NFL Week 1 grades from across the league

Last yr’s No. 1 scoring offense mustered three factors — the bottom Cowboys output with Dak Prescott since a December 2018 Indianapolis shutout. For all of the questions accidents, free company defections, retirements, unretirements, and sabbaticals have saddled Tampa Bay’s offense with, the Bucs’ protection confirmed its potential to supply a security web. A protection stopping any NFL workforce from advancing previous its 30-yard line, not to mention the Cowboys, is an eye-opening accomplishment. Although points on offense will have to be resolved, the Bucs (1-0) have the defensive substances — Bowles’ Super Bowl LV crew feat. Logan Ryan and Akiem Hicks — to purchase the workforce’s higher-profile unit time. 

BUCCANEERS GRADE: A-minus | NEXT: at Saints (Sun.)

Dak Prescott’s late-game thumb harm resulting in surgical procedure and reportedly a six- to eight-game absence thins the Cowboys’ margin for error. But the 2022 Dallas version (0-1) already narrowed its path due to losses (La’el Collins, Amari Cooper, Randy Gregory) and Tyron Smith’s harm. Last yr’s workforce turned a No. 1 DVOA rating right into a wild-card loss. A 2019 squad that also rostered rookie-deal Dak and a greater Ezekiel Elliott went 8-8. With Prescott watching maybe a half-season absence, more healthy Cowboy groups’ missed probabilities come to thoughts. The 2020 season reminds us of what can occur when Prescott is unavailable.

COWBOYS GRADE: D-minus | NEXT: vs. Bengals (Sun.)

Already 2-for-3 in first-team All-Pro nods as a Steeler, Fitzpatrick is now in place — through the four-year, $72.99 million extension — to gun for a Troy Polamalu-esque Pittsburgh run. The latest Steeler star security confirmed up Sunday, taking one among Joe Burrow’s 4 INTs again for six and tallying 14 tackles. Fitzpatrick saved the Steelers (1-0) from a collapse along with his overtime-forcing PAT block. The Steelers’ offense practically squandered a recreation by which its opponent dedicated 5 turnovers. The Mitch Trubisky-Kenny Pickett scenario won’t quiet after this escape, however Fitzpatrick no less than ensured Pittsburgh may deal with its QB matter after an upset win.

STEELERS GRADE: B | NEXT: vs. Patriots (Sun.)

Burrow’s ineffective counterpart ought to have allowed the AFC’s Super Bowl LVI beginning QB to undo his personal Week 1 injury. Despite the Steelers’ Trubisky-fueled listlessness, the Bengals (0-1) blew quite a few probabilities for Burrow to beat his five-turnover day. Burrow twice related with Ja’Marr Chase on would-be game-winning touchdowns, however Taylor bizarrely didn’t throw a problem flag on a transparent Chase TD. Backup lengthy snapper Mitchell Wilcox then impeded the subsequent two game-winning sequences. The Bengals punting 13 seconds early on their ultimate additional time possession had a somewhat huge affect on their loss as effectively. To say nothing of extra O-line woes, Cincinnati’s loss might be an issue in a stacked AFC.

BENGALS GRADE: D | NEXT: at Cowboys (Sun.)

Weakened by bungled investments (Trent Brown, Alex Leatherwood), the Raiders offensive line surprisingly seemed just like the workforce’s unhealthy 2021 unit. Kolton Miller and a quartet of query marks — Josh McDaniels’ midgame tinkering expanded it past a quartet — have been no match for a reloaded Chargers move rush. The Bolts sacked Derek Carr seven instances, and the Joey Bosa-Khalil Mack duo’s presence undoubtedly had a hand within the veteran QB’s three-INT day. Las Vegas’ solely notable exterior blocking rent was third-round guard Dylan Parham. As Mack and Bosa bullied proper sort out starter Jermaine Eluemunor, an ex-Patriot backup, it highlighted the 0-1 Raiders’ mistake of not doing extra to repair this place group.

RAIDERS GRADE: C-minus | NEXT: vs. Cardinals (Sun.)

Swarming Carr off the left and proper edges, Mack made Sunday a clumsy reintroduction along with his 2014 Raiders draft classmate. The former Oakland-developed Defensive Player of the Year sacked Carr thrice, bulling by way of Eluemunor for No. 1 after which beating Miller for his ultimate two. Mack sealed the Chargers’ victory by pushing the highest Las Vegas O-lineman into Carr for a sack-strip that successfully confirmed he’s over his 2021 foot harm. Mack and Bosa profile as one of the vital proficient edge-rushing duos to type in a few years. The twice-traded Pro Bowler seems to be like he can have a significant say in how the loaded AFC West performs out.

