Week 1 of the NFL season gave us 13 Sunday games, 729 combined points, several statement wins and a few performances that should make some fan bases nervous.
The biggest statement came from Chicago. The Bears didn’t simply beat Carolina—they hung 59 points on the Panthers. Baltimore looked every bit like an AFC contender, Buffalo survived a shootout in Houston, and Minnesota overcame the loss of its quarterback to put 39 points on Green Bay.
Here’s my instant breakdown of every Sunday game.
CHICAGO 59, CAROLINA 37
The Bears came into the season with one of the most highly anticipated offenses in football, and they immediately showed us why. Caleb Williams helped Chicago explode for 59 points, while Kyle Monangai broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown.
That was the good news for Chicago. The bad news is that its defense still surrendered 37 points to Carolina. You can celebrate the offensive explosion, but Ben Johnson knows that side of the football must be cleaned up.
For the Panthers, giving up 59 points at home is embarrassing. There’s no way to dress it up.
BALTIMORE 41, INDIANAPOLIS 23
The Ravens physically overwhelmed the Colts and looked like one of the most complete teams in the AFC.
Derrick Henry moved past Marcus Allen for third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing-touchdown list, and Zay Flowers produced one of the most explosive plays of the afternoon. Baltimore’s offense looks capable of attacking a defense in several different ways.
BUFFALO 36, HOUSTON 31
Josh Allen once again reminded everyone why he is one of the most dangerous players in football.
Allen connected with DJ Moore for a 43-yard touchdown and recorded the 80th rushing touchdown of his career. Houston made it a fight, but when the game was on the line, Buffalo still had the best player on the field.
PITTSBURGH 20, ATLANTA 13
The Steelers won this game the way Pittsburgh has won games for decades—with defense.
T.J. Watt’s 33-yard interception return for a touchdown was the defining play. Pittsburgh’s offense may still be a work in progress, but that defense is capable of winning games while everything else comes together.
JACKSONVILLE 34, CLEVELAND 10
Jacksonville delivered one of Sunday’s most convincing wins.
Trevor Lawrence connected with Parker Washington for a terrific touchdown, and the Jaguars controlled the game on both sides of the football. Cleveland looked completely outmatched and now has plenty of questions heading into Week 2.
CINCINNATI 33, TAMPA BAY 27
Cincinnati survived a competitive game, but it was the Bengals’ defense that made the difference by forcing four turnovers.
The most memorable play came from rookie Josiah Trotter, who intercepted Joe Burrow and returned it for a touchdown in his NFL debut. Cincinnati got the win, but four turnovers will get you beaten against better teams.
NEW YORK JETS 23, TENNESSEE 10
The Jets handled their business and opened the season with a rare Week 1 victory.
Tennessee never found enough offensive rhythm to seriously threaten New York. It wasn’t the most spectacular win of the day, but the Jets will gladly take a controlled 13-point victory to begin the season.
DETROIT 31, NEW ORLEANS 30
This was one of Sunday’s best games.
Detroit escaped by a single point after New Orleans had a potential touchdown overturned. The Lions earned the victory, but this game could have gone either way. The Saints have every right to leave Detroit believing they let one get away.
ARIZONA 26, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 14
Arizona produced one of the more surprising results of the afternoon.
The Cardinals held a highly anticipated Chargers offense to only 14 points and controlled the game defensively. Los Angeles entered the season expecting Mike McDaniel’s arrival to unlock Justin Herbert and the offense. That didn’t happen Sunday.
MINNESOTA 39, GREEN BAY 22
Minnesota’s victory came with a major concern after quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the first quarter.
The Vikings still found a way to score 39 points and beat a division rival convincingly. Green Bay once again failed to protect a lead and left the field searching for answers. Minnesota won the game, but Murray’s health now becomes the biggest story moving forward.
LAS VEGAS 27, MIAMI 13
The Raiders held Miami to 13 points and opened the season with a convincing home victory.
Miami’s offense never found the explosive rhythm we expected, while Las Vegas played the more physical and disciplined game. This was a statement win for the Raiders and a concerning beginning for the Dolphins.
PHILADELPHIA 24, WASHINGTON 22
Philadelphia survived a close divisional game, but Washington gave the Eagles everything they could handle.
The Eagles got the victory, but this wasn’t a dominant performance. Washington showed enough to suggest it will be a problem in the NFC East. Philadelphia should be pleased with the win, but not necessarily with how it got there.
NEW YORK GIANTS 28, DALLAS 20
Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes and opened the season by beating the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
The Giants played with confidence and finished the game when they had the opportunity. Dallas, meanwhile, begins another season with many of the same questions surrounding the organization. Until the Cowboys prove otherwise, they remain a team carrying more expectations than results.
JB’S FIVE STARS OF SUNDAY
- Caleb Williams — The quarterback of an offense that exploded for 59 points.
- Josh Allen — Produced through the air and on the ground while leading Buffalo past Houston.
- Derrick Henry — Continued climbing the NFL record book while helping Baltimore dominate Indianapolis.
- Jaxson Dart — Three touchdown passes and a Sunday-night victory over Dallas.
- T.J. Watt — Delivered the defensive play of the day with a pick-six in Pittsburgh’s win.
BIGGEST STATEMENT
Chicago’s offense.
Scoring 59 points in an NFL game gets everyone’s attention. Caleb Williams and the Bears immediately announced that this offense could be one of the most explosive units in football.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Carolina’s defense.
The Panthers surrendered 59 points at home. I don’t care how talented Chicago may be—there is no excuse for an NFL defense getting embarrassed like that.
MONDAY NIGHT LOOKAHEAD
DENVER AT KANSAS CITY
Week 1 closes with one of the most intriguing games of the opening weekend.
Patrick Mahomes returns after rehabilitating the ACL and LCL injuries that ended his 2025 season. Kansas City is trying to recover from a stunning 6–11 season and prove that its run as an AFC power isn’t finished.
Denver is coming off a 14-win season and brings one of the NFL’s deepest and most aggressive defenses into Arrowhead. Bo Nix is also returning from the broken ankle he suffered during last season’s playoffs.
The biggest question is simple: How close is Mahomes to being Mahomes?
If Denver can pressure him without constantly blitzing and force him to move inside the pocket, the Broncos can win this game. But counting out Mahomes—especially at Arrowhead—is something I’m never comfortable doing.
This is more than a Week 1 divisional game. It is Kansas City’s opportunity to prove last season was an aberration and Denver’s chance to show it remains one of the AFC’s legitimate championship contenders.
