Biggest Overreactions to NFL Week 1

Typically, there are major overreactions to Week 1 of the regular season. Many have opinions they've held since last year or based on the offseason.

Let's remember that the Las Vegas Raiders went on the road to beat the New England Patriots in Week 1 last year. The Raiders then won only two more games, and the Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl.

So, let's pump the brakes on potential playoff contenders and pretenders.

However, we can go through trending NFL takes that sound premature on a sample size of one game.

Here are seven overreactions to last week's contest and why they may be exaggerations.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase's Week 1 No-Show Is Concerning

AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase

Let's get the fantasy football angst out of the way. 

For the first time since 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals scored more than 20 points in their season opener. Known for their slow starts, the Bengals finally bucked the trend and outscored the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27, but Ja'Marr Chase stuck to the team's tradition of a quiet outing.

Chase hauled in two of just four targets for 12 yards. Given his recent knee injury, it's an alarming stat line, but he's been average or non-existent in Week 1 matchups over the previous few years (h/t Yahoo Sports):

After catching two passes for 26 yards in the Bengals' season opener against the Cleveland Browns last year, Chase followed up with 14 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown, with backup quarterback Jake Browning playing through more than half of that game.

Chase didn't show any lingering effects from a recent knee injury. Still, Bengals fans and fantasy football managers need to be patient because in Week 2, Cincinnati plays the Houston Texans, who will look to redeem themselves following a poor defensive performance against the Buffalo Bills.

Chase may not post a gaudy stat line until he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Steelers' lead cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., is currently out with a back injury amid a contract dispute.

Cardinals Aren't One of the NFL's Worst Teams

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride

The Arizona Cardinals ruined survivor pool picks with their upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Projected to have one of the lowest win totals of the season, the Cardinals likely used those predictions as bulletin-board material.

Regardless of the motivational source, the Cardinals earned an impressive victory, but let's not get carried away with their season outlook.

Arizona plays in arguably the league's toughest division, with the reigning Super Bowl champions, who will visit the Cardinals in Week 2, the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, two perennial playoff contenders. 

The Cardinals didn't win a divisional matchup last season, and they may not win one this year. Moreover, outside of the NFC West, Arizona has games against the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs with a healthy Patrick Mahomes.

Credit to the Cardinals for beating the Chargers, who are perpetual underachievers. But it's going to take more than one impressive win to change the expectations for a rebuilding team with bridge-gap quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

Panthers Wasted Cap Space on Defensive Free Agents

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jaelan Phillips (center)

According to ESPN Insights, the Carolina Panthers gave up the second-most points (59) in an NFL season opener. The Chicago Bears ran for 291 yards and six touchdowns against the Panthers' new-look front seven.

This offseason, Carolina signed edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal, inked Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $42 million contract, added linebacker Bobby Okereke on a one-year, $1.5 million pact and drafted defensive tackle Lee Hunter in the second round.

All four of those defenders made solid contributions in Sunday's loss to the Bears, but it wasn't enough to slow down one of the league's most electric offenses.

Carolina's 59-37 loss says more about Chicago's offense than its defensive unit.

Last season, the Panthers' defense ranked 27th in scoring and total yards. They needed to add potential upgrades on that side of the ball. Carolina's defense will improve, but it faced a juggernaut last Sunday.

Patriots QB Drake Maye Is Overrated

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye

The Seattle Seahawks made Drake Maye look like a below-average quarterback in his last two games. He's thrown three touchdown passes and five interceptions between Super Bowl LX and Week 1 of this season.

The Patriots seemed poised to avenge their 29-13 loss to the Seahawks, leading for most of the season opener up until the fourth quarter. With possession in the red zone on the final drive of the contest, Maye threw an inexcusable pass in the end zone, and Josh Jobe picked it off to seal the win for Seattle.

If Maye threw the ball out of bounds, kicker Andre Borregales could've had a chip-shot field-goal attempt to push the game into overtime, but his turnover completed New England's fourth-quarter meltdown.