CHARGERS GRADE: B-plus | NEXT: at Chiefs (Thu.)

The Giants’ new regime took commerce calls on Barkley this yr after the one-time superstar-in-training had completed a 3rd straight injury-plagued season. Barkley entered 2022 with yet another probability to show the elite model of 2018 and ’19 may resurface. His main the Giants (1-0) to an upset of the Titans introduced stated resurfacing. Barkley blazed to 194 scrimmage yards (his fourth-best profession mark), two TDs, and the Giants’ game-winning two-point conversion. The two-pointer confirmed the previous No. 2 total decide is once more wholesome; a deft Barkley lower led him to an open finish zone path. He wants to remain wholesome this season, however a comeback route is again in play. 

GIANTS GRADE: A | NEXT: vs. Panthers (Sun.)

As Brown dominated for his new workforce, his previous employer couldn’t set up a gentle offense. Despite the Giants’ protection lacking its beginning edge rushers — Azeez Ojulari and first-round decide Kayvon Thibodeaux — and that includes cornerback vulnerability, the Titans (0-1) didn’t do sufficient to construct on their 13-point halftime lead. New de facto No. 1 wideout Robert Woods caught one move, and Ryan Tannehill solely led one second-half scoring drive. OC Todd Downing’s weird third-and-1 handoff to backup tight finish Chig Okonwko — somewhat than deploy a sure two-time dashing champion — additionally led to the Giants’ game-winning drive. The Titans rallied after a Week 1 blowout loss final yr; they’d a greater workforce final yr.

TITANS GRADE: D-plus | NEXT: at Bills (Mon.)

The Browns tried to draft Evan McPherson final yr, however the Bengals beat them to it. That led Cleveland to drag the set off on York early this yr, making the LSU product the highest-drafted kicker since Roberto Aguayo in 2016. The transfer paid off huge Sunday. York’s 58-yard subject purpose saved the Browns, as they attempt to stage a workmanlike effort to remain in competition with Jacoby Brissett. Deshaun Watson’s fill-in seemed himself Sunday (a ghastly 4.3 yards per try), and Baker Mayfield had his former workforce going through sure defeat. The Browns (1-0) have used a special main kicker in every of the previous 9 seasons. After sealing Cleveland’s first Week 1 win in 18 years, York looks like he’ll cease that merry-go-round. 

BROWNS GRADE: B | NEXT: vs. Jets (Sun.)

Mayfield (235 yards, 8.7 Y/A) fumbled 4 snaps, had 4 passes batted down, and threw an interception. But he nonetheless seemed to have finished sufficient to safe a win over a workforce he was (technically) nonetheless a part of two months in the past. Brian Burns’ roughing-the-passer name represented the much less sketchy of the 2 controversial final-drive performs that went towards the Panthers (0-1); Brissett spiking the ball after faking that motion ought to have moved the Browns out of York’s vary. York bailed out the Browns offense anyway after the odd spike compelled a 58-yard strive, however a rulebook item against delayed spikes didn’t produce a penalty.

PANTHERS GRADE: C | NEXT: at Giants (Sun.)

The Vikings should still have defeated their NFC North rivals had Christian Watson hauled in a would-be 75-yard landing strike, however the rookie second-rounder’s agonizing drop did change the sport’s course. The Packers (0-1) used their new lead receiver quartet (sans de facto WR1 Allen Lazard, who was out), however none of Green Bay’s post- Davante Adams/Marquez Valdes-Scantling troops stepped up in Sunday’s 16-point loss. No Packer receiver topped 37 yards. The Packers misplaced 38-3 of their 2021 opener, with Aaron Rodgers rallying to his fourth MVP. But the long-anticipated receiver problem he has been oddly requested to face at age 38 seems to be very actual. 

PACKERS GRADE: F | NEXT: vs. Bears (Sun.)

Kevin O’Connell was in Los Angeles for Cooper Kupp’s breakthrough and Matthew Stafford’s career-reshaping run, however McVay calls the Rams’ performs. O’Connell’s solely play-calling gig got here for a 3-13 Washington workforce in 2019. The Vikings rent had generated regular offseason buzz, and whereas O’Connell is not any positive factor, the most recent McVay tree department began off in addition to he may have hoped. O’Connell’s offense continued to ship Justin Jefferson into wide-open areas, because the star wideout amassed a career-high 184 receiving yards, and a wholesome Packers protection was left scrambling. A fourth straight Packers NFC North crown grew to become extra sophisticated Sunday.

