The opening week of the 2025 NFL season is underway, and we're already off to a wild start.
In the season opener on Thursday, the Eagles held off the Cowboys despite a lightning delay and the ejection of Philadelphia defensive tackle Jalen Carter before the first play from scrimmage. The action continued Friday night, when the Chargers stunned the Chiefs with a tight win in Sao Paulo.
In the early window Sunday, new Colts quarterback Daniel Jones scored three total touchdowns in a blowout win over the Dolphins. Two quarterbacks who swapped teams also dueled it out, with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers barely coming out on top over Justin Fields and the Jets. In the later games, the Packers dominated the Lions in edge rusher Micah Parsons' debut for Green Bay. Meanwhile, the 49ers came back to defeat the Seahawks with a go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes of regulation. The Bills capped the night with a thrilling comeback win over the Ravens.
Our NFL Nation reporters are reacting to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let's get to it.
Jump to:
BAL-BUF | TEN-DEN | DET-GB
SF-SEA | HOU-LAR | CAR-JAX
TB-ATL | CIN-CLE | PIT-NYJ
NYG-WSH | LV-NE | ARI-NO
MIA-IND | KC-LAC | DAL-PHI
Buffalo 41, Baltimore 40
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Bills
Can Josh Allen's brilliance make up for a defense that struggled mightily? He most certainly can. The Bills appeared headed for a loss, with the defense scuffling throughout the game, giving up big runs outside and inside the tackles, struggling to finish plays and allowing the Ravens to score quickly and often. But Allen helped the Bills stay within reach. He put up an MVP-like performance, finishing 33-of-46 for 394 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, and added two rushing touchdowns.
Turning point: Defensive tackle Ed Oliver forced a Derrick Henry fumble, which was recovered by Terrel Bernard, with just over three minutes remaining and the Bills down 40-32. The recovery set up a 1-yard touchdown run up the middle by Allen with 1:58 left, but the Bills' 2-point conversion failed. The defense then forced a Ravens three-and-out, putting Buffalo in position for a game-winning field goal as time expired. -- Alaina Getzenberg
Next game: at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Ravens
How devastating was this loss for Ravens? This was the Ravens' biggest collapse of the Lamar Jackson era. Baltimore became the first team since 2017 to lose a game after leading by 15 or more points in the final four minutes. Similar to the divisional playoff loss in January, the turning point for the Ravens was turnovers. Henry's fumble with 3:06 left halted Baltimore's momentum. Now, after falling to 0-1, the Ravens head back to Baltimore to face the Browns before facing two more Super Bowl contenders -- a Monday night game at home against the Detroit Lions in Week 3 and a Week 4 road game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Key stat to know: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins knows how to make an unbelievable first impression. His first catch for the Ravens was a one-handed grab for a 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter. This was Hopkins' fourth one-handed touchdown catch since 2017, tying Courtland Sutton and Garrett Wilson for most in the NFL over that span.
Best quote from the locker room: "I told my teammates after the game that the loss is on me. I own it like a man," Henry said. "We emphasize taking care of the ball since we got back. I got lackadaisical. They made a play, but I put this loss on me. If I take care of the ball, I feel like it would be a different situation." -- Jamison Hensley
Next game: vs. Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Denver 20, Tennessee 12
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Broncos
Where were the tweaks Broncos coach Sean Payton had promised in the offense? Throughout the offseason, Payton promised improvements in the run game to make it a more productive part of the offense, along with beefed-up special teams. And with the caveat that a win is a win, the Broncos' defense looked like the only part of the team with major playoff aspirations. But if that defense is going to have to deal with short fields left behind by a sluggish offense, it will be far more difficult to overcome when the D isn't facing a QB in his first start. Denver looked disjointed on offense for much of the afternoon (three turnovers, two delay of game penalties) with a run game that was a nonfactor until it was almost too late; the Broncos tallied 74 of their rushing yards on their final scoring drive.
What to make of the QB performance: Bo Nix was caught up in a swirl of struggle that didn't seem to ease until the Broncos' run game powered them to a fourth-quarter score. Like last season's opener, he had two interceptions. He also lost his first fumble as a pro when he was sacked in the first half. But if the Titans' work against Nix is any indication, the second-year quarterback can look forward to defenses that are no longer surprised by his running ability and athleticism. The Titans forced Nix to throw leaning, fading away and sidearm.
