NFL Week 1 winners, losers: Big QB debuts; Mike McDaniel's hot seat

Travis Etienne, RB,  Jacksonville Jaguars. While it was a mostly quiet day for one Travis in Jacksonville (rookie Travis Hunter), it was a massive day for their other Travis (running back Travis Etienne) as he rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries, including a 71-yard run, their 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. 

Geno Smith, QB,  Las Vegas Raiders. The new-look Raiders got off to a strong start with new coach Pete Carroll and new quarterback Geno Smith getting a 20-13 win in New England, with Smith passing for 362 yards in his silver-and-black debut. 

Jake Tonges, TE,  San Francisco 49ers.  Tonges entered Sunday's game having caught zero passes in his NFL career. He ended up catching three on Sunday in place of the injured George Kittle, including a stunning game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. 

Losers

Mike McDaniel, HC, Miami Dolphins. McDaniel's seat has to be hot. His entire tenure in Miami has been defined by mediocrity and bad losses to teams with winning records. On Sunday, his team looked badly unprepared in a humiliating loss to a team that isn't even supposed to be any good. 

Russell Wilson, QB, New York Giants. The Wilson era with the Giants might end up being very short. Head coach Brian Daboll would not commit to a starter for Week 2, and how could you blame him after Wilson completed just 17-of-37 passes for 168 yards and zero touchdowns in an ugly 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. It could soon be Jaxson Dart time. 

Houston Texans offense. The same problems that plagued the Texans offense were still present in a 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback C.J. Stroud did not get any protection, they struggled to run the ball, there was questionable play-calling and a late turnover helped end a potential game-winning drive. There is too much talent here for this offense to be this bad. 

Andre Szmyt, K, Cleveland Browns. The Browns had a chance to steal a Week 1 game from a divisional rival but lost a 17-16 game to the Cincinnati Bengals. The big difference: A missed field goal and extra point from Szmyt, with the missed field goal happening late in the fourth quarter. 

Tennessee Titans offense and discipline. The Titans nearly had their penalty yardage (131) eclipse their offensive yardage (133). That is a losing recipe every week no matter who you are playing, and especially against a good Denver Broncos team on the road.