Kamari Lassiter really should have caught that ball.
This sentiment became a quick talking point for those critical of Josh Allen after the Buffalo Bills secured a thrilling victory over the Houston Texans. The game, filled with eight lead changes, saw Buffalo regain the lead for the last time with just over a minute left in regulation. Allen connected with Josh Palmer for a striking touchdown pass, marking his second touchdown of the day and his fourth overall score.
Earlier in the drive, Allen had thrown a pass that created a bit of confusion with Palmer. The experienced receiver turned in one direction while the ball went the other way, giving Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter an opportunity to make a play that could have secured the win for Houston. However, he stumbled, the ball slipped from his grip, and Buffalo’s drive carried on.
“Lassiter should have caught it,” people might say. But the fact is, he didn’t. And let’s not forget, Lassiter also should have avoided committing pass interference in the end zone, which helped set up Allen’s rushing touchdown. Not to mention, right after that missed interception, he allowed Palmer to break free for the game-winning score.
Focusing solely on that one moment, as if every other quarterback in the NFL doesn’t benefit from similar lucky breaks, feels a bit like a selective narrative — one that really doesn’t hold much weight.
Allen wrapped up the game with four total touchdowns and 334 passing yards, all against the league’s top defense, while not turning the ball over at all. In the fourth quarter, he completed 7 of 12 passes for 122 yards along with that crucial touchdown to Palmer. Still, there are people who insist that Allen lacks clutch performance.
Since 2020, among 46 quarterbacks who have taken at least 300 snaps, Allen boasts the highest EPA (Expected Points Added) in fourth quarters and overtime. Furthermore, since 2022, he leads all quarterbacks with the highest EPA per play when trailing, as well as having logged 209 impactful plays during that span. It’s worth noting that no other quarterback has surpassed 184 during that period.
It was just one game, but it was a type of game the Bills typically don’t win. In the first outing of the Joe Brady era, Allen achieved an EPA per play of 0.48, ranking third among all quarterbacks who played at least 25 snaps during Week 1, while also finishing second in impact plays. This was remarkable especially in a venue that has often been difficult for him over the past couple of years.
Sure, the Bills might have enjoyed a little bit of luck in those final moments of Week 1 — a departure from their usual misfortune in significant games during the Allen era. Maybe this signals a shift, a time when fortune will finally smile upon the Bills. Twenty weeks from now, we might have clearer answers.
Now, on to the important points.
Chiefs still a top AFC contender, Broncos seem flawed
Despite earlier predictions that the Chiefs might miss the playoffs, it seems that Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes remain a formidable duo. Kansas City dominated the Denver Broncos 31-10 in their Week 1 finale on Monday night, with Kenneth Walker making a notable impact. The reigning Super Bowl MVP rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Chiefs’ offense against a Denver defense that struggled to tackle all evening.
Denver ended up missing 19 tackles. According to estimates, the Broncos gave up 248 yards from missed tackles — the highest recorded in a single game in the NextGenStats database. The Chiefs relied heavily on Walker, rookie Emmett Johnson, and Mahomes himself, given a rather underwhelming passing performance. Their rushing total of 220 yards was the third-highest under Reid’s leadership.
While many wrote off the Chiefs, forecasting doom for them, history tells a different story. After enduring a year of exceptional luck followed by one of tough breaks, Kansas City seems poised for a more balanced outcome in 2026. Will they reach 15 wins? Probably not. But can they manage 11 or 12? It’s entirely possible.
As for the Broncos, my hesitations about their chances were justified; their quarterback continues to be a liability. Bo Nix’s performance ended with him going 17-for-28 for 131 yards, one touchdown, and an interception on his first throw of the season. His performance stats placed him near the bottom, trailing only a couple of other quarterbacks. Moreover, Jaylen Waddle, who was expected to increase their downfield threat, ended up with just one catch for two yards.
Reflecting on the Chiefs’ unfortunate luck last season, the Broncos seemingly benefitted from an unsustainable stroke of luck, winning an unusually high number of close games. It’s fine to rely on a strong defense, but that strategy falls short when that defense falters and the offense lacks the capability to take charge.
The Chargers remain the Chargers
Let me share a little backstory — my first gig covering the NFL started back in February 2020 when I was a junior at Slippery Rock University. Each year, I’ve heard various colleagues confidently predict, “I really like the Chargers this year.”
During that time, the Chargers have won as many playoff games as I have. Entering Week 1 of the 2026 season, they were heavy favorites against the Arizona Cardinals following an offseason filled with inflated expectations surrounding their new offensive coordinator and quarterback. But instead of living up to the hype, they lost by 12 to a Cardinals team expected to be near the bottom of the draft order.
