Chargers Hold Off Raiders 34-25 in Season Opener Behind Will Levis’ Strong Performance
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Will Levis threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns as the Los Angeles Chargers kicked off their season with a 34-25 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Levis, making his debut as the Chargers' starting quarterback, connected with A.J. Brown six times for 151 yards, including two touchdowns. Brown’s big-play ability set the tone for Los Angeles, which built an early lead and held off a late Raiders rally.
Las Vegas (0-1) quarterback Gardner Minshew led the Raiders on a late surge, closing the gap to 31-25 in the fourth quarter. However, the Chargers sealed the win with a 47-yard field goal by Justin Tucker, putting the game out of reach in the final minutes.
“It’s great to start the season with a win,” Levis said. “We made some big plays, but there’s still a lot to clean up. We’ve got a long season ahead, but this was a good first step.”
Minshew finished with 341 yards and a touchdown, but the Chargers’ defense came up with key stops when it mattered most.
The Chargers (1-0) now head East for week two to take on the Carolina Panthers.
Texans Survive Colts' Comeback, Win 41-38 on Last-Second Field Goal
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Rookie kicker Joshua Marty drilled a 53-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Houston Texans to a thrilling 41-38 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Houston (1-0) stormed out to a commanding 27-10 halftime lead behind an impressive debut performance from rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns. Maye found Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk early and often, with Samuel racking up 192 yards and two scores, while Aiyuk added 132 yards receiving.
The Colts (0-1), however, mounted a furious second-half rally, fueled by quarterback Anthony Richardson’s dynamic play. Richardson rushed for 146 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns, bringing Indianapolis back to tie the game 38-38 late in the fourth quarter.
With the game on the line, Maye led the Texans on a final drive, setting up Marty’s game-winning kick as time expired.
“It’s a dream come true to hit that in my first game,” Marty said. “The team played hard, and I’m just happy I could do my part.”
Richardson’s dual-threat performance nearly stole the show, but Houston’s high-powered offense, led by Maye and his star receivers, proved too much for the Colts to overcome.
Packers Dominate Eagles 48-7 in São Paulo Behind Stifling Defense, Tagovailoa’s 5 TDs
SÃO PAULO (AP) — The Green Bay Packers put on a clinic in their season opener, dismantling the Philadelphia Eagles 48-7 on Sunday in a game played at Estádio do Morumbi in São Paulo, Brazil.
Green Bay's defense was relentless, intercepting Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts five times and shutting down Philadelphia’s offense from start to finish. The Packers (1-0) capitalized on the turnovers, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing for 253 yards and five touchdowns.
“We just executed at a really high level today,” Tagovailoa said. “Our defense set the tone, and we were able to keep our foot on the gas all game.”
The Packers' ground game was just as dominant, with Isiah Pacheco rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown, while David Montgomery added 118 yards. Green Bay’s balanced attack overwhelmed the Eagles (0-1), who had no answers on either side of the ball.
The Eagles' lone bright spot came with an early touchdown, but soon after the game became out of reach. The Packers led 27-7 at halftime and never looked back.
With the win, the Packers continue to build on their momentum as defending champions, starting their season with an emphatic victory in front of a Brazilian crowd.
Jets Outlast 49ers 41-31 in Monday Night Shootout
NEW YORK (AP) — Breece Hall rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns, propelling the New York Jets to a 41-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in a high-scoring Monday Night Football clash.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers put up 351 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers and the Jets (1-0) matched the 49ers drive for drive in the second half in what turned into an offensive showcase.
San Francisco (0-1) found themselves in a shootout behind quarterback Jordan Love, who threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns and had one interception. However, Love went down late in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. There was no update on his status after the game.
“Both offenses were clicking, but our ground game really made the difference,” Rodgers said. “Breece [Hall] was incredible, and that gave us the edge when we needed it.”
Hall’s two touchdowns, including a 36-yard burst in the second half, proved to be the difference in a game dominated by big plays. Love kept the 49ers in the fight, but San Francisco’s defense struggled to contain Hall and the Jets’ high-powered attack.
The loss puts the 49ers at 0-1 to start the season, while the Jets open their campaign with a statement win at home.
