The opening Sunday of the 2026 NFL season delivered a mix of upset wins, injury concerns, and historic individual performances. Several debuting coaches also made immediate impressions, for better and worse.
First-Year Coaches Produced Very Different Results
Four new play-callers stepped into the spotlight, and their first outings showed just how unpredictable Week 1 can be. Mike LaFleur’s Cardinals entered as 8.5-point underdogs and still knocked off the Chargers, with Jacoby Brissett throwing for 277 yards and the defense forcing two crucial turnovers.
In Las Vegas, Klint Kubiak’s Raiders found a formula that looked sustainable right away. A stronger offensive line created room for Ashton Jeanty to deliver a breakout performance in a win over Miami.
Joe Brady’s Bills also opened with a clear identity shift. Buffalo attacked deep early, and Josh Allen completed 6 of 7 passes that traveled more than 10 air yards in the first half alone for 149 yards.
Todd Monken’s Cleveland debut went in the opposite direction. The Browns were overwhelmed 34-10 by Jacksonville, Deshaun Watson looked out of rhythm in his first regular-season appearance since October 2024, and the defense, missing Myles Garrett and former coordinator Jim Schwartz, struggled to keep pace.
Games That Changed the Early Conversation
New York’s 28-20 win over Dallas sent one of the strongest early messages of the day. The Giants ran for 165 yards, Jaxson Dart looked composed while passing for 230 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 54 more yards on the ground.
That result mattered well beyond one rivalry game. Dallas had taken 16 of the previous 18 meetings, so the loss shifted the balance of the NFC East picture, especially with Philadelphia and Washington both showing signs of vulnerability. Isaiah Likely was a major part of the Giants’ surge, catching all eight of his targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, looked unsettled under new defensive playcaller Christian Parker. Seven first-half penalties and a fourth-quarter taunting call that wiped out an extra point made an already close game even harder to manage.
Elsewhere, the Jets controlled Tennessee 23-10 with a balanced attack. Geno Smith stayed turnover-free, and New York’s receivers had already cleared 148 yards by the third quarter.
Records Fell Almost Immediately
Chicago and Carolina produced the highest-scoring season opener in league history, combining for 96 points in the Bears’ 59-37 win. Caleb Williams accounted for 269 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns, while Carolina’s defense absorbed the worst scoring output in franchise history after major offseason investment in its front seven.
Josh Allen added to his growing resume in Buffalo’s 36-31 win over Houston. The performance gave him his ninth career game with multiple passing and rushing touchdowns, which is five more than any other player has ever posted, and he became the first player in NFL history to reach 300 combined touchdowns within his first nine seasons.
Baltimore leaned on Derrick Henry in a dominant rout of Indianapolis. Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, and the outing pushed him past Jim Brown for the most 100-yard, multi-touchdown games in league history.
Detroit also needed extra time, surviving New Orleans 31-30 after rookie back Jahmyr Gibbs reached 51 career touchdowns in only his 50th game. That pace ranks among the fastest six in NFL history.
Quarterback Problems Are Already Mounting
In Minnesota, Kyler Murray exited after only 11 plays because of a concussion, forcing Carson Wentz into action. Wentz responded with three touchdown passes, and the Vikings ripped off 29 straight points in a 39-22 comeback over Green Bay. He is expected to start until Murray clears protocol.
Atlanta had a less encouraging afternoon. Cooper Rush struggled while filling in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa in a loss to Pittsburgh, and the Falcons are now hoping Michael Penix Jr. can be ready by Week 2.
Indianapolis also saw a difficult return. Daniel Jones came back from a torn Achilles in a one-sided loss, but the bigger issue was the offensive line in front of him. Washington’s Jayden Daniels had trouble finding a rhythm against Philadelphia before a late push, as he completed only 6 of 16 passes in the first half.
Fantasy Movers Worth Tracking
- Isaiah Likely, TE, NYG: Eight receptions, 78 yards, and two touchdowns made him the top fantasy tight end of Week 1.
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV: He posted 32.7 fantasy points and showed no lingering concern from his preseason ankle issue.
- Christian Watson, WR, GB: Six catches, 147 yards, and two touchdowns put him on the radar as a useful WR2 option.
- Trey McBride, TE, ARI: With Brissett at quarterback, he recorded his eighth 20-plus fantasy-point game in 13 outings.
- Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL: 324 passing yards, 41 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns make him a top-two Week 2 fantasy quarterback.
- Dontayvion Wicks, WR, PHI: Two catches, 77 yards, and a touchdown make him a strong speculative pickup in very few leagues.
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR, CIN: The quiet opener should not trigger panic, since he has often started seasons slowly.
What Week 2 Could Bring
Detroit and Buffalo have a short week ahead as both prepare for Thursday Night Football. Several teams that stumbled in Week 1, including Dallas, Cleveland, and Atlanta, will try to steady themselves quickly against divisional or familiar opponents.