Justin Herbert finished among the lower ranks in EPA per pass, and while I can hear the excuses about offensive line struggles, he faced relatively little pressure during the game. His late-game passing success rate was disappointing, placing him way down the list. You can imagine the press conference later this week—expect some sluggish responses that might feel dated fast. The novelty of McDaniel’s antics may have worn off in Miami and will likely turn stale with the Chargers as well.
T.J. Watt’s performance reflects necessary changes for Steelers
For many years, suggesting that the Pittsburgh Steelers should part ways with Mike Tomlin was met with predictable responses, usually about how quickly he’d be hired elsewhere.
Many believed Tomlin was the backbone of the Steelers, attributing their three consecutive 10-win seasons from 2023 to 2025 solely to him. However, T.J. Watt’s spectacular performance in Week 1 might indicate that Tomlin was perhaps holding the team back more than helping it.
After a dismal previous season, Watt opened the 2026 season with what could be considered one of his best games ever. He recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, and a game-changing pick-six.
What changed? His usage. Playing only 38 snaps was a significant adjustment compared to the previous way of using him under Tomlin, who often had him on the field for almost every play. New strategies from Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham prioritized keeping their edge rushers fresh, a tactic that clearly paid off.
The Steelers not only kept Watt effective but also moved him around the line, something they rarely did in the past. Playing on both sides resulted in strong performance across the board, as the defense ended the week ranked second in defensive EPA per play.
The changes weren’t limited to defense; the offense showed a willingness to be more aggressive with their passing game. While Aaron Rodgers’ statistics might not impress on the surface, the Steelers missed several scoring opportunities due to drops and penalties. Had those plays worked out, Rodgers could have easily surpassed 300 yards with multiple touchdowns.
His average depth of target was higher than any game in 2025, showcasing a modern approach on both sides of the ball that likely wouldn’t have materialized under Tomlin.
One pivotal play changed everything
What a performance from Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker! The towering 6-foot-7, 331-pound player recorded six tackles and two tackles for loss, but his biggest moment came when he sacked C.J. Stroud in the final seconds of the Texans’ game.
After Stroud completed an 18-yard pass, which positioned Houston near the end zone, Walker surged through the offensive line to bring him down. This forced the Texans to use their final timeout and pushed them back significantly from a promising position. Soon after, Greg Rousseau’s strip sack, recovered by Terrell Bernard, sealed the game for the Bills.
Following an impressive second half of the previous season, Trevor Lawrence picked up where he left off, throwing for 245 yards and four touchdowns against the Browns — a commanding performance that he needed to deliver against a struggling team.
Concerns about Todd Monken’s longevity
Monken’s announcement that Deshaun Watson will start in Week 2 raises eyebrows, continuing the trend of the franchise’s misery. This season seems precarious for Browns fans, especially as each game further jeopardizes Monken’s future.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens’ new offensive coordinator didn’t waste any time making an impact. In his debut, Baltimore scored 41 points and accumulated over 500 yards against the Colts. Lamar Jackson had a strong game, connecting with Zay Flowers, who racked up 150 receiving yards, alongside Derrick Henry’s three rushing touchdowns.
Doubts about the Packers’ ability to close games
Green Bay is currently on a troubling six-game losing streak, having faltered in the fourth quarters of their last two games. In Week 1 against the Vikings and a wild card match against the Bears, they had leads of 43-13 in the second half and somehow still found a way to lose.
A missed fourth-down conversion while ahead late in the third quarter shifted momentum. Instead of extending their lead, the Vikings took advantage and ended up taking the game by scoring 29 points in the second half after going down early.
Let’s not forget about the Bears — they racked up 552 total yards and 59 points in their opener. While you’d expect their passing stats to be off the charts with that many points, it was their run game that truly dominated, achieving six rushing touchdowns.
On the defensive side, however, the Bears showcased the shortcomings I anticipated. They made the opposing quarterbacks look far too comfortable, allowing a weak performance to shine through, especially from Bryce Young and Jalen Coker.
Given that Young struggled last season, allowing him to shine like this is certainly worrisome. His performance was impressive, raising red flags about what elite offenses might do against such a defense.
There may be a method to the madness with Ben Johnson’s strategy of outscoring their issues, but ultimately, the Bears’ defense is likely what will keep them from playoff contention in 2026.
Steelers may trade Joey Porter Jr.
Joey Porter Jr. didn’t participate in training camp and missed Week 1 after failing to secure a long-term deal with the Steelers. The organization has a reputation for not negotiating during the season, and reports suggest they might be open to trade opportunities. It would make sense for teams like the Detroit Lions or Washington Commanders to consider making a move.
