Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys are defensive lightweights. Even with the addition of Kenny Clark, they don’t have players who are capable of neutralizing Philly’s amazing offensive line and winning at the point of attack. On the other side, the Eagles have the cornerbacks needed to limit the production that we should expect from the duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. I also think Dak Prescott will make a critical error late in the game.
Eagles win 33-29
NFL São Paulo Game
Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers
After getting embarrassed in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs will come out fast and strong as they look to punch a Chargers team in the mouth that will have to go the whole season without its best offensive lineman. A defensive guru like KC’s Steve Spagnuolo will be able to take advantage of that weakness in the trenches. At the same time, Patrick Mahomes will expose LA’s secondary, which is dealing with injuries to four players.
Chiefs win 23-21
Sunday Early Games
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
It is going to be a bad season for the Browns, who are good defensively but an absolute wash on the offensive side of the ball. That probably won’t be the case on Sunday, when they go up against a weak Bengals defense. Even still, Cleveland doesn’t have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with Joe Burrow and that dynamic Cincy offense.
Bengals win 35-24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons
The Bucs not having Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin will be a huge detriment, especially with the Falcons sporting a new-look defense that includes two first-round draft pick pass rushers and Leonard Floyd. Tampa will probably be so focused on stopping Bijan Robinson and the rushing attack that they’ll overlook Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who will shine in the season opener.
Falcons win 28-27
Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts
The expectations for both of these teams are incredibly low. The Colts will probably be one of the three worst teams in the league, while the Dolphins will experience injuries on the offensive side of the ball and start floundering (HA!) midway through the season. At least Miami can go into Week One healthy, which should make this an easy victory for the ‘Phins.
Dolphins win 27-13
Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots
This has a chance to be the game of the weekend. Both teams enter this matchup with completely new looks on the offensive side of the ball and elite defensive head coaches. The Pats get the edge in this matchup because their offensive line is better than Vegas’. It also doesn’t hurt that this is a home game, and New England’s fans will be ravenous for a win to kick off a season with high expectations.
Patriots win 25-23
Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints
If there were ever a layup for the Arizona Cardinals to get their season off to a hot start, this would be it. The redesigned Cardinals pass-rush will make Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler incredibly uncomfortable. Plus, New Orleans’ older defenders don’t have the conditioning to chase around a speedy quarterback like Kyler Murray for 60 minutes.
Cardinals win 29-17
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Jets
I can’t think of a better way to kick off the Aaron Rodgers revenge tour than with a game against the team that ran him out of New York. A-Rod is going to come into MetLife Stadium and dismantle the Jets. A high-IQ quarterback like him knows the weaknesses of Gang Green’s best players, and he’s going to exploit them in this contest. Also, the Steelers understand how to defend Justin Fields after seeing him play in games and participate in practice last season.
Steelers win 31-23
New York Giants @ Washington Commanders
New York’s strong defense vs. Washington’s impressive offense. The Giants’ laughable offense vs. the Commanders’ mediocre defense. This one has the makings of a great game. Big Blue will make Jayden Daniels run around, but they’ll actually struggle to bring him down. Meanwhile, the Giants won’t have enough offensive explosiveness to pull off the win.
Commanders win 28-23
Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Expectations should be high on both sides for this one. Whoever wins this game, that team’s fanbase will delude itself into believing that its squad can make the playoffs this year. In reality, this is a Week One matchup between two teams that won’t finish the regular season with winning records. The Panthers snatch the victory because they are used to head coach Dave Canales’ system, while there are bound to be some mistakes and growing pains for Jacksonville under rookie coach Liam Coen.
Panthers win 24-21
Sunday Late Games
Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos
Cam Ward will be a good quarterback in the NFL, and the Tennessee Titans will undoubtedly be better than they were last year. But that turnaround will not begin against the Denver Broncos, who had the third-best scoring defense in the NFL last season. Tennessee will have to keep waiting for its first regular-season victory since November 24th, 2024.
Broncos win 26-17
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
This is a tough test to start Sam Darnold’s tenure as the new quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. The San Francisco 49ers will be out for blood after an uncharacteristically disappointing 2024-25 campaign. This will also be just the second time that Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald will be facing a healthy Christian McCaffery. San Fran will beat Seattle in a low-scoring affair.
49ers win 20-16
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
This game can set the tone of the season for both of these teams. If the Lions look weak or undisciplined, all the talk will be about how they’ll take a step back after losing their offensive and defensive coordinators. If the Packers come up short, people will question Jordan Love and trading for Micah Parsons. Since Green Bay is already struggling with wide receiver injuries, and they’re secondary feels suspect, Detroit has the advantage in what should be a close contest.
Lions win 30-27
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Rams
The 2025 NFL Playoffs taught me to stop underestimating the Houston Texans. With Rams tackle Alaric Jackson dealing with an injury and Matthew Stafford managing an aggravated disc in his back, the Texans’ pass rush should make things very difficult for Los Angeles. If Houston’s offensive line can limit the Rams to three sacks or fewer, the Texans should have no problem taking this game on the road.
Texans win 24-23
Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills
On paper, this should be the best game of Week One. The 2024 MVP is facing off against the 2023 MVP in a rematch from the 2025 NFL Playoffs. No offense to Bills fans, but Baltimore has a more talented roster than Buffalo. And unlike last time, the snow and swirling winds of Highmark Stadium will not play a factor in this game, making it much easier for Lamar Jackson (and Mark Andrews) to avoid turnovers. By taking care of the football, the Ravens will spoil the Bills’ home opener.
Ravens win 31-30
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Whichever team loses this game, expect that fanbase to overreact to the outcome and respond as if the sky is falling. The Bears have some concerns at their starting tackle spots, which Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores will take advantage of. The Vikings shouldn’t have a very hard time establishing the run early, which will open up the field for quarterback J.J. McCarthy to manage the game and make easy completions to Minnesota’s elite receivers.
Vikings win 27-23
