NFL Week 1 Late Slate Recap: Cowboys Dominate, Lions Win in OT Thriller

The 2024 NFL season is here, and Week 1 did not disappoint with exciting matchups across the league. From rookies making their mark to thrilling overtime finishes, football fans were treated to an action-packed opening weekend. Let’s break down each of the key matchups and their standout moments.

Detroit Lions 26, Los Angeles Rams 20 (OT)

Lions:
The Detroit Lions narrowly avoided a Week 1 upset, clinching the game in overtime with a 1-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery. The defense, a focal point of the Lions’ offseason improvements, showed some weaknesses, particularly in the secondary. Despite forcing a red-zone interception late in the first half, Detroit allowed Rams receiver Cooper Kupp to finish with 14 receptions for 110 yards, along with a 63-yard bomb to wideout Tyler Johnson.

The offensive highlight for Detroit came courtesy of Jameson Williams. After two tumultuous seasons marred by an ACL injury and suspension, Williams made his presence known with a 52-yard touchdown catch and over 100 receiving yards, marking his first breakout performance. The Lions are hoping this sets the tone for what could be a breakout year for him.

Rams:
The Rams showed resilience despite numerous injuries. With star wideout Puka Nacua exiting in the first half with a knee injury and key offensive linemen Joe Noteboom and Steve Avila also leaving the game, LA’s offense struggled. Still, Matthew Stafford pieced together a solid performance with 306 passing yards, most of which came in the second half.

The Rams’ defense, now without Aaron Donald, held their own but struggled to contain Detroit’s running backs in critical moments. The young defense, under new leadership, will be tested further in the weeks to come.

Dallas Cowboys 33, Cleveland Browns 17

Cowboys:
Dallas took command of this game early, playing complementary football that head coach Mike McCarthy loves to see. Dak Prescott threw for 156 yards in the first half, outpacing the Browns’ formidable defense. The Cowboys also dominated on special teams, with KaVontae Turpin returning a punt for a touchdown — the first for Dallas since 2017.

CeeDee Lamb, despite missing much of training camp, showcased his skills with five receptions for 61 yards and also contributed on the ground with three carries. The Cowboys’ defense, anchored by Micah Parsons, added to Cleveland’s misery with three sacks and a game-sealing interception by Eric Kendricks.

Browns:
Cleveland’s offense struggled from the start, managing just 54 yards in the first half. Deshaun Watson couldn’t establish any rhythm, completing just 2-of-11 passes of 10 or more yards. The offensive line, missing both tackles due to injuries, allowed five sacks, leaving Watson under constant pressure.

Despite a third-quarter touchdown drive, the Browns’ offense continued to sputter, with two turnover-on-downs ending their hopes for a comeback.

Seattle Seahawks 26, Denver Broncos 20

Seahawks:
Seattle opened their season with a gritty win but took a significant blow when right tackle George Fant went down with a knee injury, adding to the team’s already thin offensive line. Geno Smith struggled under pressure, completing just 1-of-4 passes while under duress in the first half. However, the Seahawks’ defense capitalized on Denver’s mistakes, with an interception and a muffed punt recovery that kept the Seahawks in control.

Despite the win, Seattle’s O-line issues will be a serious concern as they head into Week 2.

Broncos:
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a rough NFL debut, often throwing under pressure and making costly mistakes, including an interception and multiple sacks. Nix was unable to get into a rhythm until late in the game, when he scrambled for a 4-yard touchdown to keep Denver within striking distance.

The Broncos will need to simplify their offense and rely more on the running game until Nix finds his footing, as the Seahawks’ pass rush exposed many of his weaknesses.

Los Angeles Chargers 22, Las Vegas Raiders 10

Chargers:
It took three quarters for the Chargers’ offense to wake up, but when it did, J.K. Dobbins took center stage. Dobbins finished with 135 yards rushing, including a 61-yard breakaway touchdown in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Justin Herbert struggled early, only throwing for 67 yards in the first half, but he rebounded slightly in the second half to finish with 144 passing yards and a touchdown.

While the Chargers will take the win, their offensive line will need to improve to protect Herbert as they gear up for tougher competition in the coming weeks.

Raiders:
The Raiders could not overcome multiple turnovers, including a costly fumble by QB Gardner Minshew and another by running back Zamir White. Minshew also threw an interception late in the game that sealed the Raiders’ fate. Their defense, which played well early, eventually succumbed to the Chargers’ running game in the second half.

With injuries piling up on defense, the Raiders will need to clean up their offense if they hope to stay competitive next week against a tough Ravens team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37, Washington Commanders 20

Buccaneers:
Tampa Bay opened their season with an impressive offensive display, with Baker Mayfield connecting on multiple touchdowns, including two to star receiver Mike Evans. The Bucs’ rushing attack, led by Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, averaged over five yards per carry, making them tough to defend.

However, injuries in the secondary piled up, leaving Tampa with only one healthy corner by the end of the game. This will be a situation to monitor closely as they prepare for Detroit next week.

Commanders:
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels impressed on the ground, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns, but the Commanders’ passing game looked stagnant. Daniels couldn’t find much help from his receivers, and the offensive line struggled to create opportunities for running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson.

Washington’s defense also faltered, allowing Tampa Bay to go 9-for-13 on third down conversions, a key reason for the lopsided loss.

Looking Ahead to Week 2

Week 1 set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling NFL season. Key injuries, rookie debuts, and strong defensive showings have all raised questions heading into Week 2. Stay tuned for more NFL coverage as the season unfolds, with the Detroit Lions facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Rams traveling to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.