NFL Week 1 Performance Recap
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (NFL Kickoff Game)
Seattle just barely covered as home favorites (-3.5) and comfortably kept this one under the 44.5 total, needing a fourth-quarter surge to escape with a 13-10 win over New England in the league's Kickoff Game and a Super Bowl LX rematch. Sam Darnold exited after five plays with a hip injury, forcing Drew Lock into extended action, and the backup delivered when it mattered — finishing 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a 113.3 rating, capped by a fourth-and-1 bullet to Jaxon Smith-Njigba that turned into a 45-yard, game-tying touchdown. Smith-Njigba piled up 69 of his 122 receiving yards in the fourth quarter alone, saving Seattle's night after Drake Maye built an early 10-0 cushion off a play-action score to rookie tight end Eli Raridon. Maye's afternoon collapsed from there, throwing three interceptions on his final three drives — two of them in the fourth quarter — as Seattle's secondary, anchored by Julian Love and closed out by Joshua Jobe's game-sealing pick, delivered exactly when it needed to in a defensive slog. A.J. Brown's Patriots debut ended early with an ankle injury after just three catches, undercutting an offense that briefly looked in control. Seattle opens 1-0 in its title defense, while New England starts 0-1 and already searching for answers with a quarterback who wilted late.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Australia)
San Francisco pulled off the week's biggest surprise, blowing past the number as 3.5-point road underdogs and cruising to a stunning 27-7 win over the Rams in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia, sending the 48-point total crashing under in the process. Brock Purdy was in full command, throwing for 205 yards and three touchdowns — including a 39-yard strike to former Ram Demarcus Robinson that gave San Francisco the lead for good — before an 11-play, 99-yard march to open the fourth quarter, capped by a Deebo Samuel score, put the game away. Mike Evans made an immediate mark in his 49ers debut, catching six passes for 49 yards and a red-zone touchdown, while a healthy Fred Warner and Nick Bosa smothered a Rams offense that came in as the league's top-scoring unit a year ago. Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, was held without a touchdown for the first time all season, finishing with just 155 yards, an interception and a 61.2 rating, and Myles Garrett was shut out on the stat sheet in one of the rare blank days of his career. Sean McVay's perfect record on international trips came to an end, and the Rams limp home with their worst loss margin since late 2024, while San Francisco serves early notice in a suddenly crowded NFC West.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Chicago cashed as 3-point road favorites and then some, torching Carolina 59-37 in a track meet that obliterated the 47.5 total and produced the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. Caleb Williams was sensational, becoming the first player in franchise history to throw for 200-plus yards and two-plus passing touchdowns while rushing for 50-plus yards and two rushing scores in the same game, and D'Andre Swift (124 yards, 3 TDs) and Kyle Monangai both cracked the century mark on the ground as the Bears piled up 552 total yards. Bryce Young countered with 361 passing yards for Carolina, but a muffed punt, a lost fumble by Tetairoa McMillan and an offside penalty that wiped out an interception proved too costly for a defense that surrendered 291 rushing yards. Chicago's defense gave up 37 points and still won by 22 — the kind of shootout that would have buried the Bears in years past but instead served as a Year 2 statement for Ben Johnson's offense. Carolina opens 0-1 with plenty of concern on defense despite the scoreboard, while Chicago heads to Week 2 looking like a team with an extra gear.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati covered as 3.5-point home favorites and the total sailed over 50.5 in a wild one, with the Bengals turning four Buccaneers turnovers into a 33-27 win to open Joe Burrow's return to full health. Baker Mayfield's three giveaways — including a fumble returned for a touchdown by Demetrius Knight Jr. and another that set up an 80-yard scoring drive — swung the game in Cincinnati's favor, even as Mayfield kept Tampa Bay within reach until the end. Burrow was efficient in a retooled under-center scheme, leaning on Mike Gesicki and Chase Brown before Tee Higgins iced it with an 18-yard, game-sealing conversion. Rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter added a sack and a pick-six in his NFL debut, becoming the first player since at least 1982 to do both in his first career game. Cincinnati's revamped defense, built around the trade for Dexter Lawrence, delivered exactly the performance the franchise has been chasing for years, while Tampa Bay opens 0-1 living and dying by Mayfield's aggression.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions
