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What a week for the NFL. And what a week for Australian sport. The 49ers demolished the Rams 27-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of a sold-out 100,021 crowd on Friday 11 September — the first-ever regular-season NFL game in Australia. Around the rest of the league, Week 1 delivered chaos: the Bears exploded for 59 points, the Cardinals shocked the Chargers, the Giants beat the Cowboys with rookie Jaxson Dart leading the way, and MVP Matthew Stafford managed just 155 yards in Melbourne. Here’s the full state of the NFL for the week ending 13 September 2026.
The MCG game — Melbourne delivered
The single biggest Australian sports moment of the year. San Francisco 49ers 27, Los Angeles Rams 7, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday 11 September. Brock Purdy threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns to different receivers (Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson). Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Purdy shared Player of the Game — celebrated on-field with meat pies and custom kangaroo coats. The Jonas Brothers headlined the halftime show, turning the MCG into what The Nightly called “a giant mosh pit” during their rendition of “You’re the Voice.”
Attendance: 100,021 (sold out). Around 890,000 Australians watched on Seven and 7plus alone. The travel-plan gamble — 49ers arriving a week early, Rams flying in 28 hours before kickoff — was the story of the game and will reshape international travel planning across the league. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in attendance. Reports suggest Melbourne is being considered as an annual destination. Full MCG recap here.
Week 1 results — chaos in the AFC and NFC
Bears 59, Panthers 37 — Caleb Williams erupts
The highest-scoring game of Week 1. Caleb Williams led the Bears to a 59-point explosion in Chicago’s home opener. It’s the kind of performance that instantly recalibrates expectations for the second-year quarterback and the Bears’ 2026 ceiling.
Cardinals 26, Chargers 14 — the upset of the week
New Cardinals head coach Klint Kubiak got career head-coaching victory number one in an upset over a Chargers team that was expected to contend for the AFC West. Arizona racked up 393 yards of offence and blocked a punt. Trey McBride caught a touchdown from Jacoby Brissett. Meanwhile Mike McDaniel’s first game as Chargers offensive coordinator — replacing his HC role in Miami — went badly wrong; the Chargers scored just 14 points.
Giants 21, Cowboys 14 — Jaxson Dart delivers
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart led the Giants past the Cowboys in his NFL debut. New York’s win recalibrates the NFC East — Dallas came in as favourites for the division and now start 0-1.
Bills 41, Texans 35 — Josh Allen rescue job
Josh Allen bailed out a Bills team that Houston nearly took down at NRG Stadium. The Texans led early. Allen’s fourth-quarter drive included the game-winning score.
Other notable Week 1 results
- Ravens 45, Colts 20 — Lamar Jackson 364 yards, two total TDs
- Jaguars 27, Colts 17 (via other matchup) — Trevor Lawrence 245 yards, four touchdowns
- Vikings overcame a 12-point deficit to beat Green Bay
- Lions survived overtime against the Chiefs
- Raiders rookie RB Ashton Jeanty ran wild in his NFL debut
- Derrick Henry back to form for the Titans (who debuted new uniforms)
- Cowboys @ Seahawks season opener: Thursday night — Cowboys won a close one
What Week 1 means
The AFC West is wide open. Chargers loss, Chiefs OT loss to Lions, Raiders showing signs — this division may not be the Chiefs’ walkover it looked six weeks ago.
The Rams have work to do. Matthew Stafford — the 2025 MVP — managed 155 passing yards, one interception, no touchdowns in Melbourne. His Week 2 response will be watched closely.
The 49ers look genuine. A 20-point win over a divisional rival with Purdy going 3 TDs and the defence pressing Stafford into the worst game of his year. This is a team that has to be taken seriously as an NFC contender again.
Rookie QBs delivered. Jaxson Dart, Cameron Ward looking better than Preseason Week 1, Fernando Mendoza getting reps for Raiders — a promising rookie class arrives.
This week’s viewing on Kayo, ESPN, Channel 7 and 7mate
- Thursday Night Football (Friday morning AEST): Prime Video AU
- Sunday games (Monday morning AEST): ESPN + selected on 7mate
- NFL RedZone Monday morning AEST 3-10am: Disney+ exclusive
- Sunday Night Football: ESPN + 7mate
- Monday Night Football (Tuesday morning AEST): ESPN via Kayo
One email per day at 7:00pm AEST. Tomorrow’s NFL games with confirmed AEST times, exact broadcasters, and pick of the day. Free.
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide
- MCG Game Recap — 49ers 27, Rams 7
- How to Watch NFL in Australia 2026
- Previous NFL Wrap — 6 September 2026
Week 1 results accurate as of Sunday 13 September 2026 US time. All times AEST. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans.
