Week 1 is in the books!
We waited a long time for the NFL to return, and it did not disappoint.
There were talking points aplenty during Week 1 action, from the surprising to the downright disgusting.
Here are five of the biggest talking points from the opening round of games. We will take them in the order they happened.
1. No place for spitting in NFL
First week. First game. Six seconds. That is all it took for Jalen Carter to make headlines for the wrong reasons once again.
After dominating in the Super Bowl, and being a big reason for the Philadelphia Eagles’ success, 2025 looked set to be a stellar season for Carter.
But the 24-year-old, who had charges brought against him for reckless driving and street racing during college, opted for a different path.
After the opening kick-off, Carter and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott exchanged heated words. The confrontation resulted in Carter spitting on Prescott and being ejected from the game.
It should be said that replays later showed that Prescott had initially spat in the general direction of Carter.
Dak Prescott looked Jalen Carter in the eyes, spit toward his feet, gave him a head nod, smiled and said “yeaaa”.
Let’s not act like Dak is a choir boy lol. In fact, the video of Dak spitting toward Carter and provoking him is probably why JC doesn’t get suspended. pic.twitter.com/6YWKReApxE
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) September 5, 2025
Prescott said after the game that he “needed to spit” and for obvious reasons did not want to do so on his two team-mates stood in front of him.
The Cowboys QB said in the post-game press conference that Carter believed it was aimed at him, with former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett calling the event “a misunderstanding” during the coverage of the game.
Prescott’s actions aside, intentionally spitting on an opposing player has not place in the NFL or any sport. On Tuesday, Carter was fined $57,222, but opted not to slap him with a suspension. Speaking of slapping…
2. Chargers slap Chiefs, literally
It was all eyes on Brazil on Friday night on YouTube, as the Kansas City Chiefs looked to shake off their Super Bowl hangover against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Things did not go to plan. Justin Herbert and the Chargers out-played the Chiefs for long spells, as the Bolts won 27-21 in Sao Paolo.
With the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders both winning on Sunday, the AFC West has an awfully strange look to it with the Chiefs at the bottom.
Patrick Mahomes had one or two incredible moments, while Herbert had one of his best games to date.
But the most talked about moment happened midway through the third quarter. Unsurprisingly, anything which involves Travis Kelce gets huge media attention nowadays. I do not need to tell you why.
Kelce had clearly got under the skin of Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart, but I am not sure the Chiefs tight end was expecting what came next.
Tart threw a savage slap – can slaps be savage? – to the helmet of Kelce. Chiefs fans and head coach Andy Reid questioned why Tart was not ejected from the game.
NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay said the incident was “an open-handed hit, not a closed-fist punch”, which does not lead to an ejection. The ‘Swifties’ would not agree.
3. Jones stuns on Colts debut
On a far more positive, yet surprising note, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones had a Sunday to remember in Week 1.
Having joined from the New York Giants in the offseason, Jones beat Anthony Richardson to the starting role during training camp and preseason.
It was a decision which raised many eyebrows, but if Jones’ performance against the Miami Dolphins is anything to go by, the correct decision was made.
The Colts became the first team in 47 years to score on every offensive possession of a game, as they beat the Dolphins 33-8.
Jones also became the first quarterback to record at least two rushing touchdowns, one touchdown pass and no interceptions in his first start with a team since he accomplished the feat in his first start for the Giants in 2019!
It is no secret that the Dolphins defense, and secondary in particular, is bad. Very bad. But Jones and Colts fans will be feeling a lot more positive about the season after that showing.
4. Rodgers rolls back years
While Jones was lighting up Lucas Oil Stadium, to the east Aaron Rodgers was putting on a clinic against his old team.
In fact, both Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rodgers and New York Jets’ Justin Fields were starting against the team they played for in Week 1 of last season.
Fields had himself a good game, completing 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, while running in two more scores of 12 carries.
But the day belongs to Rodgers and the Steelers, who would go onto win narrowly 34-32.
On his Steelers debut, Rodgers threw four touchdown passes with no interceptions for the 28th time in his career – tied with Tom Brady for the most in NFL history.
The 41-year-old now has 35 games with four or more touchdown throws, behind only Tom Brady (39) and Drew Brees (37).
I will admit, I did not have high hopes for this game, and I am happy to be proven wrong. It could well have been the game of the week, that was until Sunday evening rolled around.
5. Sunday Night delight
What a game. The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens may have already played the game of the season, and it is only 9th September.
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson both made their early cases to be MVP in 2025, though it was Allen and the Bills who were ultimately victorious 41-40.
The Ravens were up 40-25 with under five minutes remaining. ESPN’s win probably calculator had the Ravens at 99.1%.
A combination of a tipped touchdown, uncharacteristic Derrick Henry fumble and incredible quarterback play from Allen saw Buffalo make the most unlikely of comebacks.
It will be an all too familiar feeling for Ravens fans. Since 2021, Baltimore have lost eight games where at some point they had a win probability of 90% or higher. The next most is five.
Bills fans – or those who had stayed inside Orchard Park – were treated to a miracle. Even Lamar Jackson pushing one of their fans could not spoil the party.
Which moments would make your top five? Let us know over on X using @JoinTheHuddleUK – and do not forget to follow while you are there!
