NFL Week 1 lowlights: Worst loss, quarterback performance and more

Late in the second half, Los Angeles struck out on a scoring opportunity when quarterback Justin Herbert took a sack on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Chargers' special teams helped set up Arizona's second touchdown of the game by allowing a blocked punt.

Moments later, Herbert, who was out-dueled by Cardinals journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett, made matters worse with an ill-advised deep heave into double coverage that safety Andrew Wingard intercepted.

For a team like the Chargers with high expectations after back-to-back playoff appearances, Week 1 was nothing short of a disaster. Things could get ugly quickly without rapid improvements. After hosting the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) next Sunday, Los Angeles faces a brutal seven-game stretch from Weeks 3-10 with games against (deep breath) the Buffalo Bills (1-0), Seattle Seahawks (1-0), Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams (0-1), Houston Texans (0-1) and Baltimore Ravens (1-0).

WORST QB PERFORMANCE: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush

We had low expectations for Rush, Atlanta's third-string quarterback forced into a starting role after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out, but geez, not that low.

The nine-year veteran, playing for his third NFL franchise, finished a 20-13 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers 12-of-22 for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. In ESPN's QBR metric that measures quarterback performance on a scale of 0-100, Rush scored a 2.6.

According to Sumer Sports data, Rush entered "Sunday Night Football" last in expected points added per pass (minus-0.68) among 28 quarterbacks with at least 10 snaps in Week 1. He struggled while under duress, taking four sacks in seven pressures, and couldn't push the ball downfield, finishing with only one attempt traveling at least 20 air yards. (h/t Pro Football Focus)

Considering the talent Atlanta has at the skill positions, including running back Bijan Robinson and wideout Drake London, it might only be a competent quarterback away from contending in a bad NFC South. If only the Falcons had one.

WORST COACHING PERFORMANCE: Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll

The Titans finished an uninspired 23-10 home loss to the New York Jets with twice as many three-and-outs (four) as scoring drives (two), a bleak sign under Daboll, hired by first-year coach Robert Saleh during the offseason.

In his first game, Tennessee's offense sputtered, generating 55 yards at the half. At no point did the unit appear functional.

Midway through the first quarter, Daboll called for a poorly executed end-around that ended with second-year quarterback Cam Ward, last year's No. 1 overall pick, half-heartedly tossing the ball to himself before taking a sack.

Tennessee didn't get in the end zone until its last possession, and with the game already out of reach.

As far as first impressions go, Daboll's couldn't have been much worse. Should his offense be as bad as advertised against the Jets, he might torch Ward's development. 

WORST DECISION: Stefon Diggs' goalpost embrace

After pulling the Washington Commanders within two, 17-15, of the Philadelphia Eagles on a touchdown grab five minutes into the fourth quarter, Diggs made life harder for his team with his touchdown celebration.

The four-time Pro Bowler, acquired this offseason, jumped and wrapped his arms and legs around the base of the goalpost, which — while comical — is also frowned upon by the NFL, resulting in a needless 15-yard penalty.

That erased Washington's chance to go for two and the tie in an eventual 24-22 loss. For a 12-year veteran, Diggs should know better. 

WORST CALL: Detroit Lions' overturned fumble

Who knew a backward pass could actually be a forward pass?

An obscure NFL rule took center stage in a controversial sequence during Detroit's 31-30 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints, when edge-rusher Chase Young appeared to sack Lions quarterback Jared Goff, resulting in a fumble that second-year safety Jonas Sanker returned for a touchdown.

However, upon review, officials determined Goff's hand had started a forward throwing motion, so the fact that the ball landed well behind the line of scrimmage was irrelevant.

ESPN Saints reporter Katherine Terrell shared the rule afterward, which states, "If contact by an opponent materially affects a passer after the passer begins his throwing motion, it is a forward pass if he passes the ball, regardless of where the ball strikes the ground."

If that isn't the absolute worst rule in football, we're unsure what is. The league overcomplicates things with that sort of inane logic. When the competition committee convenes, we know what needs to be first on the agenda.