The New England Patriots secured a 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a strong defensive performance and key contributions on offense. Running back TreVeyon Henderson made a significant impact in his season debut, scoring on a 39-yard touchdown run. Eli Ponder also added a defensive score with a 19-yard fumble recovery. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 14 of 22 passes for 208 yards, although he threw one interception. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ defense effectively pressured veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, sacking him four times, forcing an interception, and recovering two fumbles. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez played tight coverage against Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, limiting him to four catches for 27 yards. The win improved New England’s record to 1-1 and helped Coach Mike Vrabel avoid an 0-2 start for only the second time in his eight-year tenure.
In a rainy game at Soldier Field, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears 9-3, marking their first 2-0 start since 2024. The Vikings’ defense held Chicago to just 297 yards—less than half of their output from the previous week—and recorded four sacks, two by Dallas Turner. Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who left the game late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Isaiah Rodgers also contributed with a fumble recovery and a blocked 23-yard field goal attempt in the closing moments. Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushed for 105 yards, while Minnesota secured their seventh consecutive win at Soldier Field, tying a franchise record for road victories against a division rival. Chicago dropped to 1-1 despite a late drive led by backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
The Philadelphia Eagles overcame a late Tennessee Titans field goal and secured a 24-20 win in Nashville with a last-minute touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to Darius Cooper. Despite facing three sacks and two interceptions, Hurts drove Philadelphia down the field for the winning score with just nine seconds remaining. The Titans, now 0-2, kicked a 33-yard field goal with under two minutes left to take a brief 20-17 lead. The game was played in intense heat, with temperatures reaching 98 degrees Fahrenheit and a surface temperature of at least 150 degrees on Nissan Stadium’s artificial turf. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley returned after a brief injury but was limited to nine yards on four carries. The victory brought Philadelphia to 2-0 on the season.
In Charlotte, the Carolina Panthers dominated the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 behind quarterback Bryce Young, who threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, including two to tight end Darren Waller. Devin Lloyd scored a defensive touchdown off one of his two interceptions. Carolina improved to 1-1, extending their winning streak in the NFC South rivalry to four games. The Falcons, starting Cooper Rush at quarterback due to injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, struggled offensively, with Rush completing 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Rush’s difficulties prompted a substitution for undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who also struggled, including throwing a pick-six to Lloyd. Atlanta fell to 0-2, while Carolina limited the Falcons to 286 total yards, including 72 rushing yards from star running back Bijan Robinson.