The opening week of the 2021 season provided some unpredictable results. Who saw Jameis Winston outplaying Aaron Rodgers in a blowout win for New Orleans over Green Bay?
What about the Pittsburgh Steelers going into Buffalo and stunning Josh Allen and the Bills? Then there was the stunning comeback of Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott. He had football fans in awe the way he stood toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers as he came back from the horrific ankle injury he suffered last year.
There were a few more surprises in Week 1. Here’s my overreaction and power rankings after the first week of the season.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
Overreaction: The Buccaneers vaunted defense may be in trouble following Sean Murphy-Bunting’s elbow injury. The front-seven couldn’t get home against the Cowboys offensive line. Thus, without their top cover corner injured, Tampa’s secondary were at the mercy of Dak Prescott. Good thing, they have the GOAT Tom Brady, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
2. Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
Overreaction: Matthew Stafford makes the Rams the second-best team in the NFL. Finally free from the woeful chains of the Lions, Stafford balled out in his LA debut, throwing three touchdowns on 20-of-26 passing.
With their defense, the Rams could make it a second year in a row in which a team makes the Super Bowl in their home stadium. But, they will need more out of their run game in the absence of Cam Akers.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
Overreaction: There is no deficit insurmountable for the Chiefs as long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy. Even against the surging Browns, Mahomes erased a 12-point deficit to show the Browns Kansas City is still the team to beat in the AFC.
4. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
Overreaction: Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns are still not ready to beat Mahomes and the Chiefs. His costly turnover put the icing on their flattened cake. Even when they played near perfect they still couldn’t top the Chiefs. But the Browns are contenders and will be chomping at the bits to see the Chiefs again.
5. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Overreaction: Jameis Winston has been fixed. Once a failed investment by the Buccaneers, Winston looked sensational in his first start since the 2019 season, throwing five touchdowns in the Saints’ 38-3 blowout upset over the Packers. The Saints may be better than advertised.
6. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
Overreaction: Kyler Murray looks like an MVP candidate. Chandler Jones has a head start on Defensive Player of the Year. The Cardinals may be Super Bowl contenders. All of this is on the minds of football fans after Arizona’s impressive 38-13 win over the Titans.
7. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Overreaction: This is the year Russell Wilson finally wins an NFL MVP. Through the offseason headlines of Wilson being disgruntled, the Seahawks quarterback looked impressive with four touchdowns against the Colts.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
Overreaction: The Steelers aren’t going anywhere. Ben Roethlisberger looked his age at times. But when it counted, he delivered. With their defense, asking for clutch throws from Big Ben may be the recipe of success this season.
9. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Overreaction: Relax. Yes, the offensive line looked shaky against the Steelers. Yes, they still don’t have a run game. But they still dominated three quarters of Sunday’s game. Josh Allen is good enough to be the difference maker when it counts.
10. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Overreaction: The Aaron Rodgers saga has been a distraction and carried over from the off-season to the regular season. Rodgers played one of his worst games of his Hall of Fame career, throwing two interceptions in the season opener. It may be time to panic and question if Rodgers’ heart is into playing football, at least in a Green Bay uniform.
11. Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
Overreaction: Dak Prescott was the best player in Week 1 through the entire NFL. Prescott picked apart the Buccaneers defense, throwing for 403 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His play had Tampa Bay on their heels.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Overreaction: Rookie Rashawn Slater may be the best left tackle not named Trent Williams. The Northwestern product dominated Chase Young and the highly touted Washington defensive line, giving quarterback Justin Herbert nearly all day to throw the football.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)
Overreaction: They may not know how to draft in the first round, but the Raiders have hit gold with quite a few lower-round picks. Proof is on their defensive line led by fourth rounder Maxx Crosby. He was the best player on the field Monday and Derek Carr is good enough to sneak the Raiders into the playoffs.
14. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)
Overreaction: Stuck between wondering if all the injuries at running back have handicapped the Ravens offense. Or if it’s simply the offense has not progressed. Lamar Jackson for whatever reason, physically or schematically, can’t get the ball on the perimeter throwing the football.
15. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Overreaction: As long as Jimmy Garoppolo stays healthy, the 49ers could return to their 2019 self as a Super Bowl contender. For three quarters the 49ers steamrolled the Lions to build a 38-10. Then they let their foot off the gas, allowing the Lions to climb back in before shutting the door.
16. Denver Broncos (1-0)
Overreaction: Head coach Vic Fangio made the perfect call to go with Teddy Bridgewater as the starting quarterback over Drew Lock. Bridgewater’s efficiency was on full display completing 28-of-36 passes for 265 and two touchdowns against the Giants. With Denver’s defense, Bridgewater could manage the Broncos into playoff contention.
17. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
Overreaction: Tua Tagovailoa didn’t answer any of the questions about him being a long-term answer for the Dolphins. But, the Dolphins can win games with him at quarterback nonetheless. But will 10 or 11 wins be enough to make the playoffs?
18. New England Patriots (0-1)
Overreaction: Mac Jones looked beyond his years. The Patriots rookie quarterback had command of Josh McDaniels’ offense. If not for Damien Harris’ crushing fumble, Jones was marching the Patriots to victory against the Dolphins.
19. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
Overreaction: Kirk Cousins may have the worst luck among quarterbacks. He was phenomenal Sunday against the Bengals, completing 36-of-49 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns. Yet, the Vikings still lost in overtime 27-24. Davlin Cook was held in check for 61 yards, and the defense couldn’t stop Joe Burrow when it needed to the most.
20. Washington Football Team (0-1)
Overreaction: The Washington Football Team should consider signing Cam Newton, given his history with head coach Ron Rivera. However, the team is confident in Taylor Heinicke as the starter and Kyle Allen as the backup. Both are familiar with the offensive system.
21.Chicago Bears (0-1)
Overreaction: Matt Nagy is holding up the inevitable. There is no way to sell fans and the locker room on Andy Dalton giving the Bears the best chance to win. Not over Justin Fields. It’s time to start Fields and let him roll.
The best way to learn and develop is playing. Fields is intelligent enough to play now and play well without being a detriment for himself and the team. Trade the safe Volvo for the Ferrari and enjoy the ride.
22. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Overreaction: There was rust for new quarterback Carson Wentz. He missed a great deal of training camp and did not play in the preseason due to a foot injury. Coupled with his psyche coming off a disastrous divorce from the Eagles last season, it may take some time for Wentz and the Colts offense to get going.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Overreaction: Jalen Hurts made a major statement to be the Eagles long-term solution at quarterback. Nick Sirriani unleashed Hurts Sunday against the Falcons to the tune of 264 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also added 62 rushing yards. Hurts along with a healthy offensive and defensive line may make the Eagles a contender to win the NFC East.
24. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
Overreaction: Julio Jones looked his age (32), and we may see why the Falcons were okay with cutting loose one of their best wide receivers ever. Meanwhile, the Titans offense misses Arthur Smith, who is now the Falcons head coach.
25. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)
Overreaction: Bengals got a big win for them. Joe Burrow eased the mind of Bengals faithful, as he looked great for his first action since tearing his ACL last season. The defense made timely stops and Joe Mixon continues to prove he is one of the most formidable running back in the league. Too bad they play in the tough AFC North.
26. Carolina Panthers (1-0)
Overreaction: All Sam Darnold needed was to play for a competent franchise. His fresh start in Carolina started against his former team, the New York Jets. The same Jets that fumbled his development for three years. The Darnold revenge game wasn’t spectacular. But it showed he can win with the right pieces around him.
27. Houston Texans (1-0)
Overreaction: The Texans may not be good this season, but they’re miles better than the Jaguars right now. Tyrod Taylor finally got his chance, and he did not disappoint with 291 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Could this team be better than expected or was it just they were playing the Jaguars?
28. Detroit Lions (0-1)
Overreaction: The Lions offense can put up points. It took them three quarters to get going, but once Jared Goff was forced to throw, the Lions showed their potential. Yes, it was against the more laid back 49ers, who were protecting a 28-point lead. But with a sense of urgency, the Lions could put pressure on opponents with their offense.
29. New York Giants (0-1)
Overreaction: The Giants have the worst offensive line in the league. They cannot protect quarterback Daniel Jones. Meanwhile, Jones adds to the struggles by being prone to fumbles. And he is looking more like a bust, at least for the Giants.
30. New York Jets (0-1)
Overreaction: It’s going to be a long rebuild for the Jets. But, Zack Wilson at least is a good start. The rookie QB had his share of struggles in his NFL debut. But, he also flashed bits to his ceiling which is very high.
31. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Overreaction: New coach, same old Atlanta Falcons. Maybe Dan Quinn wasn’t the sole issue after all? Matt Ryan was held in check for 164 yards. From there the Falcons offense was stale. Hopes of a resurgence has been put on hold in the Dirty South after Week 1’s letdown.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Overreaction: Let’s be real. The Jaguars have some nice pieces on offense. Trevor Lawrence has all the tools to be great. But, the concerns are with head coach Urban Meyer and his coaching staff. The perception of them isn’t good, and could go a long way into the disastrous season that may be ahead in Jacksonville.
