NFL Week One Matchups: Which stand out?
Week 1 of the NFL regular season is upon us. Although I will watch some of every game from Week 1, some games really stand out as ones that deserve our attention. In this piece, I will rank the games that I am most looking forward to and give my prediction for each of those games.
Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams
September 8, 8:20 PM
This year’s Thursday night game to kick off the NFL season stands out as the most exciting Week 1 contest. The defending Super Bowl champion Rams will begin their quest to defend their title against the Bills, who many have as their Super Bowl favorites for this upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Von Miller, who won last year’s Super Bowl with the Rams, will get to face off against his former team as a member of the Bills. We are lucky we don’t have to wait long for this contest because it doesn’t get any better than this. I expect the Bills to go into SoFi Stadium and show the Rams that defending their Super Bowl title will not be easy.
PREDICTION: Bills 27 Rams 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
September 11, 8:20 PM
This matchup will be the NFL’s Week 1 Sunday Night game. It will be a rematch of last year’s Thursday night opener, in which Brady’s Bucs defeated the Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium by a score of 31-29. This time around, the game will be at AT&T Stadium. All eyes, of course, will be on 45 year old Tom Brady, who will look to prove one more time that age is just a number. Although it won’t be easy, I think Brady and the Bucs will get the job done in Week 1.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers 31 Cowboys 27
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers
September 11, 4:25 PM
Who could forget last year’s regular season finale between the Raiders and Chargers that almost ended in a tie which would have sent both teams to the playoffs? It was the Raiders, of course, that edged out the Chargers in overtime and advanced to the playoffs; and surely, the star-studded Chargers will be out for revenge in Week 1.
Meanwhile, Davante Adams and Derek Carr will be teaming up with each other for the first time since their days at Fresno State. I am expecting a battle between two divisional foes, but I think the Chargers will get their revenge.
PREDICTION: Raiders 21 Chargers 27
Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks
September 12, 8:15 PM
This year’s opening Monday night matchup will feature Russell Wilson returning to Seattle to face off against the team and coach he player for during the first ten years of his career. The Seahawks are expected to finish last in the NFC West this year, but this game should mean a little extra to them.
The 12th man will be extra loud for this one, and I would be shocked if the Seahawks go down without a fight. Expect a battle, not a blowout.
PREDICTION: Broncos 24 Seahawks 23
Cleveland Browns @ Carolina Panthers
September 11, 1:00 PM
As was the case with the previous matchup, this matchup will mean a lot to the teams and players involved. Baker Mayfield, who was Cleveland’s starting quarterback for the last four years, was replaced by DeShaun Watson this offseason. Although Watson will not be on the field for this matchup, this game will likely mean more to Mayfield than any game ever will.
He will be out for revenge, but I would expect Cleveland to have a chip on their shoulder, too. Although I believe Cleveland is the better team, I believe Baker will lead Carolina to a Week 1 victory.
PREDICTION: Browns 17 Panthers 24
Green Bay Packers @Minnesota Vikings
September 11, 4:25 PM
This rivalry features two teams that most are expecting to finish atop the NFC North. For Aaron Rodgers, it will be his first game without star wide receivers Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Many believe Rodgers will not be the same without the services of Adams and Scantling, and I am sure Rodgers is eager to prove his critics wrong.
I think the Packers will be just fine. Give me the Packers to win comfortably and show everyone that this is still their division.
PREDICTION: Packers 34 Vikings 24
Kansas City Chiefs @ Arizona Cardinals
September 11, 4:25 PM
This matchup features two teams that made the playoffs last year and will vie for a playoff spot again this year. All eyes will be on how Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray perform without their top weapons from a year ago. Mahomes will be without Tyreek Hill, who is now a Miami Dolphin.
As for Murray, he will be without top wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who will be serving a six-game suspension for PEDs. I think both quarterbacks will feel the loss of their top wide receiver, but I think it will be Mahomes and the Chiefs that will prevail in this one.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 31 Cardinals 20
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
September 11, 1:00 PM
The Bills may be the class of the AFC East, but the Patriots and Dolphins will likely be competing for second place in the division. Last year, the Dolphins defeated the Patriots 17-16 in Week 1 and 33-24 in Week 18.
I think this will be on the Patriots mind. Expect Mac Jones to take another step forward this year and lead the Patriots to a narrow victory over the Dolphins in Week 1.
PREDICTION: Patriots 20 Dolphins 17
With some matchups having the potential to be Super Bowl previews, others being divisional rivalries, and others featuring players that surely have revenge on their minds, Week 1 should bring lots of excitement. It is hard to believe another NFL season is finally upon us, and I have no doubt that Week 1 will be well worth the wait.
