NFL Week 1 is here. To keep tabs on some of the choicest highlights and other big news throughout Sunday, keep it locked here for updates.
SCHEDULE
Thursday
Sunday
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, New Orleans Saints 40
- Minnesota Vikings 24, San Francisco 49ers 16
- Baltimore Ravens 47, Buffalo Bills 3
- Jacksonville Jaguars 20, New York Giants 15
- New England Patriots 27, Houston Texans 20
- Miami Dolphins 27, Tennessee Titans 20
- Cincinnati Bengals 34, Indianapolis Colts 23
- Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Cleveland Browns 21
- Kansas City Chiefs 38, Los Angeles Chargers 28
- Washington Redskins 24, Arizona Cardinals 6
- Denver Broncos 27, Seattle Seahawks 24
- Carolina Panthers 16, Dallas Cowboys 8
- Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (NBC), 8:20 PM EST
Monday
- New York Jets at Detroit Lions (ESPN), 7:10 PM EST
- Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders (ESPN), 10:20 PM EST
HIGHLIGHTS
Special strikes
Sunday's season opener between the Dolphins and Titans was delayed twice due to bad weather, but they were adamant about finishing the contest. Jakeem Grant did his best to make sure the result fell in the Fins' favor, taking this kick return 101 yards to pay dirt and giving Miami a fourth-quarter lead.
HE GONE! @_TheDreamIsHere #FinsUp #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/Jd7f6AbDHa
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
The Dolphins started to pull away when Ryan Tannehill connected with Kenny Stills on a bomb downfield. The 75-yard connection came at the expense of Malcolm Butler, who got roasted by Stills in one-on-one coverage.
.@ryantannehill1 goes DEEEP @KSTiLLS for SIX! #FinsUp #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/BQBbxz9FLM
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
But the Titans managed to get a timely special teams contribution as well. Darius Jennings cut Miami's lead in half with a 94-yard kickoff return, pushing a little momentum back in Tennessee's favor.
Was @DariusJennings_ even touched?!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
94-yard kickoff return! #TitanUp #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/t9ty5WCQhU
New city, same Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall is in a new uniform (again) after being cut by the Giants following last season. Now with the Seahawks, Marshall made a pretty good first impression on Seattle fans. The veteran wideout hauled in a game-tying touchdown catch from Russell Wilson in the second half of the Seahawks' season opener.
It probably felt a little extra sweet for Marshall, who also played his first game in Denver since the Broncos traded him back in 2010.
.@BMarshall is catching TDs for the @seahawks!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
📺: FOX #Seahawks #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/fS3MkfAUgK
Malcolm Butler introduces himself
Malcolm Butler has escaped the Patriots sideline and is now a central part of the Titans secondary. He announced his arrival during Sunday's season opener in Miami, picking off Ryan Tannehill for his first interception as a member of the Titans. It was a nice reminder that Butler is no stranger to end zone interceptions.
.@Mac_BZ records his 1st INT as a member of the @titans. #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/Sklu5xIX14
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Woop!
If you can't go through or around them, go over them. Chris Carson is about that lifestyle.
Chris Carson literally JUMPED a dude!!!! #Seahawks #SEAvsDENpic.twitter.com/gDgi5CslUX
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) September 9, 2018
Emmanuel Sanders is pretty good at going around them, though.
There goes @ESanders_10!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
43-yard @broncos TD!
📺: FOX #BroncosCountry #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/FBeWdFtIAj
Ty flies high
Tyreek Hill is fast, and he used that speed to get off to a fast start this season. Like, a mind-numbingly fast start.
First, Hill returned a first quarter punt 90 yards to the house to give the Chiefs an early lead. It was the first touch of the season for Kansas City, and if you blinked you may have missed it.
New season.
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Same @Cheetah.
He's GONE. 91 yards to the HOUSE!
📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdom #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/3rbw6Rea1y
Then, Hill struck once again when he snagged a quick pass across the middle and used that speed to dart his way to the end zone for a 58-yard TD reception. It was the first career touchdown pass for Patrick Mahomes.
He's GONE. AGAIN!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
You're really not going to stop the @cheetah.
📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdom #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/lz5ty7RMEV
Hill also made this bizarre, acrobatic catch.
The @PatrickMahomes5 & @cheetah connection is too much fun 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/xWQslihFEo
In total, Hill put up 179 all-purpose yards ... in the first quarter.
He'd go on to add another touchdown catch on a sneaky little shovel pass that allowed Hill to scoot into the endzone. (It's the second time the Chiefs have successfully run that play in the end zone today.) He capped it off with an impressive backflip celebration.
The @Cheetah just scored ANOTHER TD...
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
And now he's doing backflips too. 😏
Unstoppable.
📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdom #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/QdfuBmrQr6
Flash finish
Josh Gordon had a quiet day in his return to the Browns, at least until late in the fourth quarter when he made an incredible game-tying touchdown catch. Gordon Moss'd a defender to pick up his first catch of the day, one that helped Cleveland pull even with the Steelers late in the game.
JOSH GORDON. 😱
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Unreal. @JOSH_GORDONXII
📺: CBS #Browns #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/XuTsnhhZtr
Tyrod Taylor tried to go back to Gordon to set up the game-winner on the Browns' ensuing drive, but this underthrow had much worse results.
Tyrod Taylor is looking for Josh Gordon... But instead his pass is PICKED Cameron Sutton!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
And we're heading to OT in Cleveland. Wow.
📺: CBS #PITvsCLE pic.twitter.com/Kk0455fh8d
Saquon gets gone
Saquon Barkley picked up his first rushing touchdown in his first NFL game during Sunday's Giants opener. It was one heck of a highlight too, as the former Penn State running back ripped off a 68-yard run -- breaking multiple tackles in the process -- to bring the Giants within striking distance of the Jaguars in the fourth quarter.
