All articles tagged with #nfl week 1
After the Rams opened the season with a 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, head coach Sean McVay publicly took responsibility for the team's travel plan that week. McVay used self-deprecating language, players echoed concerns about readiness, and the Rams rebounded with a Week 2 win.
In Week 1 the Chiefs generated pressure on 46% of dropbacks (4th in the league), even with heavy blitzing, and still applied pressure on 36% of non-blitz passes, signaling a potent pass rush against Denver. They faced eight or more defenders in the box on 14 plays, yet averaged 7 yards per carry when the box was light, suggesting run game success could open more passing opportunities as defenses crowd the box. L’Jarius Sneed had 3 Hustle Stops (a league-leading stat) and 7 solo tackles, and the secondary looked sharp overall, pointing to a strong start for KC’s defense alongside a potentially improved outside-corner rotation.
The Chiefs opened the season with a run-focused approach led by Kenneth Walker, who carried 23 times for 3 catches and a 60-yard TD, helping Kansas City rack up 173 rushing yards—the most by a single Chiefs player under Andy Reid. Rookie Emmett Johnson contributed 68 yards on 10 touches as Mahomes, 275 days removed from his knee injury, emphasized that the difference is “K9.” The win over the Denver Broncos showcased a shift toward a power-running attack, with Reid and the defense backing Walker as the primary catalyst.
The Raiders opened the season with a 27-13 win over the Dolphins, powered by Ashton Jeanty’s 102 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. Tight end Michael Mayer was a focal point with six catches and excellent blocking, while Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze helped pave the way for a dominant run game and solid pass protection under Klint Kubiak’s play-action attack. Spencer Burford had a few costly blocks, including a tackle-for-loss and a late misblock, and was involved on the sequence that led to an interception by Kirk Cousins, highlighting a strong offensive performance with a few noticeable hiccups.
Patrick Mahomes returned to lead the Chiefs to a 31-10 win over the Broncos, highlighted by Kenneth Walker’s 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns. KC’s defense, aided by a reshuffled secondary, stifled Denver’s offense as Bo Nix and company struggled to stretch the field. Mahomes, who improved to 8-0 at home against Denver, shook off an uneven start and showed the Chiefs are still a top AFC contender. Denver faces a tough early schedule as they regroup after Week 1.
Sam Darnold could miss 3–6 weeks due to a rare glute tendon/hip issue suffered in Seattle’s Week 1 win over New England; the team has no firm timetable, with IR a possibility, and Drew Lock stepping in as the starter as Seattle prepares for a road trip to Arizona.
In Week 1, Kenneth Walker seized the Chiefs’ lead back role (Johnson as his handcuff) while Denver deployed a tight two-man backfield and a leaner three-receiver rotation, keeping Sutton and Waddle as primary targets with Pat Bryant emerging as a potential breakout option. Evan Engram saw increased involvement and could be a viable bye-week TE2. Kansas City pared its WR rotation to Rice, Worthy and Thornton, reducing upside for other receivers as the rushing game takes center stage. Overall, Walker looks like a must-start for KC, while Broncos’ backfield and pass-catching roles remain in flux early in the season.
PFF’s Week 1 grades are live, led by Zay Flowers with the top overall grade in the first 15 games and featuring standout performances from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ladd McConkey, Dalton Kincaid, and Justin Jefferson. The piece breaks down a notable performance from each of the 15 completed games (minimum 10 snaps), highlighting stars like Fred Warner, T.J. Watt, D’Andre Swift, Vernon Broughton, Dylan Parham, Mike Gesicki, Antonio Williams and Abdul Carter. Full statistical recaps are available via PFF Premium Stats and Pro, with subscriptions promoted in the article.
Jalen Hurts spearheaded a 24-22 season-opening win for the Eagles over the Commanders, triggering a key late drive with a 22-yard scramble aided by Makai Lemon and connecting with Dallas Goedert for a 45-yard TD. The game showcased a blend of familiar four-vertical concepts and a new offensive approach under OC Sean Mannion, with Hurts finishing 14-for-25 for 203 yards and three touchdowns amid some stalled drives.
The New York Jets opened the season with a 23-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Breece Hall rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, pairing with a steady Jets ground game led by Braelon Allen to control the clock. Geno Smith was efficient (19-for-24, 215 yards) with no turnovers, guiding an offense that avoided big mistakes. Defensively, Will McDonald IV added a sack on Cam Ward as Tennessee struggled to sustain drives—just one red-zone possession and only 112 yards through three quarters. The Jets’ performance provided a much-needed positive start to the season.
The Arizona Cardinals stunned the LA Chargers 26-14 in Mike LaFleur’s first game as head coach, with rookie Jeremiyah Love providing an early spark and a backfield-by-committee approach alongside Tyler Allgeier. Arizona dominated time of possession and produced scoring on most drives, though four field goals highlighted red‑zone inefficiency. The defense limited the Chargers in the second half, forcing turnovers on downs and a blocked punt, and Aj Kendrick Bourne contributed as a reliable underneath option. The win also marked the first time a Cardinals head coach won his debut since 1973, signaling a hopeful start to LaFleur’s tenure.
Chicago opened the 2026 season with a 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers, highlighted by Caleb Williams’ dynamic play and a potent rushing attack. Brad Biggs’ 10 takeaways break down the big plays and what the performance could mean for a reimagined, more explosive Bears offense moving forward.
The Raiders opened Klint Kubiak’s tenure with a 27-13 home win over the Dolphins, delivering an all-around performance across offense, defense, and special teams. Cousins started strong by hitting his first nine passes but finished with two interceptions; Ashton Jeanty surged with 102 rushing yards and two receiving TDs while rookie Mike Washington contributed; Kwity Paye and Foley Fatukasi anchored the pass rush and run defense; the revamped O-line kept Cousins clean, and A.J. Cole’s booming punts helped flip field position. Vegas benefited from timely plays and a loud home crowd, signaling progress—though questions about consistency and weapons remain as the schedule unfolds.
Week 1 fantasy notes center on big-volume performances and evolving usage: Zay Flowers left early with a hamstring injury after a monster 150-yard day; Gibbs led Detroit with 156 rushing yards and 2 TDs plus 5 receptions; Kincaid flashed as a top sleeper with 130 receiving yards; DJ Moore starred for the Bills with 5 receptions, 100 yards and a TD; and multiple teams shuffled tight end and wide receiver rotations in 11/12/13 personnel, creating a volatile early-season landscape to monitor for Week 2.
Greg Rousseau powered Buffalo's Week 1 win in Houston by forcing two strip-sacks on C.J. Stroud—one on the opening Texans drive and another sealing the game—while adding four tackles and five QB hits as he shines at outside linebacker, helping the Bills beat the Texans 36-31.