Week 1 of the NFL season brought its usual mix of surprises and statement games, giving us plenty to dissect even if it’s wise not to read too much into early performances. Still, some storylines from the opening weekend deserve recognition.
NFL Season Kickoff: Early Award Predictions
Super Bowl Front-Runners: Buffalo Bills
Buffalo pulled off something special in their season opener, erasing a 40-25 deficit in the final four minutes to beat Baltimore 41-40. Josh Allen was magnificent under pressure, slinging for 394 yards while orchestrating those clutch final drives. Ed Oliver came through when it mattered most, stripping the ball from Derrick Henry with his team trailing by eight. This felt like January football in September, which is why the Bills sit atop the Super Bowl odds right now.
Worth noting: Green Bay looked sharp in their Week 1 outing.
Most Valuable Player: Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Jones carved up Miami in a 33-8 blowout, completing 22 of 29 passes while punching in two rushing scores. Sure, the Dolphins looked out of sorts, but Jones operated with the kind of efficiency that could carry Indy to the playoffs if he keeps it up.
Also impressive: Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields, who delivered solid performances in their much-anticipated quarterback matchup from last year’s trade drama.
Rookie of the Year: Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Draft analysts raved about Egbuka all summer, and he proved them right in Tampa Bay’s nail-biting 23-20 win over Atlanta. The rookie hauled in four catches for 67 yards and found the end zone twice, including the game-winner that has him leading the Rookie of the Year conversation after just one game.
Close second: Travis Hunter made waves with his two-way excellence in Week 1.
Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers
Parsons wasted no time making his presence felt in Green Bay, notching his first sack as a Packer during their convincing win over Detroit. What stood out was his impact despite limited snaps—when he was on the field, he was impossible to ignore.
Team mention: The entire Los Angeles Rams defense deserves props for their collective Week 1 showing.
Catch of the Year: Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions
TeSlaa made a grab that’s already making the rounds on social media, the kind of athletic display that’ll be tough to top come December when voters start making their lists.
Additional Notes
Plenty of Week 1 action didn’t make it into this roundup—check out our full breakdown for more takeaways, including why Jaxson Dart might be getting a starting nod soon. Oh, and the week’s “LVP” award goes to whoever decided to throw a green adult toy onto the field during Cincinnati’s road victory in Cleveland. Stay classy, folks.
Tennis Spotlight: Carlos Alcaraz’s Continued Dominance
Critics might call the current tennis landscape predictable with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner regularly meeting in Grand Slam finals, but their rivalry keeps delivering quality matches. These two represent the sport’s brightest stars, and their genuine respect for each other makes every encounter worth watching.
Alcaraz added his sixth Grand Slam title by outlasting Sinner in four sets at the U.S. Open final. The victory showcased his evolving tactical awareness while putting him back at ATP world No. 1 at age 22—pretty remarkable stuff.
Off-Court Notes
The final drew attention for President Donald Trump’s attendance, which created some crowd buzz and behind-the-scenes logistics headaches, as Lukas Weese documented.
Other Sports Headlines
- Max Scherzer apparently telegraphed his pitches against the Yankees, which has people talking.
- Rory McIlroy broke through at the Irish Open for his first win since the Masters.
- Tragic news: Timberwolves star Naz Reid lost his sister in New Jersey.
- South Florida cracked the AP Top 25 after their huge upset win at Florida.
What to Watch Next
- MLB: Mets vs. Phillies at 6:45 p.m. ET on MLB Network—a divisional battle with playoff implications as we head down the stretch.
- NFL: Vikings vs. Bears at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN, featuring Caleb Williams’ second-year debut and J.J. McCarthy under heavy expectations in what should be a physical NFC North clash.
Recommended Reads
- Ken Rosenthal breaks down the 15 flawed MLB playoff contenders, reminding us that every team has warts this time of year.
- Richard Deitsch reviews NFL Week 1 television coverage, with high marks for Tom Brady’s broadcasting debut.
- Stewart Mandel examines the challenging road ahead for Florida football under Billy Napier’s leadership.
- A Missouri fan’s story about turning down $25,000 just to troll Kansas—now that’s dedication to a rivalry.
Stay connected with The Athletic’s daily newsletter for comprehensive sports coverage and breaking news.
