The first week of the NFL 2025 season is now officially over. Two teams in the AFC North have won their first two games of the season.
The first week of the NFL 2025 season is now officially over. Two teams in the AFC North have won their first two games of the season.
Aaron Rodgers’ era in Pittsburgh is here, and it began with a thrilling win of 34-32 over Justin Fields and the New York Jets. The 41-year old quarterback did well against his former team, completing 21 of 30 passes for a total of 244 yards and four touchdowns. He also had zero interceptions.
On Sunday, several other notable players also made their Pittsburgh debuts. Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was acquired by the Steelers in this offseason for a second round draft pick. The Steelers then signed him to a contract extension of four years and $132 million. Metcalf was the team’s leading receiver with 83 yards from four receptions.
Jalen Ramsey made his debut in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Miami Dolphins. He was acquired along with tight end Jonnu Smith in a deal that Pittsburgh completed in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzgerald and a pick. The 30-year-old All-Pro Cornerback delivered what may have been the best play of the day when he crushed wide receiver Garrett Wilson on fourth down, breaking up the pass intended.
In stark contrast to previous seasons, the Bengals were the only team in their division to win the first game of the season, as they defeated the Cleveland Browns 17-16. Cincinnati, under Zac Taylor, has a history of slow starts. While the Bengals did not play up to their usual offensive standards, a divisional victory to begin the season is a positive sign for the Bengals hoping to return to the AFC playoff picture.
Cincinnati’s usual stars were kept in check on Sunday. Quarterback Joe Burrow completed just 14 of 23 pass attempts for only 113 yards, and scored a touchdown. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, combined for a meager 59 receiving yardage on five receptions.
The Bengals defense had a disastrous season in 2024, and the team was denied a playoff spot. Now coached by Al Golden, the unit dominated the Browns, with two interceptions, two sacks, and a total of four tackles.
Burrow told reporters after the match, “We found a winning way.” “As someone said earlier, last year we lost all of these games.”
After leading the Browns into the playoffs in the 2023 season, quarterback Joe Flacco will be back in Cleveland in the 2025 campaign. The 40-year old Flacco completed 31 out of 45 passes, resulting in 290 yards and one touchdown. He also had two interceptions.
Offensively, the Browns’ biggest takeaway was the rise of two rookies who were playmakers: fourth-round runningback Dylan Sampson, and third-round tight-end Harold Fannin. Sampson rushed only for 29 yards in 12 carries but was second on the team, with 64 receiving yard on 8 receptions. Fannin was third in the team with 63 yards of receiving on seven receptions.
Myles Garrett, the star defensive end of the team, was as destructive as ever on this day. He sacked Burrow two times. Second-round rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger made an impressive debut, leading the team in total tackles with eight. Cleveland’s Week 1 loss was due to kicking problems. The new Browns kicker Andre Szmyt failed to make a field goal or an extra point, in a match that was decided by just one point.
The Ravens dominated the Buffalo Bills in Sunday Night Football. They took a commanding advantage and looked like the best NFL team. The Ravens looked like the best team in the NFL until Bills quarterback Josh Allen came back to rip through Baltimore’s defense during a fourth quarter comeback.
Derrick Henry, 31, picked up where he left last season. He rushed for 169 yard and two touchdowns in 18 carries. A fumble in the fourth-quarter by the veteran overshadowed an otherwise dominating day. Zay Flowers (third-year wide receiver) led the team in receiving yards with 143 and a touchdown. This was after a Pro Bowl campaign. Lamar Jackson, the quarterback, was near-perfect in the air. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yard and two touchdowns. On the ground he added another score and 70 more yards. DeAndre Hopkins, a veteran wide receiver, reminded everyone that he has plenty of gas left with his incredible one-handed touchdown catch.
Baltimore’s problems came from the defense, which despite a good start, was unable stop Allen in the second-half. Allen smashed the new Ravens secondary, and cornerback Jaire Alexander had a rough start in purple and black. The unit is hoping to bounce back in this week’s home opener against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Baltimore has a lot of experience with Flacco.