The NFL came back in a big way on opening day, with long plays highlighting games from coast to coast.

No one was more dynamic Sunday than Anquan Boldin, who made that transcontinental trip this year, leaving Super Bowl winner Baltimore as a free agent to join NFC champion San Francisco. Boldin was unstoppable in his debut as a 49ers receiver, making 13 catches for 208 yards and scoring once in a 34-28 victory over Green Bay.

“He made plays he shouldn’t have made,” quarterback Colin Kaepernick said.

Boldin was joined in stardom by Kaepernick, who threw for a career-best 412 yards and three touchdowns, and tight end Vernon Davis with six receptions for 98 yards and two TDs.

Reggie Bush, Drew Brees and two Rams — DE Robert Quinn and kicker Greg Zuerlein — all were superb in opening-day wins, as well.

Bush had 101 yards on four receptions and 90 yards rushing in his first game with the Lions, outgaining 2012 MVP Adrian Peterson in Detroit’s 34-24 victory.

Brees passed for 357 yards and two TDs in a 23-17 win over archrival Atlanta as coach Sean Payton returned to the Saints following his one-year suspension in the bounty case.

Lions 34, Vikings 24

At Detroit, Bush did exactly what the Lions signed him for: to break open a game.

Bush turned a short pass into a 77-yard touchdown in the third quarter and finished with 191 yards of offense.

Saints 23, Falcons 17

Sean Payton’s coaching return after a one-year league suspension for the Saints’ bounties was a tight affair, but a successful one for host New Orleans.

Rams 27, Cardinals 24

Jared Cook had two touchdown catches in his Rams debut. The tight end fumbled a potential third TD, a 55-yarder that would have opened the scoring, when rookie Tyrann Mathieu punched the ball free at the 8 and the play resulted in a touchback. But St. Louis rallied from an 11-point hole to win.

Cowboys 36, Giants 31

Brandon Carr returned an interception 49 yards for a clinching touchdown, and the Cowboys beat Eli Manning and the Giants for the first time at their fancy $1.2 billion stadium with six takeaways.

Patriots 23, Bills 21

Stephen Gostkowski’s 35-yard field goal with 5 seconds left gave visiting New England its 10th straight opening win. The Patriots needed to rally.

Bears 24, Bengals 21

At Chicago, Jay Cutler passed to Brandon Marshall for a 19-yard touchdown to make Marc Trestman’s coaching debut with the Bears a success.

The Bengals led by 11 in the third quarter and were up 21-17 early in the fourth.

Seahawks 12, Panthers 7

Seattle’s stellar defense was on display at Charlotte as Cam Newton was held to 125 yards passing and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson threw for 320 yards.

Jets 18, Buccaneers 17

Bucs linebacker Lavonte David handed this one to the Jets in the final seconds.

With the host Jets trailing 17-15 and time running out, rookie quarterback Geno Smith scrambled for 10 yards — and was shoved while he was out of bounds by David.

Colts 21, Raiders 17

At Indianapolis, Andrew Luck’s legs were decisive. The QB ran 19 yards for the winning touchdown. He also was 18 of 23 for 178 yards with two touchdown passes.

Chiefs 28, Jaguars 2

At Jacksonville, Andy Reid won his first game as Chiefs coach.

Alex Smith threw two early touchdown passes, Jamaal Charles ran for 77 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with a quadriceps injury.

Dolphins 23, Browns 10

At Cleveland, Ryan Tannehill passed for 272 yards and a touchdown, and the Browns fell to 1-14 in Week 1 since 1999. Tannehill threw a 34-yard TD pass to Brian Hartline in the third quarter and drove the Dolphins to a clinching TD.