6 NFL teams that should be worried about their season already

After the first week of the NFL season it’s so easy to overreact to the results on the field. Overreaction isn’t something I dabble in. Instead, I’m here to look at the performances that could be an issue as the season continues. So the question is: How fearful should you be that your team’s Week 1 performance is what their regular season will be like?

Fear index 7 out of 10

As I chronicled in various tweets this week, the Cowboys offensive line, usually a stalwart in the NFL, struggled mightily against the Panthers. And it was struggling that can be fixed quickly in my opinion. It starts with missing All Pro center Travis Frederick. They had multiple communication issues upfront and rookie Conor Williams struggled a bit. They generally lack any explosive receiving options, and that’s an issue with Dak Prescott.

The 2016 version of Dak with an amazing offensive line, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant isn’t quite the same the Dak we see in 2018. One hope is the defense, which continues to be underrated and has played tough against the Giants, who just so happen to be coming to Dallas this weekend.

Fear Index 2 out of 10

It was a sloppy game in the rain, and the Steelers turned the ball over six times. They had a lead 21-7 in the fourth quarter and just kept given Cleveland the ball. The good news is that it’s unlikely they’ll turn the ball over six times this week ... or at any other time this season.

The offense seemed to be fine without Le’Veon Bell. James Conner gained 192 yards from scrimmage. Ben Roethlisberger’s performance could seem worrisome, but he’s playing against a Chiefs team this weekend he kind of owns — 6-1 against the Chiefs.

And while the Steelers offense sputtered against the Browns, their defense was excellent. They dominated the Browns and got to the quarterback with seven total sacks and 15 pressures. I gave them a two instead of a one here because there’s no excuse for a 6 turnover day

Fear Index 4 out of 10

The Saints are hoping to not make it five straight years of starting 0-2 with the Browns coming to town this weekend.

The Saints offense, I’m not worried about them at all and you shouldn’t be either. But that defense, that’s a tad worrisome.

I know they did the same thing last season, starting poorly on defense the first two weeks, but at least they lost to Minnesota and New England, two teams that had excellent seasons. Tampa Bay is neither of those teams; that’s reason to worry. This a four on the fear index because the rest of the division is so good that the Saints can’t afford to lose many games.

Fear Index 8 out of 10

I’m 100 percent out on Jon Gruden this season. I’m going to fade the Raiders all season and Week 1 only made up my mind.

Gruden finally admitted this season is a rebuild (duh). They loaded up the roster with older veterans on one-year contracts and traded away Khalil Mack. I love, by the way, that Gruden thinks we’re stupid enough to believe Mack didn’t want to be a Raider and nothing could be done. It got done in Los Angeles with Aaron Donald. Money talks. Y’all didn’t want to play him.

What really worries me about the Raiders is Derek Carr. (He’s got me blocked on Twitter, for some reason). Never talked to the guy. After this he might double block me. But what has happened to Carr? Since he injured his leg at the end of 2016, he’s been a different quarterback. I’ll allow him some time under Gruden to grow, but Week 1 wasn’t a strong start.

Fear index 6 out of 10

I’ve spoken to some players on the Lions and they claim to have no issue with the way Matt Patricia runs the franchise. Rules and discipline are something we should strive for in the locker room. The guys that don’t want that shouldn’t be there. So that worries me for sure. The offense has so, so, so many weapons and they will get it together. Matt Stafford is outstanding in an up-tempo offense. I wish the Lions would use it more often.

Their defensive pass rush is an issue, as usual, and it’s something Patricia will have to find a way to fix by getting pressure where he can. The backend of the defense can hold its own when the defense sends more pass rushers. Their division is tough as nails which makes this fear higher. They are don’t get any “easy” games in division and it could go sideways fast.

Fear index 10 out of 10

Maybe Josh Allen is the answer. It can’t get any worse. Tyrod Taylor masked some serious talent issues last season and got this team to the playoffs. Not much more to say. The Bills aren’t any good.