There's always an awesome feeling in the air when Week 1 of the NFL season hits. Everyone is 0-0, and all 32 teams believe they have a shot to do something special. Then the games kick off, and certain clubs are dealt the harsh realization that they aren't as good as initially thought.

On the flip side, some bad teams don't know they are bad in Week 1. There are some upsets in the opening week that may lead to some surprises down the road. Look at what the Indianapolis Colts did to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, or how the Las Vegas Raiders took care of the New England Patriots in the early slate of games. 

In the late-Sunday slate, the Green Bay Packers made a statement against the Detroit Lions -- a major statement -- and the San Francisco 49ers had a major victory over the Seattle Seahawks on the road. 

Then there's what makes Week 1 great, like the Buffalo Bills' remarkable comeback against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens were up 40-25 with 7:16 left, didn't matter with Josh Allen -- who led Buffalo to its biggest comeback win since 1967. 

From a player perspective, Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers may work after all. The same can be said with Justin Fields and the New York Jets and Mich Parsons and the Packers. Russell Wilson with the New York Giants? Not so much. 

There are always a good dose of overreactions after Week 1, but which are overreactions and which aren't? How far are we willing to go with our Week 1 claims? 

Josh Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL 

Overreaction or reality: Reality

This shouldn't be a debate after Sunday night's historic comeback win over the Ravens. There was some controversy over Allen winning the MVP over Lamar Jackson last season, but the Bills quarterback proved why he deserved the award. 

In case you weren't aware, Allen is one of the most clutch players in football. Trailing 40-25 with 7:16 left, Allen went 11 of 14 for 166 yards with a touchdown and a 139.9 passer rating -- also having 7 yards rushing and a touchdown. In the fourth quarter alone, Allen went 16 of 21 for 251 yards with a touchdown and a 131.3 passer rating -- also rushing for 18 yards and two touchdowns. 

Yes, Allen had 269 total yards and three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes, giving the Bills a victory in a game they had no business being in. Allen finished 33 of 46 for 394 yards with two passing touchdowns, while having 30 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Allen became the fourth player with 375+ with 2+ passing touchdowns and 2+ rushing touchdowns in a game. He may not have a Super Bowl yet, but Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL right now. This isn't a debate after Sunday's performance. 

The Ravens aren't winning another Super Bowl with John Harbaugh 

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Every single year, the Ravens have losses like this. Every single year. 

This Ravens team got 238 rushing yards and 40 points from their offense, yet still found a way to lose. They had a 40-25 lead with 7:16 to play and the Bills desperate to stay in the game -- and still lost.

Whether it's dropped catches in the end  zone in playoff games, fumbles at the goal line, fumbles holding a lead, this Ravens team always comes up short in big games. They can't hold a lead late, having an NFL-leading 11 losses with a 7+-point lead in the fourth quarter over the last five seasons. 

It's hard to explain how the Ravens do this with all the talent at their disposal, including a two-time MVP quarterback. Perhaps Lamar Jackson isn't clutch. Perhaps the players can't execute and take care of the football. Perhaps Harbaugh is too conversative late. Or it's all three of those things. 

Hard to blame Harbaugh because of his pedigree, because he gets them in those situations to win. Harbaugh isn't fumbling the football, missing blocks, or dropping passes. What can he do to make sure those players on his football team step up in the moment?

That's on him -- and the Ravens can still get it fixed. This team is still good enough to win it all, but they'll have the reputation as chokers until they can figure it out -- which is unfortunate. 

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

One game doesn't make a season, especially in Week 1. The Lions losing both coordinators this offseason was a storyline, and it was put on notice in an abysmal effort against the Packers. 

The Detroit Lions offense was held to 3.8 yards per play (the fewest in a game since 2021), and 4.7 yards per attempt. The unit had just 246 total yards, and only had 62 total yards on 21 plays to open the second half before a garbage-time touchdown late. Keep in mind this was a team that won 15 games last season! 

The defense was just as bad as the offense, as the pass defense allowed 8.5 yards per attempt and sold out on stopping the run (which worked). The unit was dominated up front, only having two quarterback hits and failing to record a sack -- and Aidan Hutchinson is back! 

The biggest concern with the Lions is getting dominated in the trenches, a sign that doesn't bode well for a Super Bowl team. Has the window closed in Detroit to win a championship?

The coordinator changes are a concern and the Lions aren't on the level as the Packers right now, but there are plenty of games needed to jell and turn things around. This is a true test for Dan Campbell to get this team right before things really go south, but there's no reason to panic yet. 

Micah Parsons already has made a Reggie White-like impact on Packers

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Didn't take too long to see what Parsons has already accomplished in Green Bay, already having a sack in his game with the team and getting the pressure on Jared Goff that forced a critical interception late in the first half with the game within reach. Parsons' impact was felt throughout the Packers' defensive line, as that unit had nine quarterback hits and four sacks in the convincing victory. 

Parsons was only on the field for 45% of the snaps, but made his Reggie White-type impact in Week 1. The Packers also held the Lions to 46 rushing yards (2.1 yards per carry) and 1 for 4 in the red zone. 

This was what the Packers believed they were getting when Parsons joined their defensive line, just like when White changed the franchise in the 1990s. Parsons really is their current iteration of Reggie White. 

Robert Saleh was the best coordinator hire this offseason

Overreaction or reality: Reality

The 49ers defense was brilliant in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Seahawks, holding teh Seahawks to just 230 yards and 4.6 yards per play. Seattle was just 3 of 10 on third down and couldn't get any sustainable drives going in a second half that resulted in two punts, two fumbles, and a field goal. 