WELCOME TO THE NFL, @SAQUON! 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
1st TD of his career!
📺: FOX #GiantsPride #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/Pl5gOvEhAB
Hands showcase
Wanna see some great touchdown catches? Okay, I've got you.
Here's Jimmy Garoppolo picking up his first TD pass of the season thanks to a great snag from Dante Pettis.
Crazy throw.
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Crazy catch.
That's @JimmyG_10 to @dmainy_13 for the @49ers. Just perfect.
📺: FOX #GoNiners #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/N4q498ablw
And here's Andy Dalton unleashing a red rocket downfield to find A.J. Green for a long touchdown connection.
.@andydalton14 ➡️ @ajgreen_18
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
SO GOOD
📺: CBS #SeizeTheDEY #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/rCOrAMFqN6
And arguably the best TD grab of the weekend (so far) goes to Antonio Brown for this nasty catch.
.@AB84...
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Just incredible. 👏👏👏
📺: CBS #HereWeGo #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/RoxtITffJp
Ryan Fitzpatrick? Okay then!
The Buccaneers are lighting up the Saints' defense in the first half and Ryan Fitzpatrick is leading the charge with three touchdowns through the first two quarters. After his bomb to DeSean Jackson, Fitz ran for a TD -- and punished a New Orleans safety in the process.
Fitz with the wheels! +6 Bucs#GoBucs | #TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/4AkeSPPg8F
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 9, 2018
Then, the ol' Harvard grad also picked up his second TD pass of the day with this beauty back shoulder laser to Chris Godwin.
.@CGtwelve_ with the tip toe back shoulder fade TD. Bucs now lead 24-17!#GoBucs | #TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/lxg0Lca7kJ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 9, 2018
Fitzpatrick went on to add a fourth and fifth TD in the second half. First, he hit Mike Evans with this 50-yard strike.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is BALLIN!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
50 yards to @MikeEvans13_. EASY.
📺: FOX #GoBucs #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/SvSmj0MZvO
Then, the fifth TD came on another long strike to DeSean. What a day.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the @buccaneers CANNOT be stopped right now.
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
ANOTHER TD pass to @DeSeanJackson11!
📺: FOX #GoBucs #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/IfdQp3zCbo
Answering the Bell
James Conner had himself quite a start to his sophomore campaign in Pittsburgh. Starting in place of Le'Veon Bell, Conner is tearing it up against the Browns. He's nearing 100 yards on the ground with two touchdowns (including the big 20-yard run seen below) and has had an impact in the Steelers' passing game as well.
To the house!@JamesConner_ finds the end zone again for the @steelers!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
📺: CBS #HereWeGo #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/j89AIeNegO
That's the kind of performance that makes it a bit easier to swallow Bell's absence.
Browns are on the board
Ty-rod? Tuh-rod? More like Ty-god.
The Browns quarterback finally got Cleveland on the board in the second half, and he did it with his legs. Taylor scrambled for a 20-yard touchdown -- his first as a member of the Browns.
.@TyrodTaylor WILL DO IT HIMSELF!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
TOUCHDOWN @BROWNS! #Browns
📺: CBS #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/I8e1tOvx55
Elite connections
Joe Flacco isn't wasting any time making friends with his new targets in Baltimore. Flacco found veteran wideout Michael Crabtree in the back of the end zone and Crabtree made a great play to fight off the coverage and keep both feet in.
What a throw...
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
WHAT A CATCH!@JoeFlacco + @kingcrab15 😈😈😈 #RavensFlock
📺: CBS #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/HYjRsayZzl
Flacco also added touchdown passes to John Brown and Willie Snead, who were also free agent acquisitions over the offseason. It seems that the veteran quarterback is enjoying his new weapons in the passing game.
Bless 'em, Jarvis
Jarvis Landry has his first official highlight as a Browns receiver ... and he used two hands! Landry managed to make the best of a Tyrod Taylor under-throw by going back to get it and plucking it out of the air from around his knees.
BLESS 'EM @God_Son80 #Browns
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
📺: CBS #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/2CruI8FUDR
Kirk's first strike as Vike
The Kirk Cousins Era is officially underway in Minnesota, and it's off to a pretty good start! The new Vikings quarterback tossed a gorgeous touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs for his first TD strike of the season. Points to Diggs for capping it off with a solid touchdown dance as well. Midseason form all around.
.@KirkCousins8 first TD pass as a Viking was a thing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/Ozt6nHvdoR
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 9, 2018
Bengals gonna Bengals
Well, the Cincinnati Bengals couldn't go a single quarter without a dirty hit to start this season. Safety Shawn Williams was ejected in the first quarter of the season opener thanks to this helmet-to-helmet hit on Andrew Luck. Williams was slapped with a targeting call and deservedly sent to the showers early.
What a trash hit pic.twitter.com/0BAGWXO5IO
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 9, 2018
More like De-Gone Jackson
It's Week 1 and we've got puns! Ryan Fitzpatrick is off to a good start in Tampa Bay this season, as he found the speedy DeSean Jackson with a 58-yard bomb for a touchdown to pull even with the Saints early on.
D-JAX 🔥🔥🔥 #GoBucs #TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/B7xfjNYgGE
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Brady-to-Gronk connection still strong
If there was any concern about Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski's relationship following a pretty dramatic offseason in New England ... well, it seems like they're doing okay. Brady connected with Gronk just a few minutes into the first quarter of the Pats' season opener against the Texans on Sunday. It was pretty vintage stuff.
STILL GRONK pic.twitter.com/k6Uwgnx67V
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 9, 2018