The first NFL Sunday of the 2024 season is in the books, and it was exactly what pro football fans have been waiting for.
The slate gave us a complete stunner of an upset, with the Cincinnati Bengals, who came in as nearly double-digit favorites, falling to the New England Patriots. It gave us a pair of come-from-behind victories in the early slate in the form of the Miami Dolphins topping the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears beating the Tennessee Titans — with the winning defenses each shutting out their opponents in their respective second halves.
It even gave us the very first dynamic kickoff return for a touchdown, from DeeJay Dallas of the Arizona Cardinals. Here are the winners and losers from Sunday of Week 1.
WINNERS
The toughness and grit of the Detroit Lions
This was far from their best performance. The Lions offense stalled significantly in the second half, recording three three-and-outs in the first five drives after halftime, with an interception coming in another during that span. Still, Detroit outlasted the Rams and showed its mettle as a contender in the NFC. This was the first game since the Lions blew a 17-point halftime lead to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game. And while it wasn’t clean — star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught just three passes for 13 yards, and Detroit went 2-of-4 in red zone conversions — the team’s offensive line dominated the Rams in overtime, pounding the ball seven times for 60 rushing yards on a decisive, game-winning drive. The Lions sent a message that their identity has not changed.
Aggressive moves for Houston Texans pay off
Credit Houston for knowing it had a solid, young core and making moves to get better. The Texans took an early edge in the AFC South with their 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, and it was pair of trade acquisitions who made an impact.
Running back Joe Mixon was the focus of the offense, carrying the ball 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Stefon Diggs, meanwhile, whom the team acquired in an April trade with the Buffalo Bills, caught six passes for only 33 yards. Two of those receptions, however, were touchdowns, and one came late in the fourth quarter to give Houston a nine-point lead.
The support around Caleb Williams
The No. 1 overall pick didn’t play particularly well in his debut, but no harm done. Chicago showed it can overcome a massive deficit — a 17-point one, in fact — and score points in different ways to win. The Bears' defense shut out the Titans in the second half and, following in the special teams unit's lead, scored a touchdown.
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