The first Sunday of the NFL season delivered the excitement fans crave, with eight early‑afternoon games followed by four later matchups on September 13. Below is a concise look at the standout performances and the teams that fell short.
Chicago Bears dominate in historic Week 1 showdown
At Bank of America Stadium, the Bears turned the lights on with a 59‑37 victory over the Carolina Panthers, the highest‑scoring Week 1 game ever. Quarterback Caleb Williams, in his second season under head coach Ben Johnson, completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns, including two scrambles that broke through traffic. The Bears’ defense forced three turnovers despite allowing 7.7 yards per play, while Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw for 361 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Buffalo Bills survive a late rally from Houston Texans
Josh Allen led the Bills to a 36‑31 win, throwing for 324 yards and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). A critical moment came when Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter dropped a potential game‑ending interception, allowing Allen to connect with Joshua Palmer for a 34‑yard go‑ahead score. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns but lost two fumbles in the final minute, sealing the loss.
Cincinnati Bengals rely on defense amid modest Burrow effort
Al Golden’s defense made a statement, forcing four turnovers and sacking Baker Mayfield four times in a 33‑27 victory. Quarterback Joe Burrow was solid, completing 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, though a pick‑six in the fourth quarter kept the game close. Mayfield struggled with three fumbles, contributing to the Bengals’ win.
Titans and Lions see mixed results in early tests
Quarterbacks Cam Ward (Titans) and Tyler Shough (Lions) each faced tough starts. Ward completed 19 of 32 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in a 23‑10 loss to the New York Jets, while Shough threw for 410 yards on 56 attempts in a 31‑30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, missing a two‑point conversion that would have won the game.
Ravens and Steelers start new coaching eras with victories
Rookie head coach Jesse Minter guided Baltimore to a 41‑23 win over Indianapolis, with Lamar Jackson posting 324 passing yards and Derrick Henry scoring three touchdowns. In Pittsburgh, new head coach Mike McCarthy’s Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20‑13, highlighted by T.J. Watt’s pick‑six in the fourth quarter.
Other notable performances
Deshaun Watson’s rough debut for Cleveland ended in a 34‑10 loss to Jacksonville, while Trevor Lawrence led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a dominant win. Las Vegas Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty rushed for 102 yards and added two receiving touchdowns in a 27‑13 victory over Miami. The Los Angeles Chargers were stunned 26‑14 by the Arizona Cardinals, with Justin Herbert completing 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
East Coast battles
Philadelphia Eagles edged Washington 24‑22, with Jalen Hurts throwing three touchdowns and running for 46 yards. In the Midwest, the Minnesota Vikings rallied from a 22‑10 deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers 39‑22, thanks to Carson Wentz’s three passing touchdowns and a strong defensive finish.
Overall, Week 1 set a high bar for offensive fireworks and defensive grit, giving fans plenty to discuss as the season unfolds.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
