NFL Overreactions and Underreactions: Week 1

The 2024 NFL season just kicked off and while many teams looked good, a lot also may have questions going into Week 2.

Here are some of the biggest overreactions and underreactions from Week 1 of the NFL season.

Overreaction: The Cincinnati Bengals are in trouble after Week 1

Even though the Cincinnati Bengals have consistently made the playoffs whenever Joe Burrow is healthy, the team never seems to be able to start a new season fast.

The Bengals suffered defeat to the New England Patriots who were almost double-digit underdogs on Sunday. The Bengals are now 1-10 in weeks one and two since Zac Taylor became head coach in 2019.

The loss on Sunday highlighted struggles to stop the run for Cincy, but the loss can mainly be pinned on the offense. Burrow, in his first game since tearing a ligament in his wrist last November, looked a bit rusty in his return to action.

The Bengals' offense didn't seem to have any rhythm as they went three and out on their first three possessions of the new campaign. Star receiver Ja’marr Chase was already frustrated before the game due to ongoing contract issues.

Starting off slow is nothing new for the Bengals. Burrow and company will have to figure things out this upcoming week against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in order to avoid another 0-2 start.

Overreaction: Isaiah Likely is the new TE1 in Baltimore

Fans of Mark Andrews and fantasy owners didn't have much to show for on Thursday night in a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The star tight end did not have a single target through the first 30 minutes of play and only two catches total in the Ravens' 27-20 loss in the season opener.

The unproductive half came after Quarterback Lamar Jackson looked elsewhere, especially to fellow tight end Isaiah Likely. The third-year tight end had nine catches on 12 targets while racking up 111 receiving yards to go along with it.

Andrews played in 10 games a year ago before suffering an ankle injury in November. Andrews recorded 544 receiving yards and six touchdowns before he went out.

He did return for the AFC title game last season but clearly still had a nagging injury due to his two grabs for only 15 yards.

The tight end was also involved in a severe car accident just weeks before the 2024 season got underway. The incident occurred back on August 14th while driving to the Ravens team facility.

Andrews said after the accident, “I feel really good”. It is unclear whether Andrews is still suffering from injuries but one can only assume due to his lack of production on Thursday.

It is just week one, so Andrews has plenty of time to get back on track and put together a good season.

Underreaction: The Giants won't win more than five games

I don't even know where to begin with this team. From overpaying Daniel Jones to losing Saquon Barkley to your in-division rival, the Giants are just destined for failure.

The start of the Giants 2024 campaign got off to an embarrassing start on Sunday as they got booed out of their own building. The Giants once again look like they are going to be one of the worst teams in the league.

The performance was nothing short of a disaster as the Vikings had absolutely no problem doing whatever they wanted, especially Sam Darnold, which is concerning.

Daniel Jones had another disastrous day as the Giants' signal caller, throwing two interceptions (one for a pick-6).

The offensive line looks as if it somehow got worse allowing Jones to be sacked five times and also giving up 12 quarterback hits.

New York still has no quarterback or offensive line so I would be surprised if this team somehow eclipses six wins this season.

Austin Moran is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, acm6506@psu.edu.