With game winning touchdowns, crazy beatdowns, disappointing star player performances, absolute team collapse on both sides of the ball, to missed game tying kicks, the NFL is officially back for week one. The season started on September 4th for the season’s first Thursday Night Football primetime game. This game showcased the defending super bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, both teams came out electric in the first half, with two of the Cowboy’s touchdowns coming from recent addition Javonte Williams. While Eagle’s QB Jalen Hurts, answered with two of his own rushing TDs.
The second half was largely uneventful as the only scoring came from a field goal by each team. The score was 20-24 as the Cowboys got the ball for one last chance to take the game, however, All-Pro WR Ceedee Lamb couldn’t deliver and dropped a few passes. This cost the Cowboys the game and their chances at upsetting the feared divisional opponent.
All MVP type performance from Justin Herbert came the very next day as the LA Chargers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night in Brazil. Herbert completed 25/34 of his passes for 318 yards and three TDs, along with getting himself accustomed in the run game with 32 rushing yards.
Sunday’s games featured a unique slate of many divisional high stakes games. The Washington Commanders were able to take down divisional rival the New York Giants 21-6, after a weak performance from newly acquired Giants’s QB Russell Wilson, as he only threw for 168 yards and zero TDs.
However, it was a different story for the other New Yorkian team, the Jets. Jet’s QB Justin Fields connected with his star receiver seven times for a touchdown and nearly 100 yards in a close loss versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, 32-34.
The Arizona Cardinals edged out the New Orleans Saints 20-13 after Saint’s second year QB Spencer Rattler couldn’t put together a game tying drive in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Raiders versus Patriots game had showcased many different players to shine, including Brock Bowers, who broke out in his rookie season last year, leading all tight ends in yards and receptions. He was able to catch five balls from QB Geno Smith for 103 yards, however he sustained an injury near the end of the third quarter, putting his availability for week two in question. The Raiders pulled off the win 20-13 even without their star TE in the fourth quarter.
After an incredible performance from Jaguars RB Travis Etienne, where he shined for 156 total scrimmage yards, the Jaguars pulled out a victory over the Carolina Panthers 26-10.
One team that looked horrendous in their week one debut was the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins couldn’t put together a single good drive up until the end of the game in the fourth quarter with a garbage time Devon Achane 11-yard TD catch. Daniel Jones and the Colts managed a 30 point blowout over the Dolphins.
The Bengals narrowly beat the Browns by one point after a very disappointing performance from the Bengal’s offense, only putting up 141 total yards. The Browns would’ve won if Andre Szmyt hit his 36-yard field goal with two minutes left in the game.
Another missed game defying kick was by Younghoe Koo of the Falcons as they played Buccaneers, this missed kick lost the Falcons the game, even after a 124 yard, one TD performance by RB Bijan Robinson.
49ers RB Christian McCaffery played very well in his return after missing basically the entire 2024 season while suffering from achilles tendinitis. Getting nine receptions and 142 total yards against the Seahawks, leading them to a 17-13 victory.
The Broncos beat the Titans 20-12 even with a poor performance from Broncos QB Bo Nix, where he threw only one TD and was picked off twice.
Puka Nacua and Matthew Stafford connected 10 times for 131 yards in the Rams game versus the Texans, winning the game 14-9.
The Detroit Lions had nothing to answer the Green Bay Packers defense and newly acquired superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons. Green Bay toppled the Lions 27-13.
Sunday Night Football kicked off with a thrilling Ravens versus Bills game. The two Super Bowl contenders faced off in the AFC Divisional Round last year, where the Bills won off of a game-costing drop from Ravens TE Mark Andrews in the endzone. The result was the same this game as the Bills got the win over the Ravens 41-40. Ravens RB Derrick Henry ran for over 160 yards and managed two TDs but a costly fumble from him gave the Bills the opportunity they needed to win the game off of a field goal. Bills QB Josh Allen exploded for 394 yards and four total TDs against the tough Ravens defense.
The last game of the NFLs 2025 season’s opening week came with an NFC North thrilling rivalry matchup between the Vikings and Bears. Rookie QB JJ McCarthy for the Vikings started off slow, as the Bears were on top for most of the game, which included a Bears pick six off a bad McCarthy throw. However, in the fourth quarter, McCarthy turned his whole game around, managing to throw two TDs and running it in for his third of the game. The Bears couldn’t respond and the Vikings won the game 27-24 against the former No. 1 overall pick; Bear’s QB Caleb Williams.
Week One showed just how thrilling and unpredictable this league can be, but will give something any fan can look forward to each week.
