2024 NFL Week 1 Recap, Week 2 Predictions

We saw some unusual football in the first week of the 2024 NFL Season. Passing metrics were down across the league, kickers were nearly perfect - combining for 69 makes (nice) in 74 attempts, including a wildly impressive 21 of 23 from 50+ yards, and we got our first kickoff return touchdown with the new rules!

Let's recap Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

Week 1 Power Rankings

Teams to Note

Los Angeles Rams (Rose 4 Spots)

This Rams offense did some serious damage in the second half of SNF. They saw four of their starters go down throughout the game, including 2nd year stars Puka Nacua and Steve Avila, but they still were able to find their rhythm and dot up the Lions defense. Even with some of their starters out for the next few weeks, I expect the Rams to put together several wins in that span.

Cleveland Browns (Dropped 6 Spots)

I heavily underestimated how bad at football Deshaun Watson is (he's still a worse person than he is a football player). As long as he's at the helm - and he will be given his ridiculous cap hits until 2026 - this Browns team will be held back from achieving true greatness.

Week 1 Awards

Winners of Note

Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson put the Pats on his back in Week 1, as he tallied 126 yards and 1 TD on 28 touches. Of the 120 rushing yards he amassed, 118 of them came after contact, and he also forced 10 missed tackles, both of which led the league. He was a huge factor for the Pats win on Sunday, and will be a focal point in their offense going forward.

Devon Witherspoon

Devon picked up right where he left off last year. He was a stonewall in the run game and a menace in coverage, as he posted 5 stops - which led all DBs - and allowed just 3 catches on 6 targets for 17 yards. He added a nice pass deflection en route to a strong defensive outing.

Dominick Puni

In his first NFL start, Dom was asked to take on Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, and Solomon Thomas. He shut all of them down, as he allowed just 1 pressure against 34 pass rushes. His run blocking was solid as well, as the 49ers tallied 120 of their 167 designed rushing yards to his side. He also posted a 79.1 offensive grade, the 4th highest of any rookie across the entire NFL, and 74.6 and 77.7 run and pass blocking grades respectively.

Fantasy Football

Week 1 Recap

Season Totals: 0 Booms / 3 Pushes / 2 Busts

Week 2 Prediction

QB: Justin Herbert vs Carolina Panthers (proj. 16.4 points)

Despite having an average performance last week, this Carolina defense looked like Swiss cheese against CJ Stroud, one of the most mid QBs in the NFL. LA has better weapons, offensive line, and quarterback to work with, making Herbert a must start in Week 2.

RB: Bucky Irving vs Detroit Lions (proj. 6.4 points)

This one is a long shot, but Bucky was the best RB for Tampa last week. Rachaad was the clear bell-cow, with his 21 touches to Irving's 11, but Bucky was much more productive on his chances, as he averaged 6.89 yards a carry (3.88 if you remove his 31 yard run, Rachaad had 2.07 yards per carry). The Oregon alum showed more wiggle in between the tackles, was a better pass protector, which will lead to more passing down reps whether he's blocking or not, and was more explosive as well.

WR: Demarcus Robinson vs Arizona Cardinals (proj. 10.4 points)

Puka's down for the next several weeks, and Demarcus Robinson caught all 4 of his second-half targets when asked to step in for him. Robinson has proven to be a reliable veteran target, and with a lack of pass rush and secondary in Arizona, he should have a solid day.

TE: Mike Gesicki vs Kansas City Chiefs (proj. 4.9 points)

If Gesicki could've reeled in his first half touchdown, he would've put up 13.3 points. Going into KC, and seeing how Isaiah Likely dominated in a similar role, Gesicki should have a better game than he did against the Pats.

Flex: Alexander Mattison vs Baltimore Ravens (proj. 7.6 points)

Just based on snap percentage and usage (36 snaps vs 23 snaps), the Raiders believe Mattison is a more effective weapon for their offense than Zamir White. Given they should be playing from behind for the majority of their game against the Ravens, Alexander should get plenty of targets and chances out of the backfield.

Week 2 Game Predictions

AFC Games

Bills vs Dolphins (TNF)

Browns vs Jaguars

Jets vs Titans

Raiders vs Ravens

Bengals vs Chiefs

Steelers vs Broncos

NFC Games

49ers vs Vikings

Giants vs Commanders

Saints vs Cowboys

Buccaneers vs Lions

Rams vs Cardinals

Falcons vs Eagles (MNF)

Cross Over Games

Seahawks vs Patriots

Chargers vs Panthers

Colts vs Packers

Bears vs Texans (SNF)

Record from Week 1: 11-5

Final Notes

With starting field position increasing across the league from a year ago, we may continue to see passing offenses struggle to produce the way they have in previous seasons. To that end, I'd expect rushing offenses to get more explosive and efficient as the season goes along.