The NFL regular season kicks off, concluding days of preparation, preseason games, and roster changes. The 107th season began with a unique Wednesday night game. The defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks, lost quarterback Sam Darnold early to a hip injury but rallied to defeat the New England Patriots 13-10. On Thursday night, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in the league’s first game held in Australia. The weekend continues with 13 games on Sunday and concludes Monday night with the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Denver Broncos.
Top Storylines for Week 1
New Faces, New Eras
Ten teams start the season with new head coaches. Joe Brady takes over the Buffalo Bills, replacing Sean McDermott. The Ravens, under new head coach Jesse Minter, aim for success after John Harbaugh’s tenure. Mike McCarthy returns to Pittsburgh, and Kevin Stefanski leads the Falcons. Other teams with new head coaches include the Titans, Cardinals, Dolphins, and Raiders. Historically, ten teams have reached the playoffs in their first season under a new head coach in the past five years.
Comeback Quests
Several top players are making returns after injuries cut their 2025 seasons short. Washington Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels returns from a limited season, while the Browns’ Deshaun Watson comes back from Achilles surgeries. In Minnesota, Kyler Murray is back after a foot injury and joins the Vikings. The Colts’ Daniel Jones returns to finish what he started with one of the league’s most potent offenses before his Achilles injury. Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes is set to return after his knee injury ended their playoff streak.
Statement Opportunities
Week 1 is crucial for some key figures aiming to prove themselves. Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud needs to bounce back after playoff struggles, while Bryce Young of the Panthers aims for consistency after steering his team to a playoff berth last season. Bears’ Caleb Williams seeks to improve on his previous performance, needing to show progress.
Super Bowl or Bust?
Quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen strive for their first Super Bowl rings. The Ravens and Bills face uncertainties with new coaches, and the Bengals must overcome past injuries and losing seasons.
Coaches Under Pressure
Some coaches need to deliver returns this year. Jets’ Aaron Glenn struggles after a challenging first season. Commanders’ Dan Quinn must improve from a disappointing Year 2, and Todd Bowles’ Buccaneers need to recover from a poor season finish. The Lions’ Dan Campbell seeks to return the team to top status in the NFC after last season’s struggles.