Champions Bayern Munich won 2-1 in Cologne and Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Arminia Bielefeld as both the major Bundesliga contenders managed to prevail without their star strikers.
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Bayern were without Europe's deadliest marksman Robert Lewandowski but Thomas Muller, from the penalty spot, and Serge Gnabry were both on target for Bayern.
Dortmund were without the services of the prolific Erling Haaland but Mats Hummels stepped up to the plate with a double as they went joint top for at least a few hours, before last week's leaders RB Leipzig play Borussia Monchengladbach in the late game.
Munich coach Hansi Flick rested Lewandowski and Leon Goretzka, while Dortmund boss Lucien Favre took no chances on his marksman after Haaland had complained about knee problems.
Bayern, Dortmund, Leipzig and Gladbach have to manage their squads in a gruelling campaign in which they face a third straight week of Champions League football next week.
Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen in mid-table, and Augsburg rose into temporary fourth 3-1 against Mainz who remain last without a point.
Australian Associated Press
