2018 NFL Week 1 Recap

WASHINGTON — Fortunes flip, dominant DMV football, and a no-good-very-bad-tie highlight the first NFL Recap of the 2018 season.

Here’s is how the teams did in their first week.

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets throws looks to throw a pass in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 10, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Jets 48
Lions 17 Sam Darnold became just the third player to throw a Pick 6 on his first career pass attempt, but the first in Jets history with 2 TDs in his debut — which also happens to be the second largest season-opening win in team history. Considering he’s also the youngest QB in six decades to start Week 1, it’s not a stretch to think his response to that rough start is what will help make him a star. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 09:  Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears reacts after sacking Aaron Rodgers #12 during the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Bears 23
Packers 24 In a battle between the largest contracts in NFL history, Aaron Rodgers and Khalil Mack showed why they’re worth every single penny. Rodgers shrugged off a second quarter leg injury and a 20-point deficit to author the greatest comeback in the history of the NFL’s oldest rivalry, and Mack proved to be every bit as unblockable as advertised. The NFC North is gonna be fun this year. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09:  Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona.  The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Redskins 24
Cardinals 6 Yes, Alex Smith and Adrian Peterson had great debuts but the Redskins’ first opening day victory since 2012 came courtesy of the defense. The ‘Skins fell just 5:47 shy of their first shutout in 27 years, held Arizona to 63 first-half yards. If this is a sign of things to come for this unit, the race for NFC East supremacy will be more compelling than expected. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers' Shaq Green-Thompson (54) tackles Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott (21) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Cowboys 8
Panthers 16 Get used to this, Dallas. Your new kicker is feeling more pressure than he let on, and your offense is Ezekiel Elliott and little else. Of course, if Greg Olsen stays in a boot, Carolina could face similar problems with Cam Newton starring as the Panthers’ one-man show. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9:  Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos scores a first quarter touchdown on a reception as cornerback Tre Flowers #37 of the Seattle Seahawks falls to the ground during a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Seahawks 24
Broncos 27
As great as it was to see Phillip Lindsay do Terrell Davis’s number proud, the real sight for sore eyes was the Griffin brothers taking the field together for Seattle. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 9, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Chiefs 38
Chargers 28 While I’m not ready to admit I underestimated Patrick Mahomes, I can say I didn’t give Tyreek Hill his full props. Since Week 15 of 2016, he’s got more than twice as many 50+ yard plays as his nearest competition, making him the biggest X-factor in football. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver John Brown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Bills 3
Ravens 47 Nathan Peterman was every bit as bad as expected, but Joe Flacco stunned us all with his first 3 TD game in two years, with each of his touchdowns going to receivers not on the team last year. This could be the beginning of a fast start for Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 09:  Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants runs with the ball in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Jaguars 20
Giants 15 Jacksonville didn’t get exactly what they wanted from Blake Bortles, but Big Blue got the big debut from Saquon Barkley they needed. Through one game, it’s already obvious the Giants will only go as far as Barkley and Odell Beckham will carry them. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 9:  Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40.  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Bucs 48
Saints 40 For me, this was the biggest stunner of the week. The Bucs won the highest scoring season opener in NFL history by blasting my Super Bowl pick for a franchise-record 48 points, led by journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick’s mind-boggling 417 yards and 4 TDs against one of the best defenses from last season. I’ll chalk this up to the Saints’ typical slow starts — they’ve lost five straight season openers — rather than some Dirk Koetter payback. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass between Houston Texans defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu (32) and Kareem Jackson (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. Gronkowski fumbled and Mathieu recovered on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Texans 20
Patriots 27 A day after reports that Rob Gronkowski turned down New England’s efforts to trade him, Gronk registered the 27th 100-yard game of his career. If you think Tom Brady was mad over Alex Guerrero, wait’ll you see what he does if you take Gronk away from him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers greet each other on the field after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-16.  (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
49ers 16
Vikings 24 While Kirk Cousins’s debut in Minnesota was a tad less impressive than Alex Smith’s for the Redskins, it demonstrated what should already be known about the Vikings: They don’t need Cousins to carry them. He’s there to be efficient and effective when it matters — which he was. Jimmy G, however, was not. In his first professional loss, he completed fewer than half his passes and threw as many TDs to his guys as Vikings defenders. The mystique is gone. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Titans 20
Dolphins 27 Because of multiple weather delays, this 7-hour, 8-minute eyesore was by far the league’s longest game since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970. If injured Titans Marcus Mariota, Delanie Walker and Taylor Lewan — easily Tennessee’s three most important players — miss significant time, Mike Vrabel’s first season will feel just as long. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is chased by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jordan Willis (75) and defensive end Michael Johnson (90) during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. The Bengals defeated the Colts 34-23. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bengals 34
Colts 23 Cincinnati got its first win in Indy since 1997, and Andrew Luck played his first game in what feels about as long. If the Colts expect him to throw 53 times every week, his return will be shortlived. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09:  Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Steelers 21
Browns 21 (OT) For the first time since December 2016, Cleveland didn’t lose — and in true Browns fashion, didn’t bother to win either. My thoughts on ties are well-documented but in this case, it’s almost comical considering Cleveland’s yearslong ineptitude and the Steelers’ recent organizational arrogance. Speaking of the Steelers … nobody’s laughing in Pittsburgh. James Conner may have shown they can live without Le’Veon Bell, but committing six turnovers and blowing a 14-point lead to a team with one win in two seasons to settle for the first season-opening tie since 1971 is a bad look all around. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06:  Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a pass thrown by Nelson Agholor #13 (not pictured) during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Falcons 12
Eagles 18 Even though it literally rained on their pregame parade, Philadelphia got to celebrate their first Super Bowl by repeating history, while Atlanta settled for the league’s best use of social media this week. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets throws looks to throw a pass in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 10, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 09:  Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears reacts after sacking Aaron Rodgers #12 during the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09:  Defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with linebacker Mason Foster #54 after a turnover during the final moments of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona.  The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 24-6.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers' Shaq Green-Thompson (54) tackles Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott (21) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9:  Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos scores a first quarter touchdown on a reception as cornerback Tre Flowers #37 of the Seattle Seahawks falls to the ground during a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 9, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver John Brown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 09:  Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants runs with the ball in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 9:  Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40.  (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass between Houston Texans defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu (32) and Kareem Jackson (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. Gronkowski fumbled and Mathieu recovered on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers greet each other on the field after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-16.  (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is chased by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jordan Willis (75) and defensive end Michael Johnson (90) during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. The Bengals defeated the Colts 34-23. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09:  Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06:  Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a pass thrown by Nelson Agholor #13 (not pictured) during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is WTOP's Senior Sports Content Producer, which includes duties as producer and host of the DC Sports Huddle, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on WTOP.com.

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