SAINTS 47, PANTHERS 10

Derek Carr passed for three touchdowns and New Orleans scored on their first nine possessions in a victory over Carolina on Sunday.

Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams each ran for touchdowns and Blake Grupe kicked four field goals — two from beyond 50 yards — in an extraordinary debut for new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

The Panthers, who went 2-15 last season, made front office, coaching and key roster changes in hopes of showing more promise this season. But this season opener could not have gone much worse for new coach Dave Canales and second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

TEXANS 29, COLTS 27

Stefon Diggs caught two touchdown passes and Joe Mixon rushed for 159 yards and another score to help Houston close out a victory against Indianapolis.

Houston won its second straight road game in the series for the first time in franchise history and its ninth straight road game in division play.

The Colts, meanwhile, extended the NFL’s longest active opening day winless streak to 11 despite getting two TD passes of more than 50 yards from Anthony Richardson, who also ran for a late score.

PATRIOTS 16, BENGALS 10

Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 120 yards and a first-quarter touchdown, Joey Slye kicked three field goals and New England won Jerod Mayo’s debut as coach, beating Cincinnati.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who got the starting nod for the Patriots over first-round draft pick Drake Maye, was not exceptional, but he held onto the ball and kept the Patriots moving well enough against Cincinnati.

VIKINGS 28, GIANTS 6

Sam Darnold threw two touchdown passes in a highly efficient performance and Andrew Van Ginkel scored on a spectacular one-handed 10-yard interception return to lead Minnesota to an easy victory over New York.

Darnold, who played his home games at MetLife Stadium for three seasons after being taken No. 3 overall by the Jets in 2018, had touchdown passes of 3 yards to Justin Jefferson and 21 to Jalen Nailor in his Vikings debut.

COWBOYS 33, BROWNS 17

Dak Prescott threw a touchdown pass hours after agreeing to a four-year, $240 million contract with Dallas and the Cowboys’ defense roughed up Deshaun Watson in his return, throttling Cleveland.

Prescott completed 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards.

BUCCANEERS 37, COMMANDERS 20

Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns to lead Tampa Bay to a rout of Washington, spoiling the debut of No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels.

LIONS 26, RAMS 20, ot

David Montgomery’s 1-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted Detroit to a win over Matthew Stafford-led Los Angeles in a rematch of their NFC wild-card game.

The Lions lost a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter, but extended the game with Jake Bates’ tying 32-yard field goal in the final minute of regu- lation.