The Winners & Losers From NFL Week 1

From the Cleveland Browns to Lamar Jackson, here are all the winners and losers from NFL week 1.

Sep 09, 2019
Baker Mayfield
Getty

Image via Getty

Baker Mayfield
Getty

Image via Getty

The NFL is a cruel game. One week you're on top and the next you're feeling like the world is ending. So much changes every single week, but that's the beauty of it all. The highs are incredible and the lows are the worst feeling ever. Each team only gets 16 chances each season, which means that every single game matters. Well, unless you're the Dolphins, I guess.

Regardless, the Complex Sports team will be bringing you winners and losers from each week of the NFL season this year as part of our comprehensive coverage of the league. So as you go through the various ups and downs of the season, we'll be here to remind you that your team and favorite players either royally suck, or are on the verge of glory. Look away, Browns fans. 

Winner: Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson
Image via Getty

Talk about proving the doubters wrong. Holy shit. Lamar Jackson not only demolished the Dolphins yesterday, but he did so by throwing the ball. Lamar not only threw the ball, but he legit diced up the defense for five TDs and over 300 yards. With a perfect QB rating. And only three incompletions. Just a truly masterful performance. Yes, it was against the Dolphins, but Lamar Jackson deserves all the props this week. 

Pretty good numbers for a “running back” 🤫@Lj_era8 is going OFF pic.twitter.com/XDCsLq5Qni

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 8, 2019

Loser: Myself, Baker Mayfield, and the Cleveland Browns

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns
Image via Getty/Nick Cammett/Diamond Images

Well, that sucked. Yes, I am a Cleveland Browns fan. Yes, I predicted they would go 11-5 and make the AFC Championship game. No, I didn't cry yesterday. But honestly, what the fuck was that. I don't even know where to start. It was a legit embarrassing game on every level. they better figure that shit out, and quick. 

Winner: New England Patriots

Tom Brady
Image via John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty

I'm pretty convinced these guys will never be bad. Like, ever. They rolled over the Steelers by 30 last night and are adding Antonio Brown to an already explosive offense. They don't even need Antonio Brown! This is nuts! Why is the world like this? Regardless how you feel about the Pats, you have to respect it. They go in and do their jobs every single week. A true machine. 

Loser: Oakland Raiders

Jon Gruden Oakland Raiders 2018
Image via USA Today Sports/Kirby Lee

I legit feel bad for Raiders fans. They traded for one of the best players in the NFL and he never even played a game for the team. What a wild story. Now, they go into the season in one of the toughest divisions in football without a true playmaker on the outside. Things could go south quickly for Gruden and company. Knock on wood if you're with me. 

Winner: Anyone Who Bet on Patrick Mahomes to Win MVP Again

patrick mahomes hunts
Image via Sean M. Haffey/Getty

This dude is unreal. So much for all that talk that the NFL would figure out the Chiefs and Mahomes this season. Yeah, how did that go yesterday? 378 yards and three TDs in an easy win on the road. If the Patriots didn't exist I would say the Chiefs were a lock for the Super Bowl. Regardless, you have to be feeling good if you bet on Mahomes to win MVP again this season. 

Loser: New York Jets

New York Jets Fans 2016
Image via USA Today Sports/Brad Penner

Anytime you go up 16-0 in a game at home in the second half and lose, you're going to wind up in the loser category. Sam Darnold wasn't as sharp as the Jets need him to be and the kicker situation looks like a disaster. Credit to the Bills for pulling this one out, but the Jets can't lose this game. They now will play the Browns in week 2 in a battle of two of the biggest losers of the week. On the brightside, someone has to win next week. 

Winner: Dak Prescott and the Cowboys

dak prescott ezekiel elliott
Image via USA Today Sports/Tim Heitman

Dak wants that money! And honestly, the Cowboys should pay him immediately. All eyes were on Zeke coming into this game, but Dak carried the Cowboys to a huge win over the New York Giants. It's looking like Dak is in line for a huge season and the Cowboys are legit Super Bowl contenders in the NFC. 

Loser: Miami Dolphins

Cameron Malveaux Miami Dolphins 2017 Training Camp
Image via USA Today Sports/Jasen Vinlove

It's going to be a long season in Miami for the Dolphins and their fans. Yes, they might be trying to lose and tank, but that's easier said than done in the NFL. Players don't go along with it like in the NBA. Case in point, a report last night that a number of Dolphins players told their agents they wanted off the team after the week 1 blowout to the Ravens. Things could get really ugly in South Beach. 

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