It's finally here. After another long, dark offseason, another season of NFL action has begun.

And there are no shortage of big storylines in Week 1 this year.

The week kicked off with a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs that came down to the final play. That will be followed by the first-ever NFL game in Brazil between another pair of potential Super Bowl contenders in the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Sunday's slate featured plenty of drama as well. There were the NFL debuts of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in Chicago and Jayden Daniels in Tampa Bay. A big-time AFC-NFC showdown between the Cowboys and Browns in Cleveland. A Sunday night affair between two teams that will be forever linked by a quarterback trade in the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions.

Which teams shined in Week 1? Which fell flat? Which players stood out—or stunk?

As Week 1 unfolds, Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski will have it covered, with the biggest takeaways from every game from 2024's debut slate.

Week 1 Schedule

Ravens vs. Chiefs: Slide 1

Packers vs. Eagles: Slide 2

Bengals vs. Patriots: Slide 3

Jaguars vs. Dolphins: Slide 4

Panthers vs. Saints: Slide 5

Colts vs. Texans: Slide 6

Steelers vs. Falcons: Slide 7

Giants vs. Vikings: Slide 8

Bills vs. Cardinals: Slide 9

Bears vs. Titans: Slide 10

Commanders vs. Buccaneers: Slide 11

Browns vs. Cowboys: Slide 12

Chargers vs. Raiders: Slide 13

Broncos vs. Seahawks: Slide 14

Rams vs. Lions: Slide 15

Jets vs. 49ers: Slide 16

Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs

A Ravens Star Is Born in Heartbreaking Loss to Chiefs

First off, the manner in which the Baltimore Ravens lost 27-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the season opener is about as soul-crushing as a loss gets. Tight end Isaiah Likely was millimeters away from a touchdown grab that would have allowed Baltimore to either force overtime or go for the win with a two-point conversion.

Second, the Ravens have work to do, especially on the offensive line. A line with three new starters didn't play well much of the game, and the most established player on that line (left tackle Ronnie Stanley) was flagged for illegal formation approximately 112 times.

With that said, the Chiefs lost the opener last year and things worked out OK. There are things to clean up. Derrick Henry needs to get going after a blah Ravens debut. But in defeat, the Ravens may have found what could be a key piece for the offense this season.

It can't really be said that Likely broke out against the Chiefs. The third-year pro has flashed in the past when afforded the opportunity. There's a reason that Baltimore spent so much time in "12" personnel Thursday, and it wasn't just because the O-Line was struggling.

Likely exploded against Kansas City. While veteran Mark Andrews was essentially invisible (two catches, 14 yards), Likely paced the Ravens in targets (12), receptions (9) and receiving yards (111), including catching Lamar Jackson's lone touchdown pass of the game.

And again, he was a toe away from score No. 2.

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Likely looked like Travis Kelce. Or Andrews before injuries sapped his explosiveness. And while some will say you shouldn't overreact to one game, that didn't look like a fluke.

It looked like a changing of the guard.

The Kansas City Chiefs Offense Could Be Abjectly Terrifying in 2024

The Chiefs are the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, but anyone with eyes could see that the 2023 iteration of the team wasn't the same as in previous years. Kansas City just couldn't hurt teams vertically the same way it used to. Per Thursday's NBC telecast, the Chiefs had one touchdown pass from outside the red zone last year.

One.

The Chiefs saw that lack of speed the same as everyone else, and it was a focal point of their offseason. The team signed veteran wide receiver Marquise Brown in free agency and spent a first-round pick on Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who set a new record for the fastest 40-yard-dash ever at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

It didn't take long for Worthy's speed to manifest itself in the NFL.

Worthy also scored on a long touchdown pass that was as much busted coverage as blazing speed, but it wasn't just a matter of the rookie having an outstanding debut.

Isiah Pacheco didn't post big numbers, but he had a pair of big plays with a hard-fought score and a wild fourth-quarter run for a first down. Wideout Rashee Rice picked up right where he left off last year, catching seven passes for 103 yards.

This was a game where (by his standards) Patrick Mahomes had a pedestrian outing. Where star tight end Travis Kelce had just three catches for 34 yards. There were multiple plays where the Week 1 rust was evident.

But the Chiefs showed the potential to be undefensible (it's a word—now). There are just too many options available to the greatest quarterback of his generation and one of the best offensive coaches ever.

And the Chiefs didn't even have Marquise Brown on the field.

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Packers Can't Afford to Lose Jordan Love for an Extended Period

The Green Bay Packers had several issues during their 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Their defense, under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, experienced some very untimely coverage lapses, and it really struggled to corral new Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Both teams were heavily penalized.

However, the most alarming part of Green Bay's night came when quarterback Jordan Love had to be helped off the field in the closing seconds.

Love grew tremendously during the 2023 season, his first as a full-time starter. By the end of the year, he was playing like a top-10 quarterback, and that earned him an extension worth $55 million annually.

