5 major surprises from Week 1 of 2024 NFL season ft. Sam Darnold’s hottest start among QBs
Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is done and dusted and it reminded fans all why they love football so much. There were close games, fantastic performances, monstrous athleticism and high-octane drama. But what fans perhaps live for the most are the surprises: the upsets, the thrill of the unexpected and the ripping up of our preset notions. And Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season delivered that in spades.

Here are some of the most noteworthy surprises from Week 1 of the new season.

Week 1 of 2024 NFL season’s major surprises
#1. Sam Darnold reminds fans why he was selected No. 3 overall
Spare a thought for the New York Jets as they lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, with a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers showing obvious rustiness coming back from a season layoff, where their former first-round pick lit up the playing field. Sam Darnold, who at one time was thought to be New York’s savior, instead took over the reins in Minnesota and led the Vikings to a thumping 28-6 win over the New York Giants.

On his return to Metlife, the quarterback threw for 208 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and had a completion percentage of 79.2. His passer rating was 113.2. After an offseason spent worrying about whether Justin Jefferson had the right quarterback behind him, Vikings fans could gloat about finding Sam Darnold to replace Kirk Cousins. There will be tougher challenges than the woeful Giants, but Sam Darnold found redemption in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

#2. Joe Burrow and the Bengals suffer incredible upset
If Minnesota fans were worried about their quarterback situation in the offseason, Cincinnati Bengals fans would have been quietly confident about their prospects this year. They finished last year with a winning record, albeit missing the playoffs, despite not having Joe Burrow for the final games of the previous regular season. His return was supposed to herald a change of fortunes and usher in performances similar to two years ago when they made a Super Bowl appearance.

Instead, the quarterback threw for just 164 yards in week 1 of the 2024 NFL season against the Patriots and had no touchdown passes. It culminated in a shocking 16-10 loss to New England, over whom they had been favored by 7.5 points. Alarm bells are already ringing in Cincinnati and they have some work to do to turn the season around.

#3. Drafting Michael Penix Jr. looks like a better decision in hindsight
When the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, most fans and analysts were left bemused as to why they would waste a selection on a quarterback when they had just signed Kirk Cousins in free agency. The Vikings player looked like an MVP candidate before an Achilles injury ended his season prematurely in 2023 and he was supposed to come a lead a talented roster to greater heights.

But the insurance policy looked wise as the veteran struggled in week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Against the Steelers, Cousins had 155 yards of passing, two interceptions, and just a single touchdown, and ended up with a passer rating of 59.0. It was a woeful performance and what would have worried the Falcons faithful more is that he seemed bothered by his right Achilles even now. Michael Penix Jr. was supposed to be one for the future, but that could change now.

#4. Derek Carr might be discovering his best form
Buyer’s remorse is a real thing but there are a couple of teams after Week 1 of the new season, who might be experiencing seller’s remorse. Deshaun Watson stank up the place for the Cleveland Browns against the Dallas Cowboys in their loss, while Baker Mayfield continues to solidify his position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders lost against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West matchup, and Las Vegas might have been looking wistfully at what might have been.

Derek Carr was in full flow for the New Orleans Saints against the Carolina Panthers, notching up 200 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 142.5 passer rating. His completion rate of 82.6 percent might have been helped by Carolina looking as awful as ever, but there is no denying that nobody expected him to shine the way he did. It included the beauty of a long touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed, which might just be the highlight for Week 1 of the season.

#5. Dallas Cowboys go all-in on Dak Prescott
After the Cowboys lost to the Packers last season in the Wild Card round at home, many were calling for a change in the quarterback position. Dak Prescott had a great regular season record to fall back upon but his postseason record leaves much to be desired. They had acquired Trey Lance last offseason and one wondered if a succession plan was already in place.

However, others pointed out that there was still the best option for Dallas going forward as he was a proven quarterback in the league and it is to them that Jerry Jones listened. While that itself was not a surprise, the contract valuation was. A four-year $240 million contract signed just before the Cowboys took the field in Week 1 and made him the highest-paid professional footballer in history.

It eclipsed the previous highest of $55 million by $5 million and reset the quarterback market after all the rumors about this being his last season in Dallas. Now, the pressure is on Dak Prescott to deliver on the faith being shown in him. At least he did his part in the win against the Browns, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions.

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