NFL Week 1 Early Slate Recap: Rookies Impress and Close Games Define Opening Sunday

The highly anticipated 2024 NFL season has officially kicked off, and the first wave of Sunday games did not disappoint. In the early action, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams notched a memorable debut victory, while Jerod Mayo secured his first win as head coach of the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings dominated the New York Giants with an impressive team effort. Let’s dive into the highlights and key takeaways from each matchup.

Chicago Bears 24, Tennessee Titans 17

Bears
What challenges did Caleb Williams face in his debut?
Though Caleb Williams became the first No. 1 overall draft pick to win his NFL debut since 2002, it wasn’t an easy ride. He struggled to find consistency, particularly on deeper throws, missing three passes of 15 or more yards. Additionally, several of his attempts were batted down at the line of scrimmage, limiting the offense’s effectiveness. Chicago only accumulated 148 total yards, relying on special teams and defense to pull through. Cairo Santos nailed three field goals, and safety Jonathan Owens returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Tyrique Stevenson’s fourth-quarter pick-six sealed the game for the Bears.

Game-defining moment:
Chicago’s defense rose to the occasion late in the game, delivering a crucial blitz that led to Stevenson’s interception return for a touchdown. Despite letting Tennessee rush for 115 yards in the first half, the Bears’ defense showed resilience when it mattered most.

What needs improvement?
The Bears’ run game failed to relieve pressure on their rookie QB. Williams wasn’t getting enough help on early downs, as Chicago only managed 84 rushing yards at an average of 3.8 yards per carry. It wasn’t until Williams scrambled in the third quarter that the run game began to make an impact.

Titans
Where did the Titans’ passing game fall short?
The Titans’ much-hyped passing attack, bolstered by the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, never got going. Quarterback Will Levis had a subpar day, completing 19 of 32 passes for just 127 yards, including one touchdown and two interceptions. Poor offensive line protection and a hobbled DeAndre Hopkins limited the Titans’ air attack.

Key moment:
Special teams played a pivotal role in Tennessee’s downfall. A 66-yard punt return set up a Chicago field goal, and later, the blocked punt returned for a touchdown shifted the game’s momentum entirely.

New England Patriots 16, Cincinnati Bengals 10

Patriots
How can the Patriots generate more big plays on offense?
The Patriots continue to face challenges in creating explosive plays, with their longest completion being a modest 17-yard catch by Tyquan Thornton. Their strategy in Week 1 was to control the tempo and wear down the Bengals with sustained drives, which allowed them to build a 10-0 lead. But relying on this method over a 17-game season might not be sustainable.

Standout performance:
Keion White was a bright spot for New England, with the versatile defensive end recording 2.5 sacks. After the Patriots traded Matthew Judon, White stepped into a larger role and delivered a breakout performance, keeping pressure on Joe Burrow throughout the game.

Bengals
Can Joe Burrow get the offense rolling?
Burrow, recovering from wrist surgery, looked hesitant to throw deep early in the game. Of his first 20 passes, 16 were within five yards of the line of scrimmage. However, Burrow started to find his rhythm in the third quarter with a deep pass that led to a pass interference call. Cincinnati’s offense struggled to generate explosive plays without Tee Higgins, who was out with a hamstring injury.

Where did the Bengals falter?
Cincinnati’s offense appeared sluggish in the first half, failing to score any points. For the third consecutive season, they trailed by double digits in their opener. The lack of chemistry, especially in the absence of key playmakers, was evident.

Minnesota Vikings 28, New York Giants 6

Vikings
Can Sam Darnold sustain this level of play?
Sam Darnold’s Week 1 performance was a revelation for the Vikings. Making his first opening-day start in three years, Darnold completed 19 of 24 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. His poise under pressure, highlighted by a 44-yard strike to Justin Jefferson, showcased why the former No. 3 overall pick still has potential. Even though a fourth-quarter interception slightly marred his day, Darnold gave Minnesota exactly what they needed to secure the win.

Defensive breakout:
Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel stood out, recording a sack and a crucial pick-six. His ability to read the play and adjust his pass rush was instrumental in Minnesota’s dominant performance. Van Ginkel’s presence could be key for a Vikings defense looking to bounce back this season.

Giants
Is this a sign of things to come for New York?
The Giants looked outmatched from the start, with their offense drawing boos from the home crowd. Daniel Jones struggled mightily, tossing two interceptions and failing to get the offense moving. New York’s inability to push the ball downfield was glaring, as they didn’t attempt a single pass over 20 yards until late in the game.

Biggest concern:
Despite spending the offseason working on deep passes, the Giants failed to air it out against Minnesota. Their offense felt stagnant, and unless they can make significant adjustments, this could be a long season for the G-Men.

Houston Texans 29, Indianapolis Colts 27

Texans
How did the Texans control the game?
The Houston Texans opened their season with a thrilling 29-27 win against the Indianapolis Colts, leaning on Joe Mixon’s dominant ground game and Stefon Diggs’ red-zone efficiency. Mixon powered through with 159 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries, while Diggs hauled in two touchdowns to secure Houston’s first victory of the season. C.J. Stroud, coming off a stellar rookie season, continued his efficient play, completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards. Stroud’s connection with Diggs proved to be crucial, as the receiver added six catches for 33 yards to complement Nico Collins’ standout 117-yard receiving performance.

Standout moment:
Houston’s ability to convert on critical downs, including a pivotal fourth-and-goal touchdown to Diggs late in the game, underscored their offensive efficiency. This score gave the Texans a commanding 29-20 lead with just 4:42 remaining. Despite a late push by the Colts, Houston’s control of the clock and Mixon’s relentless rushing allowed them to hold on.

Key to success:
The Texans’ ground game was the difference, keeping the Colts’ defense on the field for 40 minutes. Mixon’s 30 carries wore down Indianapolis, and Houston’s offensive line dominated in the trenches, allowing them to dictate the pace.

Colts
Where did Anthony Richardson shine?
Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson showcased his playmaking ability in his NFL debut, tossing two touchdown passes of over 50 yards and adding a rushing score late in the game. Richardson completed 9 of 19 passes for 212 yards, connecting on a 60-yard bomb to Alec Pierce and a 54-yard touchdown to Ashton Dulin. He also used his legs effectively, running for 56 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown scramble with just over two minutes left.

What went wrong for the Colts?
Despite Richardson’s explosive plays, Indianapolis couldn’t maintain consistent offensive drives, as the Texans’ defense forced the Colts to rely on big plays rather than sustained drives. Additionally, a failed two-point conversion after Jonathan Taylor’s 5-yard touchdown run left the Colts trailing 15-13, which ultimately made a difference in the final score.

Turning point:
A crucial interception by the Colts was wiped out due to a defensive holding penalty, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by Mixon. This swing in momentum gave the Texans a 22-13 lead, putting the Colts in catch-up mode for the remainder of the game.

The Texans’ victory marked their second straight road win in the series, and it showcased their ability to control the tempo of the game with a balanced attack. Despite Richardson’s flashes of brilliance, Houston’s defense and clock management sealed the outcome, as the Colts extended their opening day winless streak to 11 games.