NFL Week 1 Insights: What We Learned About Every Team, Game by Game

As it always is, the NFL Week 1 schedule has been a rollercoaster.

Everything got kicked off Thursday night, when the Lions beat the Chiefs in a game where Kansas City dropped way too many passes. With one upset already behind us, Sunday became a day of sloppy football, a few hard truths and a bunch of surprises.

Among them? The 49ers plowing the Steelers in their own building, to the tune of a 200–1 total yards advantage at one point in the second half.

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, it was the battle of field goals for much of the afternoon with the Saints and Titans trading three-point jabs before New Orleans finally held on. Finally, the Battle of Ohio was a waterlogged affair with both Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow struggling in a divisional duel.

Then there were the rookie quarterbacks, with Anthony Richardson shining most among the trio. As for Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, the day was a learning experience with some good moments mixed in.

We break it all down and then some with thoughts on what it all means moving forward for each team.

Note: This post will be updated throughout Sunday as more games are completed.

SUNDAY

49ers 30, Steelers 7

• What it means for 49ers: Brock Purdy looks the part. After going 7–0 last season (incl. playoffs) as a seventh-round rookie, there were questions abound regarding whether he was a fluke. Against a very talented defense, Purdy torched Pittsburgh, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns in an easy road win.
• What it means for Steelers: The big question coming into the season was whether Kenny Pickett would be better in his second year. The early results were ugly. He threw a bad interception in the first quarter and another was dropped later by star linebacker Fred Warner. The Steelers have too much talent for Pickett to finish 31-of-46 for 232 yards.
• Next week: Browns at Steelers, 8:15 p.m. ET (Mon.); 49ers at Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET Sept. 17

Buccaneers 20, Vikings 17

• What it means for Buccaneers: This is the blueprint for the Bucs: play well defensively and don’t make the big mistake. Tampa Bay was plus-three in the turnover ratio and hit Kirk Cousins nine times, forcing a litany of difficult throws. If Todd Bowles’ team can follow that formula, perhaps it contends in the weak NFC South.
• What it means for Vikings: The Vikings moved the ball and actually played well defensively—allowing only 3.6 yards per play—but were undone by three turnovers by Cousins (two fumbles, interception). Minnesota should feel good about the defense but worried about the running game, which produced only 41 yards on 2.7 yards per carry.
• Next week: Vikings at Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thurs.); Bears at Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 17
  
  

Browns 24, Bengals 3

• What it means for Bengals: Cincinnati will bounce back, with the offense having been stuck in neutral all day. However, the more concerning thing is the defense, which permitted 206 rushing yards on 5.2 yards per carry. With the run-heavy Ravens up next on the slate, Cincinnati needs to figure out its issues quickly to avoid an 0–2 start.
• What it means for Browns: Cleveland’s secondary is for real. The Browns blanketed their AFC North rivals all afternoon, limiting the terrific trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to seven catches for 49 yards. As for Joe Burrow, the $275 million man went 14-of-31 for 82 yards. Ugly.
• Next week: Browns at Steelers, 8:15 p.m. ET (Mon.); Ravens at Bengals, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 17

Jaguars 31, Colts 21

• What it means for Jaguars: The combination of Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley was on point. Ridley caught seven passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Lawrence added another six-point beauty to Zay Jones. While the game was close for much of the day, Jacksonville pulled away with Ridley being the star it traded for last year.
• What it means for Colts: Richardson looked the part of a top pick. The Florida product was terrific, accounting for 263 total yards and two touchdowns. Despite having a porous offensive line and limited weapons, Richardson had Indianapolis in the lead late before the Colts faltered.
• Next week: Chiefs at Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET; Colts at Texans, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 17

Ravens 25, Texans 6

• What it means for Texans: This game only confirmed what we all knew; this is going to be a work in progress for Stroud. Under duress much of the afternoon, Stroud averaged 5.5 yards per attempt while his run game produced just 72 yards. If Houston is going to be decent early, the defense must lead the way.
• What it means for Ravens: It’s a win, but it was costly. Running back J.K. Dobbins is likely lost for the year with a torn Achilles, putting more pressure on Lamar Jackson in a new scheme under coordinator Todd Monken. The good news? Baltimore’s defense looked excellent, sacking Stroud five times.
• Next week: Ravens at Bengals, 1 p.m. ET; Colts at Texans, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 17

Saints 16, Titans 15

• What it means for Titans: Ryan Tannehill is on notice. Yes, it’s one game, but he has a pair of top-100 picks behind him in Will Levis and Malik Willis. Tennessee could have beaten New Orleans in the raucous Superdome, but Tannehill was a mess, throwing three interceptions while being hit 10 times.
• What it means for Saints: Michael Thomas is back, and Chris Olave showed why he’s a second-year star. Thomas caught five passes for 61 yards after playing only three games over the past two seasons. As for Olave, he went over 100 yards in Derek Carr’s debut. If the Saints get that kind of production on the outside, they’ll be tough in the wide-open NFC.
• Next week: Saints at Panthers, 7:15 p.m. ET (Mon.); Chargers at Titans, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 17

Falcons 24, Panthers 10

• What it means for Panthers: It’s a tough start, but not unexpected. Young ran for his life much of the preseason behind a leaky line, and while the protection was decent on Sunday, he struggled to find his weapons. The most concerning thing is Carolina ran for 4.8 yards per carry and 154 yards, and Young still had issues all day.
• What it means for Falcons: Jessie Bates III might have been worth his hefty $64 million deal. Atlanta’s big-ticket offseason addition picked Young off twice along with forcing a fumble. The Falcons need more from the duo of tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London, who combined for two catches and 44 yards, but Bates looked like a game-changer for the defense.
• Next week: Packers at Falcons, 1 p.m. ET; Saints at Panthers, 7:15 p.m. ET (Mon.

Commanders 20, Cardinals 16

• What it means for Cardinals: Perhaps Arizona won’t be a complete disaster. Going across the country to play Washington, first-year coach Jonathan Gannon watched his defense score a touchdown, notch six sacks and hold the Commanders to 20 points. It’s still a defeat, but the Cardinals have to be encouraged.
• What it means for Commanders: There’s major work to do for the offense. Under new coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Washington totaled only 248 yards while averaging a meager 4.2 yards per play. Quarterback Sam Howell made his second career start and was under siege from those aforementioned sacks, while throwing for 202 yards on 32 attempts.
• Next week: Giants at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET; Commanders at Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET Sept. 17

THURSDAY

Lions 21, Chiefs 20

• What it means for Lions: A huge win for Dan Campbell and the program. The Lions won eight of their last 10 to finish 2022, but still missed the playoffs. Instead of falling flat with big expectations, Detroit showed mettle by piecing together a fourth-quarter comeback at Arrowhead. In what could be a tight NFC North, it’s a major first step for Motown.
• What it means for Chiefs: The Chiefs need to get better gloves. While drops are different for everybody, I counted an astounding nine for Kansas City, including four from Kadarius Toney. If the defending champs get tight end Travis Kelce back next week and hold onto a few easy passes, they’ll be fine.
• Next week: Seahawks at Lions, 1 p.m. ET; Chiefs at Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET