Football is back and the first Sunday of the 2022 NFL season did not disappoint.
The early slate of games had a little bit of everything. The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts recorded the first tie of the year, while the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals narrowly avoided the second. The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons went down to the wire in another division rival matchup.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns demonstrated late-game heroics in the Baker Mayfield bowl, and the Chicago Bears slipped and slid to victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Read more: Here's why a towel cost the Chicago Bears a field goal attempt
Indianapolis 20, Houston 20
This game appeared to be decided as Houston entered the fourth quarter with a 17-3 lead.
But Davis Mills failed to complete a pass in the fourth quarter and the Texans' offense was held scoreless. Matt Ryan led the Colts' offense on three consecutive scoring drives in the final frame of regulation to tie the game.
Indianapolis had a chance to end its nine-year Week 1 winless streak, but kicker Rodrigo Blankenship missed a 42-yard field goal and neither team managed to add to their score.
Pittsburgh 23, Cincinnati 20
The Steelers' defense recorded four interceptions -- including a Minkah Fitzpatrick pick-six -- a fumble recovery and sacked Joe Burrow six times, but that wasn't enough to easily put away the reigning AFC champions.
With two seconds left in regulation, Ja'Marr Chase scored what could have been the go-ahead touchdown. The Bengals were an extra point away from overcoming the -5 turnover differential.
Kicker Evan McPherson, who hit a franchise record 59-yard field goal in the first quarter, was blocked by Fitzpatrick on the point-after attempt and the game went to overtime.
Both teams' kicking woes continued in overtime. McPherson missed a 29-yarder, while Chris Boswell had a 55-yard attempt doink off the upright. Finally, Boswell drilled a 53-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Steelers the win.
Cleveland 26, Carolina 24
Mayfield's new team quickly found themselves in a 14-0 hole in the first quarter, courtesy of two scores by Kareem Hunt. The lead was cut in half after Mayfield completed a 50-yard pass to Ian Thomas that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Christian McCaffrey.
Both teams scored on all but one drive in the fourth quarter and Carolina secured its first lead of the game with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
Unfortunately for Mayfield & Co., Browns rookie kicker Cade York was unfazed and drilled a go-ahead 58-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining.
New Orleans 27, Atlanta 26
With Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota under center, this rivalry looks a lot different than it has in years past.
Atlanta held a 16-point lead in the second half, and Mariota's first victory in Atlanta was within reach.
But Winston, who was held to just 24 passing yards in the first half, had other plans. He completed 16-of-19 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns with a perfect passer rating in the fourth quarter. Kicker Wil Lutz nailed a 51-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining to complete New Orleans' comeback.