Against Philadelphia, Love was far from perfect. He had a number of misfires that cost Green Bay some potentially huge plays and points. However, Love (17-of-34 for 260 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) also showed glimpses of being the same breakout star he was late last season.

Love repeatedly found ways to keep Green Bay in the game and had another beautiful pass to Reed on a final fourth-quarter desperation drive. On the following play, he was tackled awkwardly by a pair of Eagles defenders and appeared to suffer a leg injury.

Naturally, no team wants to see its starter suffer a significant injury or miss extended playing time. However, the Packers could truly be in trouble without Love. Their backup quarterback, Malik Willis, was acquired on August 26.

Green Bay has a strong roster, but it is not good enough or efficient enough to win consistently with a newly added career backup in place of its franchise signal-caller.

Saquon Barkley's Stellar Eagles Debut Helps Overcome Sloppy Start to the Season

We're used to seeing mistakes and miscues in the opening week of the NFL season. Players aren't yet in "midseason form," and many of them see little action during the preseason. After not playing real, meaningful football for months, it can take time to get up to speed.

The Eagles decided not to play any of their starters during the exhibition slate.

"We felt like the work that we got in the joint practice versus the Patriots, the inner-squad that we had at the stadium prior to our first preseason games, and then the two inner-squads scrimmages that we had, you know, was our work for the ones," head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters (h/t ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Philadelphia experienced a number of miscues during Friday's game. Jalen Hurts threw an ugly interception early, a miscommunication between Hurts and new starting center Cam Jurgens led to another turnover, and Hurts had a second pick in the red zone early in the fourth quarter.

The defense experienced sporadic communication and tackling issues, problems that plagued Philly in 2023. That defense, to be fair, includes several new faces, including new coordinator Vic Fangio.

Fortunately, the Eagles fared much better offensively, aside from a few poor decisions by Hurts. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore frequently put players like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in position to make plays. Barkley, meanwhile, had one of the most impressive team debuts in recent memory.

Barkley jump-started Philadelphia's offense with an 18-yard touchdown catch that showcased his elite receiving ability.

Barkley also added a pair of rushing touchdowns, rushed for 109 yards and tallied 23 receiving yards. He looked to be every bit the playmaker he was during his rookie All-Pro campaign, and the former New York Giant promises to be a force in the Eagles offense.

And that's a great thing for Philadelphia. Until the defense finds its groove, the Eagles may have to keep finding ways to win high-scoring games.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots

Another Slow Start Could Be Costly for Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have appeared rusty in recent season openers, and that trend continued during Sunday's 16-10 loss to the New England Patriots. That probably shouldn't have come as a surprise.

Two years ago, quarterback Joe Burrow missed preseason time following an emergency appendectomy. Last year, a nagging calf injury again cost him preseason time. Burrow was largely recovered from last year's wrist injury this summer, but the Bengals had other issues.

Cincinnati had to adjust to new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher after Brian Callahan left to take over the Tennessee Titans. It also spent the entire offseason without star receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who was holding in for a new contract.

Chase ultimately decided to play, though he certainly wasn't in midseason form. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins was ruled out with a hamstring injury. However, flat-out sloppy play was a bigger problem for Cincinnati than its receiver situation.

The Bengals lost two key fumbles, the offensive line struggled to keep pressure away from Burrow, and the defense had a very difficult time limiting New England's rushing attack. New England racked up 169 rushing yards, while the Bengals only had 224 total yards.

The good news is that Cincinnati has rebounded from bad starts in the past. The Bengals were 0-2 in 2022 and went on to appear in the AFC title game. The bad news is that there's very little margin for error this year.

The Bengals play in the brutal AFC North and face the league's 16th-toughest strength of schedule (tied) in terms of 2023 winning percentage. With a road trip to face the Chiefs on tap for Week 2, Cincinnati may be staring down another 0-2 start.

The Patriots Will Remain Well-Coached Under Jerod Mayo

Sunday marked the beginning of a new era in New England. For the first time since 1999, the Patriots didn't open the regular season with Bill Belichick as their head coach.

New England parted with Belichick in the spring and quickly named former inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo as his replacement. It was a significant change, but some things will remain the same for the Patriots.

Under Mayo, New England will remain a disciplined and well-coached football team.

This was evident on Sunday when the Patriots played as the biggest underdogs of the week. New England doesn't boast a dramatically better roster than it had during last year's four-win campaign. It came to Cincinnati with journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett under center instead of third-overall pick Drake Maye. Yet Mayo's coaching approach gave the Patriots a chance.

"The discipline aspect. The toughness," defensive lineman Davon Godchaux said before the game, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He always tells us, 'I'm taking cold showers in the morning.' Football is more mental than people think. People focus on the physical—you have to be strong—and of course that helps. But if you don't have it up here, you have no chance."

New England ran the ball well, pressured Burrow, got a strong game-manager performance out of Brissett and largely avoided the game-altering mistakes that Cincinnati made.

