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The 2026 NFL season’s opening week delivered mixed results for ten new head coaches making their debuts with fresh franchises. Several coaches impressed with commanding performances, while others stumbled badly, raising immediate questions about their team selections and strategic decisions.
Notable successes included Jesse Minter’s Baltimore Ravens, who dominated the Indianapolis Colts with an explosive first half, and John Harbaugh’s New York Giants, who defeated the Dallas Cowboys behind standout tight end Isaiah Likely. Mike LaFleur’s Arizona Cardinals also made a strong statement by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, ending a 53-year coaching drought for the franchise. Buffalo’s Joe Brady orchestrated an exciting offensive display led by Josh Allen against the Houston Texans, while Klint Kubiak’s Las Vegas Raiders triumphed over Miami with quarterback Kirk Cousins delivering an impressive performance.
Conversely, Robert Saleh’s Tennessee Titans suffered a catastrophic loss to the New York Jets, managing only 195 yards across 49 plays. Todd Monken’s Cleveland Browns also faltered against Jacksonville, with questions surrounding his quarterback decision already surfacing. Jeff Hafley’s Miami Dolphins fell short in Las Vegas, while Kevin Stefanski’s Atlanta Falcons battled through adversity with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush against Pittsburgh’s formidable defense.
The opening week underscored the unpredictable nature of coaching debuts, with previous success offering no guarantee of immediate results in new situations.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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