High-scoring drama, dramatic finishes and several early surprises
Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season delivered an explosive opening weekend, with multiple comeback victories, overtime drama and several teams making immediate statements.
The league had already produced 702 points through the Sunday afternoon window, putting the weekend on pace to rank among the highest-scoring Week 1s ever.
Game of the Week: Bills 36, Texans 31
Josh Allen and Buffalo survived a thriller in Houston.
Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing scores. His decisive play came with just 1:36 remaining, when he connected with Joshua Palmer for a 34-yard touchdown.
Houston had one final opportunity, but Buffalo’s defense forced a late C.J. Stroud fumble.
Big takeaway: Buffalo showed it can win a high-pressure road game against one of the AFC’s heavily hyped defenses.
Bears make history
Chicago 59, Carolina 37
The Bears produced the weekend’s biggest offensive explosion. Caleb Williams accounted for four touchdowns,
while D’Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
The 96 combined points made it the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. Chicago also rushed for 291 yards.
Carolina wasn’t completely overwhelmed offensively: Bryce Young threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns, but the Panthers could not stop Chicago.
Eagles survive Commanders
Philadelphia 24, Washington 22
The Eagles opened their title defense with a narrow victory.
Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes, but Washington had a chance to steal the game late. Philadelphia’s defense stopped the Commanders on a two-point conversion attempt, preserving the victory.
L
Lions escape Saints in overtime
Detroit 31, New Orleans 30
One of the weekend’s best comebacks ended in heartbreak for New Orleans.
Detroit surrendered a 21-0 lead, but Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown connected for the decisive overtime touchdown.
The Saints answered with a touchdown but elected to go for two—and Tyler Shough’s conversion attempt fell incomplete.
Jahmyr Gibbs was outstanding, rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Ravens dominate Colts
Baltimore 41, Indianapolis 23
Baltimore looked like an AFC contender from the opening whistle.
Derrick Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and added a rushing touchdown.
Henry’s three scores also moved him into third place on the NFL’s career rushing-touchdown list.
The Ravens piled up 506 total yards.
Bengals capitalize on Bucs mistakes
Cincinnati 33, Tampa Bay 27
Cincinnati’s defense forced four Tampa Bay fumbles, turning the mistakes into critical points.
Joe Burrow passed for 254 yards and a touchdown, while Evan McPherson drilled field goals from 55 and 58 yards. Baker Mayfield threw for 216 yards but lost three fumbles.
Steelers defeat Falcons
Pittsburgh 20, Atlanta 13
Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh debut ended in victory.
Rodgers threw for 221 yards and a touchdown, but the defining play came from T.J. Watt, who intercepted Cooper Rush and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Watt also recorded two sacks.
Jaguars crush Browns
Jacksonville 34, Cleveland 10
Trevor Lawrence looked sharp, throwing four touchdown passes as Jacksonville jumped on Cleveland early.
Deshaun Watson struggled in his return to action, throwing an interception on Cleveland’s opening possession as the Browns fell behind 31-0 before finally getting on the scoreboard.
Vikings stun Packers
Minnesota 39, Green Bay 22
Minnesota produced one of the weekend’s biggest surprises.
Kyler Murray left with a head injury, and Carson Wentz stepped in and threw three touchdown passes as Minnesota pulled away from Green Bay.
The 39-22 final was also a rare Scorigami—a score that had never previously occurred in NFL history.
Jets start with a statement
New York 23, Tennessee 10
The Jets opened their season with a convincing road victory.
Breece Hall rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Geno Smith threw for 215 yards. New York controlled possession for more than 38 minutes.
Other Week 1 results
Seahawks 13, Patriots 10
49ers 27, Rams 7
Raiders 27, Dolphins 13
Cardinals 26, Chargers 14
Giants 28, Cowboys 20
The Giants’ Sunday-night victory completed a particularly rough opening weekend for Dallas, whose defense struggled throughout the contest.
Week 1 MVP candidates
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills — 334 passing yards, four total TDs and the game-winning drive.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears — four total touchdowns in a record-setting offensive performance.
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens — 144 rushing yards and three TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions — 156 rushing yards and two TDs in an overtime thriller.
Biggest winners
Buffalo, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh all made strong opening statements.
Biggest concerns
Cleveland’s offense, the Chargers’ offense, Green Bay’s second-half performance and Dallas’ defense all enter Week 2 with significant questions.
Bottom line: Week 1 immediately established the 2026 season as unpredictable.
Seven teams that missed the 2025 playoffs—Arizona, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minnesota and the Jets—opened 2026 with victories.
