The defending AFC and NFC champions – both pegged as Super Bowl favorites – managed to escape Week 1 with hard-fought victories.

In the AFC, the Merry Men needed Monday night to fend off the surging Huskers, who are eager to put a 4-win 2024 season behind them. Kicker Will Reichard did just enough to outlast Huskers wideout DJ Moore, sealing a win in a matchup where 14 of 16 starters put points on the board.

Over in the NFC, the Brothers leaned on Thursday night fireworks from RB Javonte Williams (2 TDs) and a late strike from QB Jared Goff to edge past the Orangutangs. Newcomer Jerry Jeudy wasted no time contributing, adding 2 points after a crash course in the playbook.

Elsewhere, the AFC flexed its muscle, taking 6 of 8 cross-conference contests. Standouts included the Refugees, Buddies, and Llamas, each topping the 60-point mark. It nearly became a 7-1 rout, but White Guys WR Adam Thielen delivered a late 2-point conversion on Monday night to sink the Eaters – a quirky stat line that gave him both points and the win despite going catchless in regulation.