Sam Darnold remains sidelined as the Seattle Seahawks prepare to visit Arizona on Sunday, while the New York Giants enter their first season under John Harbaugh with momentum after a prime-time opening win over Dallas. Week 1 also gave Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears an explosive start, but early conclusions around the NFC remain far from settled.
What changed for the franchise
Chicago’s offense has a new ceiling
Johnson’s second Bears season began with a 59-point road performance against the Carolina Panthers, offering immediate support for his ambition to push Chicago toward the NFL’s single-season scoring standard in 2026. The Bears were ninth in scoring and sixth in total offense in 2025, but their opener suggested a more complete and dangerous unit.
Chicago produced 261 passing yards and 291 rushing yards, clearing 250 in both categories. D’Andre Swift carried 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Kyle Monangai needed only 10 rushes to reach 100 yards, breaking loose for a 61-yard touchdown.
Caleb Williams completed 72.4 percent of his throws for 269 yards and two touchdown passes. He also ran for 65 yards and two scores. Kalif Raymond led the receiving group with nine targets, eight receptions and 84 yards, while Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland were not required to carry the offense. Loveland did not record a catch.
The depth of those options is central to Johnson’s early success. His Lions offenses ranked among the league’s top five in both yards and points in each of his three years as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, from 2022 through 2024. In Chicago, he has paired a physical offensive line with a run-pass balance that could put the Bears among the NFL’s top five both on the ground and through the air.
The comparison to Bill Walsh is a lofty one, given Walsh’s role in changing NFL offense with San Francisco’s passing game and stars such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Roger Craig. But Johnson’s system is making a different statement: a creative, punishing offense can control a game with an elite rushing attack while still putting pressure on defenses through the air.
Chicago’s next test comes against Brian Flores and Minnesota’s aggressive pressure packages. Johnson has won five of his six games as a play-caller against Flores.
Harbaugh gives the Giants a familiar identity
Harbaugh’s arrival has put New York back on a formula associated with its four Super Bowl-winning teams: disciplined football, a hard-edged defense, a reliable ground game and situational quarterback play. The Giants beat the Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday Night Football in his debut, creating early optimism around a franchise that has historically thrived under demanding coaches such as Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin.
Harbaugh brought a lengthy résumé from Baltimore. He posted a 180-113 regular-season record with the Ravens, won a Super Bowl, claimed six AFC North titles and reached the playoffs 12 times across 18 seasons. His Baltimore teams were known for accountability, toughness and detailed preparation, traits the Giants displayed in their opening victory.
New York’s front seven has the personnel to become the foundation of that approach. Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Chauncey Golston and Arvell Reese give the Giants several pass-rushing options, while new middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds serves as the defense’s communicator. Questions remain in the secondary, but the defensive front played with the physicality associated with the franchise’s best teams.
On offense, the Giants slowed the game against Dallas and dictated its rhythm. They held the ball for 36 minutes and 40 seconds, compared with 23:20 for the Cowboys, converted nine of 11 third downs and ran 68 plays to Dallas’ 52. The possession advantage helped set up a key moment before halftime, when Dak Prescott threw an interception that led to a Giants score.
Jaxson Dart will still have opportunities to attack downfield with Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely, but New York’s preferred approach centers on Cam Skattebo and a run-first offense that limits risk and keeps opposing offenses on the sideline. The Giants face a tougher road challenge against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
Arizona’s opening upset does not erase its roster gap
The Cardinals’ victory over the Los Angeles Chargers gave first-year head coach Mike LaFleur a promising start, but the result also reflected a damaging Chargers performance. Los Angeles lost the turnover margin by two, had a punt blocked and failed on three fourth-down attempts.
Arizona capitalized by controlling possession for 37:31 and running 21 more offensive plays than the Chargers. That formula can win individual games, but it will be difficult for the Cardinals to sustain within an NFC West that also includes the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers.
Tight end Trey McBride, safety Budda Baker and rookie running back Jeremiyah Love give Arizona high-end talent at important spots. Still, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco possess more depth across their rosters, leaving the Cardinals with little margin for error through a demanding schedule.
Arizona hosts the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle showed it can win without Darnold in a 13-10 victory over New England, relying on Mike Macdonald’s defense to carry the day. LaFleur’s culture-building effort has begun positively, but the Cardinals will need more than an encouraging opener to avoid another season outside the playoff field.
