The 2025 NFL season is officially in motion following the conclusion of Monday Night’s matchup between the Vikings and Bears, which saw an exciting come from behind victory for Minnesota. With divisional matchups across the board, there were a number of storylines to watch heading into Week 1 such as Aaron Rodgers’ return to New York, a showdown of AFC favorites– Bills vs Ravens, and most notably, Micah Parsons’ Green Bay debut. 

New storylines were created as early as the first play of the first game of the season with the immediate ejection of Eagles’ star defensive lineman, Jalen Carter. With all of the excitement from this past week of football, both positive and negative, fans were quickly reminded to watch their favorite teams with caution because anything can happen in Week 1. 

Every new NFL season brings fresh excitement, renewed hope, and unforgettable moments. Week 1 games often set the tone for the year, and while many openers fade into memory, a select few become instant classics. From dramatic comebacks to wild overtime finishes, here is a ranking of the 12 most entertaining Week 1 games in NFL history.

12. St. Louis Rams vs. Denver Broncos (2000) — Rams win 41-36

Pre-Game Stakes: The Rams were fresh off their shocking 1999 Super Bowl run, and “The Greatest Show on Turf” was must-watch TV. Denver, meanwhile, was trying to turn the page with Brian Griese taking the reins after John Elway’s retirement following a Super Bowl victory the year prior.

The Game: This Week 1 matchup was pure fireworks. Kurt Warner was at his best –and his worst–  throwing for 441 yards and 3 TDs but also tossing 3 interceptions. Rams receivers’ Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt combined for over 250 receiving yards, and Marshall Faulk was equally as productive, accounting for 3 TDs and 178 total yards of offense. 

Denver fought back though, and Brian Griese tallied 307 yards with 2 TDs through the air along with 1 rushing score. A late pick-six by Deltha O’Neal put the Broncos ahead, but Warner had the last word. 

St. Louis calmly drove down the field to punch in the game-winning score with under three minutes remaining, and the Broncos were unable to respond.

Season Context: The Rams’ offense put up historic numbers again, though their defense kept them from repeating as champs. Denver finished 11-5 but couldn’t capture their late-’90s magic without Elway.

11. Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots (1994) — Dolphins win 39-35

Pre-Game Stakes: Dan Marino returned from a devastating Achilles injury to face off against second-year QB Drew Bledsoe, who was a rising star and the face of New England’s rebuild under Bill Parcells.

The Game: Marino wasted no time announcing to the NFL that he was back, throwing for 473 yards and 5 TDs. Irving Fryar was his favorite target on the day, racking up 211 yards and 3 scores. 

Bledsoe nearly matched the Dolphin’s legend, throwing for 421 yards and 4 TDs, connecting with Ben Coates repeatedly to keep pace. 

The two teams traded scores all afternoon in a game that felt like a heavyweight boxing match, and the contest featured over 1,000 yards of offensive firepower.

In the closing minutes, New England marched into Miami territory, but a costly fumble ended their hopes, sealing Marino’s triumphant return.

Season Context: Miami started hot before collapsing late, missing the postseason. The Patriots showed growth, setting the stage for their eventual playoff appearance the next year.

10. New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts (2004) — Patriots win 27-24

Pre-Game Stakes: This was Brady vs. Manning at its absolute height — a Week 1 rematch of the 2003 AFC Championship, with the Colts desperate to finally get over the hump against New England’s dynasty.

The Game: Although this was a Week 1 matchup, the game had a playoff-like atmosphere as two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks squared off to start the season. Tom Brady threw for 335 yards and 3 TDs, repeatedly finding Deion Branch and David Patten in critical moments of the game. Peyton Manning answered with 256 yards and 2 TDs, including a pair of strikes to Marvin Harrison. 

The Colts trailed by field-goal late but drove  down the field within range of their Pro Bowl kicker, Mike Vanderjagt — then the most accurate kicker in NFL history — for a chance to tie. 

Shockingly, he hooked it wide and failed to force overtime, giving New England another exceptional win in the infamous Manning-Brady rivalry.

