The energy was basically electric. You know that feeling when the humidity finally breaks and the first Thursday in September rolls around? It's more than just a game; it's the official end of summer and the start of a five-month obsession. Looking back at the 2025 NFL schedule week 1, it wasn't just another opening week. It felt like a tectonic shift in the league's landscape, starting with a bitter rivalry in Philly and ending with a rookie quarterback making a massive statement on Monday night.
Honestly, the NFL outdid itself with the scheduling. We had the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys to kick things off. Then, less than 24 hours later, the league was in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was chaos in the best way possible. If you weren't glued to your screen, you missed some of the weirdest, most physical football we've seen in years.
The Kickoff: Chaos at the Linc
The season started on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, had to defend home turf against a Dallas team that had spent the whole offseason hearing about how they couldn't win the "big one."
Philly ended up taking it 24-20. It wasn't pretty. Dak Prescott was back after missing time the previous year with a hamstring injury, and he looked sharp, going 9-4 against the Eagles historically. But the Eagles' defense, playing under those bright Lincoln Financial Field lights, was just too much. Brian Schottenheimer was making his debut as the Cowboys' play-caller, and while they moved the ball, they just couldn't punch it in when it mattered most.
The stadium was a sea of green, and the "Fly Eagles Fly" chant was deafening. It’s funny how a Week 1 game can feel like a playoff matchup, but that's what happens when you put these two teams in a standalone primetime slot.
Friday Night Lights in Brazil
Then came the history-maker. On Friday, September 5, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers met in Sao Paulo. This was the first-ever NFL game in Brazil, and the atmosphere was unlike anything in the States.
The Chargers actually pulled off the upset, winning 27-21.
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Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs looked a little out of sync, maybe it was the travel or just the early-season jitters, but Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers were ready. They played a physical, run-heavy game that seemed to frustrate the Kansas City defense. It was a statement win for a Chargers team that everyone had written off during the offseason. Watching football on a Friday night felt a bit like high school, except with multi-million dollar athletes and a stadium of 50,000 screaming Brazilians.
Sunday's Early Window: Gritty Wins and Heartbreak
Sunday, September 7, was a blur.
The 1:00 PM ET window was packed. In Cleveland, the Bengals edged out the Browns 17-16 in a defensive slugfest. The Browns actually had a 93.8% win probability at one point, but a missed field goal by Andre Szmyt and a late interception by DJ Turner absolutely killed them. It was a classic "Browns find a way to lose" scenario.
Meanwhile, down in Atlanta, Baker Mayfield continued his Week 1 magic. The Buccaneers beat the Falcons 23-20. Mayfield only threw for a handful of yards, but three of those passes were touchdowns. It was efficient, gritty, and exactly what Tampa needed.
Over in Indianapolis, the Colts absolutely dismantled the Miami Dolphins 33-8. It wasn't even competitive. The Dolphins' offense looked lost without any rhythm, while the Colts' rushing attack just wore them down.
Here’s a quick look at how some of those other early games shook out:
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- Washington Commanders 21, NY Giants 6: Jayden Daniels managed the game well, while Russell Wilson and the Giants' offense stayed stuck in neutral all afternoon.
- Jacksonville Jaguars 26, Carolina Panthers 10: The Jags looked like legitimate contenders, while the Panthers struggled to find any offensive identity.
- Las Vegas Raiders 20, New England Patriots 13: A tough loss for the Pats at home, as the Raiders' defense stepped up big in the fourth quarter.
- Pittsburgh Steelers 34, NY Jets 32: This was easily the game of the afternoon. A high-scoring affair that came down to a last-second field goal.
- Arizona Cardinals 20, New Orleans Saints 13: Alvin Kamara had a historic day, surpassing 600 career receptions, but the Saints couldn't find the end zone when it counted.
The Late Afternoon and Sunday Night Thriller
The 4:05 PM and 4:25 PM windows didn't disappoint either.
In Seattle, the 49ers beat the Seahawks 17-13. The hero was a third-string tight end named Jake Tonges. With George Kittle out due to injury, Brock Purdy found Tonges for the game-winning score late in the fourth. It was a brutal debut for Sam Darnold in Seattle. He had a chance to lead a game-winning drive, but Nick Bosa forced a fumble that sealed the deal.
The Green Bay Packers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, winning 27-13 at Lambeau Field. Jordan Love looked every bit like the franchise quarterback the Packers believe he is.
Then we had the Sunday Night Football game: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills.
This was the one everyone was waiting for. Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson. It lived up to every bit of the hype. Buffalo won 41-40. It was a track meet. Both quarterbacks were making plays with their legs and their arms, but the Bills' home-field advantage at Highmark Stadium proved to be the difference. A late defensive stand for Buffalo secured the one-point victory in what many called the game of the year—and it was only Week 1.
Monday Night: The McCarthy Era Begins
To wrap up the 2025 NFL schedule week 1, we went to Soldier Field. The Chicago Bears hosted the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, September 8.
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The Vikings won 27-24.
This game was all about the quarterbacks. JJ McCarthy, the rookie, showed incredible poise. Things weren't going well for Minnesota early on, but McCarthy hung in there and delivered when his back was against the wall. He even ran one in himself to give the Vikings the lead. On the other side, Caleb Williams and the Bears' offense showed flashes of brilliance, especially a late touchdown to Rome Odunze, but they couldn't quite close the gap.
What We Actually Learned
Looking back, Week 1 told us a lot about where the league was heading. The transition of power in some divisions was obvious. The AFC North looked like it was going to be a bloodbath again. The NFC East was still a two-horse race between Philly and Dallas, though the Commanders' defense looked surprisingly stout under Dan Quinn.
We also saw the impact of a massive free agency period. Sam Darnold moving to Seattle, Aaron Rodgers (briefly) in Pittsburgh, and even Saquon Barkley's continued dominance in Philly—all these moves started to bear fruit immediately.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the stats or rewatch these games, here’s what you should focus on:
- Watch the Trenches: The most successful teams in Week 1 weren't necessarily the ones with the best QB play, but the ones whose offensive lines held up. Look at the Colts and the 49ers.
- Special Teams Matter: Missed field goals in Cleveland and a crucial punt return in Pittsburgh changed the entire trajectory of those games.
- Rookie Impact: Don't just look at the stat lines. Watch the "all-22" film of JJ McCarthy and Caleb Williams. Their pocket presence in Week 1 was way ahead of the usual rookie curve.
The 2025 NFL schedule week 1 set a high bar. It gave us international drama, divisional wars, and the birth of new stars. Most people expected a slow start, but what we got was a full-throttle sprint into the 2025 season.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who enjoys the spectacle, that opening week was a reminder of why we love this game. It's unpredictable, it's loud, and it's finally back.
Next Steps for NFL Fans:
Check out the official NFL Game Pass or NFL+ Premium to rewatch the full broadcasts of the Bills-Ravens or Vikings-Bears games. Both matchups offer a masterclass in modern offensive scheme and late-game clock management that defined the rest of the 2025 season.