San Francisco capped off the dominant defensive effort with a sack and forced fumble from Nick Bosa with 42 seconds left and the Seahawks just 9 yards away from winning the game. The 49ers defense stood tall when it mattered most, allowing just three second half points and completely shutting down the Seahawks pass offense. 

This was their calling call under Saleh, who's back at defensive coordinator after a painful tenure with the Jets. Getting Saleh back will have the same impact as Vic Fangio did for the Eagles last year, and Philadelphia's defense carried them to the Super Bowl. 

Saleh coming back to the 49ers was an underrated hire that should have been talked about more. The NFL found out this week. 

Sam Darnold won't be starting for Seahawks in December

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Darnold was not good in his Seahawks debut, going 16 of 23 for 150 yards and a fumble inside the 10 yard line with the Seahawks in striking distance to win the game. He struggled to get the deep ball going (credit to the 49ers) and looked like  a quarterback the 49ers knew all too well. 

Even with Darnold's struggles, he was 5 of 7 when facing pressure and held his own. The run game couldn't get going throughout the afternoon as Klint Kubiak was very conservative in his game plan. The Seahawks didn't use Darnold for what they paid him for, not helping his quarterback succeed against a very good defense this week. 

Jalen Milroe was active on Sunday (Seattle carried three quarterbacks) and the Seahawks like him. Don't think Seattle will pull the plug on Darnold as the starting quarterback so quick. He needs more time in Kubiak's offense, but Sunday was a setback for both. 

Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

What an embarrassing display for the Dolphins in their season opener against the Colts. This was supposed to be a game where the Dolphins could start the season on the right foot against a Colts team that appeared to be a sinking ship themselves.

Turns out, the Titanic may be in Miami. The Dolphins offense was abysmal, recording only three first downs while committing two turnovers in the first half. Tyreek Hill looked visibly frustrated after not getting the ball early and often (he only had four catches for 40 yards), while Tua Tagovailoa played like a quarterback who has been affected by too many injuries over the years. This offense has too many players to be held without a point until 6:21 remaining in the game. 

Mike McDaniel may be the first head coach fired at this rate, and the leash was already short to begin with heading into the season. He just doesn't seem to have any control over this team.

Regardless, the Dolphins aren't the worst team in the NFL (yet). They played like it in Week 1, but changes could be coming if this unit doesn't get its act together. They also can't afford to have Tagovailoa turning the ball over three times in his first four possessions 

Aaron Rodgers will throw for 40 touchdowns this season

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

For anyone doubting Rodgers heading into this season, those thoughts have to be revisited. Rodgers looked like the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Packers deep into January in his first game with the Steelers, throwing for four touchdowns in the Steelers' victory over the Jets. 

Even more impressive from Rodgers? The four touchdown passes were to four different receivers. Rodgers carried a nonexistent Steelers running game and led Pittsburgh back from multiple deficits in the shootout win. He was 7 of 9 passing for 38 yards and a pair of scores in the fourth quarter. 

The last Steelers quarterback not named Ben Roethlisberger to throw four touchdown passes in a game was Tommy Maddox in 2002, so Rodgers is already rewriting history. He's on pace to throw for 68 touchdowns in 2025 -- which obviously won't happen -- but can he get to 40? 

That will be a tall task for Rodgers -- and appears unrealistic. Rodgers still should be in line for a big year. If he gets 30 touchdown passes, the Steelers will take it. They look like a threat in the AFC North with Rodgers playing this well. 

Aaron Rodgers sounds off after leading Steelers to a win over Jets

Bryan DeArdo

Russell Wilson should not start for the Giants in Week 2

Overreaction or reality: Reality

At this point, does it really matter? The Giants offense looked lifeless under Brian Daboll (again), not having the personnel to compete with an aging Commanders defense. With no Andrew Thomas at offensive tackle, the offensive line was putrid once again -- allowing eight quarterback hits and having players start up front who aren't NFL-caliber starters. 

Even so, Wilson has to be better as a quarterback with a Hall of Fame resume. Wilson threw for just 168 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per attempt (59.3 rating). When facing pressure, Wilson was 2 of 7 for 26 yards and sacked twice (42.6 rating). The Giants scored a total of six points on nine possessions and had 142 yards after three quarters. 

The Giants should just go to Jameis Winston or Jaxson Dart at this point, but the real problem seems to be Daboll with how inept this offense always is. 

Brian Daboll noncommittal on Russell Wilson as Week 2 starter after Giants' season opening dud

Steven Taranto

Colts will win the AFC South with Daniel Jones

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Jones played the best game he's ever had as an NFL quarterback, which was surprising considering he's on his third team in less than a year and flamed out with the New York Giants. But Jones won the Colts starting quarterback job over Anthony Richardson this summer, and his first impression was as strong as it could have been. Jones led the Colts to scores on every possession -- the first team this century to score on every drive. 

In the Colts' 33-8 win, Jones threw for 272 yards and a touchdown while rushing for two scores -- becoming the fourth player in franchise history to throw for 250 yards with a pass touchdown and two-plus rushing touchdowns in a game. Jones made Tyler Warren look like one of the best tight ends in football in his NFL debut and injected new life into Michael Pittman Jr. Indianapolis looked like a rejuvenated team with Jones under center. 

Colts' Daniel Jones quiets critics by scoring on every drive of season opener vs. Dolphins

Jordan Dajani

Jones has played well in the past, especially in the wild card playoff victory with the Giants three seasons ago. He's good enough to put up games like the one he had against the Dolphins on Sunday, but can he put up good performances week in and week out? 

This is why it's a stretch to claim the Colts can win the division now, even if the AFC South isn't strong. Jones will have to play at a high level every week with this roster, but Indianapolis may not be as bad as initially thought. 

Let's see how the year unfolds, or if Jones can play well in Week 2.