Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Chicago Bears Explode for 59 Points in Historic Week 1 Rout of Panthers
The Chicago Bears exploded for 59 points in a 59-37 season-opening victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, in the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. The combined 96 points marked the fourth-most single-game total in Bears franchise history. Chicago’s offense showed impressive depth, with Caleb Williams making superstar plays while the team also ran the ball authoritatively. The performance earned the Bears a spot atop the NFL Power Rankings entering Week 2. The teams combined for 55 points in the first half alone, setting a dramatic tone for the 2026 NFL season.
Sources: NBC Sports Boston
Jaxson Dart Stuns in NFL Debut as Giants Top Cowboys 28-20 on SNF
Jaxson Dart announced himself to the NFL with a remarkable debut, leading the New York Giants to a 28-20 Sunday Night Football victory over the Dallas Cowboys in John Harbaugh’s first game as head coach. Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, adding 54 rushing yards on 11 designed carries. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to open a season with three passing touchdowns, 50-plus rushing yards, and a 130.0-plus passer rating. Isaiah Likely caught eight passes on eight targets, and Cam Skattebo contributed 81 yards and a score on the ground.
Sources: NBC New York
Kenneth Walker III Rushes for 173 Yards as Chiefs Dominate Broncos 31-10 on MNF
Kenneth Walker III made an instant impact in his Kansas City debut, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns — including a 60-yard scoring dash — as the Chiefs rolled to a 31-10 Monday Night Football victory over the Denver Broncos. Walker, who joined the Chiefs this offseason, carried the ball 23 times and finished with 191 total yards of offense. Patrick Mahomes was efficient throughout, and the Chiefs defense held Denver in check all night. The win gives Kansas City sole possession of first place in the AFC West heading into Week 2 of the 2026 season.
Travis Kelce Passes Jason Witten for Second All-Time Tight End Receiving Yards
Travis Kelce moved into second place on the all-time receiving yards list for tight ends, surpassing Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten with a 59-yard reception in the third quarter of Kansas City’s Week 1 win over Denver. Kelce now sits at 13,073 career receiving yards, behind only Tony Gonzalez’s all-time tight end record of 15,127 yards. The milestone came during a three-reception, 71-yard performance in the Chiefs’ 31-10 victory over the Broncos on Monday Night Football, with wife Taylor Swift in attendance. Kelce has now surpassed every tight end in NFL history except Gonzalez, whose record sits more than 2,000 yards away.
Detroit Lions Hold Off Saints 31-30 in Overtime Thriller to Open Season
The Detroit Lions held off the New Orleans Saints 31-30 in a wild overtime finish on Sunday. Detroit forced three turnovers and sacked the Saints quarterback five times throughout the game. New Orleans answered a Lions overtime score to pull within one point at 31-30, then attempted a two-point conversion to win — but failed, preserving the Lions victory. The result moved Detroit to 1-0 while dropping New Orleans to 0-1 alongside every other NFC South team, which went a combined 0-4 in Week 1 — each of the division’s four clubs dropping their opener.
Sources: NBC New York
Myles Garrett Headed to IR for Knee Surgery, to Miss at Least Four Games
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett will undergo knee surgery and has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining the dominant pass rusher for at least four games. The arthroscopic knee procedure was confirmed following Garrett’s Week 1 appearance. His absence is a significant blow to his team’s defensive plans for the first month of the 2026 season. Garrett’s placement on IR highlights a rough opening week of injury news across the NFL, joining quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver A.J. Brown, and quarterback Kyler Murray among notable players sidelined heading into Week 2.
Sources: CBS Sports
A.J. Brown Placed on IR by Patriots After High-Ankle Sprain in Week 1
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Brown had three catches for 26 yards in his Patriots debut before leaving in the third quarter. He is expected to miss approximately six weeks and cannot return until at least Week 6, when the Patriots host the Jets. Brown’s loss is a significant setback for the New England offense. The Patriots fell to 0-1 after dropping their season opener 13-10 to Seattle.
Sources: NBC Sports
Kyler Murray in Concussion Protocol, Week 2 Availability Uncertain for Vikings
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and his status for Week 2 is uncertain after being struck by Javon Bullard during the first quarter of Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers. Murray entered a fencing posture after the hit and was evaluated immediately, with Carson Wentz stepping in to guide the Vikings to a 39-22 victory. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Murray will be evaluated day by day and is unsure if he will clear protocol in time to face the Chicago Bears in Week 2. Murray signed with Minnesota this offseason after seven seasons with Arizona.
Sources: CBS Sports
Sam Darnold Hip Injury Expected to Keep Seahawks QB Out for Week 2
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to miss the team’s Week 2 divisional matchup against the Arizona Cardinals after sustaining a hip injury on the opening possession of Seattle’s 13-10 Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots. Darnold appears to have sustained a glute muscle injury rather than a hip injury, and could return for the team’s Week 3 game at Washington on September 27. Backup Drew Lock is expected to start against Arizona. The Seahawks entered Week 2 atop the NFL Power Rankings at 1-0 despite the quarterback health concern.
Sources: The Spokesman-Review
Dolphins Acquire QB Kyle McCord from Packers Among Active Week of NFL Moves
The Miami Dolphins bolstered their quarterback room by acquiring Kyle McCord from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick. The Carolina Panthers added defensive tackle TeRah Edwards via trade with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Las Vegas Raiders sent center Jordan Meredith to the New York Jets for a 2027 sixth-round pick, while the Dallas Cowboys dealt offensive tackle Thomas to the Houston Texans for a 2027 seventh-round pick. The Jets also signed wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad, reflecting active roster management across the league following Week 1.
Sources: CBS Sports
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 1 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Every newsletter preserved and searchable
Curated by JD · samwise.agency