Steelers rally past Bills to open season
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ new-look offense overcame a slow start, Ulysees Gilbert returned a blocked punt 9 yards for a touchdown and Pittsburgh rallied to a seasonopening 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Down 10-0, the Steelers scored on each of their first four possessions of the second half, with Roethlisberger putting Pittsburgh ahead for good by lobbing a 5yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the left corner of the end zone.
The pass initially went off Johnson’s fingertips, but the receiver was able to secure the ball before tumbling out of bounds 3:41 into the fourth quarter. The Steelers then extended their lead to 20-10 some 90 seconds later with Miles Killebrew bursting up the middle to block Matt Haack’s punt, with Gilbert scooping up the loose ball and running it in untouched.
Texans 37, Jaguars 21: Tyrod Taylor threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns filling in for Deshaun Watson to lead the host Texans to a win over Trevor Lawrence and the mistake-prone Jaguars.
The former Clemson standout became the first rookie quarterback to start an opener in franchise history. It was a bumpy debut during which he threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns but also tossed three interceptions, often overthrew open receivers and was the victim of several drops.
49ers 41, Lions 33: Dre Greenlaw returned an interception for a touchdown to help visiting San Francisco score 17 points over two-plus minutes late in the first half, and they barely held on.
San Francisco led 38-10 early in the fourth quarter and allowed Detroit to score 23 points in three-plus minutes to pull within eight points. But the Lions turned the ball over on downs at the San Francisco 24 with 12 seconds left after getting it back on a fumble by Deebo Samuel.
Panthers 19, Jets 14: Sam Darnold threw for 279 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score against his former team as the host Panthers defeated the Jets to win their first season opener since 2018.
Darnold connected on a 57-yard touchdown pass with fellow ex-jet Robby Anderson and took full advantage of a healthy Christian Mccaffrey, who piled up 187 yards from scrimmage on 30 touches after missing 13 games last season with injuries.
Cardinals 38, Titans 13: Kyler Murray scored five touchdowns and linebacker Chandler Jones had a career-high five sacks as the visitng Cardinals simply dominated the Titans. Jones, who tied the franchise record, had three sacks in a first quarter so good Lebron James chimed in on social media for his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. Jones, who wants a new contract, also forced two fumbles the Cardinals turned into 14 points.
Murray tormented the Titans throwing for 289 yards with two TD passes apiece to All-pro wide receiver Deandre Hopkins and Christian Kirk. Murray’s best pass came came early in the third quarter off his back foot to Kirk on a beautiful floater Kirk simply ran under.
Seahawks 28, Colts 16: Russell Wilson threw three of his four touchdowns in the first half and visiting Seattle clamped down in the second half to close out a victory at Indianapolis. The defending NFC West champions have won 12 of their past 13 games in the early Sunday timeslot.
Eagles 32, Falcons 6: Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes, the first of them to Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith, and visiting Philadelphia made a winner of Nick Sirianni in his head coaching debut. Another Philadelphia rookie, fifth-round pick Kenneth Gainwell, scored his first TD as a pro with an 8-yard run late in the third quarter to essentially seal the victory.
Chargers 20, Washington 16: Justin Herbert threw for 337 yards and a touchdown to help visiting Los Angeles win an ugly Week 1 matchup Sunday full of turnovers and big penalties. Herbert led scoring drives of 75, 76 and 68 yards, and a goahead touchdown pass to Mike Williams made up for his fumble into the end zone and red zone interception on consecutive possessions.