NFL Week 1: Solak's QB panic meter, predictions, key stats

What a debut for the 2024 NFL season! On the first Sunday of the season, we saw two blocked punts, a record number of 50-plus yard field goals, a touchdown on the new kickoff, and – wait a minute. I'm being told I'm getting too excited about special teams again.

Every Tuesday, I'll recap the most important news of the NFL football week. We'll take a first look at Monday Night Football episodes, analyze a major trend or two, and highlight some key individual players and plays. There will be footage. There will be stats (actually, a whole section of them). And it will be fun. You can read the column in full, or browse through the sections below.

Jump to a section:
The big thing: Panic meter after week 1
Mailbag: Three questions from … you
Second attempt: Does the new kickoff work?
Next Ben Stats: Three Wild Stats from Week 1
Flag Raising: My Irrefutable Views
Monday Night Football: Mason's big game

The big deal: Panic Meter Week 1

Each week, this column begins with a comprehensive look at a key game, player or trend from the previous Sunday's NFL action. To begin my column this week, I wanted to try to respond appropriately to some of the more surprising performances of Week 1. There weren't many standout performances from the quarterbacks, but a few stood out as particularly concerning. I'm here to comfort some, give my opinion to others, and join the chorus of alarm bells for a few more.