The NFL offseason is a very traumatic experience because fans have to wait nearly seven months for regular season action. Trades have been made, players drafted, free agents signed, and the debate has raged throughout the offseason about who is the best team in the NFL. Tonight, we start to get the answer to that question when the NFL season kicks off in Los Angeles. In this article, we will preview the five hottest games in week one you will want to watch this weekend.
5. Browns vs Panthers, Sunday at 1pm
The biggest headline from this game is Baker Mayfield facing his former team in the first game of the new season. Mayfield was exiled by the Browns and traded to the Panthers for a 2024 fifth-round pick. Baker proceeded to win the starting nod over Sam Darnold, and he reportedly wants to “destroy” his former team, and that is the clean version. Myles Garrett will be highly motivated by the bulletin board material and out to attack his former teammate. However, I think Mayfield will get his revenge because the suspension of Deshaun Watson means Jacoby Brissett will get the start, and the journeyman quarterback will not be able to carry his team to a win on the road in week 1. The teams will rely on their running backs in Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffery, and the game will be decided by which defense can contain the run game.
Pick-Panthers win 20-17
4. Broncos vs. Seahawks, Monday at 8:15 p.m.
Another revenge matchup in week 1 is the return of Russell Wilson to Seattle to play his former team. Seattle has one of the best home crowds, and on Monday night, there will be high emotions to win this game as an underdog. Wilson will be relishing the opportunity to prove Pete Carroll wrong and that he is the man to build a championship team around. The Seahawks offense is in disarray after losing Wilson because Geno Smith does not look like a starting quarterback for a playoff contender. The defense has faded over the years after losing its best players from the legion of the boom era. I can only see the Broncos winning this game in a blowout.
Pick-Broncos wins 30-13
3. Patriots vs Dolphins, Sunday at 1 pm
The Dolphins are touted as the team to excel this season in the eyes of most analysts and prognosticators. The team acquired Tyreek Hill to pair with Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins will benefit from the running game installed by rookie head coach Mike McDaniels and have a solid defense. The Patriots have questions surrounding their offseason with Mac Jones struggling to operate a new offense after losing Josh McDaniels to the Raiders. The Patriots have a 3-6 record in their last nine games against the Dolphins and have lost 7 of 9 games in Miami. Belichick was so concerned about the Dolphins that he decided to have the team train in Florida since Tuesday to get acclimatized to the weather. I am a Patriots fan but all signs point to a Dolphins win because New England needs to work out the kinks in their offense. However, the defense will keep it close.
Pick-Dolphins 24-21
2. Buccaneers vs. Cowboys, Sunday at 8:20 p.m.
This matchup will be the rematch of week one last season when the Buccaneers won 31-29 at home. In that game, Dak Prescott was impressive in matching Tom Brady and pushing the then defending champions to the limit. The teams head into the matchup with questions over whether Brady will miss the retired Rob Gronkowski more than Prescott miss Amari Cooper who is now with the Browns. The Cowboys’ defense found success in forcing turnovers last season, and I think Brady will focus on keeping the ball and putting up points in pressuring Prescott to make a comeback. I think the comeback will fall short, and Brady wins in week 1.
Bucs win 31-Cowboys 24
1. Bills vs. Rams, Thursday at 8:20 p.m.
The Bills enter this season as Superbowl favorites, and it will be interesting to see whether this primed team can live up to the expectations. The Los Angeles Rams return as champions and will feel disrespected because most feel they will not repeat. The big matchup in this game will be between the Bills’ high-powered offense led by MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Rams’ daunting defense led by All-Pro Aaron Donald. The game will also mean Vonn Miller returning to face the team he helped to win the Superbowl last season. Get your popcorn ready for this nail-biting game.
Bills 28-Rams 27.