NFL Week 1 takeaways: Saints D, Cowboys O flop

Ryan Tannehill‘s return to real action for first time in 637 days was a success, even though it was overshadowed by four hours of lightning delays. This is a team that had chaos in 2017 in nearly every area, including QB. And now that Tannehill is back and in rhythm, it should be a calming presence for a team still trying to figure out who it is. It was a good sign for the Dolphins that they didn’t wilt when adversity strunk, like they often did in 2017.— Cameron Wolfe

The Patriots’ pass rush came to life against a weaker Texans offensive line to contribute to Deshaun Watson‘s shaky return, recording three sacks and 12 QB hits while forcing a fumble. With the offense trying to buy time until Julian Edelman returns from a four-game NFL suspension (Phillip Dorsett helped there with a 7-66-1 line), the defense and special teams will need to pull their share again next Sunday against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.— Mike Reiss

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AFC NORTH

The Ravens’ 47-3 season-opening win not only showed the instant connection between Joe Flacco and his new weapons but could also prove valuable for Thursday night’s early battle for first place in the AFC North. Baltimore was able to rest many of its key veterans, which is big on a short week. Flacco hit each of the free-agent wide receivers — Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead — in the end zone. It’s the first time Flacco has thrown three or more touchdown passes to his wide receivers in the same game since October 2014.— Jamison Hensley

The Bengals are going to have some growing pains as they work with a young roster. The linebackers weren’t great as a unit with Vontaze Burfict out, and their defensive line rotation wasn’t very effective against a quick passing game of Andrew Luck. But they made the plays when it counted to win, which could bode well for their growth as a team.— Katherine Terrell

Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor called the season-opening tie a “sour feeling,” but the Browns can take heart from an active defense that forced six turnovers. The Browns have done that only 45 times in their history, going 40-3-2 in those games.— Pat McManamon

The Steelers passing game showed cracks in Cleveland that it needs to patch up entering Sunday’s matchup with the Chiefs. The Steelers should have won convincingly over the Browns — James Conner dominated with 192 total yards in Le’Veon Bell’s absence — but four sacks and six turnovers facilitated a tie. Ben Roethlisberger was under consistent duress and missed on several throws he typically makes. “It’s just frustrating that you can’t make plays down the stretch,” Roethlisberger said.— Jeremy Fowler

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AFC SOUTH

Deshaun Watson did not pick up where he left off during his stellar rookie season, and the Texans’ offense got off to a slow start. He said he felt his play was “terrible” and he knows he’s better than what he showed in Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Patriots. Watson finished 17-of-34 for 176 yards, with one touchdown and an interception — but 115 of those yards came in the second half. He’ll look to improve in Week 2 versus Tennessee.— Sarah Barshop

Andrew Luck proved he could play a full game while also taking hits in the Colts loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Luck (shoulder) threw for 319 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his first game since Jan. 1, 2017. “I thought his accuracy was good,” coach Frank Reich said. “I thought he was really poised. I mean it was fun just seeing him for four quarters on the sideline. Seeing what they were doing. Adjusting.”— Mike Wells

RB Leonard Fournette left the game in the first half because of a right ankle injury, but coach Doug Marrone said he’s optimistic about Fournette’s prognosis. Fournette has dealt with this before and said he knows how to manage it. Still, it’s hard to see him being full strength for Sunday’s game against New England, so T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant could have to carry the Jaguars’ ground game. The Jaguars also have Brandon Wilds on the practice squad to promote if Fournette is unable to go against the Patriots.— Mike DiRocco

Marcus Mariota was taken out of the game after being hit by Dolphins defensive end William Hayes. The hit caused Mariota to lose feeling in his hand but he said he was fine after the game. But he experienced some accuracy issues on a few throws before he was injured, too, missing Corey Davis and Delanie Walker for would-be touchdowns on the same drive in the first quarter. His two interceptions came after he was hit by Hayes, overthrowing wide receiver Tajae Sharpe and missing running back Dion Lewis on a screen. If the Titans’ offense expects to score points, Mariota has to step up and make better passes going forward.— Turron Davenport

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AFC WEST

Of all of the things the Broncos wanted to leave behind from last season’s 5-11 finish, the biggest may have been that team’s penchant for not responding to any sort of adversity. When the ’17 Broncos got down, they usually stayed down. Sunday, they trailed the Seahawks by four points early in the fourth quarter, but Case Keenum led the team on a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on the Broncos’ next possession — he was 4-of-4 passing on the drive — and the Broncos closed the deal from there. As wide receiver Demaryius Thomas put it, “That’s how you want to bounce back. This team can do that.”— Jeff Legwold

The Chiefs may be able to consistently score enough points to cover for their shaky defense. If they can score 38 points on the road against a good defensive opponent in Patrick Mahomes‘ second career start, they should be able to win any scoring war they get themselves into down the line.— Adam Teicher

A point of emphasis during the offseason, special teams remains an issue for the Chargers. Mistakes on special teams led to 14 points for the Chiefs. Tyreek Hill put the first points on the board with a 91-yard punt return for a score in the opening quarter, and with the Chargers in contention late, undrafted rookie J.J. Jones fumbled a punt, which James Winchester recovered at the Chargers’ 2-yard line. New kicker Caleb Strugis also missed a 48-yard field goal wide left. “That’s something that we emphasized and we worked on,” Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said. “We knew Tyreek was going to be back there. He was back there last year and I don’t think he got 10 yards, but we just didn’t execute today.”— Eric D. Williams

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NFC EAST

Dating back to last season, the Cowboys have now not scored more than 20 points in a game in their last four contests, an Dak Prescott has not thrown for 200 yards in seven of his last nine games. The last time they scored more than 20 came against the next week’s foe, the Giants, in Week 14 of 2017, but 20 of their 30 points came in the fourth quarter. In Prescott’s four career starts against New York, the Cowboys have scored 75 points (18.8 points per game).— Todd Archer

