Ladies and gentlemen, we are so back! Week 1 of the 2026 NPIFL Season is over, and it’s safe to say that the Rivalry Round was a resounding hit with the fans (especially the victors).

In a strange turn of events, five of the six home teams lost in Week 1, and the manner of victories and defeats gave both fans and analysts a lot to talk about.

Speaking of analysts, our resident expert predictor of the future had a solid outing, picking 4 winners from the 6 games. Nathan Adams is now 96-88 all-time, and it will be interesting to see if he can stay in the positives this season.

The Best Bench of the Week was won by the Brymbo Steelers with their impressive 94.66 points.

Week 1 Rivalry Roundup

69ers ^(0-1) 168.06 – 170.5 Padres ^(1-0)

In what looked like a total write-off for much of Sunday, the Portscatho Padres erupted out of the gates. Led by extreme RB power, Portscatho looked too hot to handle and the Padres’ RBs were popping up everywhere on RedZone.

Jahmyr Gibbs’ 186 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs led the team (31.1 points), while David Montgomery found the endzone 3 times (27.4 points) and Chase Brown once (16.3).

Factor in 16.7 points from Ladd McConkey, 13.9 from Mike Evans and 26.1 from Trevor Lawrence, and the Padres’ 12 TDs on the day had HC Damen Griffiths peacocking on the sideline.

However, from the deepest of depths, the San Wrexham 69ers began to climb. A touchdown from Nico Collins (17.7 points), 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles from Greg Rousseau (15 points) and 130 yards from Dalton Kincaid (15.5 points) were the building blocks of what was almost a remarkable comeback win.

Sunday night saw Jayden Daniels look more like his old self (17.66), but it was Justin Jefferson who stole the San Wrexham show with 2 TDs for 27.2 points. After a Javonte Williams TD, the 69ers were back in range of victory on Monday night.

However, that was not to be, as the Broncos’ defense had a rough time against Kansas City, and San Wrexham lost by a margin of 1.94 points.

We caught up with HC Chris Blockley after the game, who complained:

“I’m not happy with how the fixtures are the exact same as last year.”

Blockley is not a fan of the Rivalry Round (perhaps he would have been if fates were reversed?), and believes the schedule should be more different every year.

An odd complaint, but one that has been lodged with the NPIFL HQ for consideration. We do think the HC should be careful what he wishes for in 2027, and it will be interesting to see what the schedule looks like.

As for victorious HC Damen Griffiths, he told Andrasta:

“I was proud of my guys after they raced into an unassailable lead. Chras and his team huffed and puffed but typically couldn’t get over the line. I had to have a little word with the boys, I did feel 12 taunts straight in Chras’ face was maybe overkill, but who can blame them for enjoying the first game of the season to the fullest?

“I’m fairly sure Chras won’t be looking forward to the return fixture – I have a feeling this may be his peak points total of the season.”

The 69ers will look to get their first win of the season against Santos in Week 2, while the Padres hope to go 2-0 when they host Nixon it Up.

Originals ^(0-1) 147.5 – 173.96 Steelers ^(1-0)

In what was one of the banner games of the season, the Brymbo Originals hosted cross-city rivals, the Brymbo Steelers, and the Battle for Brymbo hung in the balance for many hours.

The Steelers got out to an early lead on Thursday, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 44-yard touchdown saving the day (22.2 points) in an otherwise stagnant performance by Brymbo.

Rookie RB Jadarian Price looked promising on his NFL debut (6.8 points), Hunter Henry saw concerningly few targets (4.1 points), and the Seahawks’ defensive double of Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon combined for 9 points.

The O’s had the chance to hit back in Australia on Saturday morning, but a lack of endzone activity kept Christian McCaffrey honest (11.3 points), while Davante Adams looked as lost as the rest of the Rams team Down Under (aside from Quentin Lake, whose 14.5 points ensured the Brymbo Derby would be no walkover).

When the O’s hit the field on Sunday, the balance of power looked like it had shifted. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor was a constant problem with 121 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs (23.6 points) while Emeka Egbuka (8.8 points) and Sam LaPorta (7.3 points) looked menacing.

A lack of TDs throughout the Originals’ offense hampered the team, and while a strong defensive performance (57 total points) gave them a shot, it all came together for the Steelers in the witching hour.