Best quote from the locker room: "I think we played how we expect to play," linebacker Alex Singleton about Denver's defense. "I just look around and say this is scary." The Broncos finished with six sacks and surrendered 133 total net yards. (The Titans started five drives inside the Broncos' 50-yard line and came away with three field goals.) -- Jeff Legwold
Next game: at Colts (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Cam Ward fumbles after being sacked, and the Broncos recover to seal a victory over the Titans.
Titans
How long will the Titans be a run-heavy team with the No. 1 pick under center? Brian Callahan showed he's going to rely on the rushing attack. Tennessee opened with two consecutive runs before rookie Cam Ward eluded the pressure and found Tony Pollard for a first down on third-and-11. Callahan turned to Pollard on two of Denver's turnovers. But he mysteriously didn't run the ball once on a drive that started on Tennessee's 7-yard line with 47 seconds left in the first half. The numbers were skewed toward the passing game (28 throws to 21 runs) as the Broncos pulled away. We'll see if Callahan opens things up a little more for Ward next week.
What to make of the QB performance: Ward showed veteran-like pocket calmness as he maneuvered around the pocket for all but two plays, where he was sacked consecutive times, knocking Tennessee out of field goal range. He has to learn to get the ball out sooner at times, even when he's throwing it away. Despite completing less than half of his attempts, Ward made some wow throws, especially on a couple of deep out-breaking passes to Gunnar Helm.
Best quote from the locker room: "You got to talk to the coaches about that," cornerback L'Jarius Sneed said about playing 19 snaps and none in the second half. "I have no control over that. I didn't tweak anything. I'm good. It's a coaching decision. I knew I'd be on a pitch count but didn't know it would go the way it went. I'm very disappointed. I felt great. I wanted to offer more." -- Turron Davenport
Next game: vs. Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Green Bay 27, Detroit 13
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Packers
How much is Micah Parsons going to help this defense? If his debut with a limited snap count is any indication, big things could be ahead, even if it's not just Parsons piling up sacks and quarterback hits. It took him until the fourth quarter to register his first sack, but his impact came much earlier. In the second quarter, he forced Lions quarterback Jared Goff to throw quickly, leading to an Evan Williams interception. On another rush, Parsons collapsed the pocket leading to Lukas Van Ness' third-quarter sack. Parsons' workload might not increase significantly in a quick turnaround game this Thursday, but that doesn't mean his impact will be limited.
What to make of the QB performance: Anyone worried that Jordan Love would come out of the gates slowly after missing so much practice time, following his left thumb injury, had their concerns eased right away. He completed 5 of 7 passes with a pair of touchdowns on throws with at least 15 air yards in the first half, according to ESPN Research. The biggest play was a 48-yard deep ball to Romeo Doubs in the second quarter that set up a 19-yard scoring toss to Jayden Reed. While the offense sputtered a bit in the second half, running back Josh Jacobs got going and set a franchise record with his ninth straight game scoring a rushing TD. -- Rob Demovsky
Next game: vs. Commanders (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Lions
How concerned should Detroit be with its offensive performance? Was it first-game jitters? Or adjusting to new offensive coordinator John Morton? Either way, Detroit's offense wasn't sharp at all in Green Bay as it failed to score a touchdown through three quarters, which hadn't happened since 2023 (Week 7 at Baltimore), per ESPN Research. Rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa snagged Detroit's lone TD with a 13-yard catch in the contest's final minute. In 2024, Detroit led the NFL with 33.2 points per game. But with most of the Lions' core unit returning, they suffered their first road loss since the 2023 NFC Championship Game at San Francisco.
Trend to watch: Second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold was ruled out during the second half with a groin injury. Injuries also were a big concern during the 2024 season, as Detroit saw 21 players hit the injured reserve list in December, the most in the NFL. A league-high 16 defensive players were on that list, so it will be important to see whether that trend continues once there's more information on Arnold's injury. -- Eric Woodyard
Next game: vs. Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
San Francisco 17, Seattle 13
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49ers
The 49ers salvaged a win despite key injuries, but can they sustain it? The Niners had tight end George Kittle (who did not return) and left tackle Trent Williams in the blue injury tent at the same time on Sunday. Linebacker Fred Warner also had an injury scare before returning, and wideout Jauan Jennings (left shoulder injury) departed in the second half and did not come back. The Niners are excited about their young talent, but the star veterans still need to carry the freight. The injury issues looked a lot like what happened last season. And if that continues, we've already seen what it could mean for a Niners campaign -- unless they get more heroics like they did Sunday from quarterback Brock Purdy and a group of unknowns.
