The first week of the NFL season is in the books, and what a start it was. Week 1 delivered drama, strong individual performances, comebacks, big disappointments, and games that could already influence how we approach betting heading into Week 2.
Here’s the full recap of every game from Week 1 – seen both from a fan and betting perspective.
Season Opener – Cowboys vs. Eagles
The season kicked off with a classic rivalry game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles came out on top with a 24-20 win.
The first half saw plenty of action, but the game turned more tactical in the second half. That limited big plays and quarterback stats. Dak Prescott finished with the most passing yards at 188 – not impressive, but enough to win the QB duel.
The Eagles showed they still have the ability to grind out close wins.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Friday night brought us an early-season classic, with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs facing Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
Herbert delivered an excellent performance with 318 passing yards, moving the ball effectively and leading the Chargers’ offense with confidence. Putting up 27 points against Kansas City’s defense is solid and offers optimism moving forward.
Mahomes, as expected, played at a high level, but this game showed that the Chargers are closer to being a real contender than many expected.
Sunday’s Early Games – Drama Across the Board
The Sunday 1 PM ET slate (7 PM CET) delivered surprises, disappointments, and potential betting angles.
Steelers vs. Jets – Unexpected Shootout
Few expected fireworks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, but the game ended 34-32 with a combined 66 points.
It was the only early game that went over the total, and fittingly it was the featured TV game.
Buccaneers vs. Falcons – A Tight Contest
Tampa Bay edged Atlanta 23-20. Michael Penix threw for 298 yards and looked sharp in the pocket, but the Falcons lacked the key plays down the stretch.
Bengals vs. Browns – The Surprise of the Day
The biggest upset came when the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 17-16. Many expected the Bengals’ explosive offense to score 30+ points per game to cover for a weak defense.
Instead, it turned into a low-scoring affair. Cleveland’s Joe Flacco threw for 295 yards against Cincinnati’s defense, raising red flags. From a betting angle, this could signal value in QB passing yards overs against the Bengals in the coming weeks.
Colts vs. Dolphins – Strange Game with a Debut Highlight
The Indianapolis Colts beat the Miami Dolphins 33-8 in one of Week 1’s strangest games.
Rookie Daniel Jones impressed with 22 completions on 29 attempts for 272 yards. Miami, on the other hand, looked flat, and Tua Tagovailoa never found a rhythm.
If the Dolphins don’t fix their offensive issues quickly, they could be one of this season’s biggest disappointments.
Raiders vs. Patriots – A Passing Showcase
The Las Vegas Raiders won 20-13 over the New England Patriots in a game dominated by the passing game.
Geno Smith threw for 362 yards – well over his line – even though the overall score stayed low. The running game was almost nonexistent, with the leading rusher finishing at just 38 yards.
Cardinals vs. Saints – Ugly Football
The Arizona Cardinals beat the New Orleans Saints 20-13, but it was far from pretty. Both teams looked mediocre, and neither appears ready to contend.
If the Cardinals can only beat the Saints by seven, even on the road, their playoff hopes look slim.
Rodgers Debuts for the Steelers – and Delivers
Aaron Rodgers made his debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing four touchdowns in a win over the Jets.
Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and made it clear afterward that beating his former team meant something special.
A dream start to his Steelers career.
Washington vs. Giants – Giants Already in Trouble
Washington beat the New York Giants 21-6, and the Giants look like a team in freefall.
They managed only two field goals on offense. Russell Wilson completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards – no interceptions, but nothing resembling a starter-level performance either.
With no help from the running backs, it’s fair to question whether Wilson belongs as a starter anymore.
Jaguars vs. Panthers – Ground Game Rules
The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Carolina Panthers 26-20 in a game defined by the run.
De’Von Achane broke out with 143 rushing yards on 16 carries. The Panthers, meanwhile, looked directionless and struggled to stop the run.
Broncos Beat Titans – A Predictable Result
One of the more expected outcomes was Denver beating the Tennessee Titans.
Bo Nix threw for 176 yards on 25 completions from 40 attempts. Not spectacular, but enough to get the job done. The Titans will need to reassess if they want to stay competitive.
49ers vs. Seahawks – Decided by a Fumble
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks, but it was close until the end.
Brock Purdy threw for 277 yards, and Seattle had a chance late before fumbling in a critical spot. The Niners start with a win, but the Seahawks showed they can hang with top teams.
Packers vs. Lions – Betting Rule Confirmed
The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 27-13 in a game that started chaotically.
Head coach Dan Campbell made some odd play calls early, proving once again the rule: don’t bet on Lions games, because you never know what you’ll get.
Jared Goff threw 31 of 39 passes, far better than the Lions’ running game. On the other side, Jordan Love looked like a quarterback on a mission.
Rams vs. Texans – A Snooze Fest
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Houston Texans 14-9, in a dull contest.
The fourth quarter finished 0-0, typical of a Rams win: boring but efficient. Matthew Stafford did just enough to secure the victory.
Bills vs. Ravens – Early Game of the Year Candidate
Sunday night featured what could already be a candidate for game of the year, as the Buffalo Bills stunned the Baltimore Ravens 41-40.
The Ravens led 40-25 in the fourth quarter and dominated the run game with 238 yards. With eight minutes left and the ball, their win probability was under 1%.
Yet Baltimore collapsed, punted too early, and gave Buffalo life. The Bills capitalized with three late scores to complete one of the wildest comebacks in recent NFL history.
This could easily be a preview of a future Super Bowl matchup.
Monday Night Football – Vikings Stun the Bears
The week ended with the Minnesota Vikings beating the Chicago Bears 27-24.
The stats weren’t flashy: McCarthy threw for just 143 yards, and the Vikings ran for 120. But they turned their chances into points, scoring 27 against Chicago’s defense.
A strong fourth quarter sealed the deal.
What We Learned from Week 1
Upsets were everywhere: the Bengals underperformed, the Dolphins collapsed, and the Titans lost.
Rodgers and Herbert impressed: both quarterbacks looked sharp.
A key betting trend: opposing quarterbacks may rack up passing yards against the Bengals’ defense.
Bills vs. Ravens delivered one of the wildest comebacks in recent memory.
Week 1 had everything: unpredictability, drama, and standout performances. Week 2 is right around the corner, and with it, more opportunities to find betting value.