Lamar Jackson looks fully healthy and had something to prove to his head coach, who was rumored to be looking to trade him, with 24.96 points in Indianapolis. Jackson, JSN, and a monstrous day from D’Andre Swift (31.9 points from 3 TDs & 124 yards) covered Ja’Marr Chase’s 2.2-point day, but the Steelers’ D decided the game.

The Steelers spouted both the Steelers DST (that’s awkward to say) and Steelers superstar T.J. Watt. Watt’s fourth-quarter pick-six helped him and the DST combine for 41 points, and there was no coming back from that for the O’s.

Originals head coach Nathan Adams addressed reporters briefly as they boarded the team bus:

“I was outplayed by a better team this week, however, I will come back stronger.”

Steelers HC John Maxwell held his press conference later that evening and, with a confident smile, asserted:

“Adams was half right. He was outplayed by a better team this week, but I doubt he will come back stronger.

“But truth be told, Nathan Adams is such a good sport to admit that. He’s the greatest loser I’ve ever met and I can see that aspect of his personality has really permeated into his team.”

90 bench points will give Maxwell plenty to consider as he prepares his team to face the Patriots in Week 2, while the O’s look to bounce back against the St. Lewis Rams.

NIU ^(0-1) 152.46 – 154.66 DDT ^(1-0)

Dan’s Daring Team got off to a good start, but it almost wasn’t enough when they faced Nixon it Up in Week 1. In a game that was decided by a 2.2-point margin, NIU threw everything at DDT, if by everything you mean Caleb Williams.

The Bears QB was on fire in the 59-37 win at Carolina, throwing 2 TDs and rushing for 2 more in his 37.26-point day.

Bucky Irving looks like a worthy investment as a keeper; his 16.8 points came from an even mix of carries and receptions, along with a TD.

The day was lost for NIU as, while they put up solid base points, the lack of endzone activity from Garrett Wilson, Tetairoa McMillan and Puka Nacua lowered their ceiling.

Meanwhile, DDT saw a more even spread of big days, with Ashton Jeanty leading the pack. The Raiders RB saw 23 carries for 102 yards, as well as 6 receptions for 45 yards and 2 TDs (29.7 points).

Zay Flowers looked electric before leaving the field with a hamstring injury (23.5 points), while Amon-Ra St. Brown was his normal excellent self (23.7 points).

This was a game that really could have gone either way, and some fans were visibly disappointed that DDT HC Dan Gittins was so abrasive after the game:

“In your face, Oliver Bailey!! Humble??? Not this year…. This year we celebrate all the luck! I can’t say I’m overly happy with my team selection… But you know, if you let the “experts” decide…

“Also, there wasn’t exactly a full roster to pick from… The commissioner decided to let people keep their best players, making the pool much smaller to select from… Hopefully a few injuries take out some of the star players… Not mine obviously… But you know…

“Looking forward to my matchup with a few teams this year. Some teams have got some questionable managers, and they need exposing. Long live the revolution!”

DDT will hope to take their team to the never-before-seen heights of 2-0 against the Leviathans, while Nixon it Up face the Padres.

Leviathans ^(0-1) 126.8 – 154.86 JST ^(1-0)

“The season has started? I thought that was just one of those really easy preseason friendlies?”

JST HC Jordan Clough’s wry comments came soon after recording a decisive victory over the Leviathans, who were without the services of star RB Josh Jacobs. Jacobs is out for an unclear period of time, with a suspension looming that is rumored to potentially be between 4-6 weeks.

Lloyds fans were doubtless concerned to see Chris Rodriguez Jr. slotted in as RB2, and their concerns were justified. Rodriguez’s 2.3 points underlined a disappointing day, which included Harold Fannin Jr. not living up to the preseason hype (3.1 points).

Omarion Hampton (8.3 points), who looks elite, and CeeDee Lamb were the only non-QB Leviathans to see the endzone, but the star of the show was Chris Olave, whose 10 receptions for 182 yards netted 23.2 points.

As for JST, Bijan Robinson proved why he is such a coveted centerpiece, with 173 scrimmage yards and a TD for 27.3 points. Cam Skattebo bit the hand that once fed him, with 14.1 points from 61 yards and a TD against his former team.

A TE flex yielded huge results, with both Trey McBride and Dallas Goedert just breaking 20 points.

A worry for Clough, however, is that A.J. Brown is on the IR and is expected to miss the next 6 weeks. We will see if Clough and his Scary Team are ready for what they see as the season opener in Week 2 without their mercurial WR.