Stat to know: Since Week 10 of last season, kicker Jake Moody has made 12 of 23 field goal tries, a 52% rate that is more than 11% lower than all other kickers who have attempted at least 10 field goals across that span. On Sunday, he missed from 27 yards in the first half then had a 36-yarder blocked in the second half, making him the first San Francisco kicker to have two misses inside 40 yards in a game since 2006. The Niners have had more than enough patience with Moody, so it's fair to wonder -- again -- if that patience has run its course.
Best quote from the locker room: "I think we have a really new team ... and to have a bunch of new guys come out for the first time together and to play with each other and gut out a gritty win against a good team in a tough environment, that's a big deal," 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said. -- Nick Wagoner
Next game: at Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Brock Purdy evades pressure and throws a short touchdown pass to Jake Tonges to put the 49ers ahead.
Seahawks
Will the Seahawks' defense have to keep them afloat? The Seahawks' season-opening loss supported the popular assumption that their defense will have to carry the team while the offense catches up. Mike Macdonald's D allowed the game-winning touchdown, but that was after twice picking off Purdy, repeatedly bending but not breaking, and putting the offense on its back for most of the afternoon. The new players on Klint Kubiak's offensive unit figured to take time to jell, but their dud of a debut was disappointing, especially in running for only 84 yards after committing to a ground-and-pound approach. Sam Darnold (16-of-23, 150 yards) had a chance to win the game but fumbled amid a collapsing pocket.
Trend to watch: Who is the Seahawks' No. 1 running back? Kenneth Walker III earned the start, but Zach Charbonnet got most of the work. Charbonnet out-snapped Walker 29-20 and finished with 47 yards on 12 touches, scoring Seattle's only touchdown. Walker had 13 touches for 24 yards.
Best quote from the locker room: "I can't sugarcoat it. It sucks. You're waiting all offseason to play these guys and to take it to them, and for them to come out on top is a tough pill to swallow," safety Julian Love said. -- Brady Henderson
Next game: at Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
L.A. Rams 14, Houston 9
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Rams
How long will it take for the Rams' offense to get going? This Rams team isn't a stranger to slow starts after beginning 1-4 in 2024 and 3-6 in 2023 before making the playoffs in each season. And this year, quarterback Matthew Stafford missed a significant portion of training camp while dealing with an aggravated disk in his back. While the Rams started 1-0 this time around -- after their defense did not allow a Texans touchdown on Sunday -- the offense scored just 14 points. The strongest performance came from wide receiver Puka Nacua, who had 10 catches for 110 yards despite missing some snaps while being evaluated for a concussion.
Key stat to know: Stafford's 245 passing yards pushed him over the 60,000 passing yard mark, becoming just the 10th quarterback in NFL history to hit the milestone. According to NFL Research, Stafford tied Matt Ryan (223 games) as the second-fastest player ever to reach the milestone. Only Drew Brees (215) reached the mark quicker.
Best quote from the locker room: Nacua required stitches after he cut his face during a first-quarter catch. He returned to the game in the second quarter and posted 19- and 24-yard catches on his first drive back. Rams coach Sean McVay said Nacua is "as tough as it gets" on the field. As Stafford said, "When it becomes tackle football is when Puka Nacua's game comes to life." -- Sarah Barshop
Next game: at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Texans
Is this the same old offense? The Texans welcomed new receivers, offensive linemen, a playcaller and a starting running back to shake the struggles from 2024. But the same issues from last season arose against the Rams. The offense didn't score a touchdown and put up zero second-half points. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked three times, pressured on 41% of his dropbacks and hit seven times. There were multiple holding calls, false starts and illegal shifts. Sounds familiar?
Biggest hole in the game plan: Not getting wideout Nico Collins more touches. Collins finished with three catches for 25 yards. When you have the luxury of a Pro Bowl wide receiver, you find ways to get him the ball. The Rams featured Nacua in various ways; whether on the run, over the middle or in the slot, there was an intentionality to get him the ball. Meanwhile, for Houston, there was little creativity to get Collins involved.
