By CIAN McKEOWN
Week one of 2025 NFL action began on a cloudy night in Philadelphia that later turned stormy, causing a weather delay. Thunder crackled from the opening kickoff as Eagles Pro Bowl Defense End Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott shortly after the play. Despite their recent deal of All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay, Dallas kept pace with the Eagles for most of the contest with a couple strong drives by Prescott. However, Philadelphia came out on top when Dallas’s offense stalled due to ill-timed drops by star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
The Los Angeles Chargers then shocked the football world the next night by outlasting the defending conference champion Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo behind a maestro performance by laser-armed signal-caller Justin Herbert. Herbert passed for 318 yards and three scores that night, putting the league on notice.
Sunday’s early window produced some interesting results, with the Daniel Jones-led Colts walloping the Dolphins 33-8, leading some to believe that Head Coach Shane Stiechen made the right call passing up young Quarterback Anthony Richardson for the starting job this season. Another game of note was a surprising thriller between the Jets and Steelers, with Steelers field general Aaron Rodgers registering four touchdown passes in a win. The Steelers defense, however, looked rather woeful against the Jets’ twin rushing attack of Justin Fields and Breece Hall, allowing 182 yards on the ground.
Down south, Panthers Quarterback Bryce Young regressed in a disappointing loss to the new-look Liam Cohen Jaguars, and Tampa proved why they are still the kings of their division with a statement win in Atlanta behind a go-ahead touchdown reception by rookie pass catcher Emeka Egbuka in the fourth quarter. The Commanders topped the Giants with a sloppy win in Washington that nevertheless showcased the ability of newly acquired weapon Deebo Samuel. In Cleveland, the Browns dropped a heartbreaker to the Bengals on a miraculous interception by Bengals Cornerback Jordan Battle. A missed field goal and extra point by Browns Kicker Andre Szmyt also contributed to Cleveland’s demise on Sunday.
Pete Carroll scored his first win as Raiders Head Coach against the Patriots while his former team battled the 49ers at home. Despite an injury to Tight End George Kittle, San Francisco fought to the finish with a circus catch touchdown catch by Kittle’s backup Jake Tonges followed by a clutch red zone strip-sack by Nick Bosa to ice the game. Meanwhile, in Green Bay, Micah Parsons made his presence known in a dominating Packers win versus the Lions, who look rusty after last year’s long season. After ugly home wins by the Broncos and Rams against Tennessee and Houston, America was hankering for a marquee matchup.
Sunday Night Football delivered with an electric shootout between the previous two years’ NFL MVPs Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. For most of the second half, it looked as though Baltimore would take their revenge on Buffalo’s home fans for their close loss in the Division Round last season; then, a miracle.
Trailing 40-25 with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Allen led the Bills to a touchdown drive, and then another after Buffalo’s defense ripped the ball from the grasp of Ravens Running Back Derrick Henry to give Allen the ball back. They looked to tie the game with a two point try, but failed to convert after one of Allen’s passes was tipped out of the hands of receiver Keon Coleman. Yet another clutch stop by the Bills’ Defense gave way to Allen throwing strikes to get Buffalo in range to kick the game-winning field goal, completing the miraculous comeback as time expired.
Week one wrapped up in Chicago, with the Bears facing the Minnesota Vikings for the regular season debut of Quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Bears took a commanding 17-6 lead in the first half behind a McCarthy interception that was returned for a touchdown. A shaky second half by Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams led to a Vikings rally and eventual win in a matchup that left Chicago fans perturbed.
Featured image: NFL.com
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