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The 2026 NFL season opened with several outstanding individual performances. Some stars immediately looked ready for another big season. Others struggled under the spotlight. Week 1 never decides a player’s entire season. However, strong starts can create important momentum. Here are the biggest individual winners and losers from Week 1.
Winners
Josh Allen, Bills
Josh Allen delivered one of the week’s best quarterback performances. Allen completed 20 of 29 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns against Houston’s highly regarded defense. That gave Allen four total touchdowns in Buffalo’s 36-31 victory. He also led the winning drive after Houston nearly secured the game. Allen found Joshua Palmer for a 34-yard touchdown with 1:36 remaining. The performance finally gave Allen a victory in Houston.
Caleb Williams, Bears
Caleb Williams looked extremely comfortable during Chicago’s explosive victory. Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards. He also rushed for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Williams added two touchdown passes during the 59-37 win. That gave him four total touchdowns in Chicago’s record-setting opener. His performance also helped validate the confidence surrounding Ben Johnson’s offense.
D’Andre Swift, Bears
D’Andre Swift enjoyed one of the best games of his career. Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. He also helped Chicago dominate Carolina’s defensive front. The Bears finished with 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Swift’s performance established him as a major part of Chicago’s offense.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs made a huge statement during Detroit’s overtime victory. Gibbs rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans. He also caught five passes for 30 yards. That gave him 186 total scrimmage yards. Gibbs led all players with 34 touches during the 31-30 victory. He looked like one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
Derrick Henry, Ravens
Derrick Henry showed that age remains irrelevant when he controls the game. Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns against Indianapolis. He also finished with 163 total scrimmage yards. His three touchdowns moved him into third place on the NFL’s rushing touchdown list. Henry remains one of the league’s most difficult players to stop.
T.J. Watt, Steelers
T.J. Watt reminded everyone why he remains one of football’s premier defenders. Watt recorded four tackles and two sacks against Atlanta. He also recorded three tackles for loss and a pass defense. Most importantly, Watt returned an interception for a touchdown. That pick-six helped Pittsburgh defeat Atlanta 20-13. Watt immediately silenced questions about his status among elite defensive players.
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders
Ashton Jeanty looked like a player ready for a major breakout. He rushed for 102 yards on 23 carries against Miami. Jeanty also caught six passes for 45 yards. He scored two touchdowns during Las Vegas’ 27-13 victory. That gave Jeanty 147 total scrimmage yards. The Raiders clearly want the young running back heavily involved.
Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs
Kenneth Walker III stole the spotlight during Kansas City’s Monday night victory. Walker rushed for a career-high 173 yards against Denver. He scored two touchdowns during his Chiefs debut. Walker also added three receptions for 18 yards. His 60-yard touchdown run helped Kansas City seize control after halftime. Walker finished the night with more rushing yards than Denver had total yards.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes returned from his knee injury with an impressive performance. Mahomes completed 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown. His 15-yard touchdown run showed that his knee handled contact well. Mahomes still threw one interception and missed several open receivers. Nevertheless, Kansas City’s 31-10 victory provided plenty of encouragement.
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Justin Jefferson also enjoyed a strong Week 1 performance. Jefferson caught eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns helped Minnesota overcome a significant halftime deficit. The Vikings eventually defeated Green Bay 39-22. Jefferson remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous receiving threats.
Losers
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield had a difficult afternoon against Cincinnati. Mayfield threw three turnovers during Tampa Bay’s 33-27 loss. Those mistakes helped Cincinnati create several critical scoring opportunities. The Buccaneers still scored 27 points. However, Mayfield needed to protect the football against a talented Bengals defense. His Week 1 performance creates an early concern for Tampa Bay.
C.J. Stroud, Texans
C.J. Stroud produced some solid numbers against Buffalo. However, two lost fumbles overshadowed much of his performance. Stroud completed 26 of 38 passes for 274 yards. He also threw two touchdown passes. Unfortunately, his final fumble came with Houston still within striking distance. Buffalo recovered the ball and protected its five-point lead. Stroud now needs to clean up his ball security.
Deshaun Watson, Browns
Deshaun Watson endured one of the roughest quarterback performances. Watson threw an early interception against Jacksonville. He also lost a fumble and took five sacks. The Jaguars eventually dominated Cleveland 34-10. Watson never established consistent rhythm against Jacksonville’s defense. His struggles could increase pressure surrounding Cleveland’s quarterback situation.
Justin Herbert, Chargers
Justin Herbert struggled during Los Angeles’ surprising loss. Herbert completed his passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Arizona consistently disrupted the Chargers’ offensive rhythm. The Chargers also struggled after a blocked punt changed the game’s momentum. Herbert will need a stronger performance after entering the season with major expectations.
Cam Ward, Titans
Cam Ward experienced a difficult NFL debut against the New York Jets. Ward completed 19 of 32 passes for only 140 yards. He threw one late touchdown but struggled under constant pressure. The Jets recorded three sacks and forced several inaccurate throws. Tennessee managed only 195 total yards during the 23-10 loss. Ward should improve with experience, but Week 1 proved challenging.
Bo Nix, Broncos
Bo Nix struggled badly against Kansas City’s defense. Nix completed 17 of 28 passes for 131 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception. Nix also lost a fumble during Denver’s 31-10 defeat. The Broncos managed only 176 total yards throughout the game. Kansas City’s defense repeatedly pressured Nix and disrupted Denver’s offense.
Kyler Murray, Vikings
Kyler Murray’s Minnesota debut ended much earlier than expected. Murray suffered a concussion during the Vikings’ comeback victory. Carson Wentz entered the game and delivered three touchdown passes. Wentz’s performance helped Minnesota overcome Green Bay. Still, Murray’s injury makes his Week 2 status an important storyline.
Stefon Diggs, Commanders
Stefon Diggs experienced a memorable moment for the wrong reason. Diggs caught his first touchdown as a Washington Commanders player. However, he received a 15-yard celebration penalty afterward. That penalty prevented Washington from attempting a two-point conversion. Philadelphia eventually won 24-22. Diggs’ mistake became especially costly because Washington lost by two points.
Final Takeaway
Week 1 produced several individual performances worth remembering. Josh Allen, Caleb Williams, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, and T.J. Watt stood out. Kenneth Walker III also made an immediate impact in Kansas City. Meanwhile, several established quarterbacks struggled with turnovers or inconsistent play. Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Deshaun Watson, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix need better results. Still, one game does not define an NFL season. Players now have another week to correct mistakes and build momentum. The biggest question involves which Week 1 performances become season-long trends. For the winners, the challenge involves proving they can maintain that level. For the losers, Week 2 provides an immediate opportunity to respond.
Just like with the teams these players could be the opposite next week and in future weeks in the NFL.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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