What NFL Week 1 Left Us: Drama, Debuts, and Comebacks

The 2025 NFL season kicked off with force and left some huge moments: successful returns, impactful debuts, memorable comebacks, and performances that raise big questions for what’s ahead.

The week began with a dramatic opener: the reigning champion Eagles held off the Cowboys and won 24-20 in a storm-delayed game, marked by the ejection of a Philadelphia lineman for spitting at the opposing quarterback.

Pittsburgh hosted the highly anticipated return of Aaron Rodgers, who, despite boos, showed he still has magic: he threw four touchdowns to lift the Steelers to a 34-32 win over the Jets, also reuniting him with Justin Fields on the field.

The biggest comeback belonged to Josh Allen and the Bills: they trailed by 15 points, but Allen led an epic rally to defeat the Ravens 41-40. His historic performance in the closing stages already makes him one of the standout figures of the season.

In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones delivered an impressive debut with the Colts: multiple touchdowns and a dominant 33-8 win over the Dolphins sparked new hopes of reviving his career.

The Vikings, meanwhile, celebrated rookie J.J. McCarthy’s official debut: down 17-6, he led a 27-24 comeback over the Bears with two TD passes and a rushing score in the final quarter.

From the capital, the Commanders closed Monday strong with a 21-6 win over the Giants. Deebo Samuel led the attack while the revamped defense controlled the game.

Finally, the Saints opened their campaign with a home loss. Led by rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray, the Cardinals claimed a 20-13 victory, signaling that new rivalries are heating up this season.