Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills made an early statement to start the NFL season as they claimed a thrilling 36-31 road win over the Houston Texans. Allen had lost on each of his four previous visits to Reliant Stadium, including on his playoff debut in the 2019 season and in a defensive struggle last term.This years meeting was anything but a defensive struggle, both offenses putting on a show as the Bills thrived against a much-vaunted Texans defense, Allen accounting for 391 yards and four total touchdowns.Allen, the 2024 MVP, scored two rushing touchdowns and connected with D.J. Moore, making his Bills debut, for a 43-yard touchdown to put Buffalo up 24-14 late in the second quarter. C.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for a 12-yard score to cut the Texans deficit to three points with under half a minute left in the first half, and they led by a point early in the fourth quarter after running back David Montgomerys third score of the game.Kaimi Fairbairn restored that one-point advantage with a 58-yard field goal that answered Tyler Bass 33-yard kick, and the Texans were a favourable bounce away from icing the game as the ultimately decisive scoring drive began with the Bills recovering James Cooks fumble.Allen made the most of the lucky break, hitting tight end Dalton Kincaid over the middle for a crucial 35-yard catch-and-run to put Buffalo in field goal range. However, the Bills eschewed the chance to settle for a winning kick and, after Kamari Lassiterdropped what looked a certain interception that would have clinched victory for Houston, Josh Palmer beat the same defender on a deep post route to haul in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Allen.The subsequent two-point conversion attempt failed to leave the Bills with a five-point lead. Stroud drove the Texans to the Buffalo nine-yard line but was sacked on two of the final three plays, with a classic shootout finally settled when Greg Rousseau stripped him of the ball and Terrel Bernard recovered.Table of ContentsBears put up 59, Ravens beat down ColtsLions hold off spirited SaintsBears put up 59, Ravens beat down ColtsNo attack in Sundays early slate of games matched the firepower of the Chicago Bears in, who produced a remarkably prolific offensive display to beat the Carolina Panthers 59-37.The Bears surged into a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter and, after seeing that erased, took a 31-24 advantage into the half on the back of quarterback Caleb Williams second rushing touchdown. A two-yard rush from Chuba Hubbard tied things up again at 31-31 midway through the third, but the Bears pulled away behind the rushing efforts of DAndre Swift and Kyle Monangai.Monangai had 100 yards, most of which came on a bulldozing 61-yard touchdown run, while Swift went for 124 yards and three touchdowns.Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens made an excellent start to life under new head coach Jesse Minter as they routed the Indianapolis Colts 41-23.Quarterback Lamar Jackson accounted for 364 yards (324 passing, 40 rushing) and two touchdowns, while running back Derrick Henry racked up 144 rushing yards and three scores. Wide receiver Zay Flowers had 150 yards and a 54-yard touchdown, but he left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return.Lions hold off spirited SaintsThe Detroit Lions survived a huge scare as they beat the New Orleans Saints 31-30 after surrendering a 21-0 lead.Saints quarterback Tyler Shough found Juwan Johnson in the corner of the endzone for a nine-yard score to tie the game at 24-24 and force overtime.Detroit scored on the opening overtime possession as Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a four-yard touchdown, only for second-year signal-caller Shough to set up a do-or-die two-point conversion try after hitting Noah Fant for an eight-yard score.However, the Saints could not complete a stunning comeback win as Shoughs heave to Bryce Lance fell incomplete.New Orleans NFC South rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also came up short with a fightback effort, losing 33-27 to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game they trailed 27-10 in the third quarter.The Buccaneers were architects of their own downfall as they lost four fumbles, including one by quarterback Baker Mayfield that was returned for a touchdown.Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthys reunion in Pittsburgh is going to plan after one game, with the former Green Bay Packers quarterback and head coach enjoying a 20-13 Steelers win over the Atlanta Falcons.Former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt made the ultimately decisive play, his 35-yard interception return giving the Steelers a 20-10 lead that the Falcons, with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush running the offense, never looked like overhauling.Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes as the Jacksonville Jaguars routed the miserable Cleveland Browns 34-10, while the New York Jets beat former coach Robert Salehs Tennessee Titans 23-10. Topics Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Detroit Lions Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars New Orleans Saints New York Jets NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings: Preview, prediction and odds Nicholas McGee 12th September, 2026 Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans: Preview, prediction and odds Nicholas McGee 12th September, 2026 Shanahan contract extension revealed following 49ers Week 1 win Nicholas McGee 11th September, 2026 Patriots receiver Brown set for injured reserve Nicholas McGee 11th September, 2026 Seahawks dodge bullet with Darnold injury update Nicholas McGee 10th September, 2026 San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams: Preview, prediction and odds Nicholas McGee 10th September, 2026
