PFF Analyzes NFL Week 1 Games: Detroit Lions Upset Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons Shine on Defense, Eagles Win Over Patriots
The first week of the NFL season has come to a close, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) has broken down the numbers and highlights from each game. Here are some key takeaways from Week 1:
Detroit Lions 21, Kansas City Chiefs 20
In a surprising upset, the Detroit Lions defeated the Kansas City Chiefs by a slim margin. Despite Travis Kelce being absent from the lineup, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes managed to spread the ball around to 11 different pass-catchers. However, Mahomes’ efforts weren’t enough to secure a victory as the Chiefs’ offense struggled to find consistency.
Atlanta Falcons 24, Carolina Panthers 10
The Falcons’ defense made a strong statement in their victory against the Panthers. Led by new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, the Falcons’ defense made key plays, including a fourth-down stop and an interception in the red zone. Safety Jessie Bates, a new addition to the Falcons, had a significant impact, recording two interceptions and two defensive stops.
Baltimore Ravens 25, Houston Texans 9
Rookie Zay Flowers showcased his potential in the Ravens’ win over the Texans. Flowers received four targets and one rushing attempt in the first quarter alone, finishing the game with 87 rushing and receiving yards. Quarterback C.J. Stroud faced a tough opponent in the Ravens’ defense but showed moments of promise. Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, recorded his first professional sack.
Cleveland Browns 24, Cincinnati Bengals 3
Both passing offenses struggled in the Browns’ victory over the Bengals. Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson had low completion percentages and failed to find the end zone consistently. The Browns found success on the ground, with Nick Chubb rushing for over 100 yards. The Browns’ ability to rely on their ground game played a significant role in their win.
San Francisco 49ers 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
While the Steelers struggled as a team, T.J. Watt stood out with an impressive performance. Watt recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and five quarterback hits. Watt’s standout performance puts him in early consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Minnesota Vikings 17
Vikings rookie Jordan Addison made a solid debut, catching four of the six targets thrown his way, with two of them resulting in first downs and one resulting in a touchdown. Addison’s performance showed promise as a complement to standout receiver Justin Jefferson.
These were just a few highlights from Week 1 of the NFL season. Pro Football Focus provided in-depth analysis for each game, including offensive and defensive spotlights, rookie standouts, and more. Fans can find a full recap of each game on the PFF website.