Winner: Michael Penix Jr; Loser: Kirk Cousins
Atlanta’s decision to draft a quarterback in April after the Falcons also handed Kirk Cousins a $180m contract the previous month is a thorny one. On the basis of the veteran signalcaller’s shoddy debut in a loss to the Steelers, the Falcons will be happy they drafted a potential replacement for Cousins. Clearly it is far too early to write off the veteran: the game-wrecking presence of the Steelers’ future Hall of Fame edge rusher, TJ Watt, and the rust of Cousins’s 10-month layoff are significant mitigating factors. But the nature of such an emphatic cratering on debut will have ownership and supporters wondering if Cousins can be the difference maker they expected.
The 36-year-old’s two interceptions on Sunday led to field goals while mistimed motion coughed up a fumble. Sure, errors can be cleaned up, but the QB and his coaching staff’s confidence will have been knocked. What’s most painful was the drop off from a decent start – taking a lead while Justin Fields failed to land Pittsburgh in anything other than field goal territory – to throwing for a grand total of one yard after half-time. Worryingly for Cousins, stiffer tests are on their way: Philadelphia then Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs follow. Michael Penix Jr could be running things sooner rather than later.
Winners: Washington Commanders
Chicago’s rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, emerged victorious with his defense leading the charge after they punched in two second-half touchdowns. The No 1 pick meandered to 93 yards passing, with an average of 3.2 yards per attempt, a statline that would usually end in defeat. Fortunately Tennessee’s Will Levis threw one of the ugliest pick-sixes you are likely to see this season. So Williams emerges to fight another day after avoiding a killer meltdown. Baby steps and all that.
The rookie QB who popped on Sunday, even as his team lost 37-20 to Tampa Bay, was Washington’s Jayden Daniels. He showcased his running ability with 88 yards rushing and a pair of one-yard scores while finishing with 184 yards through the air. His passing still needs a great deal of finessing – Daniels narrowly missed being picked off on the opening play and overthrew Terry McLaurin on what should have been a 70-yard touchdown. But for a team starting its 11th quarterback since 2019 these are minuscule blemishes in a debut in which Daniels calmly and confidently ran his offense.
Losers: European NFL fans
Brazil! Green Bay Packers v Philadelphia Eagles. Germany … New York Giants v Carolina Panthers. São Paulo had the honour of hosting night two of the season with a thrilling shootout, while Munich’s offering appears rather more sarcastic on the basis of the Panthers appearing to still be the worst team in football, and the Giants having failed to address their need at quarterback. Fans at the NFL’s first game in the southern hemisphere were rewarded with Saquon Barkley’s swashbuckling hat-trick. But those heading to Munich or a London game, the highlight of which a middling contest between the Jets and Vikings, could be forgiven for feeling a touch jealous this season.
There are plenty of reasons why Europe may no longer be the primary focus for marquee matchups: the NFL has already conquered the market, teams hate the timezone shift, British toilet paper is too thin. But dedication in the face of sky-high ticket prices deserves something more enchanting than the thin gruel of Frankfurt’s Colts v Patriots clunker last year. Perhaps the league expected Trevor Lawrence to become a global name and the stardust would take care of itself. That will be put to test this season without Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen serving as support acts.
Winner: Redzone viewers
The wilderness of a football-free mid-February to September can be lonely for the NFL obsessive. Blissfully, when the clock hits zero and Scott Hanson winds up for his first marathon Redzone innings, the noise melts away to one man in a studio hopping from one pivotal moment to the next. The phoenix Sam Darnold rising, Josh Allen roaring back for Buffalo, CJ Stroud clinching a shootout with Anthony Richardson and a huge upset from Jerod Mayo’s Patriots will probably matter little come January. As Hanson calls the shots though, it all feels that little more special as the presenter weaves narrative threads on the hoof. The action will only intensify from here but, like the first anticipatory step into a patch of fresh snow, the season will never feel quite as optimistic as when the first Sunday touchdown of a new season hits on Redzone. Cheers, Derek Carr.
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Losers: Jacksonville Jaguars
After an offseason spent trying to forget last season’s slide from dominating the AFC South to winning one game (against Carolina) in six, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson brought the memories flooding back as the Dolphins were allowed to steal victory from a Jaguars team that held a 17-7 lead at the break. Pederson is responsible for turning the Jags into contenders. But failing to iron out flubs that cost his team a playoff spot in 2023 and surrendered victory in Miami is a net negative regardless of whether the team is now easier on the eye.
The critical error arrived in the third quarter with a potential 24-7 advantage at stake. Travis Etienne Jr rumbled his way through the heart of the Dolphins defense only to have the ball punched from his paw on the one-yard line. Miami jumped on the fumble, Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for an 80-yard score, and Jacksonville were eventually swept aside. They have been here before under Pederson: in the coach’s first season in charge Etienne fumbled when poised for a touchdown to help give the Giants a one-score win. There have been good moments since taking charge but Pederson has to figure out how to stop the Jaguars shooting themselves in the foot.