Welcome to the NFL Week 1 recap for the 2024 season! Week 1 delivered some thrilling matchups, unexpected results, and standout performances to kick off the new season in style. Let’s dive into the highlights, key takeaways, and what to expect moving forward.
Game of the Week: Kansas City Chiefs 27, Baltimore Ravens 20
In a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship, the Chiefs held off the Ravens to claim a 27-20 victory in Kansas City. The game featured plenty of drama, with both teams battling hard to set the tone for the season.
Key Highlights:
- Patrick Mahomes was in midseason form, throwing for 291 yards and two touchdowns, though he did have one interception. Mahomes even managed to catch his own deflected pass at one point, avoiding a potential turnover(NBC Sports)(Prime Time Sports Talk).
- Lamar Jackson had a strong showing, throwing for 273 yards and rushing for 122 more. His performance moved him into third place for most career rushing yards by a quarterback, but missed opportunities in the red zone cost Baltimore a chance at victory(Prime Time Sports Talk).
- The game had critical moments, including a fourth-quarter drive where Jackson narrowly missed a game-tying touchdown due to a receiver stepping out of bounds(NBC Sports).
The Chiefs defense came up big in crucial moments, stifling the Ravens in key red zone possessions. The Ravens now look ahead to fine-tuning their offense, particularly in their ability to finish drives(
Notable Performances:
Week 1 brought some eye-catching individual efforts across the league:
- Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) – Prescott and the Cowboys crushed the Cleveland Browns 38-3. Prescott threw for three touchdowns and 288 yards, helping Dallas establish themselves as early NFC contenders. The Cowboys’ defense was just as dominant, keeping Cleveland to only a field goal(NBC Sports)(Fantasy Guru).
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) – Harrison Jr. had a debut for the ages, racking up 157 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 victory over the Washington Commanders. The highly touted rookie receiver showed why he’s a top contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year(Fantasy Guru).
- Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions) – Hutchinson’s stellar play on defense led the Lions to a gritty 26-20 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams. His ability to pressure Rams QB Matthew Stafford and stuff the run proved critical in the Lions’ season-opening victory(NBC Sports)(Fantasy Guru).
- Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) – Pacheco had a solid game, scoring a key touchdown for the Chiefs and adding a physical presence to their running game, complementing Mahomes’ aerial attack(Prime Time Sports Talk).
Key Takeaways:
- Chiefs’ Super Bowl Ambitions Intact: Kansas City’s win over Baltimore shows they’re once again a top team in the AFC. Mahomes was efficient, and the defense—though still adjusting—made key plays when it mattered most. Their title defense looks promising, even though they have some offensive miscues to clean up(NBC Sports)(Prime Time Sports Talk).
- Dallas Cowboys Look Strong: With Dak Prescott and the defense firing on all cylinders, the Cowboys look poised to make a deep playoff run. They were near-flawless against the Browns, raising expectations for their 2024 campaign(NBC Sports).
- Baltimore’s Missed Chances: Despite a solid showing by Lamar Jackson, the Ravens must address their red zone struggles. If they can fix those issues, they’ll be a formidable team in the AFC, but missed chances in big games could hurt them down the line(Prime Time Sports Talk).
- Cleveland’s Woes: The Browns struggled mightily against Dallas. With only a field goal to show for their effort, questions are already arising about the stability of their offense. They’ll need to regroup quickly if they want to contend in a tough AFC North(Fantasy Guru).
Scores and Highlights from All Games:
- Chiefs 27, Ravens 20: Kansas City holds off Baltimore in a thrilling season opener.
- Eagles 34, Packers 29: Saquon Barkley shines in his debut for the Eagles.
- Cowboys 38, Browns 3: Dak Prescott leads a dominant Dallas victory.
- Steelers 18, Falcons 10: Pittsburgh’s defense stifles Atlanta.
- Bills 31, Cardinals 24: Josh Allen throws three touchdowns as Buffalo secures a win.
- Bears 24, Titans 17: Chicago mounts a second-half comeback to beat Tennessee.
- Bengals 23, Patriots 17: Joe Burrow outduels Mac Jones to lift Cincinnati.
- Colts 24, Texans 20: Indy’s defense makes key stops to secure the win.
- Dolphins 28, Jaguars 23: Tua Tagovailoa orchestrates a game-winning drive for Miami.
- Saints 21, Panthers 18: New Orleans edges out Carolina in a close NFC South battle.
- Giants 28, Vikings 24: New York wins a nail-biter against Minnesota.
- Chargers 30, Raiders 17: Justin Herbert throws for over 300 yards to lead L.A. to victory.
- Seahawks 24, Broncos 21: Seattle wins a back-and-forth contest against Denver.
- Buccaneers 37, Commanders 20: Tampa Bay dominates Washington behind a balanced offense.
- 49ers 31, Jets 20: San Francisco holds off a late Jets rally(Sporting News)(NFL.com).
- This concludes the full list of Week 1 games.
Playoff Picture and Standings Update:
It’s just Week 1, but some early narratives are already forming that could affect the playoff race:
- Kansas City starts strong and looks like a leading AFC contender. They’ll need to clean up offensive mistakes, but their defense stepped up when needed.
- Dallas may be the team to beat in the NFC after their dominating win. The Cowboys appear ready to challenge for a Super Bowl run(NBC Sports).
- Baltimore needs to solve their red zone woes, but Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability keeps them competitive. They’ll be a team to watch if they can convert their yards into points(Fantasy Guru).
Looking Ahead to Week 2:
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Chiefs vs. Bengals: A potential early playoff preview, as Kansas City faces Joe Burrow and Cincinnati. Both teams are looking to establish dominance in the AFC.
- Cowboys vs. Giants: With Dallas riding high, they now face NFC East rivals the New York Giants in what promises to be an exciting division showdown.
Players to Watch:
- Patrick Mahomes: After a sharp start to the season, can Mahomes continue to lead Kansas City’s high-powered offense?
- Dak Prescott: Will he keep up the momentum against a strong Giants defense?
Predictions:
- Expect Kansas City to take care of business against the Bengals, though Burrow will make it a tight contest.
- The Dallas Cowboys should edge the Giants in what may be a hard-fought game, continuing their early dominance(Fantasy Guru)(NBC Sports).
That wraps up Week 1’s NFL action! Be sure to join us next week as we continue to break down the season’s biggest games and follow the league’s most exciting storylines. Stay tuned for more updates!
