NFL Week 1 Overreactions

NFL Week 1 overreactions are an annual tradition. No matter how much we tell ourselves we won’t get caught up in a small sample size of results, every year, sweeping conclusions are made after sixty minutes of play. The biggest challenge is trying to parse through what is real and what isn’t. Let’s figure out what is real and what isn’t.

NFL Week 1 Overreactions

There is plenty to choose from here. There were a number of dominating victories and dud performances from preseason contenders. These will all be topics of conversation this week, but some I think will be overblown. Onto the list of overreactions!

The Bengals Are In Trouble

Verdict: Overreaction

It wasn’t pretty on Sunday. Losing to the Browns 24-3 is not a great look at all. However, I think a lot of factors have to be taken into account. Joe Burrow didn’t play at all in the preseason and looked rusty. The weather played a huge factor in the game, as both offenses didn’t look great. Cleveland has had the Benglas’ number in the past couple of years. I’m not panicking yet. A couple of years back, the Green Bay Packers lost 38-3 in week 1 to the Jameis Winston-led New Orleans Saints and went on to have a 13-3 season. While this Sunday was not a great result, I don’t think it is time to panic.

The NFC Is Better Than The AFC

Verdict: Not An Overreaction

I have been touting how good the AFC is this entire offseason. On Sunday, the NFC boasted the teams that looked the best. The Cowboys eviscerated the Giants, and the 49ers derailed the preseason hype train of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In every facet of the game, these teams looked to be in midseason forms. The AFC looked a little more dubious. The Chiefs have wide receiver flaws. Cincinnati was a mess. Baltimore had trouble getting off the ground, and even the Jaguars didn’t look perfect against the Colts. While top to bottom, the AFC might be better, the NFC may have the top teams.

The Eagles Aren’t As Good This Year

Verdict: Overreaction

It is going to be hard to be as good as last year, but I still think the Eagles are one of the best teams in the league. The offense has too much talent, and the defensive line is scary good. A couple of things were factors in their poor performance. The Patriots defense is really good. They are going to keep that team in games this season, and they showed their prowess. The weather was another factor, with the rain affecting the passing game. Similar to the Bengals, this team also didn’t play their starters a lot in the preseason. This game was just to shake off the rust, and this team is going to be fine long-term.

The Packers Have Another Hall Of Fame Quarterback

Verdict: Overreaction

This is my favorite of the NFL Week 1 overreaction. As a Packers fan, I so badly wanted this not to be an overreaction, but it is. Jordan Love looked good, and the victory over the Bears has to feel sweet. However, drives stalled because of poor throws and miscommunications between Love and the receivers. What we can say is that Love isn’t bad, and that might be good enough for this team. The defense looked sharp, and that was more of the storyline from Sunday. That wasn’t the only overreaction statement from this game.

The Bears Are In Trouble

Verdict: Not An Overreaction

It’s bad in Chicago. This offseason saw a lot of investment on both sides of the ball. DJ Moore was brought in to fix a sputtering offense. Tremaine Edmunds, along with a bunch of second-year players, was going to help raise the floor of the defense. Everything looked bad. The defense couldn’t stop an offense that was without their top wide receiver and a quarterback making his second career start. The offensive line was a mess, and Moore finished with two catches. The only silver lining is that the Panthers look to be one of the worst teams in the league, and the Bears own their first-round pick. Otherwise, this game looked like 2022 all over again.

NFL Week 1 overreactions are always fun. All of these will be storylines to watch going into week 2.