The NFL season is just two games old, and there has been no shortage of drama already.
From “spitgate” just six seconds into the season opener, to the Los Angeles Chargers sending a message to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, Week 1 is off and running in a major way.
The remaining 28 teams will now get a chance to make their mark in the opening week, which is headlined by a Sunday night showdown between two Super Bowl favourites.
Here are the top storylines to keep an eye on in Week 1.
Ravens vs. Bills in playoff rematch
It’s hard for the Week 1 stakes to get much higher than they will be when the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens.
Not only does it feature a superb quarterback matchup between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, but as two of the three clear favourites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season, it’s hard not to think about what this game could mean for playoff seeding down the road.
Only adding to the intrigue is the fact that the last time we saw the Ravens play meaningful football was in a heartbreaking loss to the Bills in the Divisional Round last season.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews, who had the critical drop on a two-point conversion that sealed the 27-25 win for the Bills, isn’t dwelling on the past as he gears up for his eighth season in Baltimore.
“For me, it’s whoever is in front. It’s all good,” Andrews said this week. “It’s an incredible opportunity for this organization, for me, this team and everything we want to do this year to start it off right. So I’m excited about that.”
The same goes for Jackson, who finished second in MVP voting to Allen last season despite finishing first in eight statistical categories.
“The voters chose who they wanted to pick. It is what it is,” Jackson said.
But despite saying all the right things, there’s no question that Jackson, Andrews and the Ravens would love to make a big statement in Week 1 against one of their AFC rivals.
Good luck, rooks
One of the best parts about Week 1 is that we finally get to see how the talented rookies from the 2025 draft class experience the speed of regular-season football for the first time.
From running back Ashton Jeanty with the Las Vegas Raiders to Jacksonville Jaguars two-way superstar Travis Hunter, there are plenty of fascinating rookie storylines to keep an eye on in Week 1.
But as is every year when there is a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall, this Sunday, there will be plenty of reaction (most likely overreaction one way or the other) to how Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward looks in his NFL debut.
Unfortunately for the Miami product, it will most likely be a trial by fire situation.
Not only do Ward and the Titans have to head on the road in Week 1 and play at altitude, but they also take on what many believe could be the top defence in the NFL this season — the Denver Broncos.
Led by cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the reigning defensive player of the year, the Broncos’ D has talent at all three levels. With Surtain locking down the opposition’s No. 1 WR, the Broncos led the league with a franchise-best 63 sacks last season.
It’s a lot to deal with in your first NFL game, but Titans head coach Brian Callahan has been clear on what his expectations are for his first-year signal caller.
“We don’t need him to do anything superhuman,” Callahan said. “We just need him to play good football.”
Last season, Caleb Williams became the first quarterback drafted No. 1 to win his season-opening game since 2002.
Ward will be in tough to follow suit, but if he does, the excitement in Tennessee will be boundless.
What’s up with CMC?
The worst nightmare of every San Francisco 49ers fan (and plenty of fantasy football owners) came true this week.
Running back Christian McCaffrey injured his calf in practice and is now questionable to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
However, McCaffrey did his best to downplay the injury.
“Nothing serious, I’ll tell you that,” McCaffrey said. “Like I said, I feel great about where I’m at. Unfortunately, when you have the injury history that I have, sometimes when you don’t practice, things get blown out of proportion. But like I said, I feel great.”
After playing in just four games last season due to injury, McCaffrey’s status for Week 1 already feels like a huge storyline in San Francisco.
Game to watch: Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Not only do we get Bills versus Ravens Sunday night, but there is also a very delicious NFC North battle as an appetizer.
The Lions head to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers, with both sides unveiling some important new faces.
Green Bay made potentially the biggest move of the off-season by trading for star pass rusher Micah Parsons. It’s still up in the air if Parsons makes his Packers debut Sunday, as he has been limited with a back issue, but the former Dallas Cowboys star is already fully invested in this NFC North rivalry.
“I never liked Detroit,” Parsons said. “I never liked them. Even when I was in Dallas, it’s just always, it’s always a heavyweight fight, every time they came in. And they kind of got our guys when I was injured last year, or the whole team was injured. So I just think it’s funny how things work. I’m excited to play them, I’m very excited, and it’s going to go all 12, 15 rounds.”
Meanwhile, over on the Detroit side, it will be the debut of two new coordinators after the team had both OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn poached this off-season.
John Morton took over as offensive coordinator, while Kelvin Sheppard will lead the defence.
After the success Detroit has had the last two seasons, there is a lot of pressure on both Morton and Sheppard to make sure this talented Lions squad doesn’t take a step back this season.
If they do, their Week 1 opponent is the clear favourite to take over the NFC North crown.
Forrest’s Favourites (All odds courtesy of BetMGM):
Texans @ Rams — Pick: Under 43.5: With Matthew Stafford out most of training camp with a bad back, and there still being some major question marks on the Texans’ offensive line, both defences should have the upper hand in this one.
Steelers @ Jets — Pick: Steelers -2.5: After the season-ending injury to Jets offensive guard and captain Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Steelers’ defence should make life very difficult on Justin Fields in his first start for New York.
Titans @ Broncos — Pick: Broncos -8.5: Ward has all the tools to become the next franchise quarterback in Tennessee. But this is a very tough matchup on the road, and we will probably see some growing pains.
Full Week 1 schedule (All times ET)
Thursday, Sept. 4
Eagles 24, Cowboys 20
Friday, Sept. 5
Chargers 27, Chiefs 21
Sunday, Sept. 7
Buccaneers at Falcons, 1 p.m.
Bengals at Browns, 1 p.m.
Dolphins at Colts, 1 p.m.
Panthers at Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Raiders at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Cardinals at Saints, 1 p.m.
Steelers at Jets, 1 p.m.
Giants at Commanders, 1 p.m.
Titans at Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
49ers at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Lions at Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Texans at Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Ravens at Bills, 8:20 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 8
Vikings at Bears, 8:15 p.m.
