Though the NFL season officially began with Thursday night’s Eagles win over the Falcons in Philadelphia, it truly begins in earnest Sunday with the first full slate of games.

And hopefully, the product in Sunday’s games will be better than the slopfest we were forced to endure Thursday, with the teams combining for 26 penalties and horrible offense — until we were mercifully given a dramatic ending.

With that, here’s a look at The Post’s NFL High Five for Week 1:

Best story to watch

If you can find a better NFL story that’s unfolded for Week 1 than that of Shaquem Griffin, please send your responses for review.

Quite simply, the rookie Seahawks linebacker who was born with one hand will start Sunday at Denver. He was a fifth-round draft pick, making him the first player with on hand ever to be drafted in the NFL’s modern era.

All Griffin did in the preseason was lead the Seahawks with 24 tackles, including a game-high nine in the opener against the Colts. Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Griffin, whose twin brother Shaquill (a cornerback) is also on the team, improved during the preseason.

“They ground off of each other, they fit off of each other so well, and they own up to each other really well,” Carroll said of the brothers. “Shaquill will just tell him flat-out what he needs to tell him. They don’t mince any words at all. I think with that, he has as much support as he’s going to need. I think he’ll be able to handle it.”

Griffin is getting the start, with K.J. Wright recovering from knee surgery that is expected to keep him out at least another week. Griffin has been working as Wright’s backup at weakside linebacker.

“He’s been surrounded by some really good players, Bobby [Wagner]and K.J. and [Barkevious] Mingo, guys that have been in the league for a while,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. “So he’s kind of taken a backseat and really learned at a rookie’s pace, and now that he’s been able to play a little bit in the preseason, he sees the game speeds up a little bit.

“But he’s been amazing. It’s been fun to coach him. It’s been fun to watch his growth. It’s just amazing to watch his development.’’

Star QB matchup to watch

Two star quarterbacks seeking a bounce back from a tough 2017 seasons will meet Sunday when the Cowboys play the Panthers in Carolina.

Since winning the MVP award in 2015, the performance of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has slipped. In 2015, Newton completed nearly 60 percent of his passes with 35 TDs and just 10 INTs, nearly throwing for 4,000 yards and with a 99.4 passer rating.

In the two seasons since, Newton has averaged just 3,406 yards with a total of 41 TDs 30 INTs and a rating of just 78.2

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s numbers also were down across the board last year — fewer TDs, more INTS and fewer games of 300-plus yards, despite starting all 16 games for the second consecutive season. His rating dropped from 104.9 his rookie year to 86.6 last season. That, of course, wasn’t helped by the suspension of star running back Ezekiel Elliott and the production decline of receiver Dez Bryant.

Newton’s 2017 was very inconsistent, with five single-game ratings over 100 and eight under 70.

Key comeback to watch

There are several comebacks of note taking place this weekend, including that of Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and their quarterback Deshaun Watson as well as Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. — all of whom are returning from season-ending injuries.

But perhaps the most important of the star comebacks is Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who hasn’t played a complete game since Jan. 1, 2017 because of shoulder issues. Luck originally injured his right shoulder in Week 3 of the 2015 season and has struggled ever since.

He’s been cleared to start in Sunday’s opener against the Bengals, which will be his first regular-season game in nearly two years.

This preseason, he’s been sacked, taken hits while scrambling and shown he’s capable of making every throw. Luck was 20-of-32 for 204 yards and a TD pass in 11 series in the preseason.

“[He’s] had hundreds and maybe thousands of reps so he feels really prepared,’’ Colts first-year head coach Frank Reich told reporters. “I think what’s exciting for our team and our fans is we get him for 60 minutes and the longer a guy like that is out on the field, the better.”

Luck suffered a minor foot injury in the third preseason game against the 49ers on Aug. 25 that caused him to miss some practice time last week. He wouldn’t have missed any time if it were the regular season, according to Riech.

Having Luck back will end a recovery period that took nearly 20 months.

“I hesitate in saying the comeback has come full circle,” Luck said. “I just want to go out and play football. I feel really good and I’m really excited. I feel like I’m in great shape, feel like I can make all the throws I need. I like to think I can keep improving as a quarterback. Improving as a football player, improving as an athlete.”

Boring superstar to watch

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the highest-profile star in the game who’s produced his own documentary series on Facebook, told reporters in the lead-up of New England’s season opener against the Texans that he wants to avoid off-the-field drama this year.

“I don’t want to bring on any drama this year,” Brady said. “I’m just focused on what I want to do, and be a great football player for this team and be a good example in the locker room, provide great leadership. That’s where my focus is. I know people want to talk about a lot of other things, but I just really want to stick on football and focus on being the best I can be for this team.”

This was precipitated by Brady being asked about his personal athletic trainer, close friend and business partner, Alex Guerrero, who’s practice has come under scrutiny. Brady, too, was asked about Nike’s controversial advertisement with quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

“I really want to focus on football, not hot topics, and my reaction to a lot of hot topics and so forth,” he said. “Get ready for the Texans — they’re a great team. That’s where my focus is, not on advertisements and so forth.”

On the field, Brady begins this season with questions in his receiving corps — which consists of Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarelle Patterson. Julian Edelman, the Patriots most accomplished receiver, is serving a four-game NFL suspension.

“I have confidence in them,’’ Brady said. “Phillip and Chris, I obviously played a lot with them last year. Cordarrelle is new and he’s done some good things and he’s been productive in this league. To be on this team, you have to be a good football player. We’re all going to be learning on the fly and you have to build as the season goes.”

Missing star RB to watch

It’s been a tumultuous week for the Steelers, who open at Cleveland on Sunday.

Since Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell, who’s unhappy with having to play under the franchisee tag for $14.5 million and wants a long-term contract, opted not to show up to practice this past week, his teammates have been taking turns ripping him.

On Friday, Steelers star receiver Antonio Brown, delivered support of his teammate.

“No one wins when the family feuds,” Brown told reporters. “At the end of the day, we’re family. We want the best for him. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about pointing fingers and fighting among each other. We are a core group that should respect and love each other regardless of the situation.”

Several teammates criticized Bell on Wednesday, with one veteran player telling ESPN that Bell “f—ed us” by not telling teammates he wouldn’t report.

Meanwhile, the Steelers have been talking up Bell’s replacement, James Connor, a second-year player who told reporters, “There’s no pressure on me.’’

“There are a lot of people waiting to see how my performance is going to be,’’ Connor said. “As long as we win, I’m cool.”

Conner, who had just 144 rushing yards on 32 carries as a rookie, is expected to carry the load in Bell’s absence.

“[People] are not in my shoes,’’ he said. “They might think it’s pressure, but to me it’s just football and doing my job. It’s just my job. The outside world thinks it’s pressure, but it’s just football. It’s always been that way.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has done what he can to keep the focus on the field, saying, “We’re not riding the wave. [The game] is where our focus is. So nothing has changed from my perspective or our perspective based on what has transpired in the last number of days. Zero.”