Football is back and it’s BACK loud. After a thrilling comeback win from the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener at Lumen Field, the rest of the weekend resembled a track meet. Here’s what caught my eye during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. And then there’s a note at the end to keep our heads in check.
1. Offense is so back (we were one point from history)
If you went to bed Wednesday night thinking a defense heavy season was in store, I can’t blame you. Seattle and New England kicked things off in the Super Bowl LX rematch with a 13-10 grind.
Then Sunday came.
By the end of Monday night against the Chiefs, 791 points had been scored in 16 games averaging 49.4 points per game. That tied the 2012 season as the highest scoring opening week since the AFL-NFL merger. And here’s the bad part for fans of such things as myself: Kansas City and Denver required 42 total points to break the record. Instead they scored 41. If something occurs in the final 14 minutes of any game and we get anything other than a touchdown or a safety or a field goal, then we have a brand new record.
However, in just six games on Sunday alone 60+ points were scored combined. If this is what the league would look like with starters still rusty after sitting out the preseason, then get ready.
2. The Bears offense is the real deal
The most prominent number from the weekend was: Bears 59, Panthers 37. This was the highest scoring game in Week 1 in NFL history. And it was also the most points scored by the Chicago Bears since 1980.
In Year 2 of Ben Johnson, the Bears offense appears to be the one that everyone has been waiting for. Chicago gained 552 total yards with 291 of those coming from the rushing attack. The Bears also recorded six rushing touchdowns.
Caleb Williams was the star of the show. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 65 yards and another two touchdowns. No Bears player has rushed for 50+ yards and scored two rushing touchdowns in the same game while also completing 200+ passing yards and throwing two passing touchdowns in the same game. The 72% completion rate stands as perhaps the most encouraging stat as consistency was a question mark heading into the season.
But what I really appreciate is the way it was achieved. D’Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Kyle Monangai also rushed for 100 yards including a 61-yard touchdown catch. Williams also rushed for his 65 yards and added two touchdowns. Chicago became only the fourth team during the Super Bowl era to have three players each rush for 65+ yards and a touchdown in the same game. And they became the first team to do so with a quarterback among the trio. No one player carried the load. Instead, it was a combination.
The only nitpick I have is that Williams did not complete a pass under pressure. Better defenses than Carolina’s will test this. But the Bears offense appears to be capable of scoring from anywhere.
3. Running backs ran the weekend
As expected every year, someone takes the “running backs don’t matter” stance. This week, not so fast.
-Kenneth Walker III made the most of his Chiefs debut after winning Super Bowl MVP in Seattle eight months ago. He broke off a 60-yard touchdown and caught another, ran for a career-high 173 yards and finished the game with 191 scrimmage yards. This is the most scrimmage yards by a reigning Super Bowl MVP in Week 1 since Jerry Rice had 180 in 1989. For a Kansas City team that relied too much on Patrick Mahomes’ magic in the previous season, this is a big deal.
-Jahmyr Gibbs had 186 scrimmage yards on 34 touches in Detroit’s one point victory over New Orleans.
-Derrick Henry continued to appear completely unharmed by the aging process as he ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Baltimore’s 41-23 victory over the Colts.
-Bijan Robinson (173 scrimmage yards) and Ashton Jeanty (147) also had very good days.
Speaking of Mahomes: He has been torn ACL for about nine months and looks like himself. He came out shaky and threw an ugly interception, but he opened the game with a 15-yard touchdown run and completed two more. After missing the playoffs last year, the Chiefs defeated Denver 31-10. That is a positive sign for the Chiefs.
4. New coaches, instant statements
A few first time head coaches made very good first impressions.
John Harbaugh’s Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday Night Football. For the first time in a long time the Giants seemed organized. Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Dart played simply and took whatever was given to him instead of trying to play hero ball. Malik Nabers also made a successful return from his season ending injury last year and had six catches. Dallas was limited to 244 total yards.
Mike LaFleur’s Cardinals pulled off the biggest upset of the weekend defeating Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh 26-14 in L.A. The Cardinals were expected to finish with only about four wins. Jacoby Brissett played well and the defense forced two turnovers. Justin Herbert’s offense was held to 268 total yards.
Joe Brady’s Bills defeated the Houston Texans 36-31 in a game where Josh Allen was sacked eight times last year. Allen completed 334 yards and two touchdowns and also added two more on the ground. The offensive line was able to keep Allen clean despite facing one of the strongest defenses in the NFL.
Quick note on Arizona: The Cardinals also won their opening game last year but finished with a record of 3-14. Let’s see how they do this year against Seattle and San Francisco.
5. Don’t overreact on Week 1
Some of the worst news from the weekend involves teams that don’t need to be worried about yet.
Matt Stafford, the reigning MVP and 38 years old, played on the bench for the Rams in their 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne. He had a quiet night, likely due to first game of the year, a weird time zone, and a long flight. Still, he is worth watching and not worth writing off.
The Green Bay Packers blew a 12 point lead in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings and lost 39-22. The Vikings scored 29 straight points off backup Carson Wentz after Kyler Murray left with a concussion. This is more troubling because blown leads have been an issue for the Packers. However, it is still only one game.
Just remember from last year when the Raiders beat the Patriots in Week 1. Las Vegas received the No. 1 overall pick and New England made it to the Super Bowl.
Enjoy the optimism from the Giants, the hype towards the running backs, and the excitement from the Bears. Just don’t start planning flights for February yet.
The Data Dynamo 