Detroit needed overtime to get right with the number as 7-point home favorites, escaping with a 31-30 win over New Orleans after the Saints' two-point try fell incomplete — a game that flew well over the 49.5 total. The Lions built a 21-0 third-quarter lead behind Jahmyr Gibbs, who bulldozed his way to a career-high 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, becoming just the fifth player in NFL history with 50-plus touchdowns in his first 50 career games. But Tyler Shough shook off a nightmare start — two second-half turnovers included — to complete 35 of 56 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns, leading New Orleans on scoring drives on five of its final six possessions and forcing overtime before Amon-Ra St. Brown's opening-drive score in the extra period proved decisive. Aidan Hutchinson wrecked Shough's pocket for two sacks and four hits, but Detroit's secondary was shredded for most of its damage in the second half and overtime. Detroit survives to open 1-0 despite nearly blowing a three-score lead, while New Orleans leaves with a moral victory and a quarterback who looks like a tough out.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Buffalo covered as 1.5-point road favorites in a track meet, outlasting Houston 36-31 in a game that flew well over the 44.5 total behind a game-winning, seven-play, 96-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen found Dalton Kincaid for 35 yards to flip field position before hitting Josh Palmer for the go-ahead score, and the Bills' defense stiffened late, with Deone Walker sacking C.J. Stroud on first-and-goal and Gregory Rousseau closing it out with a strip sack at the Buffalo 9. New addition DJ Moore delivered immediately in his Bills debut, catching a 43-yard touchdown and finishing with 100 yards, while Kincaid set a career high with 130 receiving yards. David Montgomery scored three of Houston's four touchdowns in his Texans debut, and Stroud finished 26 of 38 for 274 yards and two scores in a losing effort that still marked the most points Houston has allowed since 2023. Buffalo opens 1-0 with its offense clicking early, while Houston's stout defense couldn't quite bail out a fourth-quarter collapse.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
Baltimore blew well past the number as 3.5-point road favorites, jumping out to 31 first-half points and cruising to a 41-23 win over Indianapolis that also cleared the 49.5 total with ease. Lamar Jackson looked rejuvenated in new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's system, throwing for 324 yards and connecting with Zay Flowers on a perfect 158.3 passer rating before Flowers exited with a hamstring injury, while Derrick Henry continued his ageless run with 144 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Indianapolis got a bright spot from Jonathan Taylor, who scored twice and racked up 121 yards on 22 touches, but Daniel Jones was largely ineffective in his return from injury, finishing 19 of 31 for 166 yards as the Colts surrendered 506 total yards. Baltimore's defense, in Jesse Minter's head-coaching debut, forced two turnovers and got eight pressures from Trey Hendrickson, delivering the kind of dominant win that papers over injury concerns to Flowers and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane. The Ravens open 1-0 in impressive fashion, while the Colts are already searching for answers on defense.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville cashed comfortably as 8.5-point home favorites, dominating Cleveland 34-10 in a game that nudged over the modest 40.5 total behind a complete performance in all three phases. Trevor Lawrence was surgical from the start, throwing two touchdown passes and helping the Jaguars convert over half their third downs while piling up 363 yards, with Parker Washington adding five catches for 83 yards and a score. Deshaun Watson's first start for Cleveland went about as poorly as feared — an early interception, constant pressure and a garbage-time touchdown to rookie Denzel Boston were the only highlights — while Jacksonville's pass rush recorded five sacks and limited the Browns to 1-of-8 on third down. The Jaguars have now won nine straight dating back to last season, tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history, and the 24-point margin is the second-largest in a season opener in club history. Jacksonville opens 1-0 picking up right where its explosive second half of 2025 left off, while Cleveland's quarterback situation looks as unsettled as ever.
