Football is back.
Coming into Sunday, a few games were already behind us with the Kansas City Chiefs holding off the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, and the Philadelphia Eagles handling the Green Bay Packers on Friday in the NFL’s first South American tilt.
On Sunday, the New England Patriots upset the Cincinnati Bengals in Jerod Mayo’s debut after replacing Bill Belichick. Then there was the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Houston Texans in an important divisional battle, with the Texans earning the win.
In the late window, the Cleveland Browns were destroyed by a re-signed Dak Prescott and his Dallas Cowboys. Cleveland allowed six sacks and turned the ball over twice, putting itself in tough situations all afternoon.
On Sunday night, the Detroit Lions held off the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field in a rematch of last year’s NFC wild-card game, winning 26–20 in the first overtime game of the year.
Let’s get to all the action, looking at what it all means going forward.
Sunday
My take: Detroit is a Super Bowl favorite in many corners, and while it wasn’t pretty, 2024 is off to a good start. The Lions trailed late after losing a 17–3 lead but rallied to reach overtime before winning. Los Angeles was down a bevy of starters but fought behind Matthew Stafford’s 317 passing yards. However, the loss of receiver Puka Nacua to a knee injury could overshadow the loss, depending on the severity.
Stock up: Sunday night might have been a coming out party for Jameson Williams, who led all receivers with 121 yards, including a sweet double-move touchdown on Tre’Davious White. If Williams develops into a star, the Lions will have a great duo with he and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Stock down: The Rams offensive line. Right now, few units in any room across the league are more beat up. By night’s end, Los Angeles was down three tackles and star second-year guard Steve Avila. It’s a major concern and a trendline to watch moving forward.
Up Next: Rams at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET Sept. 15; Buccaneers at Lions, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 15
Cowboys 33, Browns 17
My take: Dak Prescott got paid, Micah Parsons isn’t human and Mike Zimmer can call a damn good defense. Those three facts summed up the day for Dallas, which went into Cleveland and emasculated the Browns in front of their fans. Deshaun Watson was horrific, throwing for 169 yards and two interceptions on 3.8 yards per attempt. Watson was sacked six times, once by Parsons, who hit Watson four times.
Stock up: Zimmer gets credit here. In his first game calling Dallas’s defense, the Browns couldn’t get anything going. The Cowboys were airtight in coverage and pressured Watson all day, forcing negative plays and rushed throws. Zimmer put on a clinic in his return to Dallas as the DC.
Stock down: It’s Watson. The Browns are stuck in the midst of a self-inflicted disaster, paying Watson $230 million guaranteed over five years. At this point, turning to Jameis Winston in the near future can’t be ruled out, even if it makes the entire franchise look ridiculous for handing out the worst contract in NFL history.
Up Next: Saints at Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 15; Browns at Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 15
