not claiming this team is guaranteed greatness, but also burying them right now doesn’t seem wise. McDaniel’s offense is distinctive and takes time for adjustment, particularly for the offensive line. They possess two top-notch tackles, but the interior line is learning the ropes, including a rookie center. Mistakes happened, but they’ll likely improve with time.

It’s worth noting that Tua Tagovailoa thrived under McDaniel for several seasons, so there’s no reason Herbert can’t find similar success. Admittedly, I have some worries about the receivers since the Dolphins had significant talents like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, yet Ladd McConkey appears promising. If players like Tre Harris, Quentin Johnston, and tight ends David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden can contribute, the offense should be okay.

That said, it’s clear that the Chargers entered this season with more hype than perhaps warranted. They don’t seem as bad as they appeared against Arizona, but a serious shot at AFC primacy doesn’t seem likely either. So, even though they might have been overhyped, one rough game shouldn’t mean McDaniel isn’t the right fit for Herbert.

In conclusion, here are a few overreactions that aren’t actually overreactions:

• The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals are the primary contenders for the AFC title.
• The Green Bay Packers should be genuinely worried about their loss to the Vikings, especially given it was to Carson Wentz.
• The Giants might surprisingly be the top team in the NFC East.
• The battle for the first pick in the NFL Draft could end up being just as thrilling as the playoff chase—looking at you, Dolphins, Browns, and Titans.

Well, that wraps it up for Week 1. Just remember, there’s still nearly 94% of the season to go, so try not to get too carried away with excitement or despair. Unless you’re a Dolphins, Browns, or Titans fan—maybe it’s time to start planning for 2027.