VIKINGS GRADE: A | NEXT: at Eagles (Mon.)

Emmanuel Sanders’ cap-related launch and Michael Thomas’ rogue 2021 surgical procedure choice left the Saints with most likely the NFL’s worst receiving corps final season. Last yr’s key pass-catching principals are on this yr’s squad, however the Saints (1-0) noticed the worth high quality receivers present in Atlanta. Thomas, Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave contributed as Jameis Winston led a 16-point fourth-quarter comeback. Thomas’ two back-shoulder TD grabs got here towards ascending cornerback A.J. Terrell, and Landry’s final-minute leap into double coverage arrange Wil Lutz’s 51-yard game-winner. Landry (114 yards) remaining able to this efficiency stage raises the ground of one of many league’s most improved place teams.

SAINTS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: vs. Buccaneers (Sun.)

Cordarrelle Patterson’s career-high 120 dashing yards bettered Alvin Kamara by 81, and Atlanta’s unproven move rush hit Winston eight instances. Marcus Mariota was outplaying his counterpart, too, however the stopgap starter noticed that effort unravel thanks to 2 fumbles. Mariota’s scramble-fumble sequence stopped a Falcons drive that moved previous the Saints’ 10-yard line, and his botched third-and-1 snap alternate led to the guests’ game-winning drive. While Arthur Smith performed the “Everyone is counting us out” card (maybe accurately) postgame, the Falcons (0-1) may simply have gained their opener. With draft capital nonetheless the secret for the rebuilding workforce, ethical victories completely depend.

FALCONS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: at Rams (Sun.)

Of final season’s Chiefs wideouts, solely Mecole Hardman is again in a distinguished position. Fortunately, the Chiefs have the league’s greatest QB-HC duo to interrupt within the new items. As Patrick Mahomes related with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the unhyphenated Skyy Moore — divvying up completions to 9 targets — the 2018 MVP reminded the soccer world betting towards him is dumb. Josh Allen and Justin Herbert have gained floor on him, however Mahomes’ 30-for-39/360/5 line in Arizona — as the opposite QB icon breaking in new receivers (Rodgers) sputtered — confirmed the Chiefs (1-0) will most likely be superb post- Tyreek Hill. Mahomes now has an 18-0 TD-INT ratio in his 5 Week 1 tilts (5-0).

CHIEFS GRADE: A-plus | NEXT: vs. Chargers (Thu.)

Kyler Murray confronted an uphill battle in his first Mahomes showdown. The absences of DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, and guard Justin Pugh restricted the now-well-paid Pro Bowler. But the Cardinals’ long-undermanned move protection didn’t give Murray a lot of a shot. The Cards (0-1) let Chandler Jones stroll, and J.J. Watt is reinjured. Mahomes’ pocket motion stored giving his Travis Kelce-fronted aerial corps enough area, and the Cards allowed 5 landing passes for the primary time in 14 years. Byron Murphy stays Arizona’s lone above-average nook. That has been an space of concern ever since Patrick Peterson’s decline commenced.

CARDINALS GRADE: F | NEXT: at Raiders (Sun.)

While the tip outcome was completely different — the NFL’s third Week 1 tie up to now 5 years — the Colts (0-0-1) proceed to alter quarterbacks and never open seasons 1-0. On its sixth Week 1 QB in six years , Indianapolis did improve to a tie. But they wanted a feverish rally to keep away from a ninth straight season-opening loss (the eight L’s: Broncos, Bills, Lions, Rams, Bengals, Chargers, Jaguars, Seahawks). Matt Ryan threw an interception, misplaced a fumble, and recovered two extra of his fumbles. Frank Reich has now been with the Colts for 5 of those Week 1 non-wins. While Week 1 deceives, that is too intensive of a pattern dimension to disregard relating to Colts readiness. 

COLTS GRADE: C-minus | NEXT: at Jaguars (Sun.) 

Nick Caserio canning David Culley and selling Lovie Smith created a situation by which the Texans (0-0-1) have a second bridge coach forward of their presumed time to contend. Smith, 64, did have his still-undermanned workforce able to go, no less than. And whereas his Tampa-2 scheme opened the door to the Colts staging a uncommon run-oriented comeback drive — throughout a 161-yard Jonathan Taylor dashing day — Smith taking part in for the tie is okay. Reich gifted the Texans a 2018 win by going for an additional time fourth-and-4 from his personal 43. Smith indicated his fourth-and-2 punt got here as a result of the protection was gassed. In a process-over-results yr, tying is completely superb for this explicit workforce.

