By Jim Williams – Senior Columnist
Week One of the 2025 NFL season delivered a seismic jolt to the New York football landscape. Aaron Rodgers, now donning Steelers black and gold, returned to MetLife with vengeance in his veins, dismantling the Jets in a performance that was equal parts surgical and savage. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson and the Giants were no match for the Commanders in a bruising NFC East clash. If this is how the season begins, buckle up, New York. The ride’s going to be wild.
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Game Analysis & Key Quotes:
Rodgers vs Jets: Revenge Served Hot
- Final Score: Broncos 31, Jets 17
- Rodgers’ Stats: 24/32, 312 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
- Rodgers, who famously parted ways with the Jets after a turbulent 2024 campaign, didn’t hold back: “I loved beating them. No disrespect, but it felt personal.”
- The Jets defense looked outmatched, with Sauce Gardner burned twice by Courtland Sutton, who finished with 7 catches for 108 yards and a score.
Commanders Crush Giants
- Final Score: Commanders 27, Giants 10
- Wilson’s Stats: 19/27, 245 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD
- Russell Wilson, rejuvenated and vocal, made his presence felt: “We’re not here to play quiet football. We’re here to dominate.”
- The Giants’ offensive line collapsed under pressure, allowing 5 sacks. Daniel Jones threw two picks and was booed off the field in the fourth quarter.
Bills Edge Ravens in Instant Classic
- Final Score: Bills 41, Ravens 40
- Josh Allen’s Stats: 28/39, 354 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
- With :03 left on the clock, Tyler Bass nailed a 52-yard field goal to seal the win. “That’s why you trust your kicker,” Allen said postgame. “We knew we had one shot, and he nailed it.”
- Lamar Jackson was electric (3 TDs, 1 rushing), but Buffalo’s defense came up clutch with a late fourth-down stop that gave Allen the ball back.
Week Two Matchups:
- Jets vs. Patriots – Can they rebound against a division rival?
- Giants vs. Cardinals – Desperation meets opportunity.
- Commanders vs. Cowboys – NFC East fireworks incoming.
- Bills vs. Dolphins – A high-octane AFC East showdown.
The Empire State’s football faithful were left stunned, thrilled, and maybe a little heartbroken after Week One. Rodgers’ revenge, Wilson’s resurgence, and Buffalo’s breathtaking finish have already reshaped the narrative. If this is the new normal, then New York football isn’t just back—it’s volatile, visceral, and utterly captivating. Stay tuned. The season’s just getting started.
