Without a pre-season to ponder, we are straight into competitive football action next week. The Chiefs tackle the Texans on Thursday night in our big opener. It’s harder than normal to say how the teams are shaping up but I am going to have a go at predicting the outcomes of Week 1 anyway!
So here are my NFL Week One Predictions:
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Texans had a pretty good year last year but few expect them to progress further this time around. For the Chiefs they are looking to be pushed on by at least some fans inside Arrowhead Stadium. If Pat Mahomes and Tyreek Hill pick up where the left off, I can only see one winner here.
Prediction: Texans 13 Chiefs 31
Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons
With the stadium likely to be empty, Atlanta’s home advantage goes out of the window here. This could prove to be vital as this looks like a close one to call. It will also likely be a high scoring game with both teams full of talent in the offense.
Prediction: Seahawks 35 Falcons 27
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
Fans of both teams will be expecting some exciting football this season. Lamar Jackson is only going to get better and he has improved receiver options available this time round. Browns will look to continue to develop under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Quarterback Baker Mayfield will be hoping to impress early on. For this game though I think Baltimore has the better weapons.
Prediction: Browns 21 Ravens 31
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Football Team
Washington are being tipped by many to end up bottom of the pile this season. I can still see new head coach Ron Rivera grabbing a couple of decent wins this year but not in this opener. Eagles have lofty ambitions this time around and have improved all over the field.
Prediction: Eagles 42 Washington 10
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
Expect a tight one here in Minnesota as two play off teams from season last battle it out. Vikings will be looking for revenge after failing to get the better of Packers last year and they have improved in the right area to do so. Matt LaFleur knows how to get the best out of his team though and I expect the Packers to edge it.
Prediction: Packers 17 Vikings 14
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
The Bears will be solid defensively but lacking a bit in the offense department. Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles will be the main Quarterback options with the former more likely to secure the starting spot. The Lions with a fit and healthy Matthew Stafford should see them edge out the Bears here.
Prediction: Bears 14 Lions 17
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills are fancied to knock the Patriots off their AFC East perch this season. That might have more to do with their rivals losing their big guns than the Bills improving massively. They will however have little trouble getting the better of this Jets team mind you. Adam Gase’s side continue to look weak defensively and a bit all over the place in terms of forward options.
Prediction: Jets 7 Bills 24
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Both teams have improved defensively but I can’t see either making much of a dent when it comes to overall wins this year. The Colts will no doubt be the better of the two teams here however as they look to get the best out 38 year old quarterback Philip Rivers.
Prediction: Colts 21 Jaguars 10
Las Vegas Raiders @ Carolina Panthers
Las Vegas lands in the NFL under the Raiders identity. Exciting times are ahead for the franchise, especially when fans get to pack out their amazing new stadium. This isn’t a new team however and they have a roster full of top pros. The Panthers on the other hand have gone through a lot of changes for this season including the loss of iconic quarterback Cam Newton. It will interesting to see how their new acquisitions perform but I think the Raiders will come out on top here.
Prediction: Raider 27 Panther 17
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
Cam Newton looks set to start at quarterback as the Patriots begin their post Brady era. we need to remember that Bill Belichick is still in charge here however and the Patriots will be no mugs this year. The Dolphins are looking to kick start a new era themselves with Tua Tagovailoa hoping to break through as quarterback . It’s a tough start for Miami though and New England will be too strong.
Prediction: Dolphins 14 Patriots 27
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are probably in the toughest division in NFL. Their offense is actually shaping up pretty well with Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon and A.J Green all more than capable of getting this team points. The defense is still gong to cause them serious issues though. The Chargers on the other hand have one of the best defense teams in the game and enough in offense to win this game.
Prediction: Chargers 35 Bengals 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
All eyes will be on the new Tom Brady show this year. He has brought along tight end Rob Gronkowsk for the ride and what a ride this could be. As good as Tampa will be going forward, they do still have a defense that won’t hit the same heights unfortunately. This will at least mean some high scoring games. The Saints have a legend of their own in Drew Brees in what might be his swansong season. Should be a cracking game and the Saints will be too strong overall.
Prediction: Buccanees 27 Saints 35
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
It will be interesting to see how the 49ers bounce back from last seasons Super Bowl defeat. They have the added problem of injuries in the summer that might see them off to a slow start. The Cardinals will still be competitive this year with quarterback Kyler Murray starting his second season. This is a tough one to call but San Franciscos defense should hold firm.
Prediction: Cardinals 7 49ers 17
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams
It’s sad that we won’t see the Rams new state of the art stadium full of fans. But this is will be a good game for sitting on the sofa. It’s a fresh start for Dallas with new head coach Mike McCarthy looking after things. You have to say they look good for a play off spot with this exciting team. They should get off to a good start here.
Prediction: Cowboys 31 Rams 13
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Giants
Many have the Steelers fighting it out with the Ravens to top AFC North. With a fit Ben Roethlisberger it’s hard to argue against that. But this is a dangerous opener against an unfancied Giants team who might shock a few teams this year. If Daniel Jones steps up to the plate and Saquon Barkley stays fit, then Giants will be looking to push teams like the Steelers close.
Prediction: Steelers 24 Giants 20
Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos
The Titans had one heck of a season last year and might again be a tough nut to track this time round. Ryan Tannehill, Derick Henry and A.J Brown wouldn’t look out of place in any roster and the defense isn’t too shabby either. The Broncos are being seen as a bit of a force themselves though and have added some solid talent to their roster. This has the ingredients to be one of the most intriguing games of the opening weekend.