TEXANS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: at Broncos (Sun.)

Unless he agrees to a Mahomes-esque 10-year deal, Lamar Jackson just isn’t topping Deshaun Watson’s $230 million assured. Not on a Ravens contract, no less than. As this saga makes a beeline for franchise tag No. 1, Jackson started the season on a excessive word — 213 passing yards, three TD tosses. With a steadily criticized receiver array, Jackson navigated the Jets whereas solely working six instances. The former MVP (615 carries by way of 4 years — 148 greater than anybody else by way of 4 seasons) is taking a threat a second notable harm wouldn’t have an effect on his worth. Facing the prospect of a shorter profession as a result of his type, Jackson’s contractual quest now turns into way more attention-grabbing than Kirk Cousins or Dak Prescott’s.

RAVENS GRADE: B | NEXT: vs. Dolphins (Sun.)

The Jets (0-1) have been proper to get out whereas they might on Sam Darnold, accumulating three picks (together with a second-rounder) for the previous would-be franchise QB. But Zach Wilson’s knee hassle is now a priority. The Jets starter lacking no less than three video games will lengthen his run of NFL knee-related absences to seven in two years, delaying the central goal of Gang Green’s 2022 season. The longer Joe Flacco or Mike White (if vocal Jets backers get their means) play, the odder Robert Saleh’s tenure turns into. Saleh is tied to Wilson, who has proven little to point he could be a solidified starter. Flacco threw 59 passes in a nine-point Jets outing. Another season might be misplaced quickly.

JETS GRADE: D-minus | NEXT: at Browns (Sun.)

While the opposite angle of 2022’s chief Patriots storyline has Matt Patricia being one of many unlikeliest success tales in NFL play-calling historical past, standard knowledge says Bill Belichick putting in his longtime defensive coordinator to be the purpose man for Jones’ second season is an pointless threat. The Pats (0-1) fell behind 17-0 in Miami, and whereas the Tom Brady years featured south Florida struggles, Belichick dangers stalling his post-Brady choice’s improvement by not correctly changing Josh McDaniels. It is simply too early to proclaim this, however after New England loaded up on 2021 free brokers, Belichick’s Patricia plan could also be shifting the workforce off the playoff tier in a deeper AFC.

PATRIOTS GRADE: D-plus | NEXT: at Steelers (Sun.)

McDaniel didn’t change Brian Flores’ defensive coordinator, retaining Josh Boyer. The latter’s unit stepped up Sunday, shutting out the Patriots within the first half to arrange a snug Dolphins win. Two teamwork Dolphin turnovers — a Xavien Howard tip-turned-Jevon Holland INT and Brandon Jones blitz-turned- Melvin Ingram TD stroll — gave the Pats’ low-voltage offense an excessive amount of to beat. The latter play gave McDaniel’s new offense, which featured loads of Tua Tagovailoa-to-Tyreek Hill midrange connections, a lower-stress recreation. A decently stored secret: the Dolphins (1-0) have now crushed the Patriots in Miami in eight of the previous 10 seasons.

DOLPHINS GRADE: A | NEXT: at Ravens (Sun.)

A 2021 finger harm slowed Lance, and he began his 49ers QB1 tenure on maybe the NFL’s worst subject. Although Soldier Field deteriorating right into a soggy quagmire introduced one other unhealthy break for Lance, his afternoon — 13-for-28, 164 yards, an INT, some flashy runs, and a missed TD strike to Tyler Kroft — did loads to maneuver the 49ers from a 10-point result in a 19-10 loss towards a bottom-tier Bears workforce. Lance will obtain extra time, doubtless in higher circumstances. But is that this 49ers arrange — a robust roster topped by 5 All-Pros — conducive to improvement? The Jimmy Garoppolo ETA could also be shifting up. That might be the very best factor for the present 49ers (0-1), however punting on Lance’s starter gig stands to change his progress. 

49ERS GRADE: D | NEXT: vs. Seahawks (Sun.)

The Bears jettisoned 4 members of their once-fearsome entrance seven (Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Eddie Goldman). One of the 2 bastions from that 2018 No. 1-ranked protection got here by way of Sunday. Eddie Jackson’s interception stopped the 49ers for good. Jackson’s diving INT and return arrange the back-breaking Justin Fields-to- Dante Pettis landing strike. (Pettis’ revenge measure on the 49ers, who lower him regardless of his second-round standing, went higher than Baker Mayfield’s or Joe Flacco’s on Sunday.) This was a pleasant bounce-back second for Jackson, who didn’t play as much as his requirements in 2021.

