Each week in the NFL, there always seems to be an upset or a game that goes very differently than expected.
To kick off the season, the Dallas Cowboys played the Eagles tough but lost 24-20. Many thought this game would be a blowout. However, the Cowboys kept it close and had a lead for a lot of the first half.
Three teams are on upset alert for week 1.
Three NFL Teams On Upset Alert In Week 1
There are three teams favored to win in week 1 that are on upset alert. For this article, a team favored by -3 or more will be considered to be on upset alert.
Cincinnati Bengals(-4.5) @ Cleveland Browns (O/U:48.5)
Joe Burrow and the high-flying Bengals will try to avoid starting the season 0-1. They have been notorious for starting the season slow and losing games in September that they should win. It cost them a playoff spot last year. Their defense remains a major weakness. If preseason was any sort of indication, Burrow and the offense may need to score on almost every possession this season.
Cleveland feels like they have nothing to lose entering the year. There are no expectations for them. Joe Flacco will start under center in week 1, and he faces a very beatable defense. The Browns have a very good front seven on defense that can disrupt the Bengals’ offense. The offensive line remains a weakness for the Bengals. Myles Garrett and the pass rush for the Browns can get to Burrow.
With the Bengals known for starting slow, this is the perfect week for the Browns to catch them off guard. This will be a close game, and it would not be surprising if the Browns pull off the upset. Joe Flacco can take advantage of a putrid Bengals defense while Myles Garrett and the Browns’ pass rush can dominate Cincinnati’s offensive line.
The Bengals are on upset alert.
New York Giants @ Washington Commanders(-6.0) (O/U:45.5)
The New York Giants have a stout front seven on defense. This is the kind of game where they will need to get to Jayden Daniels, and they are very capable of doing so. The Commanders’ offensive line is below average, ranking 19th entering the year by Pro Football Focus. With Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants present a major challenge for Washington’s offensive line. Russell Wilson will be under center and is an upgrade over Daniel Jones and other QBs the Giants started last season. The Giants will be a much better team in 2025.
On the flip side, the Washington Commanders want to prove last year was not a fluke. They made it to the NFC Championship game and are regarded as a Super Bowl contender. This is because of how well QB Jayden Daniels played in his rookie season. Washington won a lot of close games last year. They will try to avoid regression this season.
In week 1, the Commanders are on upset alert against an improved Giants team. With an improved offense and a dangerous pass rush attack, the Giants are capable of going into Washington and pulling off the upset.
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Rams(-3.0) (O/U:43.5)
The Texans and Rams are two playoff-caliber teams. The Rams are considered Super Bowl contenders, while the Texans are a borderline Super Bowl-caliber team. They would be thought of as more of a contender if Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and Josh Allen and the Bills were not all in the AFC.
Houston has a top-five level defense. They have a dangerous pass rush and are good in the secondary. C.J. Stroud helped turn the Texans organization right around. He came into the league two seasons ago and led the Texans to back-to-back AFC South titles. Nico Collins has established himself among the top wideouts in the league. Houston lacks a WR2 behind Collins.
The Rams are stacked on offense. They have two WR studs in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Kyren Williams produces strong numbers at running back. Matthew Stafford is the biggest question mark. He is a top-level QB when healthy, but his health is a concern. He dealt with a serious back injury all offseason,
With Stafford’s back a major question mark, the Texans’ defense may be able to take over the game. This puts the Rams on upset alert.
