Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 1316 NFL Teams Open Week 1 Early Window as Rodgers Starts Final Season in Pittsburgh
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 13Summary
- Sunday’s Week 1 early window put 16 teams on the field, with live highlights spanning the NFL’s first full daytime slate of the 2026 season.
- Pittsburgh drew early focus as Aaron Rodgers opened what is billed as his final NFL season, reuniting with coach Mike McCarthy against the Falcons.
- Houston hosted one of the window’s marquee matchups, pitting two 2025 playoff teams as the Bills faced the Texans.
- Cleveland’s trip to Jacksonville also carried quarterback intrigue, with Deshaun Watson trying to settle the Browns’ QB competition.
- The early games extended the NFL’s 107th season opening weekend, with afternoon contests and Sunday Night Football still to come.
Insights
Will sharp bettors regret fading Green Bay, or is the Packers' disastrous offseason truly a death sentence for their Week 1 hopes? How will the Eagles' revamped offense survive Week 1 under a new coordinator after trading away superstar A.J. Brown? With a staggering $183 million dead-cap crippling their roster, could the Dolphins actually suffer a winless 2026 season?