After the game, many questioned if Maye could play up to heightened expectations after he finished the 2025 campaign as the runner-up for league MVP. Critics believe a tougher schedule will expose him.

As a third-year pro with 30 career starts, Maye still has a high ceiling with room for growth. He'll learn from his mistakes. Even without wideout A.J. Brown, the 24-year-old signal-caller should be able to bounce back with Romeo Doubs, though he struggled with drops last week, Mack Hollins, Hunter Henry and rookie third-rounder Eli Raridon, who scored a touchdown against the Seahawks. 

Expect Maye to be sharper at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.

Raiders Can Build Offensive Momentum Without Brock Bowers

AP Photo/David Becker

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers

With a 27-13 win over the Miami Dolphins, the Las Vegas Raiders had their highest scoring output since Week 18 of the 2023 season. Former Raider linebacker and team broadcaster Kirk Morrison noted that the club didn't score 17 points in a half of any game last season, but it did last Sunday against the Dolphins.

Given that Brock Bowers missed the previous game while recovering from a meniscus trim, the Raiders should feel encouraged by their offensive output, but they still need their All-Pro tight end.

Bowers' presence alone opens up the passing attack for his teammates because he commands help coverage downfield. 

Although the Raiders scored 27 points against a rebuilding Dolphins squad, Kirk Cousins only threw for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. None of Las Vegas' pass-catchers eclipsed 45 receiving yards. The top three wideouts, Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech, all had two or three catches. 

The Raiders can decisively beat the Dolphins without Bowers, but they need him to breathe life into their passing attack against stiffer competition.

Rams 2026 Dream Team Will Be a Disappointment

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett

The Los Angeles Rams, who have the best odds (+600) to win Super Bowl LXI via FanDuel, went to Australia and laid an egg in a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Rams arrived in Australia on game day, but their unorthodox travel schedule doesn't excuse a 20-point loss to a division rival. 

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald didn't suit up for the game, and edge rusher Myles Garrett was on and off the field, managing a knee injury that sidelined him for offseason practices. According to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero, the Rams placed Garrett on injured reserve after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, though he could return in four weeks.

Many of you remember the Philadelphia Eagles' 2011 dream team that went 8-8 and missed the playoffs, but the Rams won't share that fate.

Before the Rams acquired Garrett and welcomed back Donald from retirement, they were Super Bowl contenders. Moreover, with Donald's eventual return, the Rams' next opponent, the New York Giants, probably won't run for nearly 200 yards against them as the 49ers did. 

Under head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have won at least 10 games in three consecutive seasons—a 10-7 record is the floor for this team. Los Angeles will rebound and refuel its Super Bowl buzz in a home matchup against the Giants next Monday night.

Texans Defense Is Headed for Significant Regression

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter

In 2025, the Houston Texans didn't allow more than 30 points in any of their games, including the playoffs. In their season opener, they gave up 36 points in a loss to the Buffalo Bills, whom they held to 19 points last year.

Did Buffalo figure out Houston's defense and provide a blueprint for the rest of the league? In short, no.

Few teams have a quarterback comparable to Josh Allen, the 2024 league MVP and a four-time Pro Bowler. He threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two scores against the Texans. 

Houston faced a superstar signal-caller who made some spectacular plays with his arm and legs, but don't expect that to be the norm against this top-tier defensive unit.

In 2025, the Texans defense allowed the second-fewest points and the fewest yards. That unit still features four defensive backs who recorded four interceptions and two pass-rushers who logged 12-plus sacks in the previous campaign. This offseason, Houston added safety Reed Blankenship, who recorded four interceptions in 2024.

The Texans defense should own the majority blame for the team's loss to the Bills, but it's still a loaded group with several defenders who can make game-changing plays. Good luck to any team that doesn't have Allen or Lamar Jackson under center.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.