It wasn't exactly a "pretty" performance by the Patriots, but it was enough to get the win. And while New England may not be a good team in 2024, it is unlikely to be an easy out for any opponent.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins

Late Miscues Cost Jaguars a Game They Probably Should Have Won

The Jacksonville Jaguars narrowly missed the playoffs in 2023 and were surpassed by the Houston Texans as the "it" team in the AFC South. Of course, it's important to remember that Jacksonville still won nine games last season and didn't have a healthy Trevor Lawrence down the stretch.

Lawrence was healthy on Sunday, and for much of the game, it appeared that the Jags would reestablish themselves as a playoff threat with a decisive win over the Miami Dolphins. However, they instead lost 20-17, and the outcome was a direct result of some late miscues.

While Lawrence (12-of-21 for 162 yards, 1 TD) didn't put up overwhelming numbers, he made some big plays. Rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. (4 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD) made an early impact, and the defense flustered the Dolphins for most of the first three quarters.

Unfortunately, Travis Etienne Jr. fumbled away a chance to potentially seal the game when he fumbled at the Dolphins' 1-yard line late in the third quarter. On the very next play, Tyreek Hill broke free for an 80-yard touchdown reception against what appeared to be ill-prepared coverage.

Hill's score made it 17-14 and helped deliver a massive 14-point swing. Unfortunately, it wasn't the last breakdown for the Jaguars.

On Jacksonville's next drive, it made the surprising decision to run wide on 4th-and-1, a decision that failed. That mistake didn't cost the Jaguars points, as Jason Sanders' field-goal attempt was wide, but it did cost them momentum.

And the Jags never found momentum again. They only surrendered a pair of field goals in the final quarter but put no points on the board. Jacksonville had a promising start to the game but a disastrous end.

If the Jaguars hope to return to playoff contention this season, they'll have to finish stronger than they did against Miami.

The Dolphins Offensive Line Could Be an Issue

The Dolphins got off to a fast start in 2023, winning five of their first six games and nine of their first 12. Injuries mounted late in the season, though, and the offense sputtered down the stretch and in the postseason.

Miami opens the 2024 season 1-0 after a comeback win that was more defensively driven than many expected. However, sustaining momentum could prove difficult.

On a positive note, Miami's defense may not be poised for a significant drop-off after parting with coordinator Vic Fangio and replacing him with Anthony Weaver in the offseason. The Dolphins allowed Jacksonville to rip off a few big plays, but their defense played well enough to win.

However, Miami's offense wasn't as impressive. This was an offense that ranked first in yards and second in scoring last season, and it rarely looked like the same threatening unit on Sunday.

It's probably too early to suggest that opponents have caught up with Mike McDaniel's offensive plan, though that may become a talking point if the offense continues to stumble. It's not too early to say that Miami has issues along the offensive line.

The Dolphins lost center Connor Williams and guard Robert Hunt this offseason, while guard Isaiah Wynn opened the season on the PUP list. Sunday's line, which included Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones, was not good.

Miami struggled to get a push up front in the running game, while Tua Tagovailoa rarely had time to push the ball down the field—at least, before Hill broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Miami did enough to win in the end, but it wasn't the sort of victory that will inspire confidence.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

The Panthers Haven't Found a Quick Fix for Quarterback Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers pretty much picked up where they left off in 2023, totally overwhelmed in a 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL a year ago, so no one expected Carolina to suddenly become a contender in 2024. Instead, the realistic goal for Carolina entering the season was to see second-year quarterback Bryce Young settle in as a quality starter.

Young, the first overall pick in last year's draft, was a big disappointment as a rookie. He went just 2-14 as the starter, threw 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and finished with a 73.7 quarterback rating.

The Panthers, to their credit, put a lot of effort into upgrading Young's supporting cast this offseason. They hired an offensive coach in Dave Canales, who helped Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield rejuvenate their careers over the last two seasons. They also traded for Diontae Johnson and used a first-round pick on Xavier Legette.

Carolina also added Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt to its interior offensive line.

However, Sunday's loss to the Saints shows that if Young is going to rebound in Year 2, it will take time. The offense didn't appear as bland as it did a year ago, but many of Young's rookie issues were still present.

Young (13-of-30 for 161 yards, 2 INTs) struggled to identify open receivers, hit targets in stride (often, in general) and avoid back-breaking mistakes—his first pass of 2024 was an interception.

To be fair, the Saints had a top-10 passing defense last season, and Young barely saw the field in the preseason—which, in retrospect, may have been a mistake. Still, fans were expecting to see a better performance from Young than they did.

Klint Kubiak's Offense Will Make Saints a Serious Threat in NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South last season, and the Atlanta Falcons are expected to be divisional contenders following the addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Saints, meanwhile, failed to generate much buzz during the offseason.

Perhaps they should have.

