Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, September 13, 2026
49ers Crush Rams 27-7 in NFL’s First-Ever Game in Australia
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes as the 49ers throttled the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 on Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, marking the NFL’s first regular-season game in the country. Purdy connected with Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, and Deebo Samuel, while running back Kyren Williams scored the first touchdown in Australian NFL history on a 5-yard rush. Los Angeles starter Matthew Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards with an interception, managing a 61.2 passer rating. The game drew 100,021 fans, the seventh-largest regular-season crowd in NFL history.
Seahawks Survive Patriots 13-10 Despite Losing Darnold in Week 1 Opener
The Seattle Seahawks opened their Super Bowl title defense with a 13-10 comeback win over the New England Patriots on Wednesday, though the victory came at a significant cost. Quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury on the sixth play and did not return. Backup Drew Lock stepped in and threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the fourth quarter to tie the game, then Jason Myers kicked the go-ahead field goal. Cornerback Josh Jobe sealed the win with an interception in the end zone. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the loss.
Sam Darnold Out for Week 2 After Hip Injury vs Patriots, Avoids Fracture
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will miss at least Seattle’s Week 2 road game against the Arizona Cardinals after suffering what the team described as an unusual muscle strain in his hip during Wednesday’s season opener against the Patriots. Darnold went down on the sixth play following a sack and did not return to the 13-10 win. Head coach Mike Macdonald said after the game that the team received great news, as Darnold appears to have avoided a fracture. Drew Lock is the likely starter for Week 2. Darnold could miss just a few weeks, with 18 days between Week 1 and the Week 3 matchup against Washington.
Patriots Place A.J. Brown on IR With High-Ankle Sprain, Out Until Week 6
The New England Patriots placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve after he suffered a high-ankle sprain during Wednesday’s 13-10 Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Brown went down in the third quarter when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee landed on his right ankle. X-rays were negative for a fracture, and an MRI taken Thursday confirmed the high-ankle sprain diagnosis. Brown is eligible to return from IR as early as Week 6. NFL insider Jordan Schultz projects his recovery at approximately three to six weeks, meaning the Patriots could be without their top receiver for much of October.
Sources: Pats Pulpit
Patrick Mahomes Set to Start Monday Night Football in Return From ACL/LCL Tear
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is set to start Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, marking his return from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee suffered on December 14, 2025, against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes was a full participant throughout training camp and has no injury designation heading into Monday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes would start, saying, “Pretty good chance that Patrick will go ahead and start unless something were to come up here in the next couple days.” Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. local time on ESPN and ABC.
Sources: Washington Times
Bears Lock In D’Andre Swift With $33.75 Million Extension Before Week 1
The Chicago Bears and running back D’Andre Swift agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $33.75 million, with $27.5 million in guaranteed money, ahead of the team’s Week 1 season opener. Swift earned the extension after a standout 2025 campaign in which he rushed for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, both personal records. Swift originally signed with the Bears in 2024 and has started 33 regular-season games for Chicago since his arrival. The deal secures Swift beyond his existing contract, which was set to expire following the 2026 season.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times
Packers’ Josh Jacobs Pleads No Contest to Misdemeanor Charges, Faces Likely Suspension
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs pleaded no contest to charges of battery and criminal damage to property in a Wisconsin courtroom on Thursday, September 10. The judge ordered Jacobs to pay a $1,000 fine, attend mandatory counseling, and avoid contact with the victim. Jacobs remains on the NFL’s Commissioner’s Exempt list, where he has been unable to practice or play while continuing to receive pay pending league review. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that the NFL is expected to hand down a six-game suspension, the standard penalty under the collective bargaining agreement for domestic violence, following the conclusion of the court proceedings.
Sources: NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk
Falcons Start Cooper Rush After Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out With Oblique Injury
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski ruled out quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for Sunday’s Week 1 road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury in Thursday’s practice. Initially named the Week 1 starter, Tagovailoa’s absence leaves Atlanta without its top two options — Michael Penix Jr. remains inactive while recovering from last season’s knee injury. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush will start instead, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand serving as the backup. The Falcons open their 2026 season in Pittsburgh facing the Steelers’ defense without their announced starting quarterback.
AFC Standings (through Week 1 opening games)
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NFC Standings (through Week 1 opening games)
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Every newsletter preserved and searchable
Curated by JD · samwise.agency