The Giants scored one touchdown, a 68-yard run by Saquon Barkley in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t enough, but they maintained after the game they’re close. Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was optimistic because they had chances against the Jaguars. They were “right there,” enough that they could’ve scored three additional TDs. Beckham (11 catches for 111 yards) and Barkley showed their play-making ability, and there is time for the unit to mature under new coach Pat Shurmur. New York will attempt to convert that offense into more points against Dallas on Sunday night.— Jordan Raanan

Quarterback Nick Foles and the offense are still searching for their rhythm. The Eagles snuck out an 18-12 win over the Falcons on Thursday on the strength of their defense. If not for a couple of goal line stands and a little “Philly Philly” magic pulled out by coach Doug Pederson, there would be some agita heading into Week 2 against the Bucs. Foles didn’t look like his Super Bowl self in the preseason, either, but with Carson Wentz expected back soon, he should only have to hold down the fort for a bit longer.— Tim McManus

The Redskins’ offense could be fun to watch, partly because of their heavy dose of run-pass option. It’s hard to say if they’ll do that as much every game, but it will be emphasized all season. It’s one reason why they rushed for 182 yards on Sunday, and it helped open outside lanes for both Chris Thompson and Adrian Peterson. Quarteback Alex Smith has run this before, both in college and in Kansas City, and makes good decisions. The Redskins feel they have the personnel to make this tactic work whether a defense is in nickel or their base package.— John Keim

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NFC NORTH

Like Dalvin Cook pointed out postgame, the ceiling is high for the Vikings offense. The unit looked dynamic throughout much of Kirk Cousins‘ debut where he connected on two terrific touchdown passes and carved up the 49ers’ secondary, and he was backed by the league’s No. 1 defense, which came through with four turnovers. Minnesota displayed the full scope of how good it can be in its 24-16 season-opening win to set up for a critical NFC North showdown in Green Bay next Sunday.— Courtney Cronin

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NFC SOUTH

The Falcons still have a lot of work to do with their red-zone offense, which was an emphasis all offseason and preseason after finished 23rd in the league last season. The Falcons managed just a 1-for-5 showing in the season-opening loss to the Eagles. Yes, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian showed some new wrinkles with different personnel, and the Falcons actually used a power game with a blocking fullback. But they still struggled to punch the ball in and missed on five opportunities in the final seconds.— Vaughn McClure

Losing tight end Greg Olsen (foot) and right tackle Daryl Williams (knee) will distract somewhat from the Panthers’ 16-8 victory over Dallas. But it won’t distract from the fact quarterback Cam Newton will remain a running threat under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner and that this defense is for real. Newton rushed 13 times for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Luke Kuechly led a smothering Carolina defense with 13 tackles. The Panthers face division rival Atlanta in Week 2.— David Newton

The Saints’ defense flopped in Week 1, as the popular Super Bowl pick lost 48-40 at home to the Buccaneers. They allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw for 417 yards and four touchdowns. The good news is the Saints have been through this before. Their defense struggled heavily in the first two weeks last season, too, before they rattled off an eight-game winning streak. But this was a disturbing performance for a unit that looked like it had turned things around. “We needed to get slapped in our face one good time to see that we’re not on the level we think we’re on,” cornerback Marshon Lattimore said. “But we’re gonna get better.”— Mike Triplett

Everybody thought that for the Bucs to have a chance at winning any of their first three games with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, they’d need a Herculean effort by the defense. Instead, it was Fitzpatrick making “Fitz-magic,” throwing four touchdowns and rushing for a fifth. DeSean Jackson was on the receiving end of two of those scores, but he left the game with a concussion and is now in jeopardy of missing the Bucs’ home opener against Philadelphia next Sunday. Whether Jackson plays or not, the Bucs need their defense to start showing up after surrendering 475 yards of offense.— Jenna Laine

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NFC WEST

Coach Steve Wilks said Sunday’s 24-6 loss to Washington won’t define his team — but it may have been a peek behind the curtain into what to expect from Arizona this season. Wilks called the 182 rushing yards the Cardinals allowed “unacceptable” and called the run Arizona’s “nemesis.” The Cardinals also showed that if they fall behind early, they’re quick to switch gears and abandon the run, which changed the entire outlook of the game. One game might not define Arizona, but the blueprint may have been drawn on how to beat them Sunday.— Josh Weinfuss

The 49ers made mistake after mistake in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings and still had multiple end-of-game possessions with a chance to tie it. Four turnovers, a handful of drops and three missed chances to score a touchdown in four red zone trips were at the root of the loss. Many of those mistakes, such as a pick-6 from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stemming from a miscommunication, were things the Niners can control. They have enough on the roster to hang with a legitimate Super Bowl contender on the road, but until they minimize mistakes and focus on the details, they aren’t yet ready to make a leap to full-blown contender status. They get Detroit at home in Week 2.— Nick Wagoner

Earl Thomas reminded everyone how important he is to the Seahawks’ defense — especially in its current state — in their 27-24 loss to Denver. The All-Pro free safety, having just returned to the team on Wednesday from his holdout, had an interception that set up Seattle’s first touchdown, another pass-breakup and five tackles. Seattle’s defense is largely inexperienced and has a major question mark with its pass rush. All of those issues were evident in this game. Just imagine where that group would be without its best play-maker holding down the back end. “It’s important to have Earl regardless if [there’s] new players or old players,” fellow safety Bradley McDougald said. “Earl’s gonna be Earl, and he showed it today.”— Brady Henderson

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