Biggest Storylines, Top Highlights and Fantasy Stars to Watch from NFL Week 1

The 2018 NFL season began Thursday as the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles defeated the visiting Atlanta Falcons 18-12.

Twelve contests followed Sunday afternoon, and the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will cap the day's action on Sunday Night Football.

Below you can find a rundown of Week 1, with notes on the day's biggest news, highlights and player performances. The piece will be updated through the final four afternoon games.

Top Storylines

With the goal of increasing player safety, the NFL instituted a new rule in the offseason, stating, "It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent."

Referees can also use their discretion to eject a player in more severe cases, and that's what happened Sunday after Cincinnati Bengals safety Shawn Williams went low to deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Luck stayed in the game, and he later threw his first touchdown pass since the 2016 season, a 26-yard strike to tight end Eric Ebron:

The seventh-year pro missed all of last year with a shoulder injury.

Elsewhere, the Cleveland Browns ended a losing streak that dated back to Dec. 24, 2016, but their winless streak continued as they tied the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-21.

Browns kicker Zane Gonzalez attempted a 43-yard field goal with just 13 seconds remaining in overtime, but Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt blocked it:

It marked the first tie in Week 1 of an NFL season since 1971.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com noted a remarkable stat regarding Cleveland, which had five more takeaways than Pittsburgh:

The result was undoubtedly disappointing for the Browns, but their pass defense was encouraging. Of note, rookie cornerback Denzel Ward had two first-half interceptions.

The weather was bad for that contest, as rain and wind stunted both passing games, but the elements were far worse in Miami as two long lightning delays halted play in a matchup between the host Dolphins and Tennessee Titans.

Per the Titans' Twitter account, the game was the longest in 48 years, and that was before it resumed in the third quarter following the second delay:

Injury Report

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette suffered a hamstring injury and went to the locker room in the second quarter against the New York Giants. T.J. Yeldon replaced Fournette.

After the team listed Fournette as questionable to return, he did not take the field at the beginning of the second half and was ruled out.

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Jags head coach Doug Marrone said he was "pretty optimistic" about the outlook for Fournette's injury. The team needs the second-year back, who rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen was ruled out for the game after suffering a foot injury in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. Ian Thomas took Olsen's place.

Olsen, who was questionable entering the game with a back issue, missed more than half of last season with a broken foot. In his past three full seasons, he's had no fewer than 77 receptions or 1,008 yards.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin had a left knee injury before Sunday's game with the Denver Broncos, and he suffered a right knee injury during the first half, according to Gregg Bell of the News Tribune. He did not return to the field after halftime and was ruled out.

The 29-year-old Baldwin has amassed 29 touchdowns in his past three seasons.

The Titans lost arguably their two most important players in the same game.

Left tackle Taylor Lewan was declared out with a concussion in the first half, and Ian Wharton of Optimum Scouting provided details:

Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota left the game with a hand injury, came back but then left again with an elbow injury. He was listed as questionable to return, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. Blaine Gabbert replaced him.

Top Fantasy Performances

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick accounted for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) and 417 passing yards as he led his team to a 48-40 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

The big play to kick off the monster performance was a 58-yard touchdown strike to DeSean Jackson that pulled the Bucs within 7-6:

Fitzpatrick, who turned in a perfect first-half passer rating, wasn't the only Buc or Saint to have a huge day. Tampa Bay receivers Jackson and Mike Evans combined for 12 grabs, 293 yards and three scores.

On the other side, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees finished 37-of-45 for 439 yards and three touchdowns. Sixteen of his completions—for 180 yards and a touchdown—went to Michael Thomas.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara also dominated, amassing 141 yards from scrimmage—including 112 on nine receptions—and three touchdowns.

Elsewhere, Steelers running back James Conner gained 192 yards from scrimmage and tallied two touchdowns. His second score—a 22-yard run—gave his team a 20-7 lead:

The Los Angeles Chargers could not contain Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who scored touchdowns on a 91-yard punt return, a 58-yard catch-and-run and a one-yard shovel pass. He finished with 269 all-purpose yards, and the Chiefs won 38-28.

The Baltimore Ravens turned in the best team performance of the day as they took a 40-0 lead against the Buffalo Bills early in the third quarter. Baltimore sacked Buffalo starting quarterback Nathan Peterman three times and intercepted him twice, and he was relieved by rookie Josh Allen. The Ravens won 47-3.

Plays of the Day

Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley exploded for a 68-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run against the Jaguars to pull his team within 20-15:

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon made a clutch 17-yard touchdown reception to bring Cleveland within 21-20:

The Browns tied the game with a successful extra point with 1:58 remaining.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo turned in the throw of the day as he evaded the Minnesota Vikings pass rush and dropped a dime to rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis, who made a great 22-yard touchdown catch:

As noted above, the Chiefs' Hill scored three touchdowns. Here's a clip of his longest excursion to the end zone: