NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 14, 2026, 2:47 PM ET

NFL Week 1: Giants Stun Cowboys, Coaches Make History

The New York Giants opened their season with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on "Sunday Night Football," capitalizing on a Dak Prescott interception that set up a touchdown to Isaiah Likely. Coach John Harbaugh called the win in his Big Apple debut his No. 1 victory right now, while Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer insisted the Cowboys are not going to panic after the lackluster performance. The game unfolded with live highlights as the Giants converted Prescott's turnover into Likely's score, and bettors who backed Dallas as a slight favorite saw the spread go the other way.

Bears Erupt for 59 Points, Cardinals and Jets Celebrate Debut Wins

The Chicago Bears delivered a historic offensive performance in their opener, scoring the fourth-most points in franchise history in a 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers that saw the teams combine for 96 points. Coach Johnson doubled down on his offense's potential after the eruption. In Arizona, Mike LaFleur became the first Cardinals full-time coach to win his debut since Don Coryell in 1973, as Arizona upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Chargers 26-14. The New York Jets also celebrated a re-debut, with quarterback Geno Smith winning 3,612 days after his previous start, helping New York defeat the Titans. The win came despite injuries to rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who both suffered injuries in the game. Tennessee fell flat in coach Robert Saleh's debut as quarterback Cam Ward struggled, completing 19 of 32 attempts for 140 yards and one touchdown in the 23-10 loss to Saleh's former team.

Bills Outlast Texans, Steelers Give McCarthy a Game Ball

Josh Allen delivered a spectacular performance as the Buffalo Bills outlasted the Houston Texans, making a winner of new offensive coordinator Brady in his debut. The Bills had not won in Houston since 2006, and Allen uncorked a whopper of an offensive performance to snap the drought. In Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers gave coach Mike McCarthy a game ball after the Steelers' victory Sunday, celebrating McCarthy's first win as Pittsburgh's coach. The Bills' Houston-themed jabs topped the NFL's Week 1 trolling efforts, as early-season rust didn't apply to teams mocking their opponents after victories.

Ravens' Henry Makes History, Browns Defend Watson

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry moved into third place on the NFL's all-time rushing touchdowns list by scoring three times Sunday, vaulting to third all time. In Cleveland, coach Todd Monken was noncommittal on whether Deshaun Watson will remain the Browns' starter but called it unfair to blame the veteran quarterback for Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence's 100th NFL touchdown pass went to rookie wide receiver Josh Cameron, who hauled it in for his first NFL catch, and Lawrence told the rookie he can keep the ball.

Packers Collapse Again, Vikings Lose Murray to Concussion

The Green Bay Packers' late-game woes from last season continued in Week 1 after they blew yet another big lead in Sunday's 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, leaving the team without answers after the collapse. The Vikings' debut of quarterback Kyler Murray ended in disappointment, as he suffered a concussion after taking a hard hit, though he was reported to be in good spirits afterward.

Commanders' Diggs Costs Team with Goal-Post Hug, Rams Lose Garrett

Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs knew the moment he hugged the goal post to celebrate a fourth-quarter touchdown Sunday that he had committed a penalty that cost his team, though his teammates voiced support afterward. In Los Angeles, Rams star defensive end Myles Garrett will undergo knee surgery and is headed to injured reserve, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, a significant blow to the Rams' defense.

Week 1 Overreactions, Big Questions and Advanced Stats

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering the biggest questions coming out of each Sunday game, including whether the Giants are legit and what happened to Dallas' new defense. We also sized up potential Week 1 overreactions, examining whether Lamar Jackson will reset the market, what's happening in L.A., and which Class of 2023 quarterback will be extended first. Ben Solak found six of the coolest advanced stats from Sunday's games, including Caleb Williams reaching 20-plus MPH twice and Dalton Kincaid leading the Bills in receiving, while also noting Baker Mayfield's struggles pushing the ball downfield.

Fantasy Winners and Losers, QB Market Set to Explode

In fantasy football, Caleb Williams, Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence came up big in Week, while Ja'Marr Chase, Drake London and Colston Loveland had very quiet days among the winners and losers. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield's new contract paying him $55 million per year in new money signals where the quarterback market is headed, which is great news for 11 other passers ready for big deals. In trade news, Joey Porter Jr. is open to a trade, and we look at five teams that could trade for the star Steelers cornerback, including the Cowboys, 49ers and Lions. Off the field, players around the NFL brought the heat ahead of their Week 1 matchups with fashionable arrivals featuring Dak Prescott and Cam Skattebo, from Spiderman-inspired looks to a Navy nod.