New Orleans won nine games a year ago and fielded a top-10 scoring defense. In the offseason, the Saints replaced longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael with Klint Kubiak, who served as the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator last season.

The hope was that Kubiak would find creative ways to get more out of quarterback Derek Carr, who was largely average in his first season as the Saints starter. If Sunday's game was an accurate indication, Carr and the new-look New Orleans offense is going to be a lot of fun in 2024.

Against Carolina, the Saints repeatedly found ways to generate big plays, and they involved multiple players. This wasn't the Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara show, as players like Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and Rashid Shaheed all made an impact.

New Orleans finished with 379 total yards and scored on its first nine possessions.

No, the Panthers aren't a particularly good team overall, but they did rank eighth in net yards per pass attempt and fourth in total defense last season. Divisional games usually aren't easy, and this was a legitimate test for Kubiak, Carr and the Saints.

New Orleans aced its first test of 2024.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

RB Joe Mixon Provides Houston Texans Offense with Workhorse Option

A season ago, the Houston Texans became C.J. Stroud's team. The second-year quarterback has a lot of great moments ahead of him. Yet Sunday's effort was dominated by the Texans' new starting running back, Joe Mixon.

Yes, Stroud completed 75 percent of his passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 29-27 victory. Even so, Mixon melded seamlessly with the Texans after being acquired via trade this past offseason.

Mixon carried the ball 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. When the game was on the line late in the fourth quarter, the Texans rode their new RB1. It's a new sensation.

Houston hasn't had a 1,000-yard back since 2019 when Carlos Hyde achieved the feat. While Mixon isn't guaranteed to reach that threshold, Sunday's totals reached or exceeded the best effort by any starting back during that stretch.

Stroud has all kinds of weapons at wide receiver, especially with a healthy Tank Dell in the lineup and Stefon Diggs' inclusion. However, the Texans should be in position where they'll likely need to grind out wins late in games and Mixon provides a back capable of doing so.

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Shows Tremendous Upside against Houston

Anthony Richardson's rookie season turned into a disappointment because of a season-ending shoulder injury that allowed him to play in only four games. If his season debut against the Texans is any indication, the Colts should be thrilled with last year's No. 4 overall pick.

In the loss, Richardson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score. Both of those tosses were lasers that turned into huge plays, first a 60-yard dime to Alec Pierce and then a 54-yard dot to Ashton Dulin in the fourth quarter.

When the Colts needed a play, the 6'4", 250-plus-pound quarterback barreled through a defender for a three-yard run.

Richardson's consistency needs to be better. After all, he completed under 50 percent of his passes and threw a red-zone interception. At the same time, his playmaking ability is well worth the wait.

Unfortunately, the Colts defense let the 22-year-old quarterback down.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Justin Fields Isn't Threatening to Become Pittsburgh Steelers' QB1

In a twist after naming Russell Wilson the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback, a nagging calf injury prevented Wilson from playing Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Justin Fields entered the lineup, which provided an opportunity to impress and cause the Steelers coaching staff to second-guess its previous decision. It didn't happen.

Instead, Fields looked completely uncomfortable upon starting the game, bumbling a couple of snaps, showing poor accuracy and not doing enough in the pass game. Ultimately, the Steelers escaped Atlanta with an 18-10 victory, thanks mainly to another standout defensive performance and kicker Chris Boswell converting all six of his field-goal attempts.

Fields finished 17-of-23 passing for 156 yards. The mobile quarterback did add 57 rushing yards. The Steelers can win with a strong run game, average quarterback play and an aggressive defense.

After seeing what Fields provides, Wilson will be reinserted into the lineup as soon as the coaching staff believes he's healthy enough to play.

Kirk Cousins Doesn't Provide Immediate Answer for Atlanta Falcons' Troubles

The entire Atlanta Falcons' offseason revolved around the quarterback position. The belief within the organization was the team needed an improvement behind center to go from being a 7-9 squad for three-straight seasons to a potential contender.

"If we had better quarterback play, I'm probably not standing here at this podium," head coach Raheem Morris said during his introductory press conference.

Kirk Cousins was the answer, according to the team after investing a four-year, $180 million contract in the free agent. The organization then doubled-down to make sure a strong succession plan was in place by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with this year's eighth overall pick.

Maybe everyone should have factored Cousins' injury history into the equation a little more heavily. Cousins endured a torn Achilles tendon last season. He didn't get a full offseason of training, preparation or camp reps. He looked rusty against the Steelers.

Early in the game, Cousins wasn't always on the same page with his targets. Some of his throws were off. Critically, the 36-year-old threw two back-breaking interceptions when pressured, specifically an especially poor decision late in the fourth quarter when Atlanta trailed 15-10.

Cousins is too good not to shake off the rust. The Falcons have too many offensive weapons for this group not to get up and running. But Sunday proved a wake-up call from thinking what looks good on paper will automatically translate to the field.

