Week 1 is almost always a wake-up call, for both a team and its fans.
The New England Patriots felt the sting of Week 1 reality on Wednesday night in the NFL's season-opening game. Three picks for quarterback Drake Maye, one of which was a completely indefensible decision that cost them the game in the final seconds and resulted in his third interception of the night. A shocking drop by wide receiver Romeo Doubs. A weird offensive line emphasis by the team's coaching staff that backfired in the end.
But let's not pretend the Seattle Seahawks didn't as well. Until that final foible by Maye, the Pats were on the verge of a potential win and guaranteed tie with the ball in the red zone at game's end. Seattle's sloppy play cost them all night. They were penalized for 98 yards and converted just two of their 11 first downs. That's not championship football, and Mike McDonald knows it.
Week 1 is always weird for the Chiefs, too
All of this is important because Kansas City Chiefs fans should brace for the same. That's not to say they're likely to lose to the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, or that there won't be some Mahomes Magic. It's just that Week 1 is wonky for every team, win or lose.
Just one year ago, in a loss to the Chargers in Brazil, Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce collided on the third offensive play of the season, which completely shelved the Chiefs' plans for the team's best deep threat. Worthy was never the same from that play forward, even when back on the field. Jawaan Taylor racked up four penalties on his own, and the Chiefs' pass rush couldn't come close to Justin Herbert despite L.A. playing multiple second-string linemen.
In 2023, the Detroit Lions got the best of the Chiefs in a 21-20 opener that was weird before it started. Chris Jones watched the game alongside his agents while waiting for more money. Kadarius Toney did his own Doubs routine that gifted an interception to Lions safety Brian Branch. Andy Reid took the ball out of Mahomes' hands in weird short -yardage situations, which made everyone in Chiefs Kingdom lose their voices from yelling.
Even in the Chiefs' season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2024, every ounce of post-game attention was focused on Isaiah Likely's toe. Never mind the Chiefs' win over a major conference rival to kick off a championship defense, complete with Chris Jones' strip-sack and Rashee Rice dominance. Week 1 was wonky then. It's wonky now.
Expecting an odd performance will ease the sting
It's the transition from a roster built on paper to the one taking the field. It's the shift from a preseason that features precious few reps for actual starters. Ideas that sounded good in theory suddenly have to be applied, with adjustments made in real time. And there's no track record coming in. Week 1 is a blank slate and there's just so much we do not yet know.
The Patriots are feeling the sting of Week 1's kookiness. The Seahawks are feeling it, too, despite their 1-0 record. The Chiefs are bound to feel it, and fans would do well to recognize this in advance. It's gonna be an odd performance, no matter the outcome against the Denver Broncos.
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