Chicago Bears 59–37 Carolina Panthers
?Can a rookie quarterback rewrite the record books? Caleb Williams amassed 269 passing yards, two touchdowns and 65 rushing yards with two scores, propelling Chicago to a 59‑37 victory over Carolina. The 108 combined points eclipsed the previous 88‑point opener record from 2018. Bears coach Ben Johnson also broke a franchise opener scoring mark dating back to 1948. Panthers allowed their most points ever. D’Andre Swift, fresh from a $33.75 m extension, rushed for 124 yards and three scores, while Kyle Monangai added 100 yards and a 61‑yard touchdown burst.
Buffalo Bills 36–31 Houston Texans
Josh Allen delivered a clutch 34‑yard strike to Joshua Palmer with 1:36 left, sealing Buffalo’s 36‑31 win over Houston. Allen finished with 334 passing yards, two touchdowns and two rushing scores, finally capturing his first victory in Reliant Stadium after four defeats there. The Texans briefly led 31‑30 before Allen split defenders for the decisive pass. A two‑point try failed, and Greg Rousseau’s second strip sack of the day stopped CJ Stroud at the Buffalo 28 in the final seconds.
Green Bay Packers 22–39 Minnesota Vikings
After Kyler Murray left with a concussion, Carson Wentz stepped in and sparked Minnesota’s comeback against Green Bay. The Vikings seized their first lead with 6:37 remaining, then piled on 29 unanswered points to win. Wentz connected twice with Justin Jefferson and added a two‑point conversion, putting Minnesota up 25‑22 after a series of costly Packers penalties. Jordan Love’s solid effort was undone by two late turnovers deep in his own territory.
Dallas Cowboys 20-28 New York Giants
John Harbaugh debuted as the Giants’ head coach with a win over Dallas. Second‑year quarterback Jaxson Dart tossed three touchdowns, and Cam Skattebo contributed a rushing score. Chicago’s ground attack thrived, racking up 165 yards and converting nine of 11 third‑down chances. Malik Nabers, returning from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season, recorded 69 receiving yards.
Washington Commanders 22–24 Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts posted 203 passing yards and three scores as Philadelphia edged Washington 24‑22. Moro Ojomo stopped the Commanders’ two‑point try with 1:01 left, preserving the lead. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels found Antonio Williams for a one‑yard touchdown on third‑and‑goal. In my view, the Eagles’ poise in clutch moments underscores their growing dominance under Nick Sirianni.
New Orleans Saints 30–31 Detroit Lions (OT)
Tyler Shough’s incomplete two‑point pass in the end zone let Detroit survive overtime, beating New Orleans 31‑30. Saints coach Kellen Moore opted for the win with 1:34 left in OT after rallying from a three‑touchdown third‑quarter hole, but the gamble fell short. Jared Goff threw two touchdowns to Amon‑Ra St Brown, while Jahmyr Gibbs added three rushing scores.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27–33 Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s revamped defense turned three first‑half fumbles into touchdowns, propelling the Bengals past Tampa Bay.
Joe Burrow completed 25 of 35 for 254 yards, a touchdown and an interception as Cincinnati forced four turnovers. Baker Mayfield went 23‑of‑28 for 216 yards and added a rushing score, but the Buccaneers suffered their first opening‑day loss since 2020 and three fumbles, a career first for Mayfield. Evan McPherson nailed all four field goals, including 55‑ and 58‑yarders, clinching the Bengals’ first home Week 1 win since 2021.
Baltimore Ravens 41–23 Indianapolis Colts
Derrick Henry’s three touchdowns moved him into third on the NFL’s career rushing‑TD list. Lamar Jackson added 324 passing yards, a touchdown and a rushing score as Baltimore defeated Indianapolis 41‑23. The Ravens have now won 13 of their last 14 openers and topped 20 points in ten straight games, the league’s longest active streak. Henry logged 24 carries for 144 yards, his 56th 100‑yard outing and eighth with three or more TD runs, reaching 125 career rushing touchdowns, two shy of Marcus Allen. Rookie coach Jesse Minter celebrated a winning debut.
Cleveland Browns 10-34 Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence threw for 245 yards and four touchdowns, leading Jacksonville to a 34‑10 rout of Cleveland and spoiling new Browns coach Todd Monken’s debut. The Jaguars scored on six of their first seven drives, with Lawrence finding Parker Washington, rookie Josh Cameron, Brenton Strange and Jakobi Meyers for scores, three of them wide open. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, making his first start in nearly two years, threw an early interception and nearly did so again on the next possession.
Arizona Cardinals 26–14 Los Angeles Chargers
Jacoby Brissett connected for a touchdown as Arizona upset Los Angeles, giving Mike LaFleur a win in his head‑coaching debut. The Chargers entered as 9.5‑point favorites, the biggest Week 1 spread, yet never led. LaFleur became the first Cardinals rookie head coach to win his debut since 1973. Chad Ryland’s three field goals helped Arizona claim its first road victory over the Chargers since 2001. A blocked punt, an interception and two turnovers on downs stalled Los Angeles in the fourth quarter, while Arizona dominated time of possession and the ground game.
Miami Dolphins 13–27 Las Vegas Raiders
Kirk Cousins joined the 300‑touchdown club, tossing three scores as Las Vegas beat Miami 27‑13. Making his first start for the Raiders after a trade from Atlanta, Cousins completed 21 of 30 for 160 yards and was intercepted twice, bringing his career total to 301 TD passes, moving into 14th place and one ahead of John Elway. Two touchdowns went to running back Ashton Jeanty, who also rushed for 102 yards and caught six passes for 45 yards.
Atlanta Falcons 13–20 Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt intercepted Cooper Rush and returned it 35 yards for a score, helping Pittsburgh edge Atlanta 20‑13. The Steelers opened the Mike McCarthy era sluggishly, especially on offense. Aaron Rodgers threw for 221 yards and a touchdown in his 22nd season, reuniting with McCarthy. Bijan Robinson accounted for 173 of the Falcons’ 238 total yards. Rush, filling in for injured Tua Tagovailoa, threw a touchdown but also two interceptions that Pittsburgh turned into points.
New York Jets 23-10 Tennessee Titans. Can the Jets keep this momentum into Week 2?
Kenyon Sadiq and Breece Hall each ran for touchdowns while Geno Smith threw for 215 yards as the Jets subdued the Titans 23‑10.
Smith completed 19 of 24 passes in his first Jets start since 2016, and Hall added 102 rushing yards on 22 carries as New York outgained Tennessee 367‑195 and dominated possession for 38 minutes, 46 seconds. Titans quarterback Cam Ward struggled under constant pressure, completing 19 of 32 for 140 yards and a late touchdown, while the Jets recorded three sacks and forced inaccurate throws.