New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings

Sam Darnold Takes First Step in Shedding the Bust Label

Last year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield played up to his first-round (No. 1 overall pick) pedigree. Sam Darnold, who came off the board two spots after Mayfield in the 2018 draft, could do the same with the Minnesota Vikings.

Darnold completed his first 12 passes of the game and put together an efficient performance, completing 19 out of 24 attempts for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Weeks ago, Jordan Addison suffered a high ankle sprain, and he exited the game with an injury to his other ankle.

On a positive note for the Vikings offense, Jalen Nailor could continue to blossom into a reliable receiver with Darnold under center. They built some chemistry in the preseason.

Under head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O'Connell, we could see the best of Darnold as he leads Minnesota's offense in his seventh season.

Remember, rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery on his meniscus.

Darnold's comeback season is in full effect.

Giants HC Brian Daboll Cannot Fix Daniel Jones

Giants head coach Brian Daboll took over play-calling duties, but Daniel Jones looked like the same quarterback who struggled under offensive coordinator Mike Kafka over the previous two years.

Jones completed 21 out of 38 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, which included an awful pick-six deep in Giants' territory.

If Jones keeps this up, we will see Drew Lock sooner than later. Even though Jones is in the second term of his four-year, $160 million deal, the Giants' limited offense cannot afford to turn the ball over, especially for points.

After watching running back Saquon Barkley score three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil and Jones' performance on Sunday, the Giants front office should be sweating, knowing it botched the 2023 offseason when the club chose to sign the latter over the former to a long-term deal.

Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Will Have to Win in Scoring Shootout Fashion All Year

Barring a couple of trades to shore up the defensive line and the secondary, the Arizona Cardinals offense will likely play at an uptempo pace to compensate for a porous defense.

Offensively, the Buffalo Bills had a slow start, but they scored 21 unanswered points between the second and third quarters. Once Josh Allen found his rhythm, the Bills seized control of the game and held on to the lead.

In hindsight, Arizona should've given its starters more of a tune-up in the preseason. Quarterback Kyler Murray didn't take a snap in the exhibition games, and wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. barely saw the field.

Though Murray looked fully recovered from his ACL tear in December 2022, throwing for 162 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 57 yards, he completed only one pass to Harrison for just four yards.

With their defense, the Cardinals need Murray and Harrison to form an electric connection in the passing game to keep pace on the scoreboard.

Josh Allen's Efficiency Will Be Key to Bills Offense

At 6'5", 237 pounds, Allen will make plays inside in the 20-yard line and near the goal line. He scored on six- and seven-yard runs against the Cardinals on Sunday.

While some may see Allen's hurdle for his second touchdown as reckless, that's his play style, and the Bills offense will have to live with those breathtaking moments when he leaves his feet.

Nonetheless, Allen may be more efficient than in years past. He doesn't have a clear-cut No. 1 receiver after Buffalo traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, but the Bills offense still scored four touchdowns on Sunday.

More importantly, Allen didn't turn the ball over. He completed 18 out of 23 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Allen connected with 10 different pass-catchers. Rookie second-round wideout Keon Coleman led Buffalo receivers with four catches for 51 yards.

Allen may not post several 300-plus-yard stat lines this season, but he's still one of the league's most dynamic signal-callers, even without an established lead receiver.

Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans

Titans Must Lean on Run Game to Rein In Will Levis' Erratic Tendencies

The Tennessee Titans have a new regime led by head coach and offensive play-caller Brian Callahan. Clearly, he must talk to Will Levis about ill-advised throws and decisions.

Levis completed 19 out of 32 passes for 127 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He threw an inexcusable pass toward the sideline deep in Titans' territory.

Thanks largely to Tony Pollard's 26-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, Tennessee accumulated 140 yards on 26 rush attempts.

Pollard logged 16 carries for 82 yards with a score, but Tyjae Spears only recorded four rush attempts for 21 yards. Until Levis makes better decisions in the pocket, the Titans should rely on their dynamic two-man backfield to move the ball in crucial situations.

Bears Defense Bails Out Caleb Williams in Disjointed Offensive Performance

The Bears' stout defense from the second half of last year picked up where it left off in a strong performance against the Titans.

Aside from Pollard's 26-yard touchdown run, Chicago's defense minimized explosive gains and made plays on Sunday.

At times, Chicago's defense put the offense in good field position, but Caleb Williams and Co. mostly struggled to take advantage of it. Williams completed only 14 out of 29 passes for 93 yards, with a completion to running back D'Andre Swift for a two-point conversion.

Historically, rookie quarterbacks struggle in their NFL debuts, and Williams' outing fell into that trend, but he came out with a rare win for a first-year signal-caller.

Fortunately for Williams, he doesn't have to carry the Bears to victories because of a stingy defense.

Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Finally Have Something at RB?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have featured the NFL's worst rushing offense for the last two seasons.

Multiple factors play into the issue. Tom Brady's final season allowed the squad to lean heavily on the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Ryan Jensen's career-ending injury took the tone-setter away from the Bucs' offensive line. Frankly, the team's running backs weren't great, either.

