The NFL season just kicked off, and while Week 1 doesn’t decide everything, some teams are already showing us what’s up. Take the Buffalo Bills, who marched into Houston and grabbed a massive win against the Texans, a game that seriously amps up the pressure or takes it right off.
Bills and Bengals Set the Tone Early
Seriously, the Bills came out swinging. Josh Allen had never won in Houston against the Texans before, but he absolutely shredded their defense, maybe the best in the league! The man was throwing darts and running like a madman, helping Joe Brady snag his first ever win as a head coach. Thirty-six points on the board and zero turnovers? If that’s what we’re going to see all year, buckle up, Bills fans, because 2026 is looking like another wild ride.
Down in Cincinnati, the Bengals flipped their usual Week 1 script. Remember how often they’d get smacked or lose a key player in the opener? Not this time! They beat the Buccaneers 33-27, and it was their defense that truly stole the show. Four turnovers forced, three of them off Baker Mayfield! That gave Joe Burrow’s offense some breathing room, even with his pick-six being the lone mistake. This team could be the most complete squad we’ve seen in the Burrow era, and that’s saying something.
New Coaches and Elite Offenses Turning Heads
First-time head coaches were making waves too. Mike LaFleur rolled his Arizona Cardinals into Los Angeles and pulled off the week’s biggest upset against the heavily favored Chargers. Nobody gave Arizona a shot, but LaFleur had his squad ready, strong in all three phases. That’s a huge testament to his prep and a signal the Cardinals are going to be a competitive team this season. What a statement!
Then you have Declan Doyle and the Ravens’ offense. Even with a head coaching change, Baltimore has massive expectations, especially with Lamar Jackson in his prime. Doyle’s unit put up a whopping 41 points against the Colts. Zay Flowers went off for 150 yards and a score before getting hurt, and Derrick Henry punched it in three times! If that offense keeps firing like this, it’s going to be one of the best in the league, and Doyle’s name is going straight to the top of future head coaching lists.
Week 1 always gets the league buzzing, and these teams definitely delivered. It’s early, sure, but the momentum and confidence gained from these wins can absolutely shape a season. Keep an eye on these squads as they roll into Week 2, because the pressure just got real for some, and others just took a huge step forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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