The Seattle Seahawks were humiliated at home in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite leading 13-7 and looking to be in control in the first half, the Seahawks suffered a meltdown unlike any we’ve seen in the Pete Carroll era.
Seattle had 12 yards of offense on 14 total plays and were outscored 23-0 in the final two quarters. Yet, as bad as it was, it could have been worse.
Buy Seahawks TicketsMuch, much worse.
The Seahawks being blown out 30-13 by the Rams was one of the biggest shocks/disappointments in Week 1, but Sunday’s disaster won’t even come close to topping any lists. There are easily five other teams who are feeling considerably worse than Seattle.
No. 5 - Cincinnati Bengals
Sometimes, division rivals seem to have certain teams’ numbers. The 12th Man is painfully aware of this reality, and were reminded of it on Sunday. Such is the case for the Cincinnati Bengals and their in-state rivals: the Cleveland Browns.
For a second straight year, the Bengals are off to a slow start, mostly in part due to Joe Burrow missing plenty of time in August due to injury. Once again, Cincinnati and Burrow looked rusty. One day after Burrow signed his mega extension making him the highest paid player in NFL history, the Bengals were bullied by the Browns in a 24-3 loss. Burrow completed only 14-of-31 passes for 82 yards in his worst game as a professional. He now sits with a bizarre 1-5 record against Cleveland.
Overall, Cincinnati should be fine in the long run. But Sunday was a brutal start to another promising season.
No. 4 - Pittsburgh Steelers
It was tough sledding for the AFC North on Sunday, as the Pittsburgh Steelers had a similarly horrendous outing. After an offseason filled with hype about the development of second year quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers were bullied by the visiting San Francisco 49ers.
Pittsburgh was embarrassed in their own building, losing 30-7. The perennially stout Steelers defense offered little resistance to an offense led by a quarterback coming off UCL surgery, as the 49ers racked up 391 total yards, including surrendering 188 on the ground.
Pickett passed for 232 yards, threw one touchdown but a pair of interceptions, while the ground attack only had 41 yards on 10 total carries.
No. 3 - Buffalo Bills
The clock is ticking on the Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl window. After back-to-back years ending with a crushing loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Bills are feeling the pressure this year. So far, 2023 is off to a rocky start.
When quarterback Josh Allen is “on” no one makes football look easier. Unfortunately, when he isn’t, it falls apart faster than a folding table with a Bills fan smashing onto it from above. Allen is remarkably talented, but he has a proclivity for turning the ball over at an alarming rate. On Monday Night against the Jets, Allen had four more disastrous giveaways. He lost one of his two fumbles, and threw three interceptions, such as this:
Picked by Jordan Whitehead! @jwhite_333
📺: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/6SstXq1rq7 pic.twitter.com/FTTDJRgZ8L— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2023
Buffalo was granted a golden opportunity on Monday Night (more on THAT later) but instead blew a 13-3 halftime lead to lose 22-16 in overtime. Talk about ripping defeat from the jaws of victory.
No. 2 - New York Giants
If you want to know what rock bottom looks like, go watch highlights from Sunday Night Football, where the Dallas Cowboys completely dismantled the New York Giants to the tune of 40-0. The Giants let their biggest rivals into their building and allowed them to torment them for not only the biggest shutout defeat in series history, but largest shutout win in the history of the Dallas Cowboys franchise.
Words can’t really describe how pitiful New York looked in the rainy Meadowlands, but here’s an idea given all of their possessions:
- Blocked field goal (returned for a touchdown)
- Punt
- Interception (pick-6)
- Punt
- Interception
- Missed field goal
- End of half
- Punt
- Turnover on downs
- Fumble
- Turnover on downs
- End of game
This wasn’t an NFL game. This was Alabama versus a high school JV squad.
No. 1 - New York Jets
Of course it’s the Jets, who else could it be? Easily the most devastating Week 1 in the entire league belongs exclusively to Gang Green. Sure, they beat the rival Buffalo Bills, but at what cost?
In the dictionary next to the term “Pyrrhic victory” will simply be a picture of quarterback Aaron Rodgers being carted off the field with a torn Achilles after only four plays. Not only is Rodgers’ 2023 over after one incomplete pass attempt, it’s fair to wonder if his career is finished as well. Rodgers turns 40 in December, and he suffered one of the worst injuries a player can have.
As for the Jets, I’m not sure where they go from here. They are now back to Zach Wilson, who they benched for atrocious play last year. New York still has five primetime games on the calendar. Buckle up, America.
More Seahawks Wire stories
Power Rankings going into Week 2
8 clips that show how the Rams won
Fans vent after 2nd-half collapse
