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NFL News Today: Week 1 Fireworks, Major Injuries and the Games Coming Next

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September 14, 2026

The 2026 NFL season wasted no time delivering points, surprises, injuries and early-season questions.

Chicago erupted for 59 points, Buffalo survived a late shootout in Houston, Detroit needed overtime, the Giants opened the John Harbaugh era by beating Dallas, and several contenders finished Week 1 wondering how healthy their rosters will be when they return to the field.

And Week 1 is not quite finished.

The Denver Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs tonight on Monday Night Football before the league turns immediately toward a loaded Week 2 schedule.

Bears Explode for 59 in Historic Opener

One of Sunday's biggest statements came from Chicago.

The Bears defeated Carolina 59-37 in the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more, while D'Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

Chicago's offense piled up points after the game was tied 31-31 in the third quarter, scoring three consecutive touchdowns to take control.

One September game does not define a season, but Chicago certainly gave the rest of the NFC something to study.

Josh Allen Leads Buffalo Through a Thriller

The Buffalo Bills escaped Houston with a 36-31 victory after Josh Allen accounted for four touchdowns.

Allen threw for 334 yards and delivered the decisive 34-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer with 1:36 remaining. Buffalo's winning drive covered 96 yards.

That performance immediately makes Thursday night's matchup against Detroit even more interesting.

The Bills will host the Lions in the first Thursday Night Football matchup of Week 2, and it will also be Buffalo's debut regular-season game in its new Highmark Stadium.

Lions Survive an Overtime Fight

Detroit's season began with considerably more drama.

The Lions defeated New Orleans 31-30 in overtime behind 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for an overtime touchdown, but New Orleans answered with a touchdown of its own. The Saints attempted a two-point conversion for the win and failed.

Detroit now gets only a few days to recover before traveling to Buffalo on Thursday night.

That's a brutal turnaround after an overtime game.

Ravens Look Dangerous, but Injuries Create Concern

Baltimore opened with a convincing 41-23 victory over Indianapolis.

Derrick Henry rushed for 144 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and added a rushing score.

But the victory came with significant injury concerns.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers aggravated a hamstring injury after producing a career-high 150 receiving yards. Rookie receiver Ja'Kobi Lane also suffered a wrist injury that was later reported as a fracture.

Baltimore hosts New Orleans in Week 2.

Kyler Murray's Vikings Debut Ends With Concussion

Minnesota defeated Green Bay 39-22, but the Vikings lost quarterback Kyler Murray early in his debut with the team.

Murray sustained a concussion during a first-quarter scramble and was ruled out. Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell said afterward that Murray would be evaluated during the week.

Carson Wentz entered the game and threw three touchdown passes as Minnesota scored 29 unanswered points.

That suddenly puts Murray's availability at the center of one of Week 2's more intriguing divisional games: Vikings at Bears.

Rams Lose Myles Garrett for At Least Four Games

The Los Angeles Rams suffered one of the biggest injury blows of opening week.

Star pass rusher Myles Garrett is expected to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four games.

Garrett had dealt with the knee issue during training camp and was limited during Los Angeles' season-opening loss to San Francisco.

His absence becomes particularly important because the Rams will host the New York Giants on Monday night in Week 2.

Brock Bowers Could Return Quickly

There is more encouraging injury news in Las Vegas.

The Raiders believe tight end Brock Bowers has a realistic chance to return for their Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Chargers after undergoing a meniscus trim.

ESPN reported that Bowers was initially expected to miss one or two games, but his recovery could put him back on the field Sunday.

Las Vegas won its opener against Miami without him.

Giants Make an Early Statement Against Dallas

New York opened the John Harbaugh era with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes, while Malik Nabers returned from last year's serious knee injury with six catches for 69 yards.

The Giants now face another major test when they travel to Los Angeles to play the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 2.

Dallas, meanwhile, gets Washington at home on Sunday afternoon. After losing its opener, that NFC East matchup becomes important very quickly.

Broncos-Chiefs Takes Center Stage Tonight

Week 1 concludes tonight with one of the league's biggest divisional matchups.

The Denver Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and NFL+.

Denver enters the season as the defending AFC West champion after finishing 14-3 in 2025.

Kansas City is trying to rebound from a stunning six-win 2025 season, its first losing campaign since 2012.

Quarterback health is also part of the story. Both Bo Nix and Patrick Mahomes are returning from significant injuries suffered last season.

For Kansas City, this is more than a typical opener. Denver ended the Chiefs' nine-year run as AFC West champions.

Now Kansas City gets its first opportunity to begin taking the division back.

Upcoming NFL GamesUpcoming NFL Games

All times below are Eastern Time.

Monday, September 14

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
8:15 PM

Thursday, September 17

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills
8:15 PM

Sunday, September 20

Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
1:00 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
1:00 PM

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
1:00 PM

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
1:00 PM

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
1:00 PM

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
1:00 PM

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
1:00 PM

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
4:05 PM

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
4:05 PM

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
4:25 PM

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
4:25 PM

Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
4:25 PM

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
8:20 PM

Monday, September 21

New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
8:15 PM

The complete Week 2 schedule is confirmed by the NFL.

What to Watch Next

Week 2 already has several games carrying considerably more weight than a normal September schedule might suggest.

Detroit-Buffalo gives two explosive offenses the national stage Thursday. Minnesota-Chicago becomes even more intriguing because of Murray's concussion and Chicago's 59-point opening statement. Washington-Dallas is an early NFC East pressure game, while the Cowboys will be trying to avoid an 0-2 start.

Kansas City has the unusual challenge of playing tonight and then returning Sunday night against Indianapolis.

And the Giants get another prime-time opportunity after making an impressive first impression under Harbaugh.

It is only Week 1, but that is the beauty of the NFL: 17 games leave very little room for wasted Sundays.

The season has officially moved from offseason predictions to actual evidence.

And after one weekend, the evidence is already getting interesting.

Sources

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