Honestly, if you bet on the heavy favorites this past September, your bank account probably took a massive hit. Week 1 is always chaos, but the 2025 opening slate felt like someone threw the script into a blender. We saw everything from a Heisman favorite’s stock plummeting in a defensive slugfest to a 41-year-old legend proving that age is just a number in a different jersey.
Basically, the "safe" picks weren't safe at all.
What Really Happened With Week 1 Football Scores
The biggest shocker of the weekend wasn't just a score; it was a statement. In Tallahassee, an unranked Florida State team didn't just beat No. 8 Alabama—they physically dominated them. The final 31-17 score doesn't even tell the whole story. Tommy Castellanos, the FSU quarterback, had basically spent the entire offseason telling anyone who would listen that Alabama didn't have Nick Saban to save them anymore.
He was right.
Kalen DeBoer’s era at Alabama started with a thud as the Crimson Tide struggled in the trenches. They gave up 29 pressures. It was messy. FSU snapped Alabama's 23-game winning streak in season openers, which is the kind of stat that makes you realize the landscape of college football has shifted.
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The Big Noon Letdown in Columbus
Over in the Big Ten, No. 3 Ohio State took down No. 1 Texas in a game that felt more like a 1920s wrestling match than a modern shootout. 14-7. That was it. Arch Manning’s Heisman odds didn't just drop; they fell off a cliff. The Buckeyes' defense, led by Jermaine Matthews, held the Longhorns to a measly 4.9 yards per play.
It turns out that having eight new starters doesn't matter if you're the Buckeyes. Their secondary looked like a "no-fly zone" all afternoon.
Other College Chaos
- LSU vs. Clemson: Brian Kelly finally won an opener. LSU’s defense was actually the star here, holding Clemson to a 17-10 loss. Garrett Nussmeier hit Trey’Dez Green for the game-winner in the fourth, but Blake Baker’s defense—blitzing on 67% of dropbacks—was the real story.
- Miami’s Statement: The Hurricanes went into South Bend and humbled No. 6 Notre Dame 27-24. CJ Carr’s first start for the Irish was a rough one because Miami’s defensive line lived in the backfield.
- The Michigan Spark: The defending champs beat New Mexico 34-17. It wasn't a blowout by the betting odds, but freshman Bryce Underwood looked like the real deal, throwing his first college TD to Marlin Klein.
NFL Week 1: The New Look Legacies
Moving to the pros, the NFL Week 1 scores gave us a glimpse into some very expensive gambles. Specifically, the quarterback carousel.
Rodgers Still Has the Magic
The most anticipated debut was undoubtedly Aaron Rodgers in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform. Playing against his former team, the Jets, Rodgers looked every bit the 41-year-old "sage" we expected. He isn't mobile anymore—he took four sacks—but he went 22-of-30 for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
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The Steelers won 34-32 on a 60-yard Chris Boswell field goal, but the talk of the town was Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey clinched the win with a brutal hit on Garrett Wilson that forced a fumble late in the fourth.
The Bills-Ravens Shootout
If you like points, Buffalo was the place to be. The Bills beat the Ravens 41-40 in what might already be the game of the year. Josh Allen put up four touchdowns, proving why he’s the reigning MVP.
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were spectacular for most of the game—Henry had 169 yards—but a late fumble by "King Henry" opened the door for a Buffalo comeback. It’s the same old story for Baltimore: they beat themselves with self-inflicted mistakes.
Surprise Performers and Total Letdowns
The Washington Commanders actually looked... good? They beat the Giants 21-6. Jayden Daniels was efficient, but it was the defense under Dan Quinn that really stood out. They kept the Giants out of the end zone entirely. Russell Wilson, on the other hand, looked stuck in neutral for New York, struggling behind a line that missed Andrew Thomas dearly.
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In the NFC North, the Packers dominated the Lions 27-13. Micah Parsons made his debut for Green Bay and, honestly, he's just unfair in that system. Detroit's offense couldn't find a rhythm all day.
Actionable Insights for Week 2
Don't overreact, but do pay attention.
- Watch the Trenches: Alabama and the Giants proved that if your O-line is a sieve, your superstar QB doesn't matter. Look for teams with veteran offensive lines in Week 2 matchups.
- Home Field Trap: Week 1 favorites at home often underperform because of the "hype" factor. Take a closer look at road underdogs who have mobile quarterbacks, like what we saw with Miami and FSU.
- The "New Coordinator" Bump: The Jets' offense actually looked more fluid under Tanner Engstrand. Justin Fields went 16-of-22 with three total touchdowns. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes on the playbook is worth more than a superstar signing.
Check the injury reports for Brock Bowers (Raiders) and the Eagles' secondary before placing any more bets. Week 1 told us that the old hierarchies are crumbling, and the teams that adapted to the transfer portal (college) or aggressive veteran trades (NFL) are the ones currently holding the lead.