• Josh Allen engineered one of the most stunning NFL comebacks, erasing a 15-point gap to defeat Baltimore.
• Rookie J.J. McCarthy dazzled in his debut, leading a late surge to secure a Vikings win over Chicago.
• Veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones shone with new teams, adding to the weekend’s dramatic NFL comebacks.
• A Super Bowl rematch between Philadelphia and Kansas City looms, with the Chiefs as rare underdogs.
• San Francisco’s high-draft kicker experiment with Jake Moody flopped, showing the risks of specialist picks.

NFL Comebacks That Stole the Show in Week 1

The NFL season kicked off with a bang, delivering NFL comebacks that had fans buzzing with excitement. Picture this: two quarterbacks—one a seasoned MVP, the other a rookie stepping into the spotlight—flipping games on their heads in ways that felt straight out of a movie. 

As someone who’s been glued to football Sundays for years, these moments remind me why the NFL never fails to surprise, turning nail-biters into unforgettable stories of grit.

J.J. McCarthy’s Rookie Heroics in a Stunning NFL Comeback

Let’s start with J.J. McCarthy, whose debut was nothing short of electric. Sidelined his entire rookie year with a knee injury, he looked off-pace for three quarters against Chicago. Then, in the fourth, he caught fire—throwing two touchdown passes and running for another to clinch a 27-24 win for Minnesota. This wasn’t just any NFL comeback; McCarthy became the fifth QB since the 1970 merger to throw for two-plus TDs and rush for one in his first game, matching Cam Newton’s 2011 feat. Even more incredible? He’s the only one to do it all in the fourth quarter.

McCarthy also etched his name in history as the first quarterback since Steve Young in 1985 to erase a double-digit deficit in the final period and win on the road in his debut. Stats like these show why NFL comebacks are so rare—modern defenses are built to lock games down, making his poise a beacon for Vikings fans hoping for a breakout star. It’s like watching a new coworker nail a high-stakes presentation right out of the gate.

Read more: J.J. McCarthy NFL Debut

Josh Allen’s Unforgettable Rally Against Baltimore

On Sunday night, Josh Allen pulled off one of the wildest NFL comebacks in recent memory. Trailing Baltimore 40-25 midway through the fourth, Buffalo’s win probability tanked to just 1.1%, per NFL Next Gen Stats—Allen’s lowest ever overcome. This ranks as the 13th-most improbable comeback in the past decade. Buffalo became only the fourth team since 2000 to flip a 15-point deficit with under 4:10 left into a regulation victory.

Allen’s no stranger to high-scoring chaos, winning two of his last four games when the Bills allowed 40-plus points, including a 48-42 shootout against Detroit last season. Only 44 other games in NFL history saw a team give up 40 or more and still win, with Fran Tarkenton holding the record at three. 

For Baltimore, this loss adds to a painful trend—they’re the fourth team to drop an opener despite scoring 40, and their 17 losses after leading by double digits in the second half since 2008 lead the league. Lamar Jackson was phenomenal, averaging over 11 yards per pass and rush, but even that couldn’t stop Allen’s heroics. It’s a reminder that in the NFL, no lead is safe—kind of like thinking your team’s got the game locked, only to watch it slip away.

Veteran QBs Shine in New Roles

McCarthy wasn’t the only one making waves. Several veteran quarterbacks delivered in their debuts with new teams, adding to the weekend’s theme of NFL comebacks and fresh starts:

• Aaron Rodgers: Facing his old team, the Jets, Rodgers threw for 244 yards and four TDs with no picks, leading Pittsburgh to a 34-32 win. That’s unmatched in the Super Bowl era for a debut, tying him with Tom Brady for 28 games with four-plus TD passes and zero interceptions.
• Justin Fields: Though on the losing end against Rodgers’ Steelers, Fields threw for 218 yards, one TD, and ran for two scores—the first Jet since 2017 to hit that mark.
• Daniel Jones: Starting fresh with Indianapolis, Jones ran for two TDs, threw one, and led scores on all seven drives in a 33-8 rout of Miami, a feat Indy hadn’t pulled off in nearly 50 years (excluding kneel-downs).
• Geno Smith: For Las Vegas, he completed over 70% of his passes for 362 yards—the most by any Raiders QB in a debut—securing a 20-13 upset over New England.

These performances show how a change of scenery can spark magic, much like a career pivot that unleashes hidden potential.

Eagles vs. Chiefs: A Super Bowl Rematch to Watch

This Sunday, Philadelphia and Kansas City face off in a regular-season Super Bowl rematch—the third straight year for such a clash, thanks to the 17-game schedule. From 1998 to 2013, we went 16 years without one, but now they’re a staple. Super Bowl champs hold a 7-3 edge in these games since 1970, with the Chiefs splitting their last two (losing to Philly in 2023, beating San Francisco last year).

Kansas City enters as a rare home underdog with Patrick Mahomes, listed at +1 by BetMGM, after dropping their opener to the Chargers. They’re alone in last in the AFC West, a spot they’ve hit just once in the past decade (Week 5, 2021). It’s a strange place for a dynasty, but early hiccups can fuel epic NFL comebacks—think of it as a team hitting reset before a playoff push.

Why Drafting Kickers Is a Gamble: The 49ers’ Lesson

San Francisco’s split with kicker Jake Moody is a stark reminder of why teams shy away from high picks on specialists. Taken 99th overall in 2023—the highest since Roberto Aguayo in 2016—Moody was supposed to be a long-term fix. Instead, after missing two short kicks in the opener against Seattle, the 49ers moved on. His recent 12-for-23 field goal slump, plus an extra-point miss, sealed his fate.

Aguayo lasted one season, hitting just 71% of his kicks. The data backs this up: of 66 kickers with 30-plus attempts in the last decade, five of the eight below 77% were high drafts, while 18 of 24 above 85% were undrafted. It’s a risky bet, like sinking money into a flashy stock that crashes fast—reliable kickers often come from the free-agent pile.

In wrapping up, I can’t help but feel that spark of why I love the NFL. These NFL comebacks aren’t just about points; they’re about heart, hustle, and defying the odds. From Allen’s veteran swagger to McCarthy’s rookie shine, Week 1 showed that football’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. As we head into Week 2, grab your snacks and settle in—this season’s already shaping up to be a wild ride.

Aliha

Hi, I’m Aliha! I’ve been a huge NFL fan for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing my thoughts, updates, and insights about the game. Whether it’s big plays, team news, or behind-the-scenes stories, writing about the NFL gives me a chance to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for football.