Lucy Penn’s NFL Week One Predictions
Los Angeles Rams (34) vs Buffalo Bills (31)
Expect touchdowns and plenty of them!!
We are in for a treat with the first match of the new season. It’s last season’s Super Bowl champions the Los Angeles Rams taking on this season’s Super Bowl favourites, the Buffalo Bills.
With all the hype over the Bills this offseason, it looks evident that anything short of a Super Bowl appearance for Buffalo would be disappointing going into this season.
However, with the Rams at home and a roster still talented enough to go to back-to-back Super Bowls, I can see Mathew Stafford and Cooper Kupp securing a last minute, game-winning TD drive to secure Los Angeles the win in Week One.
Detroit Lions (27) vs Philadelphia Eagles (21)
Detroit wins their opener
It seems fair to say that the Eagles had both an extremely successful free agency and draft, especially that of landing AJ Brown, who gives rising star quarterback Jalen Hurts a solid wide receiver one.
However, the Lions are also one of the most improved teams coming into 2022. Whilst Jared Goff is not a top-10 QB, he is fairly underrated. With the offensive additions of DJ Chark and Jameson Williams, and drafting top defensive end prospect Aidan Hutchinson, I can see the Lions upsetting the Eagles in Week One.
Chicago Bears (6) vs San Francisco 49ers (17)
Fields in the mud
The Bears have not really done much this offseason to help QB Justin Fields. As a result, I have little confidence in the Bears going into the new season.
I think it’s no surprise here to pit the 49ers as favourites here, who are looking to build on the successes of last season, where they lost narrowly in the NFC Championship game. It’s also the perfect game to trial Trey Lance, too.
Cincinnati Bengals (30) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (13)
‘Chasing’ a big win
There is no doubt that the 2021 Super Bowl runner up will be looking to go all the way again. The Bengals have not only managed to bring back their entire offense, comprised of Joe Burrow, Tyler Boyd, Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins. They have, more importantly, spent this offseason building and improving their offensive line.
On the side of this fixture, the Steelers are embarking on life without ‘Big Ben’ and have chosen Mitch Trubisky to lead the line for Week One. The defending AFC Champions should, on paper, make easy work of this matchup.
Miami Dolphins (24) vs New England Patriots (17)
Tua’s time to shine
Not only is this a classic NFC East contest, but it’s also a clash of the Alabama QB’s. It’s always risky to bet against Belichick’s Patriots. Yet, defending the speed of both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could prove too challenging for the struggling New England defence, who lost star secondary J. C. Jackson in free agency.
Likewise, it seems the Patriots often struggle on the road to Miami, with New England having lost four out of their last five at the Hard Rock stadium.
Carolina Panthers (28) vs Cleveland Browns (17)
The Baker Mayfield revenge tour
The Browns went all in on Deshaun Watson, who faces an 11-game suspension, so will be relying on Jacoby Brissett to lead the line.
Baker Mayfield is certainly an upgrade for Carolina, who knows the ins-and-outs of this Cleveland defence. A homefield advantage matched with a QB trying to prove a point, could land Carolina an opening win.
Houston Texans (10) vs Indianapolis Colts (32)
Texans rebuilding
It’s very clear that for the Houston Texans, and the Lovie Smith era, that this season is going to be based around rebuilding. The Colts on the other hand could be a real Super Bowl Contender.
Led by newly acquired veteran QB Matt Ryan and a massively improved defence Indianapolis should be favourites not only for this matchup, but for the AFC South in general. Likewise, let’s not forget Jonathan Taylor, who will be looking to build upon his wildly impressive 2021 season.
Atlanta Falcons (3) vs New Orleans Saints (24)
Winning Winston
The Saints have won their last four at Atlanta. Following the loss of Matt Ryan, Atlanta looks to roll the dice with Marcus Mariota, who will be battling out alongside fellow 2015 draftee Jameis Winston.
New Orleans have had a busy offseason, loading Winston with offensive weapons, in the likes of Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave, and bolstering an already strong defence with 3x Pro Bowler Tyrann Mathieu. As a result, I think this will be just too much for a rebuilding Falcons side to handle.
