The NFL season got off to a furious start. Based on these impressions, we take a bold look into the future

NFL Week 1 is “in the books”, as they say.

And with it, the first impressions of each team and many players. Some scary, some promising.

We take a closer look at the performances and then take a look at what the future might look like.

We present some approaches and assess whether they are so-called “overreactions” or a probable prognosis.

Overreaction or not: Kirk Cousins must go to the bench

Few teams have invested as much in their offense in recent years as the Atlanta Falcons.

Three first-round picks in Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, then 100 million guaranteed to make Kirk Cousins the new quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons and another first-round pick in current back-up QB Michael Penix Jr for good measure. And yet it was not enough in front of their own crowd in the first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Falcons were beaten 18:10. Only 51 (!) yards came from this offense in the second half. Cousins looked lethargic, throwing two interceptions, one of them on the decisive drive. With Penix on the bench, the voices calling for the rookie to play immediately are naturally getting louder. An overreaction?

Overreaction! At least at this point in time. Cousins is coming off a serious Achilles tendon injury and needs time. Benching him now would be wasted money, especially since the Pittsburgh Steelers around T.J. Watt did a sensational job – Cousins was just under pressure.

Plus, the question remains whether Penix would be better immediately. If that’s not the case, an unnecessary construction site will be created and Penix will get burned. The next two games are against the Philadelphia Eagles (away) and the Kansas City Chiefs (home). It would be bad timing to throw the rookie in now ahead of those chunks. Even with an 0-3 start, anything is still possible in the below-average NFC South.

In addition, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s gameplan was not ideal for the still-rusty Cousins. Over 52 percent of the plays came from the “Pistol Formation”. The QB is closer behind the center and therefore easier for the defense to reach. In his 13-year career, Cousins never played more than ten snaps in this formation because he is not the most agile. Not after the last injury anyway.

Against the Steelers, he only got half the balls to the man out of this formation and for only 15 yards, which also resulted in the interception. If the offense is going to run better, it needs to be better matched to the QB and not just the arsenal around him

Overreaction or not: Will Levis is not a starting quarterback

In the post-Mike Vrabel-Derrick Henry era, the Tennessee Titans have a lot of new faces on the franchise. Head coach Brian Callahan is now joined by many talented players, some of whom are even more raw than diamonds. Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks – that alone is a lot of talent in the wide receiver room.

Nevertheless, they lost their first game against the previously highly praised Chicago Bears. And nobody knows why. After leading 17-3 at halftime, the Bears had a rude awakening with a final score of 17-24, not scoring a single offensive touchdown despite players like Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, Gerald Everett and Rome Odunze.

This was also due to a very poor game from Will Levis, who was given the vote of confidence before the season. Ryan Tannehill was allowed to leave, Malik Willis was passed on, all-in on Levis! And it might have been a mistake. Already imprecise in the first half. A fumble, a bad throw in the second half in the direction of the completely free Ridley and two interceptions – one of which resulted in a pick six that was absolutely a gift.

To take a chance on a play like that at “3&6” and pitch the ball toward the defender instead of taking the sack: a rookie mistake. And Levis is no longer a rookie. The rookie protection is over. Coach Callahan said it clearly after the game, “If we had punted on ‘1&10’ every time, we would have won the game.” There is no bigger scolding. Does Levis have to go to the bench?

No overreaction! That will happen sooner or later in the season – even if Mason Rudolph is a player who often fluctuates in his performance. Levis has too often made reckless decisions that have cost him games. That is punished in the NFL. The lack of an alternative could still give him some time, his only salvation would be to deliver consistently good performances in the next four to five games. He still has everything in his hands. However, more than a few doubts remain as to whether the Titans have taken the right path with this season’s planning.

Overreaction or not: The Patriots are playing for the playoffs

16:10 against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The New England Patriots are one of the biggest surprises of the first game day. Jerod Mayo won his first game as the new head coach.

Bill Belichick’s footsteps are big, even if things haven’t gone well under him recently. The decision to make Jacoby Brissett the starter and slowly build up first-round pick Drake Maye was not supported by every fan. The lack of stars in the offense also raises doubts.

But a lot went well in the first game. Especially the defense around Keion White was convincing. Defensive back Christian Gonzalez, who missed a long time last year due to injury, completely shut down superstar Ja’Marr Chase. Did they underestimate the Patriots?

Overreaction! The Bengals were really bad. They couldn’t stop the – actually obvious – running game of RB Rhamondre Stevenson and remained frighteningly unimaginative offensively. What’s more, the Pats are in a hammer division with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. The playoffs are not an easy goal and will come too soon overall. Nevertheless, we can be happy about the early first win of the season

Overreaction or not: The Giants are the worst team in the league

The New York Giants were demolished 28-6 by the Minnesota Vikings. And that despite many injuries on the part of the Vikings. Sam Darnold was the only back-up quarterback to play, as first-round pick J.J. McCarthy suffered a serious injury. Wide receiver Jordan Addison also had to leave the field with an injury.

Nothing went right for the supposed giants. A strong debut year under coach Brian Daboll was followed by a deep fall. It felt like the New York team had learned nothing in the offseason. Super rookie Malik Nabers will not be able to carry the team on his own. The offensive line doesn’t deserve the name and Daniel Jones doesn’t deserve his contract either.

One of the biggest mistakes made by general manager Joe Schoen. RB Saquon Barkley didn’t get a big deal at the time, went to the direct competition, the Philadelphia Eagles, and scored three touchdowns in his first game. Jones, on the other hand, seemed overwhelmed by every little thing.

The running game didn’t work either. Even the defense collapsed at one point. There is nothing really positive. Are the Giants now the worst team in the league?

Overreaction! But only thanks to the Carolina Panthers.