Best quote from the locker room: Stroud called the loss a "wake-up call." When asked why, he said, "I just think the way we practice this week, people can practice better." -- DJ Bien-Aime
Next game: vs. Buccaneers (Monday, 7 p.m. ET)
Jacksonville 26, Carolina 10
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Jaguars
What should we make of the Jaguars' defensive performance? The Jaguars forced two turnovers, sacked Bryce Young once and stopped two fourth downs. That's a good sign after the disastrous season with Ryan Nielsen as defensive coordinator, especially since the Jaguars forced only nine turnovers in 2024. There are still questions, especially on third downs (7-for-14) and after a defensive penalty wiped out a pick-six. But it was a good start for first-year coordinator Anthony Campanile and some key free agent additions. Safety Eric Murray and cornerback Jourdan Lewis combined for four pass breakups, two QB hits, an interception and a fumble recovery. Murray's PBU led to an interception. Big plays like those were scarce in 2024 and are a sign things could be different this year.
Most surprising performance: Travis Etienne Jr. is clearly the Jaguars' No. 1 back. After an offseason during which he was the subject of trade rumors, the new regime drafted two backs and he shared first-team reps with Tank Bigsby in the early part of training camp, Etienne still won the job. He led all backs with 16 carries and finished with 143 yards, including a 71-yard run to set up a touchdown. All four backs were active on Sunday and got carries. It was a little surprising that Bigsby got only five carries, though he did get a fourth-and-1 conversion. Until Etienne struggles, he should hold on to the top spot. -- Mike DiRocco
Next game: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Panthers
Was Young's strong finish last season just a tease? The progress Young showed at the end of 2024 was erased by another horrible opening-day performance. He entered Sunday with one touchdown pass and four interceptions in his two career openers. He added two more interceptions and a lost fumble against the Jags, and was saved from a pick-six by a defensive holding penalty. He had a late touchdown pass but was ineffective overall (15-of-31 for 144 yards, 1 TD).
Biggest hole in the game plan: Stopping the run. GM Dan Morgan put a huge offseason effort into fixing the worst run defense in the league from 2024. Results were not evident. Etienne's 71-yard run in the second quarter was part of a four-play, 91-yard touchdown drive -- all on the ground. The Jags finished with 200 yards rushing.
Best quote from the locker room: After Young threw the ball out of the back of the end zone on fourth-and-1 from the Jaguars' 5 in the third quarter, coach Dave Canales patted Young on the head, then the QB slammed his helmet to the ground. "That's just something that he and I will work through, talk about," Canales said. "His frustration wasn't directed at me. We were just talking about [how] we've just got to keep playing ball. ... It was just a frustrating day in general. There's a lot of guys that would come up here and tell you [they were frustrated]." -- David Newton
Next game: at Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Bryce Young finds Chuba Hubbard, who breaks free into the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown.
Tampa Bay 23, Atlanta 20
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Buccaneers
Did the Bucs' win raise red flags or reflect a resiliency worth celebrating? It wasn't necessarily pretty, but these guys are closers. There was some rust for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was held out of the preseason and missed some deep-ball connections. The Bucs also had a completely reconfigured offensive line and couldn't get anything going on the ground. Defensively, Todd Bowles got aggressive early, with inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis left one-on-one against Bijan Robinson, and it cost them a 50-yard touchdown. But Mayfield made plays with his legs, and after the defense surrendered a 4-yard touchdown scramble to Michael Penix Jr. with 2:23 left in regulation, Mayfield led a beautiful two-minute drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown to Emeka Egbuka -- one of two on the day for the rookie -- and Antoine Winfield Jr. was clutch in the end.
Turning point: With 9:03 to go in the first half and the Bucs trailing 7-3, defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and outside linebacker Yaya Diaby stuffed Robinson on fourth-and-1 at the Tampa Bay 47 for a turnover on downs. Then going up-tempo, Mayfield found Emeka Egbuka for a 30-yard touchdown to grab a 10-7 lead. -- Jenna Laine
Next game: at Texans (Monday, 7 p.m. ET)
Falcons
What will it take to unlock the Falcons' promising offense? Robinson took Penix's second pass 50 yards for a touchdown. It looked like the Falcons' goal -- to have the best offense in the league -- was getting off to a strong start. Instead, Atlanta scuffled thereafter. The Bucs were able to stop Robinson in the run game and not allow Penix's big arm to beat them deep. The Falcons will need better offensive line play after the loss of right tackle Kaleb McGary (leg) for the season.
