Panini Instant NFL Recap: Veterans and Rookies Alike Shine in Week 1

Written by: Connor Zimmerlee

Months of draft scouting reports, training camp hype and preseason action are behind us. After a long wait, we finally reached the 2025 NFL regular season. And while it was only Week 1, we’ve already seen a plethora of outstanding performances that demanded to be turned into the season’s first batch of Panini Instant NFL cards.

Leading the pack is a potential MVP candidate in Justin Herbert. Starting the Chargers’ season in Brazil, the star signal-caller threw for 318 yards and a trio of scores while adding 32 yards on the ground to fuel a 27-21 win over the powerhouse Chiefs. Not to be outdone, Buffalo’s Josh Allen put together an equally dominant showing on Sunday night, as he recorded 424 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Ravens.

Elsewhere, the veteran duo of Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones flourished in their first games with their new teams. The former threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns in a revenge win over the Jets, while the latter tallied 298 yards of total offense and three combined TDs in a 33-8 rout of the Dolphins.

Veterans weren’t alone in recording remarkable outings in Week 1 victories, as some members of the 2025 rookie class got off to sizzling starts themselves. On the ground, Ashton Jeanty scored his first career touchdown to help power a 20-13 win over the Patriots. Also flashing in the rushing attack, Washington seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt broke out to the tune of 10 carries for a match-best 82 yards and a score during a 21-6 victory against the Giants.

Second overall pick Travis Hunter earned an Instant card after he recorded a game-high six receptions while playing a handful of defensive snaps in the Jaguars’ season-opening win over Carolina.

These likely won’t be the last sensational outings from any of the players mentioned above — these guys are candidates to earn Instant cards all season long.  The first game of the campaign (and first career game for the rookies) is extra special, however, making this Week 1 batch one that collectors won’t want to turn down. Check Panini’s Instant NFL portal all campaign long for some of the freshest football cards around.