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh covered at home as 3.5-point favorites and the total stayed comfortably under 42 in a defensive slog, with T.J. Watt's pick-six providing the decisive points in a 20-13 win over Atlanta. Watt and Alex Highsmith combined for four sacks and Cameron Heyward batted down three passes as the Steelers held Atlanta to 2-of-12 on third down and 238 total yards, with Bijan Robinson accounting for 173 of the Falcons' 263 scrimmage yards in a losing effort. Cooper Rush struggled in his first start under center for Atlanta, missing throws and rarely threatening downfield, while Aaron Rodgers didn't fare much better for Pittsburgh, going 0-for-6 on passes of 20-plus air yards despite the win. The Steelers' defense carried a stagnant offense that mustered just 264 total yards and went 3-of-13 on third down, but a win is a win to open the post-Mike Tomlin era. Pittsburgh starts 1-0 behind its pass rush, while Atlanta's quarterback questions are far from settled.
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
New York cashed as road underdogs, winning outright at Tennessee 23-10 in a laugher that stayed well under the 38.5 total from start to finish. Geno Smith played mistake-free football, spreading the ball to eight different receivers, while Breece Hall and Braelon Allen combined for 142 rushing yards as the Jets controlled time of possession behind a near 12-minute second-quarter drive. Aaron Glenn's defense held Tennessee to 112 yards and six first downs through three quarters, building a 20-3 lead, while rookies David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. all made their presence felt — Sadiq's end-around score made him just the second tight end since 1978 with a rushing touchdown in his first career game. Cam Ward was pressured on 41% of his dropbacks and Tennessee's longest play of the day went for just 14 yards as the Robert Saleh era in Nashville opens with more of the same struggles from a season ago. The Jets outgained Tennessee by 172 yards, their largest Week 1 margin since 2014, and start the Aaron Glenn era at 1-0 for the first time in years.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers
Arizona delivered the week's biggest upset, winning outright as roughly 10-point road underdogs to snap a nine-game losing streak with a 26-14 stunner in Los Angeles that buried the 47.5 total under a fourth-quarter avalanche. The Cardinals blocked a punt, forced two second-half turnovers and held the Chargers to just seven points after halftime, with Jacoby Brissett going 27 of 37 for 277 yards and a touchdown while Trey McBride caught nine passes for 95 yards and a score. Justin Herbert lost his top target, Ladd McConkey, to a chest injury late in the third quarter and finished just 17 of 27 for 209 yards, an interception and three sacks as Los Angeles failed to reach Cardinals territory on four straight fourth-quarter possessions. New coach Mike LaFleur orchestrated a balanced 34-rush, 37-pass attack that didn't punt until the third quarter, marking Arizona's best offensive showing in years. Arizona opens 1-0 in stunning fashion, while the Chargers' revamped Mike McDaniel offense hits an immediate speed bump.
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas covered comfortably as 3-point home favorites, riding Ashton Jeanty to a 27-13 win over Miami that squeaked under the 40.5 total. Jeanty erupted for 147 scrimmage yards and two touchdown catches on just 29 touches, while first-year head coach Klint Kubiak's offensive line controlled the game from the start — the Raiders didn't even punt until the fourth quarter. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdowns but struggled deep, completing just 1 of 7 for 21 yards with two interceptions on throws of 10-plus air yards, leaving plenty of questions about the long-term answer at quarterback in Las Vegas. Malik Willis had some nice moments in his first start for a rebuilding Miami team, but the Dolphins went 2-for-10 on third down and surrendered two 40-plus-yard kick returns. Las Vegas opens 1-0 with its largest margin of victory since late 2024, while Miami's rebuild under Jeff Hafley is off to a rocky start.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota flipped from underdog to favorite in the days before kickoff and made it pay, covering as 1.5-point home favorites and blowing past the 46 total in a 39-22 win over Green Bay that got away from the Packers in a single fourth-quarter possession. Brian Flores dialed up pressure on 78.3% of defensive snaps, and after a Kyler Murray concussion forced Carson Wentz into relief duty early, the Vikings' blitz eventually broke Green Bay's offensive line, with Jordan Love fumbling and throwing a back-breaking interception as the Packers' lead evaporated. Justin Jefferson delivered a 39-yard touchdown from Wentz — his first deep score since 2024 — as Minnesota won by 17 points despite being outgained by more than 150 yards, an outcome that had never happened in franchise history. Green Bay led for much of the afternoon and outplayed Minnesota for three quarters before the wheels came off, a familiar and painful pattern from the end of last season. Minnesota opens 1-0 despite a nightmare quarterback situation of its own, while Green Bay's inability to close remains its defining issue.
