NFL Week 1 What We Learned: Contenders & Pretenders
Week 1 of the NFL season kicked off in fine style. There was something for everyone in the jam-packed season-opening weekend. We weigh in on the action and the takeaways from some of key games.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the top bet to win the AFC West at +150. Patrick Mahomes threw for five touchdowns in the Chiefs' 44-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles Chargers are also a favorite to take the division after their 24-19 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Denver Broncos are a less-than-convincing proposition after a loss to Seattle Seahawks.
Dallas Cowboys lost 19-3 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Dak Prescott will have surgery on his hand. The Cowboys' odds to win the NFC East have almost quadrupled. Philadelphia Eagles are the new NFC Eastern favorites at -200.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their season opener. Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys were all expected to be Super Bowl contenders. Rams lost to Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. 49er's lost 19-10 to Chicago Bears, Packers 22-7 to Minnesota Vikings and Cowboys lost 19 3 to the Buccaneers.
The NFL kicked off with a lot of misses in the first game of the season. Evan McPherson missed a game-winning kick for the Bengals in overtime against the Steelers. Randy Bullock's missed field goal for Titans in dying seconds of game. Rodrigo Blankenship missed the potential 42-yard game winning field-goal for Houston Texans. Younghoe Koo's 63-yards field for Falcons was blocked and the Saints took the narrow win. New York Giants started the year 1-0. They are in a three-way tie with the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles at the top of NFC East.
Trey Lance made his debut as a starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. The team lost 19-10 to the Chicago Bears. Tight end George Kittle said Lance is a grown man and he's played football. The Niners have only 16 games to make the playoffs this season. Kyle Shanahan and the team's establishment are not willing to give the kid too much leeway. They have to play well. It's not the case with a team that's very much about winning it all this year.
