The NFL is back for another season and there have already been some shock results, with the New England Patriots pulling off a big upset win while the Carolina Panthers copped an early reality check.
Elsewhere, an Australian rookie starred in his team’s epic comeback.
Read on for a full NFL wrap!
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Love leaves injured as Eagles win opener | 01:18
SUPERSTAR RECEIVER ARRESTED BEFORE SPARKING DOLPHINS COMEBACK
Tyreek Hill scored a spectacular touchdown just hours after being arrested by police as the Miami Dolphins scored a 17-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Dolphins receiver Hill had been at the centre of off-field controversy early Sunday after being arrested by traffic cops near the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as he drove to the game.
The 30-year-old speedster was filmed lying face down on the road as police officers handcuffed him for what was later described as a minor traffic violation before being released without charge.
Hill shrugged off the incident, though, to help the Dolphins recover from a 14-0 second-quarter deficit, with Miami sealing victory thanks to Jason Sanders’ 52-yard field goal with the final play of the game.
Hill, however, electrified the Miami crowd with a sensational 80-yard third-quarter touchdown that put the Dolphins within 17-14.
The receiver then alluded to his arrest by pretending to be handcuffed by teammate Jaylen Waddle in his touchdown end zone celebration.
Sanders drilled a 37-yard field goal with 4min 22sec remaining to tie the game before nailing his decisive last-gasp kick to give the Dolphins victory.
BILLS QB PLAYS DOWN INJURY AFTER INSPIRING FIGHTBACK
Elsewhere, there was a double-digit fightback in Buffalo as Josh Allen led the Bills to a 34-28 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium.
Bills quarterback Allen rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more to help Buffalo overturn a 17-3 second quarter deficit.
Allen finished with 232 passing yards from 18-of-23 completions in an impressive start to the season for one of the NFL’s most talented quarterbacks.
Allen said post-game that he was set for X-rays after picking up an injury on his non-throwing hand in the win but insisted he would be OK.
MIXED REVIEWS ON HYPED NO.1 PICK AS AUSSIE STARS IN COMEBACK
In Chicago, meanwhile, much-hyped No.1 draft pick Caleb Williams’s NFL career got off to a rocky but victorious start as the Bears defence set up a come-from-behind 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Bears quarterback Williams finished with just 93 passing yards and looked poised to suffer a losing debut as the Titans raced into a 17-0 lead late in the second quarter.
But the Bears came roaring back after half-time, with safety Jonathan Owens — who is married to US Olympic gymnastics superstar Simone Biles — scooping up a blocked punt for a touchdown to start the fightback.
The Bears defence then shut out the Titans offence for the remainder of the half and cut the deficit to one point with back-to-back field goals from Cairo Santos early in the fourth quarter.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson intercepted Titans quarterback Will Levis for a pick six and a successful two-point conversion left Chicago leading 24-17 before the Bears defence then iced the game with another interception in the final moments.
Elsewhere, with Chicago’s offence struggling, Australian rookie punter Tory Taylor was regularly called on and produced a standout performance in his first NFL game.
Taylor recorded six punts in total, landing three inside the 20.
ROCKY START FOR FALCONS’ BIG-MONEY QB ADDITION
In Atlanta, the Pittsburgh Steelers shrugged of the injury absence of quarterback Russell Wilson to grind out an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, with all of their points coming from six Chris Boswell field goals.
It was a rough start for Kirk Cousins, who the Falcons signed to a four-year, $180 million contract in the hopes he could finally provide high-level, or at least steady, quarterback play.
But Cousins ended up completing 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, mangaging only 19 yards in the second half.
That was the lowest mark of Cousins’ career, with the veteran quarterback telling reporters he was “disappointed” with his effort.
NEW YEAR, SAME OLD PANTHERS AND BRYCE YOUNG
There was optimism heading into a new season that former first overall pick Bryce Young could put a nightmare rookie season behind him.
New coach Dave Canales had back-to-back years of helping Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield put together career years, while Young was also expected to benefit from the arrival of a clear top target in Diontae Johnson and a fortified offensive line.
Instead, it was much of the same for the Panthers. In fact, it was arguably worse given the higher expectations as Carolina made New Orleans look like world beaters in a 47-10 loss.
The Saints had their own question marks on the offensive end heading into the new season but were gifted field position by a turnover-prone Young, who threw an interception with his first pass attempt of the season.
It didn’t get any better from there, with Young tackled by teammate Taylor Moton on one play that summed up a disastrous season opener for the Panthers.
Young threw another interception later in the game, this time overshooting an open Adam Thielen. At that point, he was 6 of 14 for 50 yards, no touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
On the other side, Derek Carr was poised as he finished with 19 completions for 200 yards and three touchdowns.
BENGALS STUNNED BY PATRIOTS AS JA’MARR CHASE DRAMA DRAGS ON
As if the vibes weren’t already bad enough in Cincinnati, the Bengals suffered a stunning 16-10 defeat to the New England Patriots to open their 2024-25 campaign.
The Bengals were heavy favourites despite being without injured receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring), with the hope that a healthier Joe Burrow and stronger offensive line would mean a return to form and potential Super Bowl contention.
Instead, Cincinnati went three-and-out on its first three possessions while New England, led by experienced veteran Jacoby Brissett, went on a 80-yard drive in the first quarter that was capped off by a three-yard Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run.
The Patriots running back led the way in the upset win, finishing with 120 yards, while Joey Slye kicked three field goals to secure Jerod Mayo the victory in his first game as coach.
Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who held out for the majority of the preseason as he seeks a big-money contract extension, had six catches for 62 yards.
Chase had been questionable for Monday’s game with an illness and when asked by reporters why he only had six targets, the superstar receiver said “You’ve gotta ask Zac”, referring to head coach Zac Taylor.
IN OTHER GAMES…
In other early action, rising quarterback star C.J. Stroud threw for two touchdowns and 234 yards in a gripping 29-27 victory for the Houston Texans on the road at the Indianapolis Colts.
In East Rutherford, the New York Giants centenary season got off to a dismal start in a 28-6 pounding by Minnesota as Sam Darnold impressed in his first start for the Vikings.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones threw two interceptions including a pick six and was sacked five times in a torrid opening.
WEEK 1 NFL SCORES
Chiefs 27 defeat Ravens 20
Eagles 34 defeat Packers 29
Saints 47 defeat Panthers 10
Giants 6 defeated by Vikings 28
Bengals 10 defeated by Patriots 16
Falcons 10 defeated by Steelers 18
Colts 27 defeated by Texans 29
Bills 32 defeat Cardinals 28
Bears 24 defeat Titans 17
Dolphins 20 defeat Jaguars 17
Source Agencies
