Week 1 in 2 minutes: what actually mattered
One week doesn't make a season, but a few things jumped off the screen.
- 173 Kenneth Walker III rushing yards in his Chiefs debut
- 96 Total points in Bears-Panthers
- 410 Tyler Shough passing yards in a 1-point loss
- 3 Derrick Henry TDs, now 3rd all-time in rushing TDs
The Chiefs are back
After missing the playoffs last year, Kansas City beat Denver 31-10. Mahomes looked healthy after his ACL tear, but the real story was new running back Kenneth Walker III, who ran for 173 yards and two scores. This is a Chiefs team that can run you over now.
Wentz to the rescue
Kyler Murray's Vikings debut lasted three drives before a late hit gave him a concussion. Carson Wentz came off the bench, threw three touchdowns, and Minnesota ran away from Green Bay 39-22.
The Bears can't be stopped
Chicago dropped 59 on Carolina with six rushing touchdowns. Ben Johnson wants the highest-scoring offense ever, and this was a loud first step. The defense still gave up 37, though.
The favorites stumbled
The Rams came in as preseason Super Bowl favorites and got handled 27-7 by a healthy 49ers team. Denver, last year's AFC top seed, got pushed around on Monday night.
Highest-scoring games (total points): Bears 59, Panthers 37 96 pts, Bills 36, Texans 31 67 pts, Ravens 41, Colts 23 64 pts, Lions 31, Saints 30 61 pts, Vikings 39, Packers 22 61 pts
Game of the week
Lions 31, Saints 30 in overtime. Detroit led 21-0, New Orleans stormed back behind Tyler Shough's 410 passing yards, and the Saints went for the win with a two-point try in OT. It fell incomplete.