4 overreactions from Week 1 that might stick this season: Woes for Cowboys, Broncos and Patriots, and joy for future Bears fireworks

Heading into the 2026 NFL season, there are four overreactions that could stick, according to Yahoo Sports writers Jay Busbee, Frank Schwab, Jori Epstein and Eric Edholm. For the Denver Broncos, their Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs raised concerns. Rookie Bo Nix threw an interception just three plays into the game, and the Broncos were thoroughly outplayed by the Chiefs, who rushed for 173 yards, including a crucial fourth-and-1 touchdown.

Head coach Sean Payton admitted, "Didn't do a lot well at all in the game... I thought [Kansas City] won, really, in every phase." This inconsistency in Denver's performance suggests deeper issues that could linger throughout the season.

The Dallas Cowboys defense is another area of worry. Despite being a high pick in the offseason, the Cowboys struggled defensively, giving up a franchise-record number of points. Rookie safety Caleb Downs had his debut, but his potential impact remains to be seen. The defense's failure to improve after an offseason of focus on strengthening the unit highlights a problem that needs addressing if Dallas is to avoid a repeat of their 2025 performance.

For the New England Patriots, the offense's regression is a concern. Quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the season opener, tying his career high. Rookie receiver A.J. Brown's injury and rookie receiver Romeo Doubs' lack of cohesion with Maye further complicated matters. With a challenging schedule ahead, including games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, the Patriots may struggle to maintain their recent success without Maye's performance stabilizing.

Finally, the Chicago Bears' offense, led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, is on track to set a new scoring record. With 59 points in Week 1, the Bears are nearly a tenth of the way to their 606-point goal for the season. Their versatile offensive attack, featuring Williams and a strong running game, could be a significant threat to the rest of the league. While their performance in Week 1 was impressive, any inefficiencies in execution could pose problems down the line as their opponent's adapt.