While it may be a bit early to talk about the first week of the NFL season, training camp is honestly quite boring to write about. The first week of the NFL season will be exciting, but five games are especially significant. Let's dive into predictions for NFL week 1 games!
No. 5: Panthers @ Falcons 9/10, 1:00 PM ET, FOX
While neither team competing in the NFC South matchup is particularly decent, it is nonetheless a significant game. The NFC South is wide open this season, giving this game a sizable impact on the eventual division standings, and the team playing is also very evenly matched. Panthers' Quarterback Bryce Young will make his NFL debut, but the Falcons' substandard defense will give him some training wheels and also have trouble stopping Young's elusiveness. The Panthers' new offensive weapons in Miles Sanders and Adam Theilen give Young playmakers to work with. Ultimately, the Panthers take this one, 24-20.
No. 4: Dolphins @ Chargers 9/10, 4:25 PM ET, CBS
These teams have plenty to prove after both of their early playoff exits. On paper, the Dolphins and Chargers are very similar, both having explosive, star-studded offenses, and opportunistic defenses. This game will be a high-scoring endeavor, with plenty of explosive offensive plays. However, the Chargers are atrocious in close games. Much of that blame rests on the head coach, Brandon Staley. The Fins get the win on the road, 38-35.
No. 3: Raiders @ Broncos 9/10, 4:25 PM ET, CBS
Both of these teams were utter disappointments last season. The question as to if these teams continue underperforming could rest on this game, primarily because the Raiders and Broncos are division rivals. This AFC West showdown will also likely be a close game. Both teams have solid rushing and receiving cores, but the Broncos have much finer defense. The Broncos' hiring of the future hall-of-fame coach, Sean Payton, is expected to get the underachieving Russel Wilson out of his 2022 slump. The home squad wins their season opener by a score of 23-17.
No. 2: Lions @ Chiefs 9/7, 8:20 PM ET, NBC
The NFL opener will be a significant game. The Chiefs are the defending champions, but matching them up against the feisty, up-and-coming Lions will be a compelling future vs. past matchup. The game will likely be an offensive shootout, as both teams have offenses of elite caliber. In the scenario of an offensive shootout, the game is often awarded to the better quarterback. Unquestionably, Patrick Mahomes is a superior QB to Jared Goff, so the Cheifs take the season opener by a score of 34-31.
No. 1: Bills @ Jets 9/11, 8:15 PM ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
Week 1's Monday night game will be the most significant. The game will be an Aaron Rodgers vs. Josh Allen showdown and could significantly impact the AFC West standings. There are quite a bit of division rivalries on this list. Despite the two generational quarterbacks facing off, the game will likely be a low-scoring affair, with neither QB playing particularly well. The Bills and Jets have top-five-caliber defenses. Nonetheless, the Bills will come out on top. Rodgers will play his first game in a Jets uniform against the juggernaut that is the Buffalo Bills, and the Jets unambiguously don't have enough offensive talent to win this game.
Comments