s initially appeared on s.
Add The Sporting Information as a e.
Though Week 1 of the NFL season is simply the beginning of the 12 months, half of the league is joyous after a win whereas the opposite half is lamenting a loss. For some groups, gamers and coaches, although, Week 1 meant a bit of bit extra as they face further stress.
With a handful of this week's video games that includes a battle of playoff-caliber groups, the winners and losers from these video games both added to or alleviated stress shifting ahead. Whereas Week 1 can't resolve a complete season, it may create a sure type of momentum for groups as they undergo their seasons.
Right here's a have a look at the most important winners and losers from Week 1.
NFL HQ:s | s | e
Winners
Buffalo Payments
The s' Week 1 sport towards the s may have main playoff implications, so Buffalo's win in Houston was an enormous first step on the season. This marked Josh Allen's first ever win in Houston towards the Texans, and Joe Brady bought his first win as a head coach towards maybe the league's finest protection.
Allen shredded the Texans protection within the air and on the bottom, placing up 36 factors whereas the offense held agency with zero turnovers. If it is a signal of issues to return for the Payments, the 2026 season might be one other spectacular displaying.
Cincinnati Bengals
Week 1 has historically been a nightmare for the s, who've come out of latest season openers with both a loss or a serious damage. So, the Bengals 33-27 win over the s was an enormous success, because it was the protection that carried the best way for a Bengals victory.
The Bengals pressured 4 Buccaneers turnovers, three from quarterback Baker Mayfield, and gave the offense the good thing about not needing to do all of it by itself. Joe Burrow could have higher days, as his pick-six was the lone lowlight on the day, which means this crew might be one of the vital full within the Burrow period.
Declan Doyle
Regardless of going by way of a head teaching change, the s have excessive expectations to return to the playoffs within the prime of Lamar Jackson's profession. Baltimore's offense turned heads with an electrical displaying towards the s, as offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's unit put up 41 factors.
Large receiver Zay Flowers produced 150 yards and a landing earlier than leaving the sport with an damage, whereas Derrick Henry bought into the top zone 3 times. If the Ravens offense is that this efficient all year long, it might be among the many league's finest models, with Doyle rising to the highest of head-coaching candidate lists.
Mike LaFleur
LaFleur was not the one first-time head coach to win in Week 1, however he did pull off the week's largest upset. LaFleur led the s on the street to beat the heavily-favored s in a sport the place many didn't anticipate Arizona to have an opportunity.
The Cardinals had been robust in all-three phases of the sport, making massive performs on offense, protection and particular groups. That may be a testomony to LaFleur getting ready his crew for the second, and will present that the Cardinals are a aggressive crew this season.
MORE NFL WEEK 1:
- n
- t
- okay
- s
- s
- s
Losers
Los Angeles Chargers
For a crew with a deep playoff run in thoughts, the Chargers couldn't afford to drop one in all their simpler video games on the schedule. Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles offense regarded sluggish, whereas the particular groups unit gave the Cardinals straightforward discipline place on a punt block.
The Chargers have a really tough schedule, making this loss powerful to swallow and placing the crew in a gap already. In an effort to get to the extent they anticipate, the Chargers want to repair what wasn't working on this sport shortly earlier than the hardest stretch of their schedule.
Cleveland Browns
It’s not a shock that the s bought blown out by the s, however the loss additional cemented the crew's bind with Deshaun Watson. The veteran quarterback bought off to a brutal begin as he turned the ball over a few occasions, permitting the Jaguars to race out to an enormous lead earlier than the primary quarter was over.
If Watson continues to wrestle like this, the one query will probably be when Cleveland will bench him in favor of Shedeur Sanders. For now, although, the Browns should cope with the aftermath of naming Watson as their beginning quarterback.
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield bought a brand new contract simply earlier than the season started, making it so he has to play like a $55 million-a-year participant. His efficiency on Sunday, nevertheless, was the principle motive that the Buccaneers misplaced, as his three turnovers had been so detrimental in a six-point loss.
Tampa Bay's disappointing finish to the 2025 season places the highlight on Mayfield and Todd Bowles to bounce again in 2026. Mayfield bought what he wished along with his contract, so it's as much as him to point out everybody the Buccaneers made the fitting determination by extending him.
Matt LaFleur
Whereas one LaFleur excelled, one other LaFleur is now dealing with a scorching sizzling seat. Matt LaFleur's Packers not solely blew a result in the Vikings, Inexperienced Bay bought outscored by Minnesota 29-3 within the second half and 22-0 within the fourth quarter.
Final 12 months, the Packers ended the season on a five-game dropping streak whereas blowing a number of leads within the course of, similar to Sunday's end result. For the reason that Packers are a crew that at all times has excessive expectations, LaFleur is dealing with stress to repair Inexperienced Bay's fourth quarter points.