What to make of the QB performance: Penix's deep throws weren't there for him, but he was able to make key plays with his feet. He scrambled for a first down at the 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter and then scrambled for a 4-yard touchdown with 2:23 left to put the Falcons ahead. Atlanta will need more of that from him in close games this season. -- Marc Raimondi
Next game: at Vikings (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)
Younghoe Koo pushes a potential game-tying attempt wide right as the Falcons fall short against the Buccaneers.
Cincinnati 17, Cleveland 16
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Bengals
Is the Bengals' offense doing enough? Cincinnati's offense looked good on its opening drive, but things shifted drastically after that. Heading into the final 15 minutes, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had thrown for just 103 yards, his fourth-lowest output in his career, according to ESPN Research. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, two of Cincinnati's biggest offseason deals, were not targeted as frequently as the tight ends or running backs. Coming into the 2025 season, the expectation was for the offense to be one of the best in the NFL. Despite a win and a full preseason and training camp workload, that did not exactly come to fruition.
Most surprising performance: Chase just never got involved in Sunday's game. He had two catches on five targets for 26 yards. While the Browns are always a tough matchup because of defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward, Cincinnati has taken great pride in finding ways to get Chase the ball. But that didn't happen. Getting more out of him is the only way to justify the team's $161 million investment.
Best quote from the locker room: "Usually when you can win a game like this, that's a recipe for success and that means you are going to be a good team if you can a lot of different ways to win. And we did today," Burrow said. He knows how the Bengals have squandered similar games in the past, which makes this Week 1 win even more important for a team with championship aspirations. -- Ben Baby
Next game: vs. Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Browns
Do the Browns still have a kicker problem? Cleveland parted ways with Dustin Hopkins in part because of his shaky performance last season, when he missed nine field goal attempts. But Andre Szmyt, who made his NFL regular-season debut, missed an extra point and a potential go-ahead 36-yard field goal -- two major miscues in a one-point loss. How much patience will the Browns have with their young kicker after what was a winnable game?
Most surprising performance: RB Dylan Sampson. The fourth-round pick was primed for a larger role with second-rounder Quinshon Judkins out for the opener, and he was a focal point of the Browns' offense. He had 20 total touches and showcased his versatility, catching all eight of his targets. -- Daniel Oyefusi
Next game: at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Pittsburgh 34, N.Y. Jets 32
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Steelers
What happened to the offseason emphasis on improving the run defense? The calendar said Sept. 7, but it felt like Jan. 11, as the Steelers' defense got repeatedly gashed on the ground. On a day when Aaron Rodgers threw for four TDs in his Steelers debut, things felt similar to their 2024 season-ending playoff loss against the Ravens -- one that coach Mike Tomlin said heavily influenced the team's offseason moves. The Steelers couldn't slow running back Breece Hall and struggled to contain quarterback Justin Fields. The defense was without first-round DL Derrick Harmon (MCL sprain), but the problems went beyond missing a rookie as the Jets racked up 182 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, including Fields' 1-yard score in the fourth quarter on a run fake to give the Jets the lead with seven minutes remaining.
Most surprising performance: Ben Skowronek. The wide receiver and special teamer, who was nicknamed "Dirtbag" by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for his affinity for doing the dirty work, caught Rodgers' first touchdown as a Steeler and was a key part of the momentum-swinging fourth-quarter play to recover a fumble forced by Kenneth Gainwell on kickoff coverage. The 2021 seventh-round pick by the Rams became fast friends with Rodgers during the offseason, and their connection immediately translated to the field. -- Brooke Pryor
Next game: vs. Seahawks (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Jalen Ramsey stuffs Garrett Wilson to seal Steelers' win
Jets
Are the 2025 Jets reading from the "Same Old Jets" script? The 2024 Jets lost a franchise-record six games after leading in the fourth quarter. Coach Aaron Glenn's mission is to change the narrative, to prove these aren't the "Same Old Jets." This wasn't the way to start. Tortured by their former quarterback, Rodgers, the Jets blew not one, but two leads in the fourth quarter, suffering a crushing defeat. The script was familiar. There were costly penalties and coverage breakdowns and Rodgers' four touchdowns. There were some positives, mostly on offense. But if Glenn wants to change the losing culture, his team needs to find a way to win games like this.