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
Washington nearly pulled the upset and cashed anyway as 5.5-point road underdogs, with Philadelphia needing a flurry of chunk plays to escape 24-22 in a game that cleared the 44.5 total. Jalen Hurts connected with Dallas Goedert for a 43-yard, difference-making touchdown among three completions of 30-plus yards, papering over an Eagles offensive line that struggled with a new blocking scheme and went three-and-out four times, including three straight to open the second half. Jayden Daniels was held to 6-of-16 passing for 43 yards through two quarters before finding his footing, leading back-to-back fourth-quarter touchdown drives that pulled Washington within two — but a two-point shovel pass attempt to John Bates was stuffed by Moro Ojomo to preserve the win. Zack Baun anchored Philadelphia's defense with 12 tackles, while Cooper DeJean was picked on for seven catches and a touchdown in coverage. Philadelphia extends its Week 1 winning streak to six, the longest active run in the league, while Washington leaves with a backdoor cover and a season-opening loss.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
New York pulled off the outright upset as 3-point home underdogs in John Harbaugh's Giants debut, beating Dallas 28-20 in a game that hovered right around the 48-point total. Jaxson Dart was terrific in his return, throwing for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards, and Cam Skattebo churned out 81 hard yards in his return from a broken ankle, while Malik Nabers reintroduced himself with six catches for 69 yards in his first game back from a torn ACL. Isaiah Likely had a game-high eight catches for 78 yards and two scores, and the Giants' defense forced an opening three-and-out that set the tone before Dallas ever found its footing. Dak Prescott finished with 175 yards and two touchdowns but threw an ugly interception, and the Cowboys had less than 200 yards of offense deep into the fourth quarter as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens battled drops all night. New York opens 1-0 in front of its new coaching staff, while Dallas's Super Bowl proclamations take an immediate hit.
Monday Night Preview: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City closes out Week 1 as a short home favorite — the number has bounced between 2 and 3 points with the total sliding from 44 down to 42.5 — in a Monday night rematch that pits Patrick Mahomes' return from a torn ACL and LCL against the AFC West champions who dethroned him a year ago. Denver swept the season series in 2025 en route to a 14-3 record and the conference's No. 1 seed, and the Broncos arrive with a healthier roster, a top-ranked pass rush that led the league in sacks for a second straight year, and a full offseason for Bo Nix to build on his breakout with new WR1 Jaylen Waddle now in the mix. Kansas City, meanwhile, is trying to move past a 6-11 season that snapped its playoff streak, and everything hinges on how Mahomes looks in his first live contact since surgery — he skipped the preseason entirely and may be working behind a patchwork tackle situation. Public money has leaned heavily toward Denver, pushing the spread down from an opening number near 3, but Kansas City has been a reliable Under team at Arrowhead, going 8-1 to the under at home a year ago, while Denver was 3-0 to the under as a road favorite. With two quarterbacks working back from major injuries and a defense-driven Denver team looking to make an immediate statement in the division, this shapes up as a spot where the under and the underdog both carry real appeal if Mahomes needs time to shake off the rust.
