Top performances from the 1st Sunday of the 2019 season

The first Sunday of the 2019 NFL season had no shortage of great outings from players across the league.

Here are the top performances from Sunday's Week 1 contests:

Sammy Watkins, WR, Chiefs

9 receptions, 198 receiving yards, 3 TDs

With Tyreek Hill sidelined early against the Jaguars, Watkins stepped up as the primary weapon in the Chiefs' high-powered offense and set a new career-high in receiving yards on 11 targets. Watkins' 68-yard score, Kansas City's first of the season, showcased his burst as the 26-year-old slipped past Jacksonville defenders en route to the end zone.

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

25-for-32, 405 passing yards, 4 TDs

If anything was going to convince Jerry Jones to deliver his quarterback a new contract, it was Sunday's outing. Prescott had no issues moving the chains against the New York Giants, spreading the ball around to seven different Cowboys as four different Dallas players hauled in touchdowns. The 26-year-old may have also unleashed a weapon in Michael Gallup, who set career highs with seven receptions and 158 receiving yards.

Anthony Harris, S, Vikings

5 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups

The Vikings kept the Falcons off the board until the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to the work of Harris. The Minnesota safety ended two Atlanta drives when the opposition was in scoring position, recovering a crucial fumble from Devonta Freeman before picking off Matt Ryan with the Falcons on the Vikings' 4-yard line.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers

128 rushing yards, 10 receptions, 81 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Surpassing 200 total yards from scrimmage for the second time in his career, the 23-year-old McCaffrey was a threat on the ground and through the air in his team's season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Though the Panthers came up short, they were able to remain creative in their play-calling, including a read option with McCaffrey as the quarterback and Cam Newton lined up at running back.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

17-for-20, 324 passing yards, 5 touchdowns

Jackson started his sophomore campaign with a bang. The 22-year-old quarterback picked apart the Dolphins' secondary to finish the season opener with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. First-round draft pick Marquise Brown was the main beneficiary of Jackson's performance, accumulating 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Jackson tossed some extra shade at his doubters postgame, joking his performance wasn't "bad for a running back."

John Ross, WR, Bengals

7 receptions, 158 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Entering his third NFL season, Ross only had 210 career receiving yards to his name. He's now on pace to smash that total in a single campaign after Sunday's outing. The 24-year-old showed off his speed and vertical on a 55-yard bomb delivered with only 14 seconds remaining in the first half.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles

8 receptions, 154 receiving yards, 2 TDs

The Eagles appeared to be in trouble against the Redskins. It wasn't until Carson Wentz hooked up with Jackson on a 51-yard score in the second quarter that Philadelphia fully recovered from an early 17-point deficit. It's safe to say Wentz may have a new favorite deep threat after the duo connected again in the following frame for a 53-yard touchdown. Jackson's 154 receiving yards were the most he's accumulated in a single contest since 2014.

Cameron Wake, DE, Titans

3 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, 1 safety

The Titans humbled the much-hyped Browns in Week 1. Baker Mayfield tossed three interceptions and was sacked five times as Cleveland's offense struggled to put up points. Wake, meanwhile, made quite the impression with his new squad. The 37-year-old showcased his explosiveness, disrupting Cleveland's backfield numerous times and nabbing his 100th career sack by bringing down the Browns' franchise starter in his own end zone.

Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers

58 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards, 6 catches, 3 TDs

Melvin who? While the disgruntled running back continues his holdout, the Chargers backup stepped up with 154 total yards from scrimmage, including a clutch seven-yard touchdown run in overtime to seal a season-opening victory for Los Angeles. After only one outing, Ekeler is poised to smash his six-touchdown total from 2018.

Sam Hubbard, DE, Bengals

10 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits

The Seahawks may have edged past the Bengals, but Cincinnati's defense held Russell Wilson to under 200 passing yards. Entering just his second NFL season, Hubbard played a large role in disrupting the pocket, constantly working past right tackle Germain Ifedi to cause issues for Wilson. After a dazzling Sunday performance, the 24-year-old has set the tone for what could be a breakout campaign.