WEEK 1 RECAP

STEELERS 23, BILLS 16

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Ben Roethlisberger and a new-look offense overcame a slow start, Ulysees Gilbert returned a blocked punt 9 yards for a touchdown, and the Pittsburgh Steeelers rallied to a season-opening win over the Buffalo Bills. Down 10-0, the Steelers scored on each of their first four possessions of the second half, with Roethlisberger putting them ahead for good by lobbing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the left corner of the end zone. The ball initially went off Johnson’s fingertips, but the receiver secured it before tumbling out of bounds 3:41 into the fourth quarter.

SEAHAWKS 28, COLTS 16

INDIANAPOLIS — Russell Wilson threw three of his four touchdown passes in the first half for the Seattle Seahawks, the reigning NFC West Division champions. Indianapolis lost its eighth straight opener, the past five with different starting quarterbacks. Wilson was sensational in his first test with new coordinator Shane Waldron, shredding a top-10 defense from 2020 that entered the season with even higher aspirations. But Wilson made sure the Colts never had a chance against Seattle’s revamped offense. Despite taking no preseason snaps, the eight-time Pro Bowler led the Seahawks to touchdowns on their first two drives.

49ERS 41, LIONS 33

DETROIT — Dre Greenlaw returned an interception for a touchdown to help the San Francisco 49ers score 17 points over two-plus minutes late in the first half. They led 38-10 early in the fourth quarter, then allowed Detroit to score 23 points in three-plus minutes to pull within eight. 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.

TEXANS 37, JAGUARS 21

HOUSTON — Tyrod Taylor passed for 291 yards and two touchdowns filling in for Deshaun Watson as the Houston Texans cruised against mistake-prone Jacksonville. Taylor took over at quarterback with Watson’s future with the team uncertain after 22 women filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault or harassment after he requested a trade. It was a bumpy debut for Jaguars rookie Trevor Lawrence. The No. 1 pick threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns but also three interceptions.

CHARGERS 20, WASHINGTON 16

LANDOVER, Md. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 337 yards and a touchdown in an ugly opening matchup full of turnovers and big penalties. Herbert led scoring drives of 75, 76 and 68 yards, and a go-ahead touchdown pass to Mike Williams made up for his fumble into the end zone and an interception in the red zone on consecutive possessions. The league’s reigning offensive rookie of the year and the Chargers went 14-of-19 on third downs, wearing down Washington’s defense led by last year’s top defensive rookie, Chase Young. The teams combined for 14 penalties for 151 yards and three giveaways.

BENGALS 27, VIKINGS 24, OT

CINCINNATI — Evan McPherson kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired in overtime. The winning kick was set up by a gutsy call. On fourth-and-inches from the Cincinnati Bengals’ 48, Joe Burrow rolled out and hit tight end C.J. Uzomah in stride for a 32-yard gain to put McPherson well within his range. McPherson had a 53-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins passed for 351 yards and two touchdowns to Adam Thielen.

PANTHERS 19, JETS 14

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sam Darnold threw for 279 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score against his former team. The Carolina Panthers quarterback connected on a 57-yard touchdown pass with Robby Anderson — another former Jet — 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. Carolina’s defense brought the pressure on New York rookie Zach Wilson, sacking the No. 2 overall pick six times and intercepting him once.

SAINTS 38, PACKERS 3

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Jameis Winston and the hurricane-displaced New Orleans Saints looked right at home in northeast Florida with a surprisingly easy victory against Green Bay. Winston passed for five touchdowns, New Orleans intercepted reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers twice, and the Saints kicked off the post-Drew Brees era with a strikingly dominant performance against last season’s NFC runner-up.

CHIEFS 33, BROWNS 29

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score, and the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a dismal first half in a rematch of their divisional playoff game from January. Tyreek Hill caught 11 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, and Travis Kelce hauled in a pair of touchdown catches, including the go-ahead score to finish off a rally from a 22-10 halftime deficit.

DOLPHINS 17, PATRIOTS 16

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle in the third quarter, and Xavien Howard recovered a fumble with the hosts driving in the fourth quarter to secure the Dolphins’ second straight win over New England. Tagovailoa, who also led Miami to a victory over the Patriots last season, finished 16-of-27 passing for 202 yards and a touchdown with one interception.

BRONCOS 27, GIANTS 13

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Teddy Bridgewater threw two touchdown passes in his first start for Denver as the Broncos dominated possession. Acquired in the offseason from Carolina, Bridgewater completed 28 of 36 passes for 264 yards, sharing the ball with nine receivers.