The 2026 season began with a mix of record-breaking performances, significant injuries, and coaching debuts that produced very different results. Sunday’s games quickly separated the teams that looked ready from the ones that still had work to do.
First-Year Coaches Delivered Very Different Openings
Several teams handed the keys to new play-callers, and their first games offered a clear snapshot of where each roster stands. Mike LaFleur’s Cardinals shocked the Chargers as 8.5-point underdogs, getting 277 passing yards from Jacoby Brissett and pairing that efficiency with two critical defensive takeaways.
Klint Kubiak also got a strong start in Las Vegas. The Raiders leaned on improved line play and used it to spring Ashton Jeanty for a breakout performance in a win over Miami.
Joe Brady’s Bills took a more aggressive path than Buffalo usually does, attacking deep right away. Josh Allen completed 6 of 7 passes beyond 10 air yards in the first half alone, showing how quickly the new approach can change the feel of an offense.
Todd Monken’s Cleveland debut went in the opposite direction. The Browns were beaten 34-10 by Jacksonville, Deshaun Watson looked rusty in his first regular-season action since October 2024, and the defense was exposed without Myles Garrett and former coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Statement Wins Changed the Conversation
New York delivered one of the day’s biggest jolts by beating Dallas 28-20. The Giants piled up 165 rushing yards, while Jaxson Dart threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns and added 54 more yards on the ground.
The win mattered beyond one afternoon. Dallas had won 16 of the previous 18 meetings, so this result instantly altered the tone in the NFC East, especially with the Eagles and Commanders also looking far from dominant. Isaiah Likely was a major part of the passing attack as well, catching all eight of his targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Dallas had a rough time keeping itself organized. Under new defensive play-caller Christian Parker, the Cowboys were flagged seven times in the first half, and a late taunting penalty wiped out an extra point in a one-score contest.
The Jets also came away with a convincing result, defeating Tennessee 23-10 with a balanced attack. Geno Smith stayed turnover-free, and by the third quarter New York’s receivers had already combined for more than 148 yards.
Big Numbers Arrived Before Week 1 Was Over
Chicago and Carolina produced the most explosive opener in league history, combining for 96 points in the Bears’ 59-37 victory. Caleb Williams accounted for 269 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns, while the Panthers gave up the most points in franchise history after spending heavily on the front seven during the offseason.
Josh Allen added more marks to his growing résumé in Buffalo’s 36-31 win over Houston. He posted his ninth career game with multiple passing and rushing touchdowns, which is five more than any player has ever reached, and he also became the first player in NFL history to hit 300 combined touchdowns within his first nine seasons.
Baltimore got a dominant day from Derrick Henry, who ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns in a rout of Indianapolis. That performance moved him past Jim Brown for the most 100-yard, multi-touchdown games in league history.
Detroit needed overtime to outlast New Orleans 31-30, and rookie back Jahmyr Gibbs made history by reaching 51 career touchdowns in only his 50th game. That pace ranks sixth-fastest in NFL history.
Quarterback Situations May Carry Into Week 2
Minnesota was forced to adjust almost immediately after Kyler Murray left with a concussion just 11 plays into the game. Carson Wentz took over and threw three touchdown passes as the Vikings erased a deficit with 29 unanswered points in a 39-22 win over Green Bay, and Wentz will remain the starter until Murray clears the concussion protocol.
Atlanta also left Sunday with uncertainty at quarterback. Cooper Rush struggled while filling in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa in a loss to Pittsburgh, and the Falcons are hoping Michael Penix Jr. will be ready to return by Week 2.
Indianapolis had a difficult return for Daniel Jones, who came back from a torn Achilles in a one-sided loss. The offensive line did him few favors, and the protection issues stood out more than the injury history.
Washington’s Jayden Daniels started slowly against Philadelphia before settling in late during a narrow loss. He completed only 6 of 16 passes in the first half, but the second-half push showed why his outlook remains promising.
Fantasy Managers Saw Clear Winners and Warnings
- Isaiah Likely, TE, NYG: He caught 8 passes for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns, which was the top Week 1 fantasy line among tight ends.
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV: His 32.7 fantasy points, boosted by two 13-yard receiving scores, confirmed his place as an RB1 even after an ankle scare in the preseason.
- Christian Watson, WR, GB: He finished with 147 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 receptions, giving him real weekly upside as a lower-end WR2 option.
- Trey McBride, TE, ARI: He added another strong outing, giving him his eighth 20-plus fantasy-point game in 13 starts with Brissett under center.
- Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL: He put up 324 passing yards, 41 rushing yards, and 2 total touchdowns, which keeps him in the top-two quarterback conversation for Week 2.
- Dontayvion Wicks, WR, PHI: His 2 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown came with availability in only 10% of leagues, making him a speculative pickup.
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR, CIN: His 3.2-point line looked quiet, but his history suggests slow starts are not unusual and patience is still warranted.
The Quick Turn Toward Thursday and Week 2
Detroit and Buffalo have almost no time to breathe before turning around for Thursday Night Football. Several teams that stumbled in Week 1, including Dallas, Cleveland, and Atlanta, will try to reset quickly against familiar or divisional opponents next week.
