Courtesy of Freepik
The NFL season is officially underway, and it started off with a bang. The Kansas City Chiefs, who won their second consecutive Super Bowl last season, took on the Baltimore Ravens (the team Kansas City defeated to get to the Super Bowl). Kansas City came away with the win, as they beat Baltimore 27-20.
The action is just beginning, as other teams will be in action over the weekend (like the Eagles and Packers). Come Sunday, there are several games going on with matchups such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins, and the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns.
There is plenty of action and plenty of picks. With that said, let’s take a look at those games and who could take them.
Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints (Saints -4) – The Carolina Panthers start their season on the road, as they head to Caesars Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints. Carolina finished last season with a record of 2-15, with their wins being against the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina won one of their three preseason games, as they beat the Buffalo Bills 31-26. This season will be a journey for Carolina, but a road win to start the season could be a momentum boost going into the rest of the season. The Saints finished last season with a record of 9-8. They were second in the NFC South, while their opponent (the Panthers) were last. The Saints won one of their preseason games with a win over the Arizona Cardinals. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers and the Tennessee Titans. The Saints have four players out for this game and have three that are questionable. However, the Saints should still be able to get a win over their NFC South rival.
Prediction: The Saints take it
Minnesota Vikings vs New York Giants (Vikings -1.5) – The Minnesota Vikings finished last season with a record of 7-10. They played well in the preseason, as they went 3-0 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Cleveland Browns and the Eagles. The preseason is not always something to read into once the regular season starts, but as Minnesota gears up for their road game against the New York Giants, they have a little bit of momentum. The Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy from the University of Michigan in the 2024 draft. McCarthy won Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and helped lead his team to a national championship in Michigan’s win over Washington. McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury prior to the season, and now, Sam Darnold, who the Vikings signed back in March will be their go-to guy. Losing their rookie quarterback is tough, and is something they will have to navigate, but starting their season with a win would be a good start. The New York Giants finished last season with a record of 6-11. They ended up with the sixth pick of the 2024 draft, and they selected Malik Nabers out of LSU. The Giants will look to defend their home turf and start their season with a win, but Mineesota could take it.
Prediction: The Vikings pull off a win
New England Patriots vs Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals -7.5)
The New England Patriots finished last season with a record of 4-13. Their difficult season led to them getting the third pick of the 2024 draft, and they drafted Drake Maye out of North Carolina. Maye had his share of accolades in college and could be the quarterback of the future for the Patriots. Maye will not be starting (for now) but he can still make an impact. The Cincinnati Bengals finished last season with a record of 9-8. They suffered a big blow when they lost quarterback Joe Burrow to a wrist injury. Burrow has said he feels healthy, but also mentioned that it will be a process throughout the season. Cincinnati will look to start their season off with a win, and against the Patriots they can do just that.
Prediction: The Begnals win.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons (Falcons -3.5) – The Pittsburgh Steelers finished last season with a record of 10-7. They were in the AFC North. The Steelers lost their Wildcard game against the Buffalo Bills last season. The Steelers brought in Russell Wilson, who will be their starting quarterback. However, he is currently questionable in their first game with a calf injury. The Atlanta Falcons were 7-10 last season. They had the eighth pick of the 2024 draft and drafted Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington. They also brought in Kirk Cousins. Both teams have quarterback situations (a veteran quarterback and a younger one) and with Wilson potentially questionable, the Falcons can get the win.
Prediction: The Falcons win.
Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts (Texans -3) – The Houston Texans finished last season with a record of 10-7. They were the top team in the AFC South. They beat the Cleveland Browns in the Wildcard round, but lost to Baltimore in the next round. Their quarterback C.J. Stroud had an impressive rookie season, and this year could be even better. The Indianapolis Colts finished last season with a record of 9-8. The Colts brought in Joe Flacco, a quarterback that Stroud faced in the Wildcard round, as Flacco played for the Cleveland Browns at that time. The Texans have a chance to get a win on the road. Chances are they will.
Prediction: The Texans win
Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills (Bills -6.5) – The Arizona Cardinals struggled last season, as they finished with a record of 4-13. They received the fourth pick of the 2024 draft and brought in Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State. The receiver can make an impact and if Kyler Murray is healthy, that could be a good pairing. A win to start the season would be nice, but they have a tough opponent. The Buffalo Bills finished the season with a record of 11-6. They beat the Steelers in the Wildcard round but lost to Kansas City in a close game the next round. The Bills will be home for this game, and have a chance to start the season on a good note.
Prediction: The Bills get the win
Tennessee Titans vs Chicago Bears (Bears -3.5)
The Tennessee Titans finished last season with a record of 6-11. They received the seventh pick of the 2024 draft as a result, and they selected OT JC Latham out of Alabama. The Titans will look to start their season on the right foot. The Chicago Bears went 7-10 last season and received the first pick. They drafted Caleb Williams out of USC, who won the Heisman trophy in 2022. The expectations for Williams are high and this game is a chance to show what he is capable of.
Prediction: The Bears win
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Miami Dolphins (Dolphins -3.5) – The Jacksonville Jaguars finished the season 9-8 last year. The Jaguars won all of their preseason games, and in their first week, they could pull off a nice win. However, it will not be easy. The Miami Dolphins went 11-6 last season, and lost to Kansas City in the playoffs. Miami signed Jalen Ramsey to an extension recently, and while he is questionable, Miami is a threat and can get the win.
Prediction: The Dolphins win.
Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks ( Seahawks -6) – The Denver Broncos finished last season with a record of 8-9. They had the 12th pick of the draft and drafted Bo Nix out of Oregon. Their opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, finished the season with a record of 9-8. The last time these teams played, the Seahawks beat the Broncos 17-16. Can the Broncos get revenge? Or, will the Seahawks get another win?
Prediction: The Seahawks take it
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers (Chargers -3) – The Las Vegas Raiders finished the season with a record of 8-9. The Los Angeles Chargers went 5-12 last season. The Chargers drafted OT Joe Alt out of Notre Dame in the 2024 draft. The Raiders beat the Chargers in their last outing, but the Chargers have a chance to get a win.
Prediction: The Raiders win
Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns (Browns -2.5) – The Dallas Cowboys went 12-5 last season, and after losing to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, the Cowboys are looking to start the season on a good note and down the line, be a contender. Their opponent, the Browns, finished 11-6 last season. They reached the playoffs, but lost to the Texans. The Browns want to keep moving forward, and keep their quarterback Deshaun Watson healthy. The Browns are a tough team at home, and could take this game.
Prediction: The Browns win
Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Buccaneers -3.5) – The Washington Commanders finished the season 4-13. They were on an eight-game losing streak. They ended up with the second pick of the 2024 draft and drafted Jayden Daniels. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 9-8 last season. They were the top team of the NFC South. The Commanders are trying to find their way, but Tampa Bay should get this win.
Prediction: The Buccaneers win
Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions (Lions -4.5) – The Los Angeles Rams finished the season with a record of 10-7. They lost to Jacksonville in the playoffs. The Detroit Lions had a strong season, and finished with a record of 12-5. They beat the Rams and the Buccaneers in the playoffs before losing to San Francisco. The Lions are in for a good season and it starts with a win here.
Prediction: The Lions win
New York Jets vs San Francisco 49ers (49ers -4.5) – The New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers are the first Monday night game of the season. The Jets finished last season with a record of 7-10. The 49ers finished the season with a record of 12-5. The 49ers reached the Super Bowl, but lost to the Chiefs. The 49ers will look to go reach the big game once again, and games like this could put them in position.
Prediction: The 49ers win
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