Tampa Bay may have found something in fourth-round rookie Bucky Irving.

"I think it'll be a game-by-game basis," head coach Todd Bowles told reporters when asked about the Buccaneers' running back rotation. "You normally go with the hot hand, but since nobody has played yet, obviously Rachaad [White] starts and then we'll kinda go from there and see how the other guys are used."

If Bowles is true to his word, Irving deserved a great share of the backfield reps coming out of Sunday's 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders. Irving carried the ball nine times for 62 yards.

Comparatively, White averaged a measly 2.1 yards per carry.

Now, Irving isn't a big back. He's 5'9" and 192 pounds. So, he's not a built to be a workhorse. But he clearly adds some juice to the Buccaneers, which can take pressure off quarterback Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay's talented targets.

Expect to see an increased usage rate for Irving as the season progresses.

Jayden Daniels' Natural Talent Provides Floor for Washington Commanders Offense

Any rookie quarterback's head will be swimming when they begin their professional career.

They are trying to digest a much larger playbook, learn how to communicate with everyone in the offense, execute the game plan and do so while professional defenders are flying at them with the intention of burying them into the ground.

The Commanders' loss to the Buccaneers showed that Daniels will take time to grow as a passer, which is natural. However, the quarterback provides an impressive skill set with his mobility.

Washington can further implement designed run plays or pocket movement plays that can give the quarterback run-pass options. Daniels can thrive in such plays. This year's second overall pick led the Commanders Sunday with 16 carries for 88 yards. He can provide something similar every week.

The primary concern for Daniels is making sure he doesn't take big hits. At the collegiate level, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner endured some hellacious blows. He's clearly not comfortable sliding yet. The Bucs got some licks in as well.

Daniels can be a weapon as long as the Commanders coaching staff and the quarterback know when to pick their spots.

Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys Defense Remains Playoff-Caliber Under Mike Zimmer

The biggest story for the Dallas Cowboys ahead of Sunday's 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns involved quarterback Dak Prescott. Dallas' veteran starter, who was entering the final year of his contract, secured a new four-year, $240 million deal hours before the game.

Prescott played mostly well against a good Browns defense. However, the biggest takeaway here is just how impressively Dallas' defense performed in its debut under new coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Zimmer, who previously coached the Cowboys defense from 2000 to 2006, was hired after Dan Quinn left to take over the Washington Commanders. It was fair to wonder how the transition would go after Quinn's unit ranked fifth in both yards and points allowed last season.

While it's important to avoid Week 1 overreactions, Sunday's performance suggests that Dallas' defense will be as good as it was a year ago, if not better.

Dallas held the Browns to 230 total yards while forcing two turnovers and recording six sacks.

Yes, Cleveland was playing with backup offensive tackles, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson didn't see any action in the preseason (it showed), and Zimmer was facing his former Vikings offensive coordinator. However, the Cowboys were simply dominant defensively.

The Cowboys bullied the Browns, plain and simple, and the big plays didn't just come from the usual suspects, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. The defense played like a cohesive group and nothing like the unit that melted in the playoffs in January.

Dallas has its franchise quarterback locked up, but there will be games this season in which it needs to lean on its defense. Zimmer appears ready to make that an option.

The Defense Can't Carry the Browns Back to the Postseason in 2024

A year ago, Cleveland navigated numerous injuries and a rotating cast of quarterbacks and still found their way to the playoffs. The Browns lost star running back Nick Chubb in Week 2, lost their top three offensive tackles to knee injuries over the course of the year and they only got six starts out of Watson before a season-ending shoulder injury.

Cleveland eventually found an offensive spark from street free agent Joe Flacco, but it survived much of the season on the strength of its defense.

That's not going to happen in 2024.

Sunday's performance was an embarrassment for the Browns in virtually every phase. There were penalties (lots of them), special teams disasters (one punt return TD allowed) and a serious lack of offensive continuity.

Some of the offensive blame must fall on Watson. The former Pro Bowler continually had poor throws, made bad decisions and showed no semblance of poise in the pocket. Playing with backups at both tackle spots certainly didn't help, but the Browns managed to win with backup tackles a year ago.

Watson didn't play like the same quarterback he was early in his career in Houston, and it feels doubtful that he ever will again. Maybe his performance was a product of sitting the entire preseason, but there should be serious concern in Cleveland.

However, some of the blame must also fall on Kevin Stefanski. The offensive play-calling was often questionable, and the Browns didn't appear even close to prepared to face the Cowboys. That falls on the head coach.

The defense did make its presence felt at times, but that's about the only positive the Browns can take from the game.

Now, Cleveland may get healthy, find its groove and still make a postseason push in 2024. However, not even this defense is good enough to overcome a sloppy operation and bad quarterback play.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders

J.K. Dobbins Will Lead the Chargers in Rushing Yards This Season

In a 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, J.K. Dobbins ran for 135 yards and a touchdown. He looked like a new man following an injury-riddled start to his career.