After the game, Leviathans head coach Tom Lloyd faced the media grimly after the disappointing performance:

“I’ve spoken to the boys, and although it wasn’t the result we wanted; morale remains high for the season.”

The Leviathans will look to bounce back against DDT in Week 2, while JST hope to pile on the misery for the Kelce Smiles.

Santos ^(0-1) 133.66 – 137.32 Rams ^(1-0)

In another tight game between two bitter rivals, the St. Lewis Rams squeezed past Santos right at the finish line by fewer than 4 points. The Rams have a reputation for “sliming” by teams, and Rashee Rice’s 8.9-point day was enough on Monday night.

St. Lewis saw a very encouraging Buffalo debut from D.J. Moore (18.5 points), and Jalen Hurts was his normal dual-threat self (24.72 points). Factor in a big day for Breece Hall against a very vulnerable-looking Tennessee (18.8 points), and the Rams did just enough to win.

It really was just enough, mind you, as Santos sports a terrifying duo that on their day can put up monster points. Derrick Henry (34.8 points [163 scrimmage yards and 3 TDs]) and Josh Allen (35.66 points [334 yards, 2 TDs, 23 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs]) had themselves huge days, but the lack of anything else really going on denied Santos the win.

A single TD, a few more first downs, just a few more tackles made, and this would have gone the other way, but that’s not what transpired on the field.

After the tense, back-and-forth game, Rams HC Lewis Done was the first person in the media room, beating even the cameramen and technicians. Rumor has it that he had already put his prompt into ChatGPT. He told the stony-faced reporters:

“The experts wrote us off. The establishment gave us a 1% chance to win. One percent. They had already decided how this game was supposed to end. But nobody in that room got the memo.

“We came out, worked harder, played smarter, and proved that percentages don’t win games, people do. Well, Santos’ people don’t, but our people do. And when the final whistle blew, we didn’t just win – we smashed it harder than a Tom Holland fan after the Dune premiere.

“So remember this feeling. The next time someone tells you what your chances are, smile, nod, and go prove them wrong. Outstanding job, everyone.”

Opposing HC Christopher Faulkner may have had the right idea. While many in the press room were shifting their weight and waiting for Done to finish his Trump-esque pulpit rally, the Santos coach was unable to be found for comment.

Perhaps driven mad with frustration or just not wishing to listen to his opponent’s braying, a rumour that was sourced to an ‘unnamed intern’ had Faulkner ‘outside by the bins, writing plays on the recycling.’

Whether these are plays of the Greek tragedy variety or trick plays for next week may become plain when Santos take the field against the 69ers. Meanwhile, the Rams are set to welcome the O’s to St. Lewis in what could be one of the best games of the round.

Patriots ^(1-0) 112.82 – 94.5 Kelce Smiles ^(1-0)

While there was a veritable feast of touchdowns in some games, the drought was real in Old England.

Patriots QB Drake Maye threw 1 TD and 3 INTs (9.82 points), while Kelce QB Dak Prescott threw 2 TDs and 1 INT (14.4 points). Aside from that, no TDs were scored until Monday night.

Rhamondre Stevenson’s 95 scrimmage yards were the highlight for the Smiles, while Deebo Samuel’s improved performance in San Fran (15 points) will likely see him in the lineup going forward.

The game was razor-close, with neither side looking able or hungry to win, but then Kenneth Walker hit the field for his debut with the Kansas City Chiefs.

An unholy nightmare in the backfield, Walker won the day for the Patriots, ran roughshod over the Broncos and Smiles by proxy, and his 32.6 points from 191 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs rang alarm bells throughout the league.

Old England can put an overall rough week behind them with the victory, as 1-0 is 1-0, so few questions will be asked.

On the other side of the ball, however, the Kelce Smiles’ league-worst 95 points will likely factor in an inquest of ‘what went wrong’ from the draft to team selection. It is definitely too early to panic, but if the Smiles can’t get going and put some points on the board, it could be a long season for HC Christopher Ward.

He told Andrasta on Tuesday:

“I had hopes that my squad would immediately confound the negative press, but Monday Night Football did not go as planned.”

We also caught up with Old England coach Aminul Hassan, who summed up the game succinctly:

“We had Kenneth Walker to thank for the win, but the lads need to improve; otherwise it’s going to be a long season.”

The Patriots prepare to welcome the Steelers in Week 2, while Kelce Smiles will be looking for a much better performance when they host Jordan’s Scary Team.

NPIFL Table after Week 1