What to make of the QB performance: Fields made big plays with his legs, rushing for 48 yards and two touchdowns -- but that's hardly an upset. We're talking about one of the best running quarterbacks in the NFL. No, the surprising part of his performance was his accuracy from the pocket and his overall command. Fields, who had a shaky preseason (to be kind), completed 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He kept his eyes downfield and fit the ball into a couple of tight windows. If he keeps it up, and if the Jets can run it as effectively as they did on Sunday (182 yards), they will win more games than people expect. -- Rich Cimini
Next game: vs. Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Washington 21, N.Y. Giants 6
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Commanders
Is the defense this good? They'll get a better feel Thursday at Green Bay. But the Commanders' beefed-up front helped. The run defense (30th-ranked last season) allowed only 38 yards on 15 carries to the Giants' running backs, as tackles Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne (among others) stood out. Washington's line depth factored into harassing quarterback Russell Wilson into 17-of-37 passing. The Commanders defense, 30th in points per game in the fourth quarter last season, didn't allow any Sunday. Yes, it was against a weak offense, but Washington needed this start.
What to make of the QB performance: Jayden Daniels was not as accurate as usual, throwing behind his target on multiple throws over the middle, which partly explains why he was just 3-of-8 on third down. And yet: Daniels' 71 yards rushing were pivotal and he still threw for 233 yards. He will be more accurate, which bodes well for this offense.
Best quote from the locker room: Count tight end John Bates among those excited to have Deebo Samuel on the team after he gained 96 yards from scrimmage -- with 19 coming on a fourth-quarter touchdown run. "Deebo is a guy that can do it all with the ball in his hands, whether quick handoffs, stuff over the middle, screens, deep stuff. He went out and showed what he could do. It was awesome to see. He can do a lot of special things with the ball in his hands." -- John Keim
Next game: at Packers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Giants
Are these the same Giants from the past two years? The offense looked awfully similar, despite subbing out Daniel Jones for Wilson. The Giants finished with 231 total yards and six points. Their offensive line struggled badly and they reverted to throwing the ball to star wide receiver Malik Nabers in the second half. Returning 10 of 11 starters and only adding Wilson wasn't the solution in Week 1. But what has changed is rookie Jaxson Dart waiting in reserve and an improved defense. The unit finished with three sacks and kept them in this game.
Key stat to know: When under pressure, Wilson was 2-of-12 for 26 yards with two sacks and two scrambles. The veteran QB and a leaky offensive line (without LT Andrew Thomas) were a bad combination. Wilson isn't as mobile as he once was. He looked skittish under pressure in his first game with the Giants, going 0-for-5 with a sack under pressure in the first half alone. Not a winning formula.
Best quote from the locker room: "We have to be urgent. If we let this linger like we did last year, we'll be 3-14 again. I'll be damn sure I'm not going to accept that," Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said about the blowout loss. -- Jordan Raanan
Next game: at Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Las Vegas 20, New England 13
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Raiders
Can the Raiders' defense maintain a high level of play? After the Raiders struggled to contain New England's passing game in the first half, they stepped up in the second half. Las Vegas held the Patriots scoreless in the final two quarters. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was sacked twice and pressured seven times. The Raiders will face much stronger offenses later in the season, starting with the Chargers next week. But their ability to make adjustments in the second half is an encouraging sign for a unit that had a few red flags going into the season.
What to make of the QB performance: Geno Smith's first drive was everything the Raiders could hope for, ending with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker. After the offense stalled, Smith settled back in and helped Las Vegas score 10 unanswered points in the second half. Smith also did a good job spreading the ball around. All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers totaled five catches for 103 yards while wideout Jakobi Meyers had eight catches for 97 yards. -- Ryan McFadden
Next game: vs. Chargers (Monday, 10 p.m. ET)
Patriots
What can QB Drake Maye do to elevate the offense? Maye's preseason struggles with high throws continued into the regular season. The Patriots need to address how best to settle him down early and produce a better success rate on higher-percentage throws. Maye did find more of a rhythm as the first half progressed but then got derailed coming out of halftime and played a poor second half as the Patriots fizzled out. He finished 30-of-46 for 287 yards with one touchdown and one interception -- a stat line that was bolstered on a final drive when the Raiders were playing a prevent-style defense -- as Raiders QB Geno Smith outdueled him in making the critical throws.
