The 2023 NFL season kicked off with a bang on Thursday night, as the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs edged out the Detroit Lions in a high-scoring affair. The Chiefs prevailed 38-35 thanks to a last-minute touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill, who finished with 10 catches for 189 yards and two scores. The Lions, who were picked as the surprise opponent for the opener, put up a valiant fight behind Jared Goff’s 371 passing yards and four touchdowns, but fell short in their bid to pull off a huge upset.
The rest of the Week 1 slate featured some more thrilling games, as well as some shocking results. Here are some of the highlights from Sunday’s action:
Patriots stun Eagles with late rally
The New England Patriots pulled off one of the biggest surprises of Week 1, as they came back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-24. The Patriots, who were starting rookie quarterback Mac Jones, scored 21 unanswered points in the final 12 minutes, capped by a 43-yard field goal by Nick Folk as time expired. Jones threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while Damien Harris ran for 101 yards and a score. The Eagles, who were coming off a Super Bowl appearance last season, looked dominant for most of the game, but faltered down the stretch. Jalen Hurts threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, but also had two costly interceptions in the fourth quarter.
Steelers stun favored 49ers with defensive masterpiece
The Pittsburgh Steelers proved that defense still wins championships, as they shut down the San Francisco 49ers in a 17-10 victory. The Steelers, who were underdogs by seven points, held the 49ers to just 251 total yards and forced three turnovers. The Steelers’ defense also scored the only touchdown of the game, as T.J. Watt returned a fumble by Jimmy Garoppolo for a 27-yard score in the third quarter. The Steelers’ offense was not spectacular, but did enough to secure the win. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 189 yards and a touchdown, while Najee Harris ran for 72 yards. The 49ers, who were expected to be one of the top teams in the NFC, struggled to get anything going on offense. Garoppolo threw for 181 yards and a touchdown, but also had two interceptions and a fumble. The 49ers’ running game was also held in check, as they managed just 70 yards on 25 carries.
Other notable results from Week 1
- The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 31-28 in a shootout between two AFC East rivals. Josh Allen threw for 328 yards and four touchdowns, while Stefon Diggs had nine catches for 142 yards and a score. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns, but also had two interceptions.
- The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-17 in a battle of playoff contenders. Russell Wilson threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns, while DK Metcalf had six catches for 105 yards and a score. Carson Wentz threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his Colts debut, but was sacked three times.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cruised past the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 in a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional Round. Tom Brady threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns, while Mike Evans had seven catches for 121 yards and a score. Dak Prescott threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns in his return from injury, but also had two interceptions.
- The Green Bay Packers routed the Chicago Bears 38-13 in a lopsided NFC North clash. Aaron Rodgers threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns, while Davante Adams had eight catches for 136 yards and two scores. Justin Fields threw for 182 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL start, but also had three interceptions.