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Was that a memorable opening week for the 2025 NFL season, or what? Let’s jump right in with a Week 1 recap.
🤯 The NFL’s crazy start
We’ll begin where the NFL season started, a 24-20 Eagles’ victory against the Cowboys—which included a lightning delay of over one hour. Unfortunately, the season began with Eagles DT Jalen Carter spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (who appeared to, perhaps smartly, egg him on) and obviously getting ejected for it. But that and weather delay aside, it was a great game where Dallas and a slimmed-down Dak Prescott put Philly on the ropes—and superstar WR CeeDee Lamb had a few drops in crunch time, calling it “terrible” while saying he takes “full accountability.”
Let’s move to Sunday Night Football, when reigning MVP Josh Allen led the Bills to a stunning comeback after being down 40-25 to the Ravens in the fourth quarter. Allen became the first player in NFL history with 250+ passing yards and two rushing TDs in a quarter, totally taking over the game with some help from a rare Derrick Henry, who otherwise ran wild with 169 yards and two touchdowns, fumble forced by DT Ed Oliver. The final drive orchestrated by Allen and capped by a game-winning field goal by Matt Prater was ice-cold. Before the comeback, teams that scored 40+ points and led by 15+ points entering the first quarter were 772-0 all-time! Crazy.
The @BuffaloBills game-winning drive was a thing of beauty.
— NFL (@NFL)
4:09 AM • Sep 8, 2025
The primetime Friday night matchup in Brazil between the Chargers and Chiefs was another great one, with Justin Herbert playing lights out with 318 yards and three TDs through the air along with a game-sealing run on third-and-14. Chargers DT Teair Tart delivered an open-handed slap to Travis Kelce’s helmet and avoided an ejection, then made some key deflections in the victory and took to Instagram with the caption, “I’m too swift with it even in Brazil…”
Early on Sunday, the Steelers and Jets played in probably the most heated game of the week—not surprising given how new Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers’ exit meeting with new Jets HC Aaron Glenn went. What was surprising was the type of game that broke out, with Pittsburgh needing to win a 34-32 shootout on a 60-yard field goal by Chris Boswell. Steelers CB Jalen Rasmey sealed the win a big hit on WR Garrett Wilson after a ton of trash talk earlier in the game. Rodgers threw four TD passes and said he was “happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets” when asked about Glenn.
The Packers handled the Lions, jumping out to an early lead and dominating on both sides of the ball. Though rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa’s phenomenal one-handed catch late made it a 27-13 game, Green Bay was more dominant at home than the score indicates. Late in the fourth quarter, Micah Parsons capped his first Packers game with a sack.
Other Week 1 results:
Vikings 27, Bears 24 (MNF): J.J. McCarthy and Minnesota bounced back from Bears CB Nahshon Wright’s pick-six to pull off a fourth-quarter comeback.
Colts 33, Dolphins 8: Colts QB Daniel Jones looked outstanding, throwing dimes and leading Indy to scores on every drive—making them the only NFL team since at least 1978 (and maybe ever) to score on every drive of a game.
Commanders 21, Giants 6: Meanwhile, the Giants continued to struggle in the season opener, while Commanders WR Deebo Samuel looked excellent for his new squad.
49ers 17, Seahawks 13: 49ers QB Brock Purdy led a clutch game-winning drive capped by a TD to TE Jake Tonges.
Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20: Impressive rookie WR Emeka Egbuka caught two TDs including the game-winner as the Bucs held on to beat the Falcons with Atlanta missing a last-second FG.
Bengals 17, Browns 16: Cincinnati was held to 7 yards in the second half—the fewest for a winning team in the past quarter century; but they’ll take the close win after how last season went.
Rams 14, Texans 9: The Los Angeles defense made plays in a defensive battle to start 1-0.
Raiders 20, Patriots 13: Raiders QB Geno Smith torched the Patriots for 362 passing yards, taking advantage of no CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring).
Broncos 20, Titans 12: The Broncos hit Cameron Ward 12 times with six sacks and two forced fumbles, leading the way with the offense struggling in Game 1.
Cardinals 20, Saints 13: Sealing the win on a last-second stop, the Cardinals defense played great and allowed just one TD at New Orleans.
Jaguars 26, Panthers 10: Hopefully you didn’t give up on Travis Etienne Jr., who ran for 143 yards—and drafted him for your fantasy squad this season.
✍️ Contracts and transactions
A plethora of signings and extensions took place over the past week. We’ll start with the Browns finally signing rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, who did not play in Week 1 but is expected to be available for this Sunday against the Ravens.
More contract extensions which got done ahead of the season:
Lions WR Jameson Williams: three years, $83 million
Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto: four years, $120 million
Buccaneers: OT Luke Goedeke (four years) and CB Zyon McCollum (three years)
Seahawks OT Abraham Lucas: three years, $46 million
Titans S Amani Hooker: three years, $46.8 million
49ers OT Colton McKivitz: three years, $45 million
Bengals C Ted Karras: one year, $5 million
Steelers DT Cameron Heyward and 49ers WR Jauan Jennings signed deals with added incentives.
The Eagles acquired RB Tank Bigsby from the Jaguars for two draft picks.
Veteran signings: DE Za’Darius Smith (Eagles), WR Kendrick Bourne (49ers), WR Gabe Davis (Bills), LB Kyzir White (Titans), S J.T. Gray (Ravens)
🤕 Injury news
Jets G Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending triceps injury in practice before Week 1.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) had an injury scare during practice last week, but he played in Week 1 and handled 31 touches to help his team get a win.
It’s not all good for the Niners, though: TE George Kittle (hamstring) will miss a few weeks, QB Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) is uncertain for Week 2, WR Jauan Jennings (shoulder) is being evaluated but is hopeful to play this week.
Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy missed most of the loss to the Chargers with a dislocated shoulder, but HC Andy Reid calls him day-by-day.
📰 Everything else in the NFL
Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper has retired from the NFL ahead of Week 1 after his brief return stint with the Raiders. Cooper’s very good 10-year career concludes with 711 receptions for 10,033 receiving yards.
Starting this season, award winners from the previous year will wear gold NFL shield patches on their jersey.
Saquon Barkley has a gold NFL shield patch on his jersey.
These patches will be worn this season by the reigning MVP, OPOY, DPOY, OROY & DROY.
DALvsPHI on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock— NFL (@NFL)
3:41 AM • Sep 5, 2025
The Eagles offered more than the Packers for DE Micah Parsons, according to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, but were turned down by Dallas.
Amazon Prime Video announced a documentary about Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
The fan who shoved the helmets of Ravens players and was shoved back by Lamar Jackson has been banned indefinitely from NFL stadiums.
Other Sports Updates
🏈 College football highlights: No. 18 Oklahoma defeated No. 15 Michigan, Florida was stunned by USF at home, and Bill Belichick got his first college football victory for UNC.
🎾 Carlos Alcaraz tops Jannik Sinner in four sets to win US Open men’s singles title for the second time.
😳 Bill Belichick explained why he won’t let Patriots scouts attend UNC practices.
💰 The Koch family is reportedly set to buy a 10% stake in the New York Giants, pending approval.