Week 1 Overreactions: Which NFL Teams Are Already Pressing the Panic Button?

The NFL season is a rollercoaster, and after just one week, some teams are facing sky-high expectations while others are staring into the abyss. It’s easy to overreact to a single game, but for some franchises, Week 1 exposed deeper issues that could plague them all season long. With that said, let’s dive into which teams have legitimate reasons to panic after the opening weekend.

The Carolina Panthers: A Quarterback Conundrum

The Carolina Panthers’ struggles continue, and Bryce Young’s performance in their opener against the New Orleans Saints has fans and analysts alike questioning his future. The Panthers were steamrolled, trailing 30-0 in the first half, ultimately losing 47-10. Young completed just 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards, with two interceptions and a dismal 32.8 passer rating.

After investing heavily in Young, including trading D.J. Moore and multiple high draft picks, the Panthers may need to start over yet again. It’s only one game, but the lack of progress from Young is alarming. The Panthers’ offense looked inept, and their defense couldn’t stop the Saints, leading to questions about coach Dave Canales’s ability to turn things around.

The Cincinnati Bengals: Slow Starts and Super Bowl Hangover?

The Cincinnati Bengals, a team with Super Bowl aspirations, suffered a shocking road upset at the hands of the New England Patriots. Joe Burrow threw for a mere 164 yards with no touchdowns, as the offense sputtered. This loss continues a troubling trend for the Bengals, who have a history of slow starts under head coach Zac Taylor.

Adding to the Bengals’ woes, Tee Higgins was inactive, and Ja’Marr Chase’s contract situation remains unresolved. An 0-2 start could spell trouble in a competitive AFC North. While they have shown the ability to rebound in the past, the pressure is on for Cincinnati to turn things around quickly.

The New York Giants: A Dismal Start in the Big Apple

The New York Giants had a disastrous start to the season, suffering a 28-6 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. The offense looked anemic, and quarterback Daniel Jones struggled mightily. The Giants’ problems extend beyond just one game; they have struggled to find consistency on offense and have questions about the long-term future of Jones.

The Giants’ schedule doesn’t get any easier, with upcoming games against tough opponents. If they can’t turn things around quickly, the pressure will mount on head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.

The Cleveland Browns: Watson’s Woes and Mounting Pressure

The Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson experiment continues to be a source of frustration. Watson struggled in their season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and off-the-field issues continue to plague him. The Browns invested heavily in Watson, trading multiple first-round picks and giving him a massive guaranteed contract. However, his performance has been underwhelming, and the Browns are not seeing the return they expected.

With a tough division and high expectations, the Browns need Watson to step up and play like the quarterback they thought they were getting. If he doesn’t, the Browns could be facing another disappointing season.

The Baltimore Ravens: Offensive Line Concerns

The Baltimore Ravens, despite being considered Super Bowl contenders, suffered a surprising loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. While losing to the Chiefs is understandable, the manner in which they lost raises concerns. The Ravens’ revamped offensive line struggled, particularly on the right side, leading to constant pressure on Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens invested heavily in Jackson, and they need to protect him if they want to make a deep playoff run. If the offensive line doesn’t improve, the Ravens’ offense could be limited, and their Super Bowl aspirations could be in jeopardy.

The Indianapolis Colts: Quarterback Inconsistencies

The Indianapolis Colts brought in Daniel Jones to compete with Anthony Richardson, but the quarterback position remains a question mark. Richardson aggravated his AC joint in his throwing shoulder, sidelining him indefinitely. Jones will get first-team reps, but the Colts need stability at quarterback if they want to compete in the AFC.

The Colts also have concerns on defense, particularly in the secondary. If they can’t find consistency at quarterback and improve their defense, the Colts could be in for a long season.

Other Teams on the Hot Seat

While the teams listed above have the most pressing concerns, several other franchises are facing pressure after Week 1:

Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins looked shaky in his debut, raising questions about whether he’s the answer at quarterback.
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love’s injury leaves the Packers with an unproven backup and uncertainty at quarterback.
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton’s team is off to another slow start, and Bo Nix needs to show improvement quickly.

It’s a Long Season, But…

It’s important to remember that it’s only Week 1, and teams have plenty of time to turn things around. However, for some franchises, the issues exposed in the opening weekend are cause for concern. These teams need to address their problems quickly if they want to avoid pressing the panic button and salvage their seasons.