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NFL Winners and Losers, Week 1: Kyler Murray balls out, Jalen Hurts makes believers

By Cody Williams

Sep 12, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs with the ball during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs with the ball during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Week 1 winners and losers
Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

NFL Week 1 Winner: Houston Texans Stock

Anyone who thought the Texans were about to go winless is already wrong. Say what you will about this roster and the outlook, but this is a veteran-deep team with Tyrod Taylor providing some upside at quarterback that we didn’t see. Houston didn’t just win but they dominated against Jacksonville.

Sure, maybe that changes when they don’t play the Jaguars. But it does appear that the Texans should be much less of a pushover than previously thought.

NFL Week 1 Winner: Ja’Marr Chase’s Hands

Because of a bad preseason outing and some poor reports out of practice, Ja’Marr Chase had people worried about the player the Bengals took with the No. 5 overall pick. After one game, that feels like it was completely overblown.

Not only did Chase not struggle to get open but he was lights-out in making plays. He led Cincinnati in receiving in the overtime win over the Vikings with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. His connection with Joe Burrow is obvious and we’ll see much more of it, I’m sure.

NFL Week 1 Loser: Andy Dalton’s Time

How can Matt Nagy watch the Chicago Bears play football and truly think that he’s protecting Justin Fields? The team’s offensive line was lambasted throughout the preseason but held up well overall against the Rams. But Andy Dalton was awful. He was dink-and-dunk, shaky under pressure and making bad decisions all day. It was a disaster and it would be a stunner if Justin Fields doesn’t get the starting job in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner.

NFL Week 1 Winner: Cleveland Browns Title Hype

Yes, the Cleveland Browns allowed the Chiefs to come back and a few late-game mistakes (Nick Chubb’s fumble and punter Jamie Gillan’s botched snap, most importantly) cost Kevin Stefanski’s team. But if you believe int he Browns, there should still be optimism.

For 85 percent of the game, Cleveland was in control. Baker Mayfield looked sharp outside of his game-sealing interception when his offensive line started to implode and the rest of the offense was rolling. That’s huge for this team, especially without Odell Beckham Jr. and, let’s face it, you’d rather lose to the Chiefs now than in January.

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