Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

No 'top 10' or 'top 5'. No 'Rushmore' or 'Holy Trinity'. Simply, the very best game opening week? Pre-Super Bowl Era or since '66!

Almost quarter to midnight on this first Sunday of 2025 - what just happened (first-ever 41-40 final) - inspires this, of course!

A flicker of the Dal/Wash opener of '83 comes to mind. But, perhaps, that may very well not even end up making top-5 once I think of it some more along with reading what all of you have to say.

And what ARE all your opinions??

One of the most exciting games for sure, though both defenses were bad. This game actually reminded me of the 1974 MNF opener at Rich Stadium between Buffalo and Oakland. Give the Bills defenders credit for forcing the fumble from Henry, who may have been tired at that point. He was wanting 200 yards at that time with a lead.

Had the Bills not had the game winning FG drive, might have been criticized for going for two point conversions too soon.

Another great opening game win was Oakland over Pittsburgh in 1976 in Oakland, though Steelers fans are still livid about Atkinson knocking out Swann away from play. The lawsuit that Atkinson did against Noll for defamation distracted both teams in 1977.

I can't remember a week 1 game like this. We may already have the best game of 2025, shades of the 2018 Rams-Chiefs MNF matchup.

1994 Bledsoe vs Marino

Nice responses so far! Yeah, I thought of Steelers/Raiders '76 as well, Wolf! That, I'd think, would be higher up than my mentioned Wash/Dal '83. Maybe, just maybe, its Number One!

I guess my idea of credentials for a 'best' opening week game ever would not just be the game itself, but it being between two teams that were contenders leading up as well as remaining contenders that very season as well. This would, for example, disqualify Oilers/Rams '81 from candidacy considering neither '78-thru-'80 playoff team would end up doing well in 1981. But maybe such credentials aren't necessary; just my opinion.

The lopsided 35-10 result will itself disqualify, but if we're talking simply historic significance, that Browns/Eagles opener of 1950 can be mentioned.

While we're deep into the pre-SB era, why not bring up the 1948 season opening with Eagles at Comiskey - immediate rematch, and same location, of last year's League Championship Game? Defending-Champs, Cardinals, win again by seven, 21-14.


PS - A trivia question that I don't know the answer to - what two teams have met in the season opener the most times? Thanks to whoever provides the answer.

I wouldn't be surprised if its Dallas and Washington.

There’s been tons of good openers. From my memories as a Packers fan:

1980 - Not a great game by any means, but the Chester Marcol blocked field goal return in OT is still my favorite finish to a game I’ve witnessed.

1982 - Packers wipe out a 23-point halftime deficit to beat the Rams 35-23.

1983 - Lynn Dickey completed his first 18 passes of the game while playing with spinal fluid on his brain. Dickey was fantastic, but the Packers defense shows its vulnerability as Green Bay needs OT to beat a bad Oilers team 41-38 in OT.

2002 - Michael Vick’s coming out party. Packers win in OT in a game that changed hands several times in the 4Q, but Vick was dazzling.

2018 - Bears lead 20-0, Packers rally for 23-20 victory.

A forgotten one would be the Vikings getting revenge on the Chiefs in 1970. Forgotten because the Chiefs wound up not making the playoffs at all, while the Vikings lost in the first round.

Another great game was the 1991 opener between Dallas and Washington. The Cowboys started strong but the Redskins took the game. They seemed to stay in an offensive momentum the rest of the season, although Dallas finally ended their winning streak at RFK ...

1986 Giants at Cowboys (MNF): Herschel Walker first NFL game and scored the winning TD with less than 2 minutes to play in a 31-28 Dallas win.