🐺 Wolf Sports Weekly

A wild Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season began with the most-watched NFL Kickoff Game in history, with Ravens-Chiefs averaging 28.9 million viewers. We watch every single game each week and will keep you updated on what’s happening every Tuesday.

🍿 NFL Week 1 delivers

The 2024 NFL Kickoff Game was a thriller, with the back-to-back defending champion Chiefs holding on by literally a toe against the Ravens. On the final play of the game, Ravens TE Isaiah Likely (nine receptions, 111 yards, one touchdown) had a touchdown overturned after a spectacular catch where the front of his cleat turned out to be just out of bounds. Lamar Jackson missed some throws in the loss, and the Chiefs got two touchdowns from speedy rookie WR Xavier Worthy.

In the NFL’s first-ever game in the southern hemisphere in Brazil, the Eagles won a wild one over the Packers, 34-29. There was sloppy play on both sides on a subpar playing surface, but new Eagles RB Saquon Barkley starred with 132 total yards and three total touchdowns. At the end of the game, Packers QB Jordan Love had his leg rolled up on and suffered an MCL injury that’s expected to keep him out for three-to-six weeks, with the recently acquired Malik Willis starting during his absence.

An intense Sunday Night Football win for the Lions over the Rams was capped by a David Montgomery touchdown run in overtime. Detroit got the ball to start OT and drove right down the field behind the elite offensive line. Jameson Williams also headlined for the Lions, catching five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown—a 52-yard bomb on a sweet double-move. For the Rams, WR Puka Nacua left the game with a PCL sprain and will go on IR (out at least four games), but Cooper Kupp looked like his old self with 14 receptions for 110 yards and a score.

Air Allen: While erasing a 17-3 deficit, Josh Allen (four total touchdowns) led the Bills to a comeback victory over the Cardinals, which included him going over the top at the goal line for one of his two rushing touchdowns. Kyler Murray was at times a headache for Buffalo to get off the field, but the Bills ultimately held the Cardinals to just 270 total yards and sacked Murray four times. We also saw the first so-called “dynamic kickoff” return touchdown from DeeJay Dallas of the Cardinals.

The Cowboys dominated in Cleveland by defeating the Browns, 33-17, in Tom Brady’s first game as a broadcaster for FOX Sports. Fresh off his record-breaking contract that we’ll get to in a moment, Dak Prescott threw an early touchdown to Brandin Cooks and Ezekiel Elliott (one touchdown) looked to have plenty of ball left in him. KaVontae Turpin had a 60-yard punt return touchdown to put Dallas up 27-3 in a fantastic opener for Mike McCarthy and company.

To conclude the week on Monday Night Football, the 49ers took care of the Jets in a game that was not as close as the 32-19 final score indicates. All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey was a surprise inactive due to his lingering calf issue, but Jordan Mason exploded with 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown for a San Francisco offense that scored points on eight consecutive drives. For the Jets, at least Aaron Rodgers (13/21, 167 yards, one touchdown, one interception) was on the field and showed flashes; defensively, pass rusher Haason Reddick’s holdout has officially extended into game action.

Other Week 1 results:

• Texans 29, Colts 27: In a high-energy AFC South matchup, Houston got big contributions from new veteran additions Joe Mixon (30 carries, 159 yards, touchdown) and Stefon Diggs (33 yards, two touchdowns) in a road win at Indy.

• Dolphins 20, Jaguars 17: Jacksonville jumped ahead 14-0 on a Travis Etienne Jr. touchdown run and an absolute dime from Trevor Lawrence to rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr., but Miami climbed back to eventually win on a last-second 52-yard field goal by Jason Sanders.

• Bears 24, Titans 17: Caleb Williams (14/29, 93 yards) and the Chicago offense couldn’t do much, but special teams (blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Jonathan Owens) and defense (go-ahead 43-yard pick-six by Tyrique Stevenson on an ill-advised decision by Will Levis) helped erase a 17-0 deficit to help the Bears begin 1-0.

• Steelers 18, Falcons 10: With Russell Wilson sitting with a calf injury, the Steelers rode T.J. Watt (one sack, one fumble recovery), who got constant pressure on new Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, and a secondary that flew around to top Atlanta in a defensive battle on the road.

• Saints 47, Panthers 10: Credit New Orleans for coming out with a dominant effort that included excellent play from QB Derek Carr (19/23, 200 yards, three touchdowns) in a new offensive attack, but it looks like there’s still a lot of work to do in Carolina.

• Patriots 16, Bengals 10: The Bengals again started rusty to begin the year, getting stunned by the Patriots as the biggest favorites of the week. Tee Higgins (hamstring) was out for Cincy, and things still seem off between Ja’Marr Chase—seeking a new contract—and the team.

• Vikings 28, Giants 6: Sam Darnold (19/24, 208 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) played well in a great spot with Minnesota, Aaron Jones (109 total yards, one touchdown) looked good in his Vikings debut, and Brian Flores’ defense was tremendous. After seeing Saquon go off for his new team on Friday night, not a great start for New York.

• Chargers 22, Raiders 10: J.K. Dobbins went off for 135 yards and a touchdown on just ten carries and rookie WR Ladd McConkey showed off his juke moves on his first career touchdown as the Jim Harbaugh era in LA starts off with a W.

