NFL week 1 kicks off on Thursday night with the Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles have a lot of expectations on their shoulders, but so do the Falcons. Fifteen more NFL week 1 games will follow on Sunday and Monday for a huge weekend of gridiron action.
NFL week 1 predictions
Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Nick Foles will start on Thursday night for the Eagles. The Falcons will have wide receiver Julio Jones back for the game as Matt Ryan’s favorite target is fit to play. Although the Falcons have a lot of hype behind them, the Eagles have momentum from last season.
Winner: Philadelphia
Tennessee Titans vs. Miami Dolphins
Are the Miami Dolphins better than they were last season? The team was four games below .500 and finished third in the AFC East. Tennessee made the playoffs and beat the Kansas City Chiefs in round 1. The offense wasn’t great but the team was 8-4 in the AFC. Miami should be good enough at home to get the win, however.
Winner: Miami
Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens
Nathan Peterman will start under center for the Buffalo Bills. After trading Tyrod Tyler, the Bills could take a major step backwards this year. The Baltimore Ravens are always solid defensively. Both finished 9-7 last season, but the Ravens should start the season with the win.
Winner: Baltimore
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
New England is the favorite to win the AFC. Opening against Houston, who went 3-9 last season, shouldn’t be a problem for Tom Brady and company.
Winner: New England
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Giants
The Giants haven’t named a starting quarterback yet. It does look likely to be Eli Manning once more, however. Jacksonville made the playoffs last season, but three of the team’s losses came to NFC teams. Regardless, if Manning is at QB, the Giants will struggle.
Winner: Jacksonville
Pittsburgh Steeler vs. Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh has dominated its rivalry against the Cleveland Browns over the decades. This season’s first meeting shouldn’t be much of a difference. The Browns are still the Browns, and the team will take a beating once more this season.
Winner: Pittsburgh
San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings
This isn’t the San Francisco 49ers people remember. This is Jimmy Garoppalo’s team, which won its last five games of last season. Minnesota does have a solid defense and new quarterback Kirk Cousins will make the offense better. But don’t count out Garoppalo in a close game.
Winner: Minnesota
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans was one defensive stop away from making the NFC Championship Game. Minnesota’s miracle disallowed that from happening. Drew Brees and company have a chip on their shoulder this season. The Bucs won just once in the NFC South last season. Things won’t get any better this year.
Winner: New Orleans
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts
It is a new era in Indianapolis as Frank Reich takes over as head coach. The Colts should have Andrew Luck under center as he has returned to practice from a foot injury. The Bengals fired their offensive coordinator and somehow the hapless Marvin Lewis is still the head coach. Andy Dalton could be replaced soon and NBC Sports reported Colin Kaepernick is being considered as a new quarterback. Things are dire in Cincinnati.
Winner: Indianapolis
Kansas City Chiefs vs. LA Chargers
Patrick Mahomes is now the Chiefs new quarterback. Expect him to struggle, especially against a Chargers team that improved as the season went on last year.
Winner: LA Chargers
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers
Ezekiel Elliot is back for the Cowboys. Without him last season, the team struggled mightily. Dallas is far better with him in the backfield. Carolina isn’t a pushover, however. The Panthers were just 7-5 in the NFC last year and suffered all losses against NFC teams. At home against Dallas, Carolina should squeeze by with a win.
Winner Carolina
Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos
The Case Keenum era starts in Denver a season after he led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. He is an upgrade, but the Seahawks have Russell Wilson. The Seahawks will be better this season than last year’s 9-7 record. Who knows about the Broncos.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals
Washington will start Alex Smith against the Arizona Cardinals. Some expect an improved Redskins team compared to the one Kirk Cousins led last year. The Cardinals suffered through injuries to key players last season but reeled off two wins to finish .500. Neither was good against NFC rivals last season, but Smith’s arrival should make Washington the better team on Sunday.
Winner: Washington
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Chicago was 0-6 in the NFC Central last season. Just one of the Bears’ five wins came against NFC teams. Green Bay has a healthy Aaron Rodgers. An NFL week 1 win may be difficult to get, but the Packers will win at home.
Winner: Green Bay
New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions
Sam Darnold has been named the New York Jets’ starter. The Jets will struggle with a rookie QB. Detroit will have the experienced Matt Stafford. A home win to start the year will get Lions’ fans excited for a possible playoff run.
Winner: Detroit
LA Rams vs. Oakland Raiders
The LA Rams have one of the best one-two punches in the NFL with Todd Gurley and Jared Goff. The Rams were a perfect 4-0 against the AFC last season. The team’s offense was electric and should be just as good this year. The Raiders lost four straight last season to kill all playoff hopes. Derek Carr was unable to replicate his 2016 and now the Raiders have traded top linebacker Khalil Mack. The team’s 2018 season may be a long one in Oakland.
Winner: LA Rams
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