New York Jets (10) vs Baltimore Ravens (44)
Same old Jets?
There is no doubt that the Jets have had an outstanding offseason, but they are still a team embarking on a rebuild journey, who will no doubt struggle to compete in an already stacked AFC. Likewise, they will more than likely have to open their season without their starting QB Zach Wilson due to injury.
Meanwhile, the Ravens have a point to prove, following a rather disappointing, injury-ridden 2021 season, Baltimore will be looking to be a dark-horse contender for this season’s Super Bowl.
Washington Commanders (21) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (24)
Going with the underdogs
Carson Wentz has been given yet another chance in Washington. However, if this is going to be a battle of the QB’s I’m taking Trevor Lawrence. Recently, new Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson has compared Trevor Lawrence of Hall of Fame QB Brett Farve.
We all saw glimpses of his stardust during last season, especially during the London game versus Miami. Now, it’s time for the Clemson star to breakout, and he has a real opportunity to do this against the Commanders who will be without Chase Young.
Minnesota Vikings (26) vs Green Bay Packers (21)
Big upset in Minneapolis?
There is no doubt that Aaron Rodgers is one of the most prolific QB’s in the NFL right now, having won back-to-back MVP awards. As a result, betting against him is always a risk. However, with the loss of both Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rodgers might struggle to get this team going.
Therefore, I will be taking the Vikings in this matchup. Whilst many see Kirk Cousins as an average QB, he is surrounded by star-studded offensive talent, in the likes of Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook. Because of this, I can see Minnesota kickstarting their season with a win over their division rivals.
Tennessee Titans (20) vs New York Giants (6)
Guess who’s back… Henry’s back
For the Giants, the Brian Daboll era has begun, and they are yet again, placing their offensive hopes in the hands of Daniel Jones…enough said really! Keeping it short and sweet, I see Ryan Tannehill and a healthy Derrick Henry controlling the outcome of this game, with Henry easily rushing for over 100 yards.
Los Angeles Chargers (31) vs Las Vegas Raiders (34)
Betting on Las Vegas
We are in for a treat with this one. With the AFC West arguably the most competitive division in the whole NFL, all division games are a must win.
The Raiders beat the Chargers last season in Week 18 to make the playoffs, so the Chargers will be seeking revenge. Los Angeles have brought back most of their key playmakers and boast an improved defence coming into 2022.
Likewise, on QB talent alone, I would tip Justin Herbert over Derrick Carr. Despite this, I see the Raiders taking this one on the road, with Devante Adams, Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs proving just a little too much for the Chargers to handle.
Arizona Cardinals (30) vs Kansas City Chiefs (37)
No Hill? No problem
The Cardinals are at home, and Kyler Murray has a habit of starting the season on a flurry of wins (before bottling it later into the regular season). Meanwhile, the Chiefs are entering a post-Tyreek Hill era, which could cause trouble for Patrick Mahomes.
However, Mahomes still has his main man in Travis Kelce, with the Chiefs adding wide receivers Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Skyy Moore to mitigate this impact. I expect to see a lot of touchdowns here, but I always find it difficult to bet against Mahomes.
Dallas Cowboys (24) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (42)
On the search for an 8th?
We all know that Brady would not come out of retirement if he didn’t think he could win one final Super Bowl. I think Brady and the Bucs will utilise this game to show us this exact sentiment.
Meanwhile, in my eyes, Dallas are always one of those teams who are over-hyped, and I will take this stance again going into this season.
Elliot just is not what he used to be, no Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson and a rather disappointing offence line leaves Dak Prescott a lot to do against one of the most clinical teams in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks (0) vs Denver Broncos (28)
Wilson’s homecoming
I don’t expect anything less than Russell Wilson balling out against his previous team during this matchup.
The Seahawks are arguably a bottom 10 team going into this season, with the poorest QB room going into 2022.
They have chosen Geno Smith as the starter, who will almost undoubtedly be outshone by Wilson, who boasts an array of offensive weapons in Jerry Jeudy, Javonte Williams, and Albert Okwuebugnam.
