NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 15, 2026, 2:19 PM ET

Chiefs Open Title Defense With Statement Win

Kansas City opened its season with a 31-10 rout of Denver on Monday night, as Patrick Mahomes returned from a torn ACL and Kenneth Walker III starred in his Chiefs debut. Mahomes showed no rust in his first game back, and his scrambling ability drew praise from coaches who said the work paid off during a grueling offseason. The quarterback's recovery was chronicled in detail, tracing the 274 days between the injury on Dec. 14 and his vow to be ready for Week. Travis Kelce added another line to his résumé, passing Jason Witten to move into second place all time in receiving yards among tight ends. The Arrowhead crowd included a celebrity pairing, with Taylor Swift and Tom Cruise sharing a suite while supporting Kelce.

Week 1 Offensive Explosions

Four offenses erupted on Sunday, with Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo and Jacksonville among 10 teams that scored 30-plus points. The Bears put up 59 points, while the Ravens hung 41 on their opponent, raising the question of whether the outbursts are sustainable. Advanced stats from the weekend highlighted Williams hitting 20-plus mph twice and a big day for Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid. Lamar Jackson looked like his old self in Baltimore's new offense under first-year coordinator Declan Doyle, embracing changes to how he has played the position for most of his life. Analysts cautioned against overreacting to Week 1, weighing whether Jackson will reset the quarterback market and which member of the Class of 2023 will be extended first. Trevor Lawrence's 100th touchdown pass went to rookie wide receiver Josh Cameron, who hauled it in for his first NFL catch.

New York's Perfect Start

The Jets and Giants each started 1-0 for the first time since 2009, giving the summer of New York added momentum. The Giants' legitimacy is among the biggest questions coming out of Sunday's games, alongside the state of Dallas' new defense. Giants coach John Harbaugh made headlines when he tackled star receiver Malik Nabers during practice, a move he described as "all in fun" and an effort to help the wideout move beyond his injury fears.

Injury Fallout Across the League

The Eagles are placing left guard Landon Dickerson on injured reserve because of a knee injury, meaning he will miss at least the next four games; Dickerson called himself a "complete liability" in the opener. The Lions will be without running back Isiah Pacheco for 12 weeks after he underwent back surgery. The Cowboys will likely be without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker for the next two games, according to coach Brian Schottenheimer. Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey has a rib injury and is considered day-to-day, coach Jim Harbaugh said. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy was noncommittal on the timeline for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to return to game action. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the hit that caused quarterback Kyler Murray's concussion was a "violent, physical play" but that he does not fault the Packers for it.

Quarterback Decisions and Market Shifts

Browns coach Todd Monken said Monday that he expects Deshaun Watson to remain the team's starting quarterback this Sunday at the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield's new deal paying him $55M per year in new money signals that the quarterback market is headed for an explosion, with 11 other passers positioned for big contracts. In a remarkable revelation, Broncos assistant coaches had discussions with Drew Brees about the former star coming out of retirement to play for Denver in last season's AFC Championship Game, according to sources. Joey Porter Jr. is open to a trade, and five teams — including the Cowboys, 49ers and Lions — could look to add the star Steelers cornerback.

Around the League

Robert Kraft said he had Macklemore removed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran's shows at Gillette Stadium, citing a "history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery" and saying he would not provide a platform for hate speech. The Bills led the week's postgame trolling with Houston-themed jabs after their victory. Denver's current roster bears a striking resemblance to the franchise's last Super Bowl-winning team, according to Talib Miller, with a shutdown defense and a similar championship goal.