NFL Week 1 Recap: Cardinals Clutch, Chiefs Stumble, Broncos Grind It Out
Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is officially in the books, and what a wild ride it was. From international heartbreak for the Chiefs, to a gritty road win for the Cardinals, and a defensive clinic from the Broncos — this week gave us plenty to talk about. Let’s break it down.
Cardinals Survive the Saints, 20–13
The Arizona Cardinals marched into the Caesars Superdome and walked out with a hard-earned 20–13 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Arizona came out swinging in the first half, putting points on the board and setting the tone. But as the game wore on, it wasn’t the offense that sealed the deal — it was the defense, clamping down and shutting out the Saints in the second half.
That’s not to say it was all smooth sailing. Stupid penalties and a few missed chances almost cracked the door open for New Orleans, but the Cardinals held firm.
Takeaway: A road win in Week 1 is always huge, especially when you can gut it out down the stretch. The Cardinals showed poise under pressure, and that’s something to keep an eye on all season.
Chiefs Fall Flat in Brazil, 27–21
Kansas City kicked off their season in São Paulo, Brazil, but the trip south didn’t end with a celebration. Instead, the Chiefs got stunned by the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27–21 loss.
Justin Herbert carved up the defense for 318 yards and three touchdowns, and by halftime KC was already fighting uphill. A Harrison Butker 59-yard bomb closed out the half with some life, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
To make matters worse, rookie speedster Xavier Worthy went down with a shoulder injury after colliding with Travis Kelce. That’s a gut punch to an already struggling offense.
Still, there were bright spots. Patrick Mahomes scrambled in for a score, connected with Kelce for another, and in the process broke Dan Marino’s record for the most touchdown passes before the age of 30. The fight was there late, but it didn’t come soon enough — and in the NFL, that’s all it takes.
Takeaway: The Chiefs can’t afford to sleepwalk through starts, especially against division rivals. Mahomes’ milestone is worth celebrating, but this loss should serve as a wake-up call before they take on Philly next week.
Broncos Defense Shuts Down Titans, 20–12
Over in Denver, the Broncos kicked off their season with a 20–12 win over the Tennessee Titans, spoiling number one overall pick Cam Ward’s debut.
This game was ugly early, with both offenses sputtering. By halftime, Denver clung to a 10–9 lead, but the turning point came in the fourth quarter. Rookie RJ Harvey ripped off a 50-yard run, setting up a J.K. Dobbins touchdown that gave the Broncos all the cushion they needed.
The defense deserves a standing ovation. They held Tennessee to just 135 total yards and smothered Ward with six sacks. On the flip side, Bo Nix looked like a rookie too — tossing two picks and losing a fumble. Not pretty, but good enough to get the W.
Takeaway: Defense wins games, and Denver proved that in Week 1. If the offense can limit the mistakes, this team could surprise some people.
Week 1 in a Nutshell
• Cardinals: Gritty road win, defense locked down late.
• Chiefs: Flat start + big injury = tough loss in Brazil.
• Broncos: Defense dominated, offense survived.
Final Word
Week 1 showed us three very different paths: Arizona grinding out a win, Kansas City learning a hard lesson, and Denver proving their defense might just be their identity.
If this is the kind of football we’re getting out of the gate, buckle up — the 2025 season is going to be one wild ride.