NFL Week 1: Winners, losers, and key takeaways

backNFL Week 1 delivered some unforgettable moments and some high-action offenses. Caleb Williams and the Bears dropped 59 points on the Carolina Panthers’ defense. The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks picked off Drake Maye in the end zone to clinch their season-opening win. The New York Jets and Giants both won their season openers for the first time since 2009. Here is a deeper dive into some of the winners and losers of NFL Week 1.

Winner: Joe Burrow

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow has been known for his sluggish starts to the season. Prior to Sunday’s game, he had a career Week 1 record of 2-4 with six touchdown passes and six picks. However, he delivered a solid performance in the team’s 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He only made one mistake, throwing a pick-six to Josiah Trotter to make it a one score game late in the third.

It was also beneficial for Burrow that he may now have a reliant defense. The Bengals forced four turnovers and had four sacks. If the defense can keep the pressure off Burrow it will be huge for them down the line.

Loser: Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers completely collapsed against the Arizona Cardinals in week 1. The team lost 26-14 and at no point looked prepared against a Cardinals team who is projected to finish last in the NFL. Herbert went 17-27 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one pick.

To make matters worse, the Chargers have a gauntlet of a schedule ahead of them. Six of their next eight opponents all made the playoffs last year, and a loss to start the season has only made it more difficult. Herbert is going to need to step up if the Chargers have a shot of making it back to the playoffs.

Winner: Jesse Minter

The Baltimore Ravens completely dominated week 1 under newly hired head coach Jesse Minter. The team won 41-23 and had 526 total yards, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry completely overpowering the Indianapolis Colts defense. Zay Flowers looked like the stud wide receiver everyone dreamed about before he went down with an injury and the defense did a solid job containing Jonathan Taylor. Minter has so far given new hope to the Ravens, who were one missed field goal away from clinching the AFC North last season.

Loser: Matt LaFluer

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFluer is in real hot water once again. The Packers were up 12 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, and ended up losing by 17. The Vikings scored 29 unanswered points including 22 of them in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jordan Love had two turnovers in the fourth quarter, and the team had three trips to the redzone in the second half, scoring a total of three points.

Collapses like this have become a familiar theme for LaFluer. The Packers have lost their last six games back dating to last season, including a blown 18-point lead against the Bears in the playoffs. If LaFluer’s seat wasn’t hot then, it sure is now.

Winner: Bears offense

The Chicago Bears defense let up 37 points to the Carolina Panthers, yet they still won by 22. Caleb Williams had 269 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. The team as a whole had 291 rushing yards, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai each rushing for over 100 yards. Not a single player had over 85 receiving yards, but it didn’t even matter. If the Bears offense can keep performing at a high level, the NFC North will be theirs.

Loser: Patriots offense

The Patriots lost 13-10 to the Seattle Seahawks, the same team they lost to in the Super Bowl back in February. Once again, Drake Maye was exposed by the high flying Seahawks secondary. Maye was picked off three times, and only had 178 passing yards. The run game didn’t help either with Rhamondre Stevenson rushing for 51 yards on 18 carries.

To make matters worse, recently acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown injured his ankle and was placed on injured reserve. Kayshon Boutte was traded to the Houston Texans back in August, making the receiver room slimmer than normal. The Patriots need Maye to step up down the line or else it could be a long season.

About the Author Published Sep 15, 2026

CAMERON JOYCE

Cameron Joyce is an NCAAF, NFL, NHL, and MLB beat writer for Ball Exclusives. Cameron also previously worked at The University of Alabama's newspaper, "The Crimson White," covering volleyball and baseball.