Josh Palmer made the biggest play of Week 1 for the Bills, hauling in a 34-yard touchdown with 1:36 remaining to seal a 36-31 win over Houston in the 2026 NFL season opener.
The former Tennessee standout gave Buffalo the decisive score in a one-possession game, turning a tense finish into a statement result. It was the kind of late-game play that can quickly define a season opener, especially when the margin is only five points.
Former Tennessee players make their mark
Palmer was not the only former Tennessee player to show up in the opening week. Trey Smith started at guard for the Chiefs and played all 69 offensive snaps in a 31-10 victory over Denver, while Darnell Wright logged 75 offensive snaps in the Bears' 59-37 win over Carolina.
Colton Hood also made his NFL debut in New York's 28-20 victory over Dallas. Joshua Josephs saw 13 defensive snaps against Philadelphia, Alontae Taylor started against the Jets and recorded six tackles, and Jaylen McCollough matched that with six tackles against San Francisco in the NFL's first-ever game played in Australia.
For Palmer, the touchdown stood out as the clearest impact play of the group. For the rest of the former Vols, Week 1 offered a mix of debuts, heavy usage and early-season opportunity.
