San Diego Chargers 34
Miami Dolphins 6
SAN DIEGO - After a six year absence, the San Diego Chargers (1-0) returned home to defeat the Miami Dolphins (0-1) 34-6 at a rebuilt and rocking Jack Murphy Stadium.
New Head Coach Nick Sirianni had his team prepared and hungry to face the Dolphins as the Chargers dominated in all three phases of the game.
“We knew what this return meant to our fans,” Sirianni said. “I’m proud of our effort and looking forward to what is next.”
San Diego’s rookies and new acquisitions showed up throughout the game in major ways.
Rookie Linebacker Nolan Smith was a force throughout with 7 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.
“This is a team people have been sleeping on,” Smith said. “You’ll get this every week - We were made for this.”
Fellow rookie Joey Porter Jr. made enough plays against WR Tyreek Hill to keep him mostly out of the game while newly acquired HB Jonathan Taylor carried the ground attack with 164 yards rushing and 2 TD.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the leader brought in by the new SD ownership group previously led the Miami attack that lost the famous 3GML AFC Championship “Snow Game” back in 2016.
“I knew beating Miami would be big for our owner,” Brissett said. “He showed a lot of faith in me to bring me in to earn a starting spot - I didn’t want to let him down.”
Brissett finished with 309 passing yards and 2 TD to go along with an INT.
The Chargers will now travel to face the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
Chicago Bears 45
Green Bay Packers 16
CHICAGO - The Packers lost 45-16. That's it. That's the story.
San Francisco 49ers 33
Pittsburgh Steelers 21
PITTSBURGH— In a rain-soaked showdown at Levi's Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers emerged victorious over the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) with a final score of 33-21 during their Week 1 clash on Sunday.
49ers quarterback Justin Fields delivered a solid performance in his debut, throwing for 234 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Fields remained calm under pressure and showcased his potential as the team's leader.
After the game, Fields commented on his debut, saying, "It was a great feeling to get out there and compete with this team. We've been working hard, and I'm just glad we got the win today."
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd was a standout for the 49ers, hauling in seven receptions for an impressive 111 yards, providing Fields with a reliable target throughout the game. Boyd's ability to make clutch catches in challenging weather conditions was pivotal in securing the victory.
Boyd expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I knew we needed some big plays in these conditions, and I was determined to do my part to help the team win."
On the opposing side, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett put up a valiant effort, amassing 338 yards through the air, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Despite the loss, Pickett demonstrated his resilience and ability to lead the Steelers' offense.
Pickett reflected on the game, saying, "We didn't get the result we wanted, but we'll learn from this and come back stronger next week. We have a lot of talent on this team, and we'll work to put it all together."
In a somber note, 49ers safety Marcus Williams suffered an injury during the game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Williams would undergo further evaluation, and the team is hopeful for a swift recovery.
Shanahan commented on Williams' injury, stating, "Our thoughts are with Marcus right now. He's a vital part of our defense, and we're hoping for the best in terms of his recovery."
The 49ers (1-0) will look to build on their Week 1 success next week on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
Philadelphia Eagles 24
New England Patriots 23
FOXBOROUGH, MA — The Philadelphia Eagles staged a thrilling comeback against the New England Patriots on Sunday, overcoming a 23-10 deficit to win 24-23, thanks to a quarterback switch and a stellar performance by running back Christian McCaffrey.
With the Eagles struggling to move the ball, head coach Eric Bieniemy made a bold decision to replace starting quarterback Mac Jones with rookie Will Levis in the third quarter. The move proved to be a game-changer as Levis led two touchdown drives that secured the victory for Philadelphia.
"It was a tough decision, but we needed a spark," said Coach Bieniemy. "Will (Levis) came in and gave us the energy and precision we needed to turn things around. It was the right call."
Levis, who had limited NFL experience prior to this game, showed remarkable composure and accuracy. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, including a game-winning strike to wide receiver Darren Waller in the final minutes.
"I was just ready to step in and do my job," Levis said after the game. "This team has great talent, and I knew we could come back and win. It's a special feeling."
Running back Christian McCaffrey also played a pivotal role in the Eagles' victory, scoring two crucial touchdowns, including a one-yard plunge in the fourth quarter that put Philadelphia back in the game.
"This team never gave up, and I just did my part to contribute," said McCaffrey, who finished the game with 68 rushing yards and 32 receiving yards.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who struggled to move the offense in the first half, expressed his disappointment after being benched. "It's always tough to watch from the sideline, but Coach made the decision he thought was best for the team," Jones said. "We'll learn from this and come back stronger next week."
Philadelphia will look to build on this thrilling win as they continue their season next week at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
Houston Texans 40
Baltimore Ravens 17
BALTIMORE — In a stunning turn of events, the Houston Texans (1-0) emerged victorious in their Week One matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, upsetting their heavily favored opponents with a resounding 40-17 victory at M&T Bank Stadium.
Backup quarterback Trey Lance stepped into the spotlight for the Texans, taking the reins from an injured Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a devastating Achilles injury in the week leading up to the game.
However, it was running back Tyler Allgeier who truly stole the show for Houston. Allgeier was a workhorse throughout the game, rushing for a whopping 177 yards and finding the end zone four times on 34 carries. His relentless ground attack left the Ravens' defense grasping for answers and provided the Texans with a much-needed offensive spark.
"The offensive line did an incredible job today, and I just tried to make the most of every opportunity," Allgeier humbly remarked after the game. "I'm grateful for the trust my teammates and coaches have in me, and I'm happy I could contribute to this win."
The Texans' defense also played a pivotal role in the upset, limiting the Ravens to a mere 248 yards of total offense. They relentlessly pressured Ravens quarterback Jalen Hurts, finding their way into the backfield all game.
Hurts, despite showing flashes of excellence, struggled to find consistent rhythm against the Texans' stout defense. He finished the game with 18 completions on 29 attempts for 194 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
"I need to be better," Hurts admitted in the post-game press conference. "We made some good plays out there, but we didn't execute consistently. Credit to the Texans for their strong defensive performance."
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a bright spot for the Ravens (0-1), hauling in eight catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Aiyuk's chemistry with Hurts showed promise, and the duo could be a key factor in the Ravens' offensive resurgence in the coming weeks.
Amid the disappointment of the loss, rumors swirled about potential changes in the Ravens' defensive coaching staff. Allowing 40 points in the season opener was certainly a cause for concern, and it remains to be seen if the organization will make any adjustments in response.
While the Texans celebrated their improbable victory, the Ravens will regroup and look for ways to bounce back in Week Two as they aim to put this surprising loss behind them.