Season Context: The Patriots rode their momentum to another Super Bowl, cementing their dynasty. The Colts remained contenders but couldn’t shake their New England nightmare.

9. Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders (1999) — Packers win 28-24

Pre-Game Stakes: Brett Favre and Green Bay came into the season determined to bounce back from an upsetting Wild Card loss the previous year, while Jon Gruden’s Raiders were beginning to turn into a serious contender in the AFC.

The Game: Favre, gutting his way through a thumb injury, managed to put up 275 yards and 3 TDs through the air, connecting with his go-to receiver, Antonio Freeman, for several clutch plays. Raiders quarterback, Rich Gannon, countered with 243 yards and 2 TDs, keeping Oakland within striking distance all game long. 

The Raiders held a 10-point lead with under eight minutes remaining when Favre and Green Bay began to rally. The Packers trailed by 3 points with less than two minutes to go as Favre orchestrated an 83 yard, game-winning drive. 

He capped it with a touchdown pass to Jeff Thomason with just 11 seconds left to help the Packers capture their first win of the season in dramatic fashion.

Season Context: The Packers finished 8-8, falling short of the playoffs. The Raiders kept improving under Gruden, setting up their early-2000s rise and eventual Super Bowl berth. 

8. Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers (2023) — Dolphins win 36-34

Pre-Game Stakes: Miami’s season hinged on Tua Tagovailoa staying healthy, while the Chargers were desperate to prove they could close out games after their infamous playoff collapse the year before.

The Game: This AFC matchup was a back and forth affair. Tagovailoa dished out 466 yards and 3 TDs as receiver, Tyreek Hill, had a career-day. Hill led the way for Miami, hauling in 11 catches for 215 yards and 2 scores. Justin Herbert was efficient, throwing for 229 yards and 1 touchdown while the Chargers running back duo of Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley added 208 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. 

The lead changed all afternoon, but the Chargers were ahead late as Miami reclaimed possession with under four minutes left. Tagovailoa and Hill connected on multiple clutch third-down conversions to keep Miami’s hopes alive. The drive was capped off with a touchdown reception by Hill, which gave the Dolphins the lead with under two-minutes to go, but kicker, Jason Sanders, failed to convert the extra point. 

Los Angeles trailed Miami by two points as Herbert looked to lead the Chargers offense into field-goal range. However, the Dolphins defense wouldn’t allow Los Angeles to cross midfield, and they preserved a narrow 36-34 win on the road.

Season Context: The Dolphins rode their explosive offense into the playoff hunt, while the Chargers’ reputation for late-game collapses only grew stronger as the year went on.

7. Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (2018) — Packers win 24-23

Pre-Game Stakes: The Bears had just acquired All-Pro linebacker, Khalil Mack, injecting fresh energy into their defense as hated rival Green Bay was once again recognized as a division favorite behind their veteran quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The Packers entered the game looking to extend their winning streak over Chicago to five games.

The Game: Chicago stormed ahead to an early 10-0 lead before Aaron Rodgers left the game with a knee injury with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Following Rodgers’ exit, Khalil Mack recorded a strip-sack and pick-six before halftime, resulting in a 17-0 lead for Chicago. 

After going 20-0 at the start of the third-quarter, Rodgers gutted through his injury and returned to the game, sparking one of his most iconic comebacks in recent memory. The Green Bay defense stiffened, and Rodgers threw for 286 yards and 3 second-half touchdowns, including a 75-yard catch and run by Randall Cobb that put Green Bay ahead 24-23 with just over two-minutes remaining in the game. 

The Bears young quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, was swallowed up by the Packers’ defensive front as time wound down, and the Cheese-Head’s successfully completed the miraculous Week 1 comeback. 

Season Context: Chicago rebounded and went on to win the NFC North while Green Bay faltered down the stretch. Still, Rodgers’ heroic comeback became an instant Lambeau Field classic.

6. Oakland Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints (2016) — Raiders win 35-34

Pre-Game Stakes: The Raiders were a team on the rise led by Derek Carr as the Saints were in danger of slipping into mediocrity after a 7-9 season the year before despite Drew Brees still playing at an MVP level.

