Tales of the Unexpected – Surprising storylines from Week 1
By Paul Gould
One of the many joys of the NFL is its unpredictability. This aspect is never more acute than in Week 1. After the excruciatingly long offseason, the curtain finally rises to reveal which players and teams are ready to surprise us one way or another. And the 2026 iteration did not disappoint. Here’s my take on the shockwaves rippling out from the season openers…
The case for the defense is flimsy
A record-equalling 791 points were scored across Week 1. As opening slates go, this eye-popping tally was only matched in 2012. Collectively, it seems that the league forgot how to play defense over the course of the summer. However, the identity of some of the worst culprits was surprising.
Few would have tipped the Texans and Broncos to concede more than 30 points apiece in Week 1, even with their respective opponents being the Bills and Chiefs.
While ground control wasn’t an issue for Houston, keeping James Cook in check, the Texans vaunted secondary couldn’t stop Josh Allen hooking up with Dalton Kincaid and DJ Moore on big plays. For a defense that stifled the opposition week after week in 2025, allowing an average 277 yards per game, being burned for 409 yards by Buffalo was a shock to the system.
For the Broncos, it was a combined inability to stop the Chiefs rushing attack and prevent third down conversions that caused them to unravel. A sudden allergy to tackling (28 missed in all) allowed Kenneth Walker and Travis Kelce to make explosive plays. With a scary run of fixtures coming up against high-powered offenses, Denver will need to find quick solutions to the problems that beset them on Monday night.
The emperor’s new clothes?
Talked up widely as Super Bowl winners elect, the LA Rams were brought crashing down to earth in Melbourne by the 49ers. While it was always possible that their division rivals might inflict defeat upon them, the circumstances around the loss were unexpected. Hands up, who had the Rams being the lowest scorers in Week 1 and a game adrift of the rest of the NFC West?
The Rams’ preparation for a game played on the other side of the world has been heavily criticised. Arriving in Melbourne a little more than a day ahead of kick-off, LA looked sluggish and undercooked in every department.
And with the news that Myles Garrett has been placed on IR, requiring knee surgery, and Aaron Donald yet to feature following his return to the NFL, the stardust that was sprinkled on Rams shoulder pads in the offseason may have already blown away.
One game doesn’t determine a season’s outcome, but the Rams elevation to untouchable status is beginning to look premature.
One Giant leap
The NFC East is one of the most intriguing divisions in 2026. The Eagles could be vulnerable, but questions over the staying power of the chasing pack means they remain favourites to take the title again.
Week 1 gave us the earliest possible preview of how things might play out, with Philadelphia travelling to Washington and Dallas heading to the Big Apple for the first Sunday Night game of the season.
The Commanders gave a good account of themselves and showed that if they can avoid the injury woes that derailed them in 2025, they should be solid enough to improve on five wins. However, the Eagles’ talent across the roster eventually proved enough to seal a 24-22 victory.
But the big story emerging from the NFC East came hours later under the lights at MetLife Stadium where the New York Giants put together one of the most impressive performances of Week 1 against the Cowboys.
As so often, Dallas has been one of the preseason’s most hyped prospects. Talk of the Cowboys winning the division title has been widespread and apparently with some credence following much-needed defensive upgrades made since last year. Sadly, for Cowboys fans, there was little evidence of improvement on Sunday as Jaxson Dart and company sliced through them repeatedly on their way to a 28-20 win.
But perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the victory was how solid the Giants looked on both sides of the ball. The roster doesn’t appear to have many holes and with John Harbaugh now steering the ship, the Giants might be the real threat to the Eagles supremacy in 2026.
Playing the Cards you’re dealt
With a bounty of riches available in the 2027 Draft, a lot of offseason debate has been about who will be in line for the first overall pick. The Arizona Cardinals were repeatedly mentioned in that discussion. They still might prove to be in the running come season’s end but on Sunday they produced the most unlikely win of Week 1.
On the road and facing a 2025 playoff team in the LA Chargers, Arizona made a statement that they should not be under-estimated. Jacoby Brissett was at his dependable best, Trey McBride was impressive as always and Jeremiyah Love made a solid debut, collecting his first NFL touchdown in the process. Meanwhile, on defense, the Cardinals did enough to disrupt Justin Herbert and limit Omarion Hampton.
Naturally, with expectations high that the Chargers could build on last season’s promise, the post-game focus has been on their lacklustre performance. But take nothing away from Arizona. Their road will be tough in 2026, but there’s enough spirit in the group for their final record to be better than many anticipated.
PAUL GOULD
NFL ANALYST
A freelance writer and editor based in Cambridgeshire, Paul has avidly followed the NFL since the late 1980’s and spends much of his spare time wondering if he’ll ever see the Raiders play in a Super Bowl again.
