The National Football League's 2026 season kicked off with a historic Week 1, marked by record-setting scoring and unforgettable performances from star players. A total of 791 points were scored across 16 games, matching the 2012 Week 1 for the most points in league history. Sunday's slate alone accounted for 693 points over 13 games, averaging 53.3 points per contest, making it the highest-scoring Week 1 Sunday ever.
The matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers produced a remarkable 96 combined points, the most in any Week 1 game. The Bears' 59 points in that game were the second-most they have scored in the Super Bowl era and their highest total in a regular-season road game. The team also recorded six rushing touchdowns, a feat not seen since 1941, and continues to showcase a dominant rushing attack, with three games featuring over 250 rushing yards since the start of the 2025 season.
Individual milestones were also abundant. T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers joined an elite group, becoming one of only two players in NFL history with over 100 career sacks and 10 interceptions after recording his 10th career interception. Watt also became the first player to achieve two sacks and an interception in multiple season openers.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen made history by becoming the first quarterback in NFL history with 80 career rushing touchdowns. He also secured his first career road victory against the Houston Texans and recorded his ninth game with at least two passing and two rushing touchdowns, a mark no other player has approached.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry continued to etch his name in the record books. He surpassed Jim Brown for the most career games with 100+ rushing yards and multiple rushing touchdowns (26). With his three rushing touchdowns in Week 1, Henry now has eight career games with three or more rushing touchdowns, and 33 career games with multiple rushing touchdowns, placing him third all-time. He also moved past Marcus Allen for third most career rushing touchdowns in NFL history with 125.
Detroit Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs joined an exclusive club, becoming the fourth player in NFL history with 14 career games featuring two or more rushing touchdowns before his 25th birthday. He also became the sixth player to reach 50 touchdowns within his first 50 career games.
The New York Giants celebrated a Week 1 victory, marking John Harbaugh's first win as head coach. This win also snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Dallas Cowboys, with the Giants now having won consecutive meetings for the first time in many years. Quarterback Jaxson Dart posted a career-high completion percentage and his second career game with three or more passing touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson became the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 8,500 career receiving yards, achieving the milestone in 95 games. He also matched his previous year's receiving touchdown total with two scores in the opening week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Josiah Trotter achieved a unique debut feat, being the only player in NFL history to record both a sack and a pick-six in their first professional game.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce passed Jason Witten for second most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history, trailing only Tony Gonzalez.
In his Chiefs debut, running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for a career-high 173 yards, becoming the first player in franchise history to achieve 150+ rushing yards, a 50+ yard rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown in the same game. Walker's performance also marked the most rushing yards by a Chiefs running back in a game started by Patrick Mahomes and the most rushing yards in a team debut since 2008.