The Game: Brees was masterful in this matchup, throwing for 423 yards and 4 TDs, including a 98-yard bomb to Brandin Cooks to give New Orleans a two-score lead. Oakland responded with Carr throwing for 319 yards and a TD while running backs Jalen Richard and Latavius Murray accounted for 143 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. 

Down by a touchdown with under one minute remaining, Carr hit receiver Seth Roberts for a score to bring the Raiders within an extra point to tie the game. Instead of playing for overtime, Raiders coach, Jack Del Rio, rolled the dice — and Carr connected with Michael Crabtree for the two-point conversion. Brees still found a way to place the Saints in field-goal range, but Wil Lutz’s last-second 61-yard FG attempt missed, giving Oakland a 35-34 win. 

In a game that featured three receivers going for over 100 yards, this was a high-flying shootout that went down to the wire, which was a perfect way to kick off the season from a fan-perspective.

Season Context: The Raiders went 12-4 and reached the postseason for the first time since 2002. Although Brees had another monster season, the Saints finished 7-9 for the third straight year.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints (2018) — Buccaneers win 48-40

Pre-Game Stakes: The Saints were favored as Super Bowl contenders while Tampa Bay was forced to start Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB as a result of Jameis Winston’s suspension. Expectations heading into this Week 1 exhibition couldn’t have been more lopsided.

The Game: This game was predicted to be a blowout, but instead it showcased an absurd offensive slugfest that highlighted over 1,000 yards of total offense. Fitzpatrick delivered a career-defining performance, throwing for 417 yards and 4 TD’s while also rushing for 36 yards and another score. He shared the wealth amongst his two primetime receivers, DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans. Jackson posted 146 yards and 2 long TD’s as Evans added 147 yards and a touchdown of his own. 

Drew Brees was spectacular as well, throwing for 439 yards and 3 TD’s as All-Pro receiver, Michael Thomas, and Pro Bowl running back, Alvin Kamara, led the way with 180 yards and 112 yards respectably. Drew Brees led the Saints on a fourth quarter comeback, but it was too late. 

Fitzpatrick’s deep strikes proved too much, and the Bucs pulled off a stunning 48-40 upset in the Superdome to open the 2018 season.

Season Context: New Orleans rebounded to finish 13-3, but their season was ended after an extremely controversial missed pass-interfereence call in the NFC Championship game against the Rams that resulted in a loss. Tampa collapsed as Fitzpatrick’s magic faded, but this shootout lives on as one of the wildest opening-week games ever.

4. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns (2002) — Chiefs win 40-39

Pre-Game Stakes: The Chiefs were riding on the back of their Pro Bowl / All-Pro running back Priest Holmes while the Browns were desperately trying to prove they belonged in the AFC playoff mix.

The Game: In a game that featured everything one could hope for in an exciting Week 1 matchup, Chiefs running back, Priest Holmes, stood out among all players. He led both teams in scoring, posting 4 rushing touchdowns along with 122 yards on the ground and 6 receptions for 19 yards. This performance alone made the game entertaining, but back-and-forth scoring, trick plays, and unbelievable storylines throughout are what make this game so memorable. 

Cleveland’s Kevin Holcomb put together a successful outing, passing for 326 yards and 3 scores. His favorite target of the afternoon, Quincy Morgan, had a career day as well, hauling in 9 catches for 151 yards and 2 TD’s, one of which came on a fake reverse pass from fellow receiver, Kevin Johnson. In a game of runs, the Chiefs crawled their way back from a 13 point deficit in the fourth-quarter to take a one-point lead with eight minutes to play. Both teams found the end zone after this, resulting in narrow lead-changes of only 1-5 points. So, both teams were forced to try for 2-point conversions late in the game to extend their leads by at least one score. 

However, both teams failed to convert, which left the scoreboard sitting at an awkward 39-37– in favor of Cleveland with only 29 seconds to play. Kansas City hurried down the field for a final chance to score, but quarterback, Trent Green, lateraled the ball to an offensive lineman out of desperation to avoid a sack as time expired. 