The Athletic's Daniel Popper noted that Dobbins looked explosive during the offseason.

Dobbins tore his Achilles in the Baltimore Ravens' season opener last year. The fifth-year tailback said he felt 100 percent back in April, and we can take his word for it after watching him break out on the ground in the second half of Sunday's matchup.

Meanwhile, Gus Edwards, who turned 29 in April, didn't look as explosive. He ran for just 26 yards on 11 carries.

Dobbins hasn't played more than eight games in a season since his 2020 rookie term. He should be able to rack up 1,000-plus yards as the Chargers' lead ball-carrier in a mostly healthy campaign.

Antonio Pierce Showed Little Confidence in His Offense

The Raiders' subpar offensive performance may have sapped head coach Antonio Pierce's confidence in the unit.

Las Vegas scored 10 points and failed to convert on 4th-and-1 in the first quarter.

When the Raiders faced a 4th-and-1 scenario at the Chargers' 43-yard line midway through the fourth quarter down 16-10, he chose to punt it back to Los Angeles with a defense that eventually gave up 176 rushing yards (6.5 yards per carry).

Yes, the Raiders had the ball for 31 minutes and 44 seconds, but the Chargers wore down a physically taxed defense.

While Las Vegas didn't give up a lot of points, Justin Herbert took only one sack, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman kept pounding the ball with Dobbins and Edwards until one of them (the former) found daylight.

With a conservative approach in a crucial moment, Pierce showed little confidence in his offense or too much faith in his defense. Based on the scoreboard, he may have already lost some trust in the offense.

Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks

Offensive Line Mistakes Mar Seattle Seahawks' Season-Opening Victory

The Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos by one score, 26-20. The primary reason the game was even that close was the Seahawks surrendered not one, but two safeties.

At one point, the Broncos led 10-9 without scoring a touchdown. In fact, the Broncos didn't find Seattle's end zone until late in the fourth quarter.

Despite everything, Seattle emerged with a victory. That's what matters. But the Seahawks' new coaching staff can't be overly happy with the effort, particularly from the offensive line.

The initial safety came about because guard Anthony Bradford drew a holding penalty in the end zone. The second came when Denver stuffed Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet when trying to get out of the end zone.

Furthermore, the Seahawks' front five allowed seven quarterback hits.

To be fair, the group is still coming together. Seattle has three new starters in left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Connor Williams and right tackle George Fant, who filled in for the injured Abraham Lucas. To make matters worse, Fant then suffered a knee injury, and Stone Forsythe replaced him.

The group needs reps and time playing together. Running back Kenneth Walker III did manage 103 rushing yards, which is a positive. But the Seahawks could struggle against a better opponent if they don't get things done consistently in the trenches.

Bo Nix's Maturity and Experience Don't Automatically Translate to NFL Field

Bo Nix was the sixth of six quarterbacks drafted in the first round of this year's NFL draft. He looked like it.

Nix threw multiple questionable balls and ended up with a pair of interceptions, though that number could have easily been higher. This year's 12th overall draft pick averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt on 42 passes.

The 24-year-old rookie, who started more games at the collegiate level than any other quarterback in history, excelled at that level when asked to get the ball out quickly and in rhythm. It's no surprise that Broncos head coach/play-caller Sean Payton built the offense around a quick passing attack.

Payton was also quick to defend his first-year signal-caller.

"He gave us a chance," the coach told reporters after the loss to Seattle. "Our protection was average at best. At one point in the game, I came to the wide receiver and said, 'Let's go. I don't know how many drops we had. But let's help this guy.'"

In doing so, Payton is laying the blame elsewhere. He's trying to avoid any chance of ruining the rookie's confidence.

The performance is a letdown. Nix is a mature prospect. He has a proven play-caller who believes in him. The offense is tailored to his strengths. Denver has talent around the quarterback position. Yet the rookie still struggled in his debut.

The hope is that first-game jitters are now out of the way and that Nix will continually improve as the season progresses.

Los Angeles Rams v. Detroit Lions

Breakout Season Booting Up for Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams

When the Detroit Lions traded up in the 2022 NFL draft to select wide receiver Jameson Williams with the 12th overall pick, they did so with high expectations.

"We expect big things from him," general manager Brad Holmes said last spring, per ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "He's got rare talent, rare ability. He's got a serious passion for the game. We expect big things from him, but obviously, we've got to do both our parts to make sure he's successful."

Well, it took two-plus years for the Lions to finally see the difference that Williams can make in their offense. During Sunday's 26-20 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams, Williams set a new career high with 121 receiving yards—which easily eclipsed his previous high of 69 yards—including a 52-yard touchdown.

The excitement over Williams' talent that Holmes spoke of revolved around his explosiveness. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in his final collegiate game and wasn't ready for the start of his rookie season. He eventually played in six contests.

