National Football League

NFL Week 1 top viral moments: Tua-Tyreek duo goes off, Bears fans still rue Packers

Updated Sep. 25, 2023 8:43 p.m. ET

The NFL is finally back, and with it, fans, players and commentators are taking to social media to react to their favorite fun moments from around the league.

Here is what had NFL fans buzzing online during the first full game slate of the season!

[NFL Week 1 top plays: 49ers, Packers, Rams win; Cowboys-Giants up next]

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

Dick Butkus, linebacker legend and social media guru

Iconic Chicago Bears defender Dick Butkus is at Soldier Field today and trying to stay hip with the kids.

So far, it's going well.

Mom is all in!

The Packers drove the ball down the field for a touchdown on their opening posession, much to the delight of their new QB1 Jordan Love's mom.

Getting chippy

There may be new faces on the Packers and Bears, but no love lost between these historic rivals.

New year, same Bears misery

The Packers pulled away in the second half, providing some familiar sights for Chicago against their archrivals.

Jordan Love impresses as new Packers starter

Aaron Rodgers may be done tormenting the Bears from within the division, but it appears he is passing the baton.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll is HYPED

The 71-year-old had to be held back on the sideline after his team blocked a kick against their division rivals.

Geno Smith, he's just like us

Smith may be the reigning NFL comeback player of the year, but his reaction to watching Aaron Donald bear down on him is exactly what most people's would be.

Smith also showed some visible frustration as the Rams pulled away late.

Jason McIntyre is right — the Rams were certainly barking, especially their superstar defensive end.

Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos

Never change, Sean Payton

The former NFL on FOX analyst started off his tenure as Broncos head coach by trying to evoke the most legendary moment of his Saints tenure — an onside kick. It almost worked, too, until Denver was penalized on the play.

Jimmy G HYPED after clinching the W

A third-down scramble gave Jimmy Garoppolo a win in his Raiders debut, and the former 49er was pumped.

Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers

Tua + Tyreek = "THIS GAME" status

The Dolphins star quarterback-wide receiver tandem had a record-setting day to beat Justin Herbert — picked one spot after Tua in the 2020 NFL Draft — and the Chargers in Los Angeles.

Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots

New dad TD!

DeVonta Smith caught the Eagles' first offensive touchdown of the season, then rocked the football like he has been rocking his newborn daughter.

Brady loves it!

The Patriots got on the board with a Mac Jones touchdown pass to Hunter Henry, and the newly retired Tom Brady — making his first trip to Foxboro since leaving the team in 2020 — celebrated alongside owner Robert Kraft.

Brady was the first team legend to do a new bell ring tradition at Gillette Stadium pregame.

Brady even brought back a familiar yell during a halftime ceremony honoring him.

San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Not a great start for Pittsburgh

San Francisco scored 20 straight points in the first half to start a season in which many believed the Steelers could contend in a loaded AFC, while the Steelers offense seemed somehow worse than its struggles last season. Social media reacted accordingly.

The dab refuses to die

Pat Freiermuth got the Steelers on the board with a touchdown catch just before halftime… and celebrated with a dab?!?

Brandon Aiyuk is balling!

The 49ers wide receiver is having himself a day, catching two touchdowns and setting up another with a crucial block on a long Christian McCaffrey run. Social media is taking notice.

Weird but true Brock Purdy stat

The 49ers won 30-7, making this nugget about their quarterback still relevant.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Whoops!

It took just over one quarter for Panthers rookie Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, to throw his first touchdown as a pro. But things quickly took a turn for the worse when veteran tight end Hayden Hurst, who caught the pass, tossed the ball into the crowd.

Hurst later addressed the incident on social media, confirming he eventually got the ball back.

Freddie Falcon is flying!

Talk about a halftime show, as the Falcons mascot literally swooped in from the stadium rafters like an actual falcon.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Big day for A-Rich!

Young's fellow rookie Anthony Richardson used his legs for his first NFL score, and his family was there to witness it in person.

Heads up play!

Veteran DeForest Buckner forced a fumble then returned it for a scoop-and-score touchdown when he noticed the referee had not blown the play dead. He was ecstatic when his touchdown was upheld by review.

Jacksonville gets the last laugh

The Jaguars rallied for a 31-21 win, then took aim at their AFC South rivals and their embarrassing banner practices on social media.

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders

From his seat!

This Week 1 moment may have already given us our best referee flag toss of the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings

Is Justin Jefferson a two-way player?

Perhaps drawing some inspiration from Colorado's Travis Hunter, the star Vikings receiver had seven catches for 138 yards in the first half — and one hard tackle.

Baker cooks up a W!

In his Buccaneers debut, Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay to an upset win over Minnesota, re-igniting his fans on social media in the process.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Chase gets grief for "elves" comment as Burrow loses to Browns again

After signing the richest contract in NFL history on Thursday, Joe Burrow and his Bengals once again fell to the rival Browns, losing 24-3. Many were quick to bring up the fact that Ja'Marr Chase derisively called the Browns the "Elves" days ago in anticipation of the matchup.

Chase, for his part, doubled down on his "Elves" comment.

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