It looked as though Cleveland sealed the victory after making a stand on the final play, but thinking the game had ended with a sack, defensive end Dwayne Rudd, removed his helmet in celebration before the play had actually come to an end — drawing a game-extending penalty. 

This extension gave Chiefs kicker, Morten Andersen, a chance to hit a walk-off field goal from 30 yards out, stunning Cleveland 40-39 in a game for the ages.

Season Context: The Browns managed to earn a playoff berth, though this loss became part of their tortured history. The Chiefs finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs despite their offensive firepower.

3. Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens (2025) – Bills win 41-40

Pre-Game Stakes: The Ravens added even more talent to their stacked roster in the off-season while the Bills faced doubts due to lack of star-power surrounding reigning MVP, Josh Allen. The Ravens went into the game ready to set the tone for the season as Buffalo looked to silence the doubters in front of their home crowd.

The Game: Many viewed this Week 1 showdown as a possible glimpse at this year’s AFC Championship, and it’s hard to dispute these claims after watching these two powers face off to open their seasons. However, early on, it appeared the Ravens might steamroll the Bills. Lamar Jackson logged 209 passing yards, two touchdowns, plus another rushing touchdown, while Derrick Henry rumbled for 169 yards and two more scores. Baltimore held a commanding 40-25 lead heading into the late stages of the fourth quarter. 

But this was when Josh Allen reminded the league why he was named MVP a season prior, and he turned in one of the most unforgettable comebacks in NFL history. He piled up 394 passing yards and 2 TD’s through the air plus another 30 yards and 2 more scores on the ground with. The 2024 MVP also managed to lead four scoring drives in the 4th quarter alone, almost single-handedly willing Buffalo back into the game. 

Although, Allen certainly didn’t do it all himself. The Buffalo defense stepped up in the final quarter, only allowing one score. They came up clutch when it mattered most, and defensive tackle Ed Oliver made the biggest play of the night, forcing turnover after a rare fumble from Derrick Henry—triggering the Bills’ comeback with only a few minutes left to play. 

With Baltimore still holding a narrow 40-38 lead, Josh Allen then began the final drive at Buffalo’s own 20-yard line with less than 90 seconds left. He linked up with Joshua Palmer for 32 yards and Keon Coleman for 25, setting up kicker Matt Prater, who had just joined the team, to attempt something that sends shivers down the spines of Bills Mafia, a game-winning field-goal attempt. As 70,000 fans held their breath, the veteran kicker calmly lined up and sank the 32-yard kick as time expired, sending Orchard Park into chaos as the Bills snuck out a win. 

Just to prove how improbable this comeback victory was at Buffalo’s home-opener, the Bills’ win probability had dropped to as low as 1.1% during their rally, making it one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent memory. 

Season Context: It’s only the first game, but Buffalo’s incredible comeback victory not only gave them a critical Week 1 win, it silenced doubters. For Baltimore, it was a cruel reminder that no lead is safe and late-game execution is still a concern, but their high productivity early on should at least leave fans feeling hopeful for the season.

2. Las Vegas Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens (2021) — Raiders win 33-27 (OT)

Pre-Game Stakes: The first full-capacity game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas carried huge emotions as the Raiders looked to settle into their new home. Baltimore was still considered a force in the AFC.

The Game: In a game that ended with Derek Carr passing for 435 yards and 2 touchdowns while Lamar Jackson accounted for 321 total yards, the first-half of play was relatively uneventful. Derek Carr and the Raiders offense were slow to find their groove, but they were able to keep Lamar Jackson in-check, closing out the 2nd quarter trailing 14-10. 

The real excitement began as the 3rd quarter got underway.

The second-half scoring started by way of a Ravens field-goal, which the Raiders answered with a touchdown, evening the score. The teams traded blows from here, and Jackson worked his magic as time wound down, scampering down-field to give Justin Tucker a chance to pull the Ravens ahead on a 47 yard field-goal try, which he converted with only 37-seconds remaining. It looked bleak for the Silver and Black, but Derek Carr found receiver Amari Cooper for two quick gains that planted them in range of their kicker, Daniel Carlson, who drilled a 55-yard attempt to that forced overtime. 

In OT, the Raiders started with the ball and made their way to the Ravens 1-yard line before being pushed back 5 yards following a false-start. It turned from bad to worse as Carr’s pass was tipped in the endzone and intercepted by the Ravens, giving Jackson a chance to will the Ravens to victory. Instead, he was strip-sacked by Carl Nasib, and possession of the ball returned to Las Vegas. Two plays later, Carr delivered the dagger, finding Zay Jones 31-yards downfield for the game-winning score, claiming victory for Raider Nation on opening day in the City of Sin.

Season Context: The Raiders started the year off hot but stumbled late. The Ravens bounced back and found themselves with an 8-3 record by the end of November, but they collapsed at the end of the season losing their final 6 games– 4 of which were lost by 2 points or less. Still, this matchup stands as one of the most chaotic and entertaining finishes to a Week 1 game.

1. San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets (1998) — 49ers win 36-30 (OT)

Pre-Game Stakes: San Francisco was still considered a team to beat, but questions loomed over how much longer veterans such as Steve Young and Jerry Rice could compete. The Jets, under Bill Parcells, were on the rise after a 9-7 season but forced to start the year with their backup quarterback, Glenn Foley.

The Game: This season-opener featured a quarterback duel that no one saw coming. Hall of Famer, Steve Young, was at the helm of the high-powered 49ers offense as they faced off against the New York Jets and their unknown backup QB, Glenn Foley. The Jets veteran starter, Vinny Testaverde, was out due to injury, so the expectations for the game were fairly low. 

However, Foley was able to put together the game of his dreams, his statline surpassed that of San Francisco’s MVP Young by the end of the contest. He ended the day with 415 passing yards, 3 TD’s and 1 interception compared to Steve Young’s 363 yards, 3 TD and 1 interception. 

The game started off reasonably slow. The 1st quarter closed out with a score of 7-3 in favor of San Francisco, but Foley and the Jets picked up the pace in the 2nd quarter of play, and they took a 17-14 lead to finish the half. 

The suspense thickened in the 2nd half as both quarterbacks turned up the heat. The 49ers tied the game on a field goal to start the 3rd quarter, but Foley quickly responded with a touchdown-strike to Keyshawn Johnson. Steve Young was able to drive San Francisco down the field and take the lead after finding receiver J.J. Stokes in the endzone with one-minute remaining in the game. Foley funda  way to march the Jets offense into field-goal range, and the game was forced into overtime with the scoreboard sitting at 30:30. 

New York started with the ball in OT, but were unable to capitalize. The 49ers then gained possession but suffered the same result. The Jets were again unable to move the ball when they took over, but they did pin San Francisco inside their own 5-yard line after a beautiful punt. This was not an ideal start for the 49ers, but this would lead to one of the most iconic runs in NFL history. Running back Garrison Hearst took the hand-off at the 4-yard line, managed to spring himself free into the open field and bolted 96-yards down the sideline, narrowly evading defenders and falling into the endzone to win the game for San Francisco and put an end to the most thrilling Week 1 game ever played. 

Season Context: Testaverde eventually returned to replace Foley and led the Jets to an AFC Championship appearance after going 12-4. San Francisco also went 12-4, but despite having a roster full of future Hall of Famers, they were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round.

Final Thoughts

Week 1 is supposed to be about shaking off the rust, but sometimes the fireworks start immediately. These games weren’t just entertaining—they shaped storylines for entire seasons.

Whether it was Marino’s triumphant return, Rodgers’ miraculous comeback, or Garrison Hearst’s unforgettable run, Week 1 has given us moments that feel like they belong in January, and the 2025 season has proven to be no different.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, I dive even deeper into the stories behind these games (and many more) on my YouTube channel — you can find it here: Get Set Sports. Hope to see you there!