NFL Week 1 2025: Key Takeaways and Early Season Trends

The 2025 NFL season kicked off with a bang, delivering thrilling games, surprising performances, and early indicators of how teams might fare this year. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments and trends from Week 1:

Colts’ Dominance: Has Daniel Jones Found His Groove?

The Indianapolis Colts made a statement with a commanding 33-8 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Daniel Jones showcased his dual-threat capabilities, throwing for 272 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores. The Colts’ aggressive defensive approach under new coordinator Lou Anarumo also paid dividends, with multiple sacks and an interception.

Chiefs in Trouble? Chargers Stun in São Paulo

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense struggled in their 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil. With key receivers sidelined, Patrick Mahomes faced an uphill battle. Justin Herbert’s clutch performance, including a crucial 19-yard scramble on third-and-long, sealed the win for the Chargers.

Steelers’ Defensive Woes Continue

Despite Aaron Rodgers’ four-touchdown debut, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense faltered, allowing 182 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to the New York Jets. The Steelers’ inability to contain Justin Fields raises questions about their offseason focus on improving the run defense.

Eagles Edge Cowboys in Season Opener

The Philadelphia Eagles held off the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 in a thrilling season opener. Jalen Hurts continued his MVP form with two rushing touchdowns, while the Eagles’ secondary struggled against CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys showed promise but were undone by critical mistakes, including a costly fumble by Miles Sanders.

Surprising Performances

• Ben Skowronek (Steelers): The wide receiver caught Rodgers’ first touchdown and made a key fumble recovery.
• Quentin Johnston (Chargers): The maligned receiver stepped up with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
• Trey Benson (Cardinals): The backup running back shined with a 52-yard run, showcasing his potential.

Early Trends to Watch

• Colts’ Aggressive Defense: Indianapolis blitzed at a higher rate than in 2024, signaling a shift under Anarumo.
• Chiefs’ Receiver Woes: With key players injured, Mahomes may need to rely heavily on Travis Kelce and improvisation.
• Steelers’ Run Defense: Pittsburgh’s inability to stop the run could be a recurring issue if not addressed.

Week 1 set the stage for an exciting 2025 NFL season, with plenty of storylines to follow as teams look to build on their early performances.