Turning point: The Patriots led 10-7 at halftime and received the kickoff to open the second half, but Maye was intercepted on a downfield pass when right tackle Morgan Moses and right guard Mike Onwenu struggled to handle a stunt and Maye was hurried and hit in the chest as he threw. The Raiders turned the pick into a TD and never trailed again.
Best quote from the locker room: "That was the decision that I thought was best for us at the time, and that didn't work out ... would like a better punt," coach Mike Vrabel said about not going for it on fourth-and-10 from the New England 44. The Patriots were trailing 20-10 with 4:53 remaining, and Bryce Baringer had a 21-yard punt instead. -- Mike Reiss
Next game: at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Arizona 20, New Orleans 13
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Cardinals
Are the offensive inconsistencies concerning? Not now they aren't. The Cardinals showed flashes of brilliance (Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 45-yard catch and Trey McBride's 25-yard snag come to mind), but there were more broken and unproductive plays, momentum-killing sacks and penalties than they'd want. There's the caveat that this was Week 1 and a lot of kinks will be ironed out before their next game. But the number of negative plays (seven) and plays that didn't gain any yards (four) are drive stallers. If the offense doesn't show noticeable growth next week, the inconsistencies could become a concern.
Most surprising performance: Running back Trey Benson had a new career high at one point on Sunday with 69 yards, but then lost yardage before he gained it back again. The backup running back shined in the season opener, thanks to a 52-yard run in the third quarter that almost tripled his previous career-long of 20 yards. -- Josh Weinfuss
Next game: vs. Panthers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Saints
How quickly can the Saints fix their self-inflicted wounds? Penalties, clock management issues and even a rare missed kick from Blake Grupe were some of the most concerning issues that came out of this loss game. New Orleans made puzzling usage of its timeouts, letting the Cardinals bleed the clock at the end of the first half and then not using one on its last offensive drive of the game. The penalties were another concern, as the Saints finished with 13, an issue they'll have to reverse by next week.
Most surprising performance: Defensive end Cameron Jordan. It took Jordan 10 games to get his first sack last season in what he has admitted was a very difficult year for him professionally. But Jordan, 36, was off to a good start for Year 15, finishing the game with 1.5 sacks, three pressures and a batted pass. He reworked his contract in the offseason for an incentive-based deal based on sacks, needing five to make $300,000.
Best quote from the locker room: "That was a four quarter battle," Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler said. "I mean obviously we're not happy with losing at all, so we got to be better. First of all, penalties, stuff like that. ... but it's Week 1. Like Kellen [Moore] said after, we're not going to go undefeated this season ... Got a lot of stuff to clean up from this week, but we could have won that game if you clean some things up." -- Katherine Terrell
Next game: vs. 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Indianapolis 33, Miami 8
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Colts
What does Sunday's performance say about Daniel Jones' potential? This game went exactly according to plan for Jones and the Colts. All along, coach Shane Steichen had predicted Jones would be a quick decision-maker and not force bad throws. He showed that by delivering on-time, quick throws but also utilizing timely aggressive downfield targets to Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce. Jones finished 22-of-29 for 272 yards and a touchdown pass. He also added two rushing scores on goal-line sneaks, becoming the first Colts quarterback with two rushing touchdowns in a season opener.
Trend to watch: The Colts used a variety of blitzes Sunday, something the team rarely employed under former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. But under new coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts got aggressive. DBs Kenny Moore II and Nick Cross recorded sacks and defensive end Laiatu Latu had an interception while dropping into coverage on a creative blitz call. Indianapolis ranked 29th in blitz rate in 2024 at 18.7%. -- Stephen Holder
Next game: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Daniel Jones powers in a rushing TD for the Colts.
