Best moments from NFL season openers in the last 10 years

The NFL kicks off each season featuring the team that won the Super Bowl in the prior campaign. The first game serves as an effective way for fans of the defending champions to savor the glory of the previous season, while also giving their opponent a platform to start the year positively. We’ll look back at the most memorable moments from NFL season openers in the last decade.

The Los Angeles Rams tried to replicate their success in last year’s opener, but were thoroughly outplayed by the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen did whatever he wanted with his arm and his legs. He threw for three touchdowns and added another score on the ground. The Bills won 31-10.

The Cowboys needed to prove that they were ready for the big stage ahead of the 2021 season, and they held up extremely well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The reigning champions made a couple more plays to eek out an exciting 31-29 victory. Brady threw four touchdowns in that game, including two to tight end Rob Gronkowski.

For many months, it felt like the NFL would have trouble getting its season started thanks to the raging Covid-19 pandemic. Football fans rejoiced when the campaign started on time with the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs doing battle. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was supremely efficient, throwing three touchdowns in a 34-20 victory.

The NFL kicked off its 100^th season by featuring a game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, the league’s oldest rivalry. It felt like both teams were stuck in 1919 instead of 2019, as Green Bay gutted out a 10-3 win. A 47 yard connection between Aaron Rodgers and Marquez Valdes-Scantling was one of the most exciting plays of the evening.

The Philadelphia Eagles returned home to a raucous crowd after defeating the New England Patriots in the prior Super Bowl. The Atlanta Falcons had to deal with a frenzied environment all night long. Philadelphia would get the victory 18-12 thanks to the strong play of running back Jay Ajayi, who scored two touchdowns on the ground.

Many viewed the Kansas City Chiefs as fodder for the defending champion New England Patriots, but the road team made a huge statement in their 42-27 victory. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith threw for four touchdowns, and running back Kareem Hunt sliced and diced his way through New England’s defense. Hunt ended up with 246 combined rushing and receiving yards.

The NFL didn’t wait to schedule a rematch of the prior Super Bowl, as the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos squared off in the opening game of the 2016 season. Carolina almost got revenge, but kicker Graham Gano missed a field goal as time expired. Fullback Andy Janovich had a surprising 28 yard touchdown in the contest.

The Patriots were a staple of opening games for a few seasons, and they asserted their dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first contest of the 2015 season. Tom Brady threw for four touchdown passes on the night, three of which landed in the waiting hands of Rob Gronkowski. The final score of 28-21 made the game seem a lot closer than it actually was.

The Seattle Seahawks had a dynamic winning formula in the 2010’s which involved running the ball and playing great defense on the back end. That blueprint was on full display against the Green Bay Packers, as Seattle came away with a 36-16 win. The Seahawks sacked Aaron Rodgers three times and intercepted him once. Marshawn Lynch ran for two touchdowns as well.

It might be the most iconic NFL season opening performance of all time. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning tossed seven touchdown passes en route to a 49-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The Hall of Famer accumulated 462 yards in the air that night, and three receivers caught two touchdowns apiece.