Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season was full of surprises.
One of the biggest was the sight of the Green Bay Packers getting absolutely demolished by the New Orleans Saints.
Another was the Cleveland Browns holding a double-digit lead over the Kansas City Chiefs, only to blow it late.
Both the Packers and Browns have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations this year and are not thrilled to start 0-1.
The good news is both now have winnable matchups in Week 2.
If either lose, then real panic can start to set in.
Packers In Primetime
Green Bay put up a whopping total of three points in Week 1 and will look for redemption Monday night against the Detroit Lions.
NFC North standings
0-1 Packers (lost 38-3)
0-1 Lions (lost 41-33)
0-1 Bears (lost 34-14)
0-1 Vikings (lost 27-24)— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 13, 2021
The Packers enter as double-digit favorites on the NFL betting lines, even though the Lions fought hard and launched a near comeback against the San Francisco 49ers.
Yet they still fell by eight points and those making the odds clearly lack any faith in Detroit.
There is really no telling as of right now if the Packers are truly in danger.
Week 1 was a disaster in all phases of the game and fans are expecting the team to at least be competent in Week 2 and clean up the mistakes.
There is just no way the Packers are that bad, right?
On paper, this should be an easy win.
But the Lions are also hungry to get their first win so if the Packers take them lightly at all, this could be an interesting game.
Browns Taking On A Surprise 1-0 Team
The Browns also get to return home and will be playing the 1-0 Houston Texans this week.
While the Texans starting 1-0 without Deshaun Watson is a surprise, the win did come against the Jacksonville Jaguars in what was potentially a matchup of the NFL’s two worst teams.
Cleveland is home as double-digit favorites and a win seems to be automatic at this point.
#Browns listed as 12.5 point favorite over #Texans by @FanDuel, biggest NFL favorite on board this week.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) September 14, 2021
However, nothing is ever given with this franchise.
The difference between the old Browns and these Browns is Kevin Stefanski in as head coach.
He seems to be able to keep the team steady and the overall mood after the Week 1 loss was one of optimism.
The team seems to be in a good place mentally and does not come across as a group that would take the Texans lightly.
That is the way an NFL club should operate.
Baker Mayfield looked great except for one late mistake in Week 1 and the punter not dropping a snap may have been the ultimate difference.
So if the Browns can clean up the mistakes, this game has to be an easy win.
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