BEARS GRADE: A-minus | NEXT: at Packers (Sun.)

Last season, the Eagles stampeded by way of the Lions with a 236-yard dashing effort. Sunday, Philadelphia’s floor assault, that includes the identical cogs, rolled by way of Detroit for 216 yards. But the Eagles (1-0) showcased their new aerial weapon early and infrequently. Brown was already at 128 receiving yards earlier than halftime, and the run-after-catch menace ran that quantity to 155 — probably the most by a first-game Eagle within the workforce’s 80-year historical past. The greatest Eagles receiver acquisition since Terrell Owens in 2004, Brown got here as marketed. Short-, medium- and long-range Brown good points supplemented the Jalen Hurts-Miles Sanders run assault. Brown ought to give the Birds’ floor recreation extra space to function. 

EAGLES GRADE: B-plus | NEXT: vs. Vikings (Mon.)

If this Lions rebuild reaches a stage the place playoff berths are on the radar, extra adjustments will doubtless happen on the workforce’s entrance seven. The Lions (0-1) have now allowed 452 dashing yards to the Eagles up to now two seasons. Hurts and Sanders gashed Detroit’s protection, and the Lions allowed 4 completely different Eagles to attain dashing touchdowns. After rating twenty eighth towards the run final season, the Lions have No. 2 total decide Aidan Hutchinson, second-round defensive finish Josh Paschall (at the moment on short-term IR), and “Hard Knocks” riser Malcolm Rodriguez as new front-seven items. Moving on from the Eagles’ relentless run recreation might be for the very best.

LIONS GRADE: C | NEXT: vs. Commanders (Sun.)

Mistakes value the Jaguars an eight-point fourth-quarter lead, however James Robinson did his half to salvage the trouble. After a Boxing Day Achilles tear, Robinson returned on time — an iffy proposition all through this offseason — and scored twice. Robinson and 2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne performed in a recreation collectively for the primary time and mixed for 134 scrimmage yards. Marlon Mack and Cam Akers’ struggles recapturing their pre-Achilles-tear type served as a Robinson warning signal. But Jacksonville’s two-time dashing chief averaging six yards per carry Sunday is a constructive for a workforce nonetheless assembling its long-term core.

JAGUARS GRADE: C-plus | NEXT: vs. Colts (Sun.)

As McLaurin rose from third-round decide to No. 1 Washington wideout, he each performed with a brigade of below-average QBs and lacked a lot complementary receiving assist. After the Commanders (1-0) gave Curtis Samuel an eight-figure-per-year deal in 2021 and drafted Jahan Dotson within the 2022 first spherical, stated help lastly seems current. The duo mixed for 3 TD catches Sunday; Dotson grabbed two. The shifty Penn State product’s second TD capped a 90-yard go-ahead drive. Carson Wentz performed with a top-heavy wideout forged in Indianapolis and noticed harm points doom his Philly cadre. The oft-criticized QB could have extra to work with in Washington.

COMMANDERS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: at Lions (Sun.)

As Miller confirmed his late-season 2021 surge was not merely Aaron Donald-driven, the long run Hall of Famer clearly affected Buffalo’s youthful move rushers Thursday. Three Bills holdovers and second-stint Bill Jordan Phillips notched sacks in Buffalo’s romp. Basically, each Buffalo edge rusher introduced down Matthew Stafford no less than as soon as. Phillips, 2021 first-rounder Greg Rousseau, 2021 second-rounder Boogie Basham and 2020 second-rounder A.J. Epenesa mixed for 5 sacks. This has not been a dependable Bills ability for years. Miller unlocking it can clearly pose an issue for many offensive traces. 

BILLS GRADE: A | NEXT: vs. Titans (Mon.)

The Rams already misplaced their high 2022 draft selection — guard Logan Bruss — for the season. They will now be with out middle Brian Allen for some time. Knee surgical procedure will sideline Allen for about a month, shifting guard Coleman Shelton to middle and inserting 2020 seventh-rounder Tremayne Anchrum (zero profession begins) into the lineup. With left sort out Joe Noteboom coming off a tough night time, and straining an MCL, the Rams (0-1) will see their depth examined after a horrid efficiency. The workforce let three-year guard starter Austin Corbett defect to the Panthers in March, par for the course for the celebrities/rookie offers workforce. That hurts extra now.

RAMS GRADE: F | NEXT: vs. Falcons (Sun.)