Dolphins
Where was the connection between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill? Tagovailoa appeared out of sync with his top target, which makes sense considering he hasn't taken live game snaps with Hill since December. The Dolphins' leading receiver finished with four catches for 40 yards on six targets, but 21 of those came on a single completion. Neither player seemed concerned about their cohesiveness during the week, but this performance raised eyebrows. They have a date next week with the Patriots and coach Mike Vrabel, whose Titans teams gave Miami trouble in 2021 and 2023.
Most surprising performance: The Dolphins' front seven is supposed to be the strength of their defense, but it failed to make an impression Sunday. Indianapolis scored on its first seven possessions, gashing the Dolphins' defense with 156 rushing yards. Jones was also surgical whenever Miami was able to pressure him, completing 5 of 6 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown -- with a whopping plus-16% completion percentage over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Next game: vs. Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
L.A. Chargers 27, Kansas City 21
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Chargers
What's going on with right guard Mekhi Becton? Becton looked exhausted throughout Friday night's game and spent time on the sideline receiving oxygen during offensive series. He missed three weeks of training camp practice with an undisclosed injury and came into Friday night's game questionable with an undisclosed illness. The positive sign for the Chargers is that Becton finished the game on the field, but the number of snaps he missed was concerning.
Most surprising performance: Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston finished with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, buoying the Chargers' victory. He has been one of the Chargers' most maligned players in his first three years, struggling to find consistency since his rookie season. Friday was a sign that he could reach the potential that made him a first-round pick in 2023. -- Kris Rhim
Next game: at Raiders (Monday, 10 p.m. ET)
Chiefs
Will Xavier Worthy's injury put the Chiefs' offense back in the same predicament as last season? After his first pass of the season, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was without three of his key receivers -- Rashee Rice (suspended the first six weeks), rookie Jalen Royals (knee tendonitis) and Worthy (right shoulder). If Worthy and Royals are unavailable next week, Mahomes will likely have to be a superhero again, relying primarily on tight end Travis Kelce and his improvisational skills. The one receiver who can still make a difference is Hollywood Brown, who finished this week's game with 99 receiving yards.
Stat to know: Entering the season opener, the Chiefs had won a league-record 17 straight one-score games, including the playoffs. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was excellent in the second half, allowing his team to keep its lead despite Mahomes' impressive rallying efforts. In the second half, Herbert completed 13 of his 16 pass attempts for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs blitzed him often, sacking him twice, but he sealed the victory when he scrambled to his right for a 19-yard gain on a third-and-14 just before the two-minute warning. -- Nate Taylor
Next game: vs. Eagles (Sunday, 4:20 p.m. ET)
Philadelphia 24, Dallas 20
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Eagles
Can the secondary get things buttoned up for their Week 2 matchup against the Chiefs? The cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell was a question mark all summer and remains so after Adoree' Jackson was flagged for a pass interference, yielded five catches for 103 yards and missed two tackles, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The outcome could have been worse if not for some critical drops by Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will have to decide whether to make the move to Jakorian Bennett, who was acquired from the Raiders in August, or stick with Jackson for the Super Bowl rematch against Patrick Mahomes.
What to make of the QB performance: Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts picked up where he left off, taking advantage of large rushing lanes to score a pair of rushing touchdowns and propel the Eagles' offense. He now has 16 games with multiple rushing touchdowns, extending his NFL record for a QB (second is Josh Allen with 12). -- Tim McManus
Next game: at Chiefs (Sunday, 4:20 p.m. ET)
Cowboys
Is there a reason to be encouraged even in a loss? Probably so, but let's remember that an ugly win is better than a morale-serving loss. The offense has a chance to be explosive, and the young line performed much better than expected. The defense struggled at the start (123 rushing yards in the first half) but only allowed three points in the second half. Playing the defending Super Bowl champ on their celebratory night is never easy, yet the Cowboys hung with the Eagles. They opened some eyes with what they did, but they still need a win in Week 2 in a bad way.
Turning point: In games against teams like the Eagles, margins for error are slim, which is why Lamb's drops were critical. But Miles Sanders' fumble at the Eagles' 9-yard line in the third quarter flipped the momentum. Sanders got the Cowboys in position to retake the lead in the third quarter with a 49-yard gain, his longest since 2020, but then he lost the ball on his next carry. On the next three possessions, the Cowboys did not make it to Eagles' territory. -- Todd Archer
Next game: vs. Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)