Even with a full offseason, Williams didn't look quite the same in 2023. He also missed the first four games of his sophomore campaign because of a suspension due to a violation of the NFL's gambling policy.

During Sunday's contest, Williams played 85 percent of the Lions' offensive snaps, according to ESPN's Mike Clay.

Finally, the Lions appear to have the vertical threat they so dearly wanted initially. With All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta often working the short, intermediate and middle portions of the field, the threat of Williams taking off the top of a defense, as he did against the Rams, will make the Lions offense even more potent.

Los Angeles Rams' Offensive Line Reaches Critical Failure

Matthew Stafford once again revealed that he's actually a magician with Sunday's performance against the Lions.

Why? The Rams offensive line is nowhere near a professional-caliber unit.

When Sunday's prime-time matchup began, Los Angeles already had backup tackles in place, with Joe Noteboom on the blind side and Warren McClendon Jr. on the strong side. The Rams were forced to make three more changes before the game ended.

With left tackle Alaric Jackson already serving the start of a two-game suspension due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy and right tackle Rob Havenstein dealing with a nagging ankle injury, the Rams opened the game at a slight disadvantage. It only got worse.

Medical personnel carted Noteboom to the locker room after he suffered an ankle injury, and left guard Steve Avila was ruled out with a knee problem. AJ Arcuri became the left tackle, starting center Jonah Jackson then bumped to left guard, and sixth-round rookie Beaux Limmer took over snapping duties.

Unsurprisingly, the Lions consistently harassed and pressured Stafford, who still was good enough to bring his team back and put it in position for a victory. However, the long-term prognosis of the offensive line is worrisome.

The Rams' depth is already being severely tested.

New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers

Aaron Rodgers Is Healthy, but the Jets Need More to Be Title Contenders

Things didn't go as the New York Jets would have liked in Monday's 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The good news is that they could have gone much worse.

A year ago, the Jets also opened the season on Monday Night Football. They won the game but lost prized free-agent acquisition Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles four plays into the contest.

Rodgers (13-of-21 for 167 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) made it out of this one healthy, and he appeared to be in pre-injury form at times. It took a couple of drives for Rodgers and the Jets offense to get going. On their third possession, however, Rodgers delivered some precision strikes to Garrett Wilson, setting up Breece Hall to score New York's first touchdown of the season.

Late in the third quarter, Rodgers recorded his first touchdown as a Jet, finding Allen Lazard deep downfield on an offsides-induced free play.

Offensively, the Jets did appear more explosive than they did for the vast majority of last season. However, New York will need more than just a healthy Rodgers to make a deep postseason run in 2024.

The new-look offensive line was up and down throughout the night—it really struggled to open running lanes for Hall—while the defense consistently appeared to be one step behind the 49ers offense. The Jets' defensive front was battered by San Francisco's line and had no answers for its rushing attack.

And while Rodgers does upgrade the quarterback position, the Jets still lack reliable offensive playmakers after Wilson, Hall and, it would seem, Lazard—the only players to catch passes from Rodgers in the game.

Rodgers was pulled late in the fourth quarter, and Tyrod Taylor led a garbage-time touchdown drive that made the final score a little more respectable.

Simply put, the 49ers are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and right now, the Jets don't measure up to their standard, yet. Ideally, New York will have a better showing in Week 2 against the Titans.

49ers Display Depth, Creativity with Christian McCaffrey Sidelined

49ers fans—and many fantasy enthusiasts—received a disappointing surprise roughly an hour before kickoff when star running back Christian McCaffrey was listed as inactive. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there's a "strong possibility" that McCaffrey won't play against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 either.

"Not only is Christian McCaffrey out tonight, but there's a real chance he's not going to play on Sunday either," Schefter said on ESPN (h/t Alex Simon and Grant Marek of SFGate.com).

Naturally, the 49ers don't want to navigate an extended period without McCaffrey, their offensive centerpiece who led the NFL with 2,023 scrimmage yards last season. However, San Francisco proved that it has the pieces in place to win without him if necessary.

Some creative playcalling by head coach Kyle Shanahan helped the 49ers find a rhythm without their star back. Deebo Samuel was used several times on designed runs, and Shanahan found mismatches in the passing game with players like Jauan Jennings and Kyle Juszczyk.

The 49ers also got a terrific game out of backup running back Jordan Mason. While Mason isn't the elite dual-threat back that McCaffrey is, his physical running style meshed perfectly with Shanahan's plan to attack the interior of the Jets defense.

Mason ran for 147 yards and an impressive 5.2 yards per carry, while he and Samuel each recorded a rushing touchdown. It'll be very interesting to see what kind of role Mason might have upon McCaffrey's return.

San Francisco got help from new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen—who called a terrific game—and kicker Jake Moody (6-of-6 on field-goal attempts). However, the big takeaway is that even without perhaps the team's best offensive player, the 49ers still look like the team to beat in the NFC.