The 2026 NFL Season opened with a Super Bowl rematch, but it did not go as either team expected. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold left the game against the New England Patriots with a hip injury. Backup Drew Lock took over, and the Seahawks came back to win 13-10.
Lock threw for 187 yards and a touchdown, while Seattle’s defense intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye three times. The win gave the Seahawks a strong start despite losing their starting quarterback early.
The offseason already raised expectations for several teams. The Los Angeles Rams, who are the favorites to win the Super Bowl, added defensive stars Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie. Additionally, defensive tackle Aaron Donald returned from retirement. But the Rams lost their opener to the San Francisco 49ers, and Garrett later underwent knee surgery. His injury showed how quickly a team’s plans can change once the season begins.
Chicago delivered one of the first week’s biggest performances, beating the Carolina Panthers 59-37. Running back D’Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes. The 59 points gave Bears fans plenty of reason to be excited about the offense, though one game is too early to know how far the team can go.
The Buffalo Bills also impressed, beating the Houston Texans 36-31. Quarterback Josh Allen accounted for four touchdowns against a defense that entered the season with high expectations. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals upset the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 after finishing last season with a 3-14 record.
The first week ended with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Denver Broncos 31-10. In his Chiefs debut, running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 173 yards and scored twice.
The season’s championship game, Super Bowl LXI, is scheduled for February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the home of the Rams and Chargers. After an opening week full of injuries, high scores and unexpected wins, teams have a long way to go before anyone earns a place there.
