We are back! Yes, the NFL Week 1 starts today with reigning Superbowl Champions hosting the Detroit Lions. Week 1 is the toughest week to make predictions because most teams rest their starters in the preseason, and it is hard to know the identity of a team. So, we are left to predict the outcomes based on last season, reputation, and projections for the future. Also, the process is difficult based on the uncertainty of rookie quarterbacks and players joining new teams. Anyway, we will do our best as we pick the five hottest matchups in Week 1.
1. Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs- NBC Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET
The Detroit Lions enjoyed a Cinderella-like season in 2022, and the expectation is that they will climb to the top of the NFC North division. However, the schedule makers gave them a top draw to go on the road and face the defending champions on the night they drop the banner at Arrowhead Stadium. The Lions will come into the contest confident because their last game last season was a similar scenario. The Lions went on the road into hostile confines in Green Bay on Primetime TV to play high-stakes football and won the game decisively. The Lions will feel the odds are stacked in their favor because Travis Kelce is questionable with an injury, and Chris Jones is holding out for a payday. The Lions have even improved on defense, but I think Patrick Mahomes will be on a mission to stop the opening-day celebrations. It will be a fairly high-scoring game, and I have the Chiefs winning it by less than one touchdown.
Chiefs 33 Lions 27
2. San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers-Fox Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
This matchup features two of the toughest defenses in the league versus two of the young talents at the quarterback position. After an injury in the NFC Championship, Brock Purdy returns to the liable to face a vaunted Steelers defense that will welcome the return of TJ Watt. Purdy will look to utilize the plethora of weapons at his disposal, but I think he will be a little rusty, and the team started sluggish last season with losses to the Bears and Broncos dropping them to 1-2 in the standings. I think Kenny Pickett will slightly outplay Purdy in this contest with the help of Geoge Pickens. It will be a tight game, but the home team will make the favorites.
Steelers 21-49ers 20
3. Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots-CBS Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Eagles are the prohibited favorites to become back-to-back NFC Champions because of how well they have drafted and made bold moves in free agency. The assignment to play New England on opening day on the road in Foxboro is still a tough task. Fortunately, they have one of the most talented and quality leaders in the NFL through Jalen Hurts. Hurts will need to protect the ball and do damage on third down with his legs which is a longstanding problem with Bill Belichick’s defense. In the end, Hurts will make enough plays at the end to win a fairly low-scoring game on the road. My heart is hoping I am wrong.
Eagles 23-Patriots 21
4. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants- NBC Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
All eyes will be on Dak Prescott as America’s team heads to the Big Apple to play in Primetime on Sunday Night Football. Prescott endured a tough 2022 after throwing 15 interceptions, and Jerry Jones ruffled his feathers by trading for Trey Lance just prior to the regular season. Prescott will be focused on silencing the doubters and the team owner, and I think he will get off to a good start. The Giants was one of the best stories last season, but they failed to reward Saquon Barkley with top dollars. Instead, they decided to give Daniel Jones more money, and I think their priority is misplaced. Jones is an average starting-caliber quarterback and I think he will struggle against this Cowboys defense. He will try to justify getting his money but will overdo it by throwing a couple of interceptions in this game. Dallas will be more balanced, and Prescott will protect the ball better, leading to the Cowboys winning this game by a touchdown on the road.
Cowboys 30-Giants 23
5. Buffalo Bills at New York Jets- ESPN Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
The Jets have owned the offseason headlines by trading for Aaron Rodgers, appearing on Hard Knocks, and believing the hype in their comments to the media. On September 11, at home on primetime television, it will be time for them to back up all the talk. I think Josh Allen has heard all the criticism, and the analyst picking their rivals to win the division. I think on Monday Night Allen reminds the world he is still the best in the division, and while I think Rodgers will play well, it takes time to build a winner and live up to expectations. I have the Bills winning this game in a division blood bath.
Bills 27-Jets 20