• Seahawks 26, Broncos 20: Both sides played fast, but Seattle’s defense really flew around, smothering Denver’s offense and forcing rookie QB Bo Nix into uncharacteristic mistakes. The Seahawks look like they’ll be tough to move the ball against at home.

• Buccaneers 37, Commandeers 20: Rookie QB Jayden Daniels ran for two touchdowns, but Washington otherwise couldn’t get much going and was no match for a clicking Bucs offense led by Baker Mayfield hitting Mike Evans (twice), Chris Godwin, and rookie Jalen McMillan for four touchdowns.

🔥 Top fantasy performers in Week 1

• Eagles RB Saquon Barkley: 32.2 points

• Bills QB Josh Allen: 31.18 points

• Packers WR Jayden Reed: 31.1 points

• Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield: 29.66 points

• Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: 28.16 points

(point totals are for half PPR scoring)

💰 Dak’s record deal headlines contracts

Just a few hours before the Cowboys kicked off on Sunday, they signed QB Dak Prescott to a record-breaking, four-year, $240 million contract extension. The $60 million per year totally shatters the NFL record of biggest annual salary, which was previously $55 million as set by Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Jordan Love.

In the cornerback market, Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II agreed to a four-year, $96 million deal. It was the record for a defensive back in league history until the Dolphins gave CB Jalen Ramsey a new three-year deal worth $72.3 million.

More contracts before the start of the season:

• The Steelers extended DT Cameron Heyward and TE Pat Freiermuth.

• The Bills signed RT Spencer Brown to a new deal through 2028.

• CB Michael Carter II signed a three-year extension with the Jets making him the highest paid slot corner in the league.

• The Commanders extended G Sam Cosmi with a four-year contract.

• Texans QB Davis Mills was extended through the 2025 season to continue backing up C.J. Stroud.

• The Chiefs signed TE Noah Gray to a three-year extension.

Additionally, the Browns signed former Giants and Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney to the practice squad.

🤕 Injury news

On the injury front in addition to Love and Nacua mentioned earlier, Week 1 unfortunately brought some bad news. Panthers star DT Derrick Brown suffered a meniscus injury in the season opener and it’s potentially a season-ender. Brown is a foundational piece for Carolina, and things will be even more challenging for the squad without him on the field.

Browns TE David Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain and head coach Kevin Stefanski says he’s week-to-week. Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain, avoiding a season-ending injury in the Week 1 win at Cleveland.

Buccaneers star S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle/foot) will miss a couple of weeks.

Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell is going to miss time with a hamstring injury, according to head coach Doug Pederson. Saints CB Marshon Lattimore has a mild hamstring injury and is uncertain ahead of a matchup with CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys. Bills CB Taron Johnson (arm) ruled out for Week 2 TNF.

Steelers P Cameron Johnston is out for the year with a knee injury after a low hit on a punt.

In pre-Week 1 injury news, the Patriots are doing right by Christian Barmore by paying his full 2024 salary despite the star DT being out indefinitely on the NFI list due to blood clots. Also, Commanders backup QB Marcus Mariota was placed on injured reserve, keeping him at least out the first four games.

📰 More NFL news and notes

Rest in Peace: Broncos Super Bowl XXXII champion Allen Aldridge Jr. passed away at 52.

Hours before Week 1, Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill was pulled over for speeding and reckless driving near the team’s home stadium. He was detained and handcuffed on the ground by police.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase made it clear to reporters that if he wants a bigger contract than former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, he doesn’t want just one penny more but a lot more.

“InstaFace”: Bill Belichick has joined Instagram, prompting a funny welcome from Tom Brady, who joked that “it was a good run, but we gotta shut it down” with his former coach now on the platform.

Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden launched a YouTube channel where he dives into the game.

The Saints upgraded the Caesars Superdome, with over $500 million in renovations ahead of Super Bowl LIX to end this season. Also, Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell stars in a great Applebees commercial.

Netflix announced an Aaron Rodgers documentary series premiering this December.

Stoic Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was very excited about the season kicking off.

The Ravens are wearing helmet decals honoring former player Jacoby Jones and former offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris this season.

Other Sports Updates

🏈 The second full week of college football was headlined by No. 3 Texas handling No. 10 Michigan at The Big House and Northern Illinois stunning No. 5 Notre Dame on a last-second field goal for their first top-ten win in program history.

🐐 Alabama named their homefield “Saban Field” in honor of legendary head coach Nick Saban.

😢 LSU RB John Emery, who was great in the season opener, suffered a season-ending knee injury for the second straight year.

🐻 The Cubs threw a combined no-hitter for their 18th no-hitter in club history.

⚾️ The Giants signed 3B Matt Chapman to a six-year, $151 million extension.

🏒 The Oilers locked up star F Leon Draisaitl on an eight-year contract extension.

😱 Angels pitcher Ben Joyce threw a 105.5 MPH pitch, the fastest strikeout pitch in the pitch-tracking era (2008).

🐺 Found on wolfsports.com

• Week 1 fantasy awards

• Fantasy ROS rankings (🔒)

• Week 2 wavier wire rankings (🔒)

• Week 3 college football power rankings

• Hard Knocks finale recap

• Latest MLB power rankings