Unexpected heroes and early struggles: Here are week 1 NFL winners and losers

The first full week of the NFL regular season is nearly complete, and the 2024 campaign has already delivered plenty of drama. From the Miami Dolphins navigating a pregame police incident to narrowly defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars, to the New England Patriots pulling off a shocking upset against the Cincinnati Bengals, Week 1 is shaping up to be an unpredictable journey toward the Lombardi Trophy. Let’s dive into some of Sunday’s biggest winners and losers:

Winner: Mike Zimmer

Despite recent criticism for his comments about the Minnesota Vikings, the former head coach shined as the Cowboys’ defense coordinator. His unit dominated the Cleveland Browns, relentlessly pressuring Deshaun Watson and easing the load on newly extended Dak Prescott, even though the offense didn’t necessarily need the extra help.

Loser: Deshaun Watson

Facing the Cowboys was never going to be easy, but Watson, now in his third season with the Browns, missed an opportunity to make a statement. Despite staying on the field behind a weakened offensive line, he struggled to find any rhythm in Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

Winner: Sam Darnold

In his debut as the Vikings’ quarterback, Darnold was efficient and composed, completing 19 of 24 passes in a controlled game plan crafted by head coach Kevin O’Connell. He led the team to victory against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, his former home turf, giving Vikings fans a reason to celebrate after losing J.J. McCarthy before the season.

Loser: Panthers fans

Meanwhile, in Carolina, fans might already be missing the steadiness of Darnold as they watch the struggles of Bryce Young. Under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales, the Panthers looked disjointed in a 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. While growing pains are expected, the offense’s current state is simply disheartening.

Winner: Matt Eberflus

Although Chicago Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t see a standout debut from No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams (14 of 29 for 93 yards), his defense stepped up when needed. They shut down Will Levis in the crucial moments, securing a gritty victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Loser: Zac Taylor

Though the Bengals are expected to contend for the AFC by season’s end, they often stumble out of the gate under Taylor. Even without Tee Higgins, a team featuring Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase should score more than 10 points against the rebuilding Patriots. Where were the explosive plays, the downfield shots, or the commitment to the running game once it showed promise?

Winner: Derek Carr

Heading into Week 1, many fans believed the potential of Bryce Young outshined the reliability of Carr. However, Carr delivered a standout performance, picking apart Carolina’s defense with ease. Completing 19 of 23 passes, the seasoned quarterback led the Saints to a dominant win, making New Orleans look like a legitimate division contender.

Loser: Brian Daboll

Giants head coach Brian Daboll is back in the familiar position of trying to revitalize Daniel Jones. Despite the challenge likely stemming from front-office decisions, Daboll bears the brunt of the struggles. As the team’s play-caller, he had few answers against the Vikings, who outplayed the Giants in their home opener.