NFL teams only need to look back a year to see how little a Week 1 loss might mean

Since the NFL season began with a lengthy wait since the Super Bowl, Week 1 games have often been the subject of overreactions. With a seven-month gap between the Super Bowl and the start of the regular season, it's natural for fans to have strong reactions to early results. One notable example from last year was the Seattle Seahawks, who won the Super Bowl by defeating the New England Patriots in February.

Despite losing their Week 1 game to San Francisco, the Seahawks bounced back and won the playoffs. However, not all Week 1 winners went on to make the playoffs. In fact, nearly half of the teams to win their opening game in 2023 failed to reach the postseason. The Los Angeles Rams, who lost their Week 1 game to San Francisco, entered the season as heavy favorites but ultimately lost their opener 27-7.

Despite their poor start, the Rams remain optimistic and currently have plus-500 odds to win the Super Bowl. This is because the Rams have bolstered their roster with Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, signifying their determination to succeed despite the early setback.