What we learned from Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season

CNN
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Week 1 The new NFL season is in the books and there is no shortage of talking points.

While it’s important not to overreact – a win doesn’t mean a team is destined for the Super Bowl and a defeat doesn’t necessarily indicate a long wait. season Forward – there are things we can learn.

From debuts and breakout favorites to serious injuries, CNN takes a look at some of the key takeaways from the first slate of events.

Like all sports, the first week of the season is a chance for fans to see new players in their new colors, whether they are rookies or veterans.

This year’s influx of rookies took their first steps in the NFL over the weekend with mixed success.

The three quarterbacks who were at the top of the draft — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson — started their careers with defeats, but all three showed glimpses of promise in their own way; Young and Stroud offer poise and accuracy and Richardson displays raw athleticism and arm strength.

Arguably the most exciting player, Bijan Robinson, showed why he is expected to make an immediate impact, scoring a thrilling goal in the Atlanta Falcons’ win over the Young Carolina Panthers.

Three veteran quarterbacks who found new homes during the offseason — Derek Carr moved to the New Orleans Saints, with Jimmy Garoppolo replacing him to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Baker Mayfield traveled to Florida to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — started with narrow wins Get life in a new city to plane.

There was also a chance for players who had previously been involved with teams to get their first real chance to shine in the spotlight.

Jordan Love, who was named the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers following the departure of Aaron Rodgers, excelled in his first opportunity, throwing for 245 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, in a near-perfect performance in a 38-20 win at Soldier Field over their division rivals. NFC North Chicago Bears.

In Washington, Sam Howell started out as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback with a win, but he wasn’t necessarily convincing, as he threw an interception and lost a fumble in only his second start.

It’s too early to say whether or not all these new faces will be hits, but a strong performance on opening day could earn a lot of goodwill from fans and the coaching staff.

With the start of the season comes the first real full-speed contact that many players will experience, with most missing the majority of the pre-season.

However, as expected, casualties come.

The most notable of which was the serious injury he suffered Aaron Rodgers In his first appearance with the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Rodgers, 39, who was traded to the Jets from the Packers in the offseason, was carted off the field after just his fourth game against the Buffalo Bills.

“(We’re) concerned about his Achilles tendon,” Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters in the postgame press conference. An MRI will likely confirm what we think is actually going to happen with my Achilles tendon, so pray tonight. But it’s not good.” The team posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the X-rays Rodgers received “were negative.”

The other serious injury over the weekend came to Baltimore Ravens running back JK Dobbins, who tore his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s 25-9 win over the Houston Texans, coach John Harbaugh confirmed to reporters after the game.

The fourth-year running back, who scored the game’s first touchdown on a four-yard run in the first quarter, will miss the remainder of the season.

This is the second serious injury for Dobbins during his short NFL career after he tore his ACL, ruling him out of the entire 2021 season.

There were standout performances – in particular, the San Francisco 49ers’ defeat to the Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys’ defeat of the New York Giants, and the Detroit Lions’ narrow victory over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

These types of wins, and the way they came, could be a sign of playoff aspirations.

There were also findings that, although noteworthy, left more questions than answers.

For example, the Cleveland Browns won comfortably over the Cincinnati Bengals. But is the Browns defense capable of replicating the stranglehold it had on Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense? Was it just an off day for Boro or was it a sign of something bigger?

After a win over the Los Angeles Chargers, will the Miami Dolphins offense still be on fire? Can Justin Herbert and the Chargers live up to expectations?

Also, can Zach Wilson — relegated to the Jets’ bench after Rodgers’ arrival — maintain his playoff push?

Wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders, and Philadelphia Eagles showed flashes of promise, but also elements of ring rust that will need to be addressed if a positive outcome is to be achieved this year.

As for the teams that lost, some can take heart while others have more room to grow.

The New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs all had reasons to believe they could bounce back quickly, while the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers looked like they could have tough seasons.

Away versus home

Detroit Lions 21-20 Kansas City Chiefs

Carolina Panthers 10-24 Atlanta Falcons

Houston Texans 9-25 Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals 3-24 Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars 31-21 Indianapolis Colts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 – 17 Minnesota Vikings

Tennessee Titans 15-16 New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers 30-7 Pittsburgh Steelers

Arizona Cardinals 16-20 Washington Leaders

Green Bay Packers 38-20 Chicago Bears

Las Vegas Raiders 17-16 Denver Broncos

Miami Dolphins 36-34 Los Angeles Chargers

Philadelphia Eagles 25-20 New England Patriots

Los Angeles Rams 30-13 Seattle Seahawks

Dallas Cowboys 40-0 New York Giants

Buffalo Bills 16-22 New York Jets