NFL review: Atlanta Falcons beat New Orleans Saints Buffalo Bills beat Chicago Bears in overtime

The Atlanta Falcons came out on top in a thrilling divisional contest against the New Orleans Saints with a 37-34 victory in overtime, while the Buffalo Bills also won in overtime as they stunned the Bears in Chicago.

Matt Ryan threw for a Falcons record 448 yards and also three touchdowns but it was kicker Matt Bryant who ended up the hero as he booted a 51-yard field goal with the last kick of the game to force overtime and then a 52 yarder to win it.

Drew Brees posted 33 yards and one touchdown, while Mark Ingram ran in two TDs and Khiry Robinson one in an exciting NFC South contest that proved both of these teams should have decent seasons. Marques Colston and Julio Jones both eclipsed 100 yards receiving.

The Buffalo Bills stunned Soldier Field with an overtime win of their own – with a storming Fred Jackson run setting up Dan Carpenter’s 27-yard field goal to beat the Chicago Bears 23-20. The Bears had forced overtime with a late field goal 30 seconds from the end of regulation.  

Jay Cutler threw for 349 yards and two TD passes but also two interceptions while Buffalo counterpart EJ Manuel had just 173 yards and a score but also ran in a two-yard TD of his own. Matt Forte ran for 82 yards and added 87 yards receiving for Chicago but it was not enough for the hosts.

Jags scare

Jacksonville Jaguars threatened a huge upset at Philadelphia Eagles as they led 17-0 at half time thanks to rookie free agent Allen Hurns taking his first two catches in the NFL for touchdowns. Eagles QB Nick Foles had three turnovers in the first half after only having four all of last season, but he recovered in the second half.

New signing Darren Sproles kick-started the comeback with a 49-yard run, before Foles hit Zach Ertz and Jeremy Maclin for TDs and Fletcher Cox took a Chad Henne fumble 17 yards for the clinching score in a 34-17 victory.

There was almost an even better comeback at Heinz Field as the Cleveland Browns came from 24 points down at half time to level with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the hosts won out 30-27 thanks to a Shaun Suisham field goal on the last play of the game.

The game should have been dead and buried but rookie running back Isaiah Crowell ran in two touchdowns in the second half and Brian Hoyer hit Travis Benjamin to tie it all up at 27-27 with 11 minutes to play. Ben Roethlisberger then got his side over the line leading the game-winning drive.

Kansas City Chiefs made a flying start last season, but lost 26-10 in their season opener against the Tennessee Titans where Jake Locker outplayed Alex Smith in the quarterback stakes and former Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop booted 12 points after being released by his old team just last weekend.

Ravens beaten

Mike Nugent kicked Cincinnati Bengals into a 15-0 lead over the Baltimore Ravens but when Joe Flacco hit Steve Smith on an 80-yard bomb the hosts moved ahead. Andy Dalton responded immediately though with by finding AJ Green who snared a great catch before making a great move on the last defender to secure a 23-16 victory for the AFC North champions.

Mike Zimmer enjoyed an emphatic winning start as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings as they dominated the St Louis Rams 34-6. Matt Cassel threw a pair of scores but Cordarelle Patterson was the star with the receiver running for 102 yards including a 67-yard score as he upstaged Adrian Peterson. Rams stand-in QB Shaun Hill lasted just a half before getting injured leaving Austin Davis under centre.

Chris Ivory’s barnstorming 71-yard run was the highlight of the New York Jets’ 19-14 victory against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Geno Smith threw an interception and lost a fumble in the red zone but Michael Vick only made one passing attempt in his place, while Derek Carr had a decent first start for Oakland with two TD throws.

After losing 14 straight games last season the Houston Texans opened up with a win by smothering the Washington Redskins 17-6. JJ Watt looked well worth his bumper new deal with a disruptive performance but No 1 Draft pick Jadeveon Clowney is a worry after leaving the game with a knee injury.

The Denver Broncos held off a stirring fightback from the Indianapolis Colts to record a 31-24 victory - with Peyton Manning joining Brett Favre as the only quarterbacks to beat each of the current 32 NFL franchises.

Manning threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns to tight-end Julius Thomas as the Broncos raced into a 24-0 lead however the Broncos needed a touchdown from Montee Ball off a three-yard run to seal the win.

Andrew Luck scored a touchdown off a nine-yard run, while he connected with Dwayne Allen and Hakeem Nicks but it was too little too late for the Colts.

The Carolina Panthers registered a 20-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - with Derek Anderson throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns.

Anderson, replacing the injured Cam Newton, connected with Greg Olsen and rookie Kelvin Benjamin to inflict an opening defeat on new Buccs coach Lovie Smith.