Seven From Sunday: Kickoff Weekend Delivers Drama, Records, and Rising Stars
By Myles Mohair – HuddleUp Magazine
Published: September 7, 2025
The NFL’s 2025 Kickoff Weekend was nothing short of electric. From nail-biting finishes to historic individual performances, the league’s first Sunday slate served as a reminder of why football reigns supreme in American sports. Below, we break down seven of the biggest statistical highlights from Week 1 action.
1. Thrillers in the Final Minutes
Three teams – the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – notched game-winning scores in the final two minutes of regulation. It marked the most such finishes on Kickoff Weekend since 2022.
With two games still remaining in Week 1, ten contests have already been decided by one score or less, showcasing the league’s parity. Even more impressive, 11 games were within one possession entering the fourth quarter.
2. Indianapolis Ends a Drought
The Colts’ 33-8 win over Miami snapped a season-opening winless streak dating back to 2013. Indianapolis scored on every offensive possession, becoming the first team since at least 1978 to achieve that feat.
- Daniel Jones (in his first start with the Colts) threw for 272 yards, rushed for 26, and accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) without a turnover.
- Rookie tight end Tyler Warren debuted with seven catches for 76 yards. He became just the third tight end in NFL history to record at least seven receptions in his first career game, joining Keith McKeller (1987) and Monty Stickles (1960).
Jones’ dual-threat efficiency evoked memories of his debut with the Giants in 2019—proving some stories really do come full circle.
3. Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Statement
In his highly anticipated Steelers debut, Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes with no interceptions, guiding Pittsburgh to a 34-32 win over the Jets.
- Rodgers tied Tom Brady for the most career games (28) with four TD passes and no picks.
- He also tied Peyton Manning with his 35th career game with four or more touchdown throws, trailing only Brady (39) and Drew Brees (37).
Adding to the drama, Chris Boswell nailed a 60-yard game-winning field goal in the final two minutes. Boswell became only the tenth kicker in NFL history to hit such a clutch long-range winner.
4. Egbuka’s Instant Impact
Rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka wasted no time making his mark. In his debut, he hauled in four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 25-yarder with under a minute left, sealing Tampa Bay’s 23-20 victory over Atlanta.
Egbuka joins Ernest Wilford (2004) as just the second player since the 1970 merger to record a game-winning touchdown reception in the final minute of his first NFL game.
5. Josh Jacobs’ Consistency Streak
Packers running back Josh Jacobs continued his remarkable scoring run with a rushing touchdown in Green Bay’s 27-13 victory over Detroit.
That makes 10 straight games (dating back to Week 11 of 2024, including the postseason) in which Jacobs has scored on the ground. Since 2000, only three others—LaDainian Tomlinson, Jonathan Taylor, and Priest Holmes—have recorded longer streaks.
6. Brock Bowers Joins Elite Company
Las Vegas rookie tight end Brock Bowers put on a show with five receptions for 103 yards in a 20-13 win over New England.
Bowers now has 1,297 yards in just 18 career games, surpassing Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr. for the second-most receiving yards by a tight end in his first 20 career outings. Only the legendary Mike Ditka (1,411 yards) remains ahead.
7. Stafford and Nacua Keep Rolling
In Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford threw for 245 yards and a touchdown, leading the Rams to a 14-9 win over Houston. With that performance, Stafford joined the exclusive 60,000-yard passing club, tying Matt Ryan as the second-fastest to reach the milestone (223 games). Only Drew Brees did it faster.
Meanwhile, Puka Nacua continued his meteoric rise with 10 catches for 130 yards. In just 29 career games, Nacua already has:
- Five games of 10+ receptions and 100+ yards (tied for most ever in a player’s first 30 games).
- 194 career receptions (2nd-most through 30 games, trailing only Odell Beckham Jr.).
- 2,606 receiving yards (3rd-most through 30 games in the Super Bowl era, behind only Beckham Jr. and Justin Jefferson).
Nacua’s early trajectory puts him on pace to be one of the defining receivers of his generation.
Final Word
From Aaron Rodgers’ flawless debut in Pittsburgh to the emergence of rookies like Emeka Egbuka and Brock Bowers, Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season set the stage for another unforgettable year. The league’s blend of legends chasing records and new stars making history proves that, on any given Sunday, greatness is always just one play away.
