NFL Week 1 winners, losers: T.J. Watt dominates; huge day for star RBs

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions. If Gibbs is not the best running back in the NFL, he is certainly on the shortlist for the argument. He played like it on Sunday in a 31-30 win over the New Orleans Saints. He finished with 156 yards on 29 carries with a pair of touchdowns. 

Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens. Speaking of the short list of best running backs, Henry is still on it as well and is showing zero signs of slowing down. His 144 yards and three touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts helped pace the 41-23 win. 

Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings. This was not the way the Vikings drew up their Week 1 game after acquiring quarterback Kyler Murray, but his injury forced Wentz into action. Wentz helped orchestrate a huge fourth-quarter comeback against the Green Bay Packers while throwing three touchdowns to be one of the surprising winners of the day. 

Mike LaFleur, HC, Arizona Cardinals. The first Cardinals coach to win his debut since 1973. That is a long time, and a lot of coaches. 

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders. Given their quarterback situation, if the Raiders are going to compete this season, they need their second-year running back to play like an emerging superstar. On Sunday, he did with 102 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving and two touchdowns. 

NFL Week 1 losers

Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson was intercepted early in the first quarter, setting a miserable tone for the rest of the day for the Browns. He's a problem, but not the only problem. This entire roster is a mess and just lacking in talent across the board. The Jacksonville Jaguars were just toying with them all day. 

Los Angeles Chargers. There was not a bigger favorite in the NFL this week, and they not only lost to the Arizona Cardinals, but they were thoroughly dominated and outplayed. Everybody's offseason and preseason darling every year always seems to find new ways to disappoint when the games actually start. They did it again on Sunday by getting embarrassed by the Cardinals. 

NFC South. The NFL's worst division in 2025 is not off to a better start in 2026, with all four teams losing their Week 1 game. Could it be another year of an 8-9 division winner?

Nick Folk, K, Atlanta Falcons. When your team is down to its third-string quarterback, on the road, you need to find points anywhere you can. Folk not only missed two field goals in a seven-point loss, but he was also guilty of a kickoff violation for not getting the ball into the landing zone. 

Stefon Diggs, WR, Washington Commanders. The good news: Diggs caught his first touchdown pass as a member of the Commanders. The bad news? He was flagged 15 yards for a celebration penalty that prevented them from going for two, in a game they would eventually lose by two points to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Panthers run defense. If the Bears running game was a winner for its performance in this game, the Panthers run defense has to be a loser. Allowing 291 yards on the ground and six touchdowns is about as bad a performance as a defensive unit can get.