Jones was solid during the 2022 season, helping the Giants not only make the playoffs but reach the divisional round, which earned him a four-year, $160 million extension the subsequent offseason. However, since signing the widely scrutinized contract, Jones has posted a 1-6 record as a starter while suffering a neck injury and a torn ACL. Not to mention that he’s thrown more touchdowns to the opposition (three) than to his own team (two) during that span, per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.
Giants ownership has backed Jones throughout his career, primarily because he entered a rather disastrous situation, having to play behind a revolving door of an offensive line without any quality weapons at his disposal.
Nonetheless, after New York revamped the O-line and drafted rookie WR Malik Nabers this past offseason, Jones has no excuses for his poor Week 1 outing, especially taking into account that his supporting cast was solid. According to Next Gen Stats, Jones had 2.82 seconds to throw per dropback, which ranked 12th in the NFL during Week 1, while Giants wideouts averaged 4.4 yards of separation, the fourth-best mark in the league.
No matter how he performs for the remainder of this season, it’d be shocking if the Giants don’t cut ties with Jones in the offseason.
Panic meter: 1
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati suffered the biggest upset loss of Week 1, falling 16-10 at home to the rebuilding Patriots, largely due to its offense’s inability to find a rhythm. In his first game back from his 2023 season-ending wrist injury, Burrow completed 21 of 29 passes for just 164 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.
While Burrow’s production is concerning on the surface, it’s worth mentioning that WR Tee Higgins didn’t play due to a hamstring injury. Burrow also had two opportunities to throw a touchdown pass, but tight end Mike Gesicki dropped one while tight end Tanner Hudson fumbled the other.
As a top-five quarterback talent in the NFL, Burrow shouldn’t have much trouble turning things around. There’s not much reason for the Bengals to panic about Burrow, but HC Zac Taylor’s questionable offensive play-calling is another story.
Panic meter: 4
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Perhaps Atlanta’s decision to select QB Michael Penix Jr., eighth overall in April’s draft after signing Cousins to a four-year $180 million deal in free agency wasn’t as outrageous as it initially appeared.
Cousins, who turned 36 in August, struggled mightily in his Falcons debut against Pittsburgh on Sunday, which was his first game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Week 8 of last season. The four-time Pro Bowler completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While his underwhelming statistical output raises concerns, it’s more alarming that Cousins clearly didn’t look healthy, and his utilization reflects that he’s likely still hampered by his Achilles injury.
According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Cousins took just one snap under center, as Atlanta ran 26 plays out of the pistol formation and 22 out of shotgun. This is particularly noteworthy considering Cousins never took more than 10 snaps out of the pistol during a game before Sunday, adding fuel that Atlanta’s game plan was tailored around protecting him and limiting his mobility.
Additionally, Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy shared an interesting clip of a play from Cousins on X, showing that the 13-year veteran couldn’t plant his right foot and deliver a strike when facing no pressure from the Steelers defense.
