The long wait is over, and football has officially returned. The excitement surrounding NFL Week 1 is palpable, and The Athletic is here to provide live coverage of all the thrilling action on Sunday. The regular season kicked off on Thursday night, featuring a nail-biting matchup where the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles managed to fend off the Dallas Cowboys. The following evening, the Kansas City Chiefs squared off against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, with Justin Herbert shining in a remarkable performance to outduel Patrick Mahomes.
Sunday promises to deliver 13 exciting matchups, culminating in a Monday night showdown in Chicago as the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings. As we kick off this new season, here are five key storylines to keep an eye on throughout the weekend.
This season ushers in a wave of change, with seven teams introducing new head coaches and eight clubs showcasing new starting quarterbacks. Over half of the league's teams are adapting to new offensive and defensive coordinators. While we've seen glimpses of these transformations during the preseason, this weekend marks the official unveiling of what these revamped organizations hope will lead to successful campaigns.
In Foxboro, the New England Patriots will host the Las Vegas Raiders in a duel featuring two new head coaches, Mike Vrabel and Pete Carroll, both known for their impressive resumes but facing significant rebuilding challenges. Rookie head coaches making their debuts include Kellen Moore with the New Orleans Saints, Liam Coen with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Aaron Glenn with the New York Jets, and Ben Johnson with the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns will start Joe Flacco, the Indianapolis Colts will feature Daniel Jones, and the New York Giants will showcase Russell Wilson as new signal callers. The most intriguing matchup of the week could be the Jets facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, where New York's new starter Justin Fields looks to make a statement against his former team.
Several rookies made a splash in the previous season, and now they return with heightened expectations as they aim to build on their impressive performances. Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos both played pivotal roles in ending playoff droughts for their teams. Former LSU wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars) and Malik Nabers (Giants) also showcased their talents, with Nabers setting an NFL record for receptions by a rookie.
Tight end Brock Bowers emerged as a standout for the Las Vegas Raiders with record-setting statistics, while linebacker Jared Verse impressed with the Los Angeles Rams. As these rising stars embark on their second season, the challenge will be to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump and continue driving their teams to success.
While some rookies shined, others enter the new season under pressure to rebound from lackluster performances. Notably, Caleb Williams, the top pick in the 2024 draft and quarterback for the Chicago Bears, is under scrutiny after a tumultuous rookie year. With a new head coach in Ben Johnson, Williams faces a tough start against the aggressive defense of the Minnesota Vikings.
Other second-year players, including Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons and Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals, are also aiming to prove their worth. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy, who missed last season due to injury, steps into a starting role with the Minnesota Vikings and must quickly regain his footing. Additionally, Trevor Lawrence is looking to reboot his career under a new head coach, while Daniel Jones seeks to solidify his role with the Indianapolis Colts.
As the season unfolds, discussions about coaching job security will undoubtedly arise. Five coaches are under considerable pressure to deliver strong performances this year. Brian Daboll has led the New York Giants to a playoff victory but faces a critical juncture after back-to-back disappointing seasons. Similarly, Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts is looking to turn things around after two rocky years.
Jonathan Gannon of the Arizona Cardinals needs to improve upon his previous seasons, while Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins must find consistency in his team's performance. Lastly, Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns is also under pressure to secure a playoff spot, starting the season against a divisional rival in the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sunday night features a thrilling rematch between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, a must-watch for football fans. This matchup highlights last season's MVP candidates, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, both of whom have transformed their teams into AFC powerhouses. With a 3-1 regular-season advantage for Jackson, Allen has outperformed him in two postseason meetings.
This game holds significant implications not only for bragging rights but also for the potential playoff picture down the line. A win for either team could provide a crucial boost as they aim for home-field advantage come January.
As NFL Week 1 unfolds, the excitement is just beginning. Stay tuned for all the action and analysis as the season progresses!
