All 32 NFL fanbases began the 2026 season with optimism, though some were more hopeful than others. After Week 1, several teams—among them playoff contenders—left their supporters disappointed. Here are the five biggest letdowns from NFL Week 1, highlighting some surprising results and underwhelming performances.
New England Patriots
Heading into what was billed as a potential LX rematch, New England entered Week 1 with high expectations. However, injuries and turnover undermined their plans early. Sam Darnold exited the game after just five snaps, seemingly handing momentum to the Patriots. Instead, New England looked far from a title contender. Drake Maye struggled, throwing three interceptions, and the rushing attack averaged only 3.5 yards per carry. The team managed just 10 points, a stark contrast to their production in the previous season’s regular games. This opening performance did not meet the hopes of a franchise seeking a leap forward.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos believed they were close to contending for a deep playoff run and traded a first-round pick to bring in new weapons, including Jaylen Waddle, to unlock Sean Payton’s offense. Week 1 did not deliver. Waddle was held to two rushing or receiving yards, and Bo Nix’s production through the air was modest against a revamped opponent. Scoring just 10 points again left Denver searching for answers and raised questions about how quickly the offense would click in Year 1 under Payton.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay’s season began with a dramatic, roller-coaster performance. After stealing a 12-point lead in the second half, the Packers collapsed late, allowing the opponent to score 29 unanswered points in the final 21 minutes. The start looked promising, with Matt LaFleur’s squad executing well in the opening stages, but the late-game lapse against a division rival overshadowed a strong first-half effort. The absence of two key players could not fully explain the second-half tumble, marking a troubling setback that has fans reassessing expectations for the season.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ Week 1 defeat stands as the most shocking upset of the opening weekend. A team coming off an 11-win season fell by 12 points to an Arizona Cardinals squad that won only three games the previous year. The loss immediately put pressure on the coaching staff and front office, with questions about the team’s upside and readiness. While adjustments are expected, there was little room for a stumble of this magnitude so early in the year.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams entered the season with high hopes, aided by offseason moves and a refreshed roster around veterans like Matthew Stafford. In Week 1, however, they were unable to translate that potential into production, falling 27-7 in a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. Despite a healthy lineup featuring Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams, the offense struggled to generate points, revealing that there is still work to be done for Sean McVay’s unit.
What Week 1 revealed
– Offenses across several teams failed to execute consistently, leading to low-scoring outputs from otherwise optimistic rosters.
– Injuries and early miscommunications can derail a team’s trajectory, underscoring how crucial quick adjustments are in the opening weeks.
– The early season form suggests a competitive landscape where parity remains high, with several franchises needing to refine schemes, improve protection, and refine offensive balance.
Looking ahead
Week 2 promises a chance for these teams to rebound. Coaches will emphasize clean game plans, improved ball security, and the necessity of sustaining drives. Fans will be watching to see which teams can translate Week 1 optimism into Week 2 success, and which programs will need to regroup and retool after tough openings. The NFL season is long, and early misfires can be corrected with disciplined adjustments and player development.
