NFL predictions week 1: Chiefs, Chargers should win opening games

Football is finally back. In the first week, there are already games with playoff implications. Who will come out on top in the first matchups? We discuss.

The NFL is finally back. This means that we can finally discuss real matchups that actually matter. Every year, there are wild finishes in week one, and we expect nothing less this season.

There will undoubtedly be some upsets and unexpected heroes. With key divisional matchups in week one, there are already potential playoff implications in the first week.

Here are our picks and some analysis for every game that you can watch this weekend.

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings

This will be a matchup of potential bounce-back seasons. For the Falcons, the defense was banged up from the get-go and struggled to recover as the season went on. For the Vikings, everything was out-of-sync immediately and Kirk Cousins disappointed an entire fanbase that was hoping to make a deep playoff run. Now, both teams duel for a chance to start off on the right foot. Both teams have serious firepower and I believe it may be one of the best games of the week. Ultimately, I think that the Vikings will pull out a close win.

Falcons: 24 Vikings: 27

Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles

Case Keenum will get the nod as the starter for Washington and will get a chance to rebound after a difficult season in Denver. As for the Eagles, Carson Wentz returns to lead the way for the offense. Philadelphia is a very talented team on paper. The Eagles should run away with this one at home.

Redskins: 19 Eagles: 31

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

It seems like every season is fixed in the AFC East. The Patriots seem to always run away with the division and everyone else is miles behind. Now, the Bills and Jets have a chance to change the narrative. After a busy offseason for both teams, the teams appear to be in a place of real growth. Sam Darnold and Josh Allen enter their second seasons and lead their offenses to face off in a key divisional matchup. I believe that the Bills defeat the Jets in a tight contest because their defense will show up in a big way on the road.

Bills: 20 Jets: 13

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

The Ravens still have one of the most talented defenses in football. Despite losing CJ Mosely and Eric Weddle, the team managed to add Earl Thomas to the back end. Baltimore will have a more college-style offense than we have seen in a long time in the NFL. With the athleticism of Lamar Jackson, it just might work. In Miami, it looks like it might be a long season. Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting Quarterback and the starting left tackle is no longer with the team. Look for the Ravens to win this one handily.

Ravens: 24 Dolphins: 13

Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Chiefs begin the season on the road against the Jaguars. While there is no shortage of offensive firepower for the Chiefs, all eyes will be on their defense as they face off against Nick Foles and the Jaguars offense. Steve Spagnuolo has kept the defense tame throughout the preseason, but I would expect a series of blitzes and aggression starting in week one. As for the Jaguars, they will need the most out of their star cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye to cover Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins. Ultimately, I don’t think that the Jags will be able to keep up.

Chiefs: 34 Jaguars: 23

Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns

With a flurry of offseason acquisitions, the national media is ready to dub the Browns a contender. While John Dorsey has a great eye for talent, he has put teams in to a salary cap disaster. So, if the Browns are a contender, they may need to win sooner than later. For the Titans, Mike Vrabel starts his second season at the head coach. While there is discomfort with Marcus Mariota running the offense, many are expecting Tennessee’s defense to be a solid unit. I look for the Titans to be a bit better than some expect, but I think the Browns beat them in week one at home.

Titans: 17 Browns: 28

Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers

The Rams found their way to the Super Bowl last season and the Panthers found their way into a rut. While the Rams are known for having a great offense under the direction of Sean McVay, the Panthers have an underrated defense. With Luke Kuechly in the middle of the field, Gerald McCoy up front, and Eric Reid and Tre Boston taking control of the backfield, the Pathers may give the Rams a little trouble. That being said, Cam Newton is continuously banged up and the team is still searching for a clear cut #1 receiver. I believe that the Panthers will win it in an overtime shocker.

Rams: 27 Panthers: 30/OT

Cincinnati Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks

The Bengals are in a huge transition and the Seahawks are fighting to stay relevant in the NFC West. Andy Dalton will get at least one more shot at staying the starter for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Seahawks hope to get the most out DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on offense, but can also run the ball well. The Bengals will struggle on both sides of the ball this year and without A.J. Green, they could struggle to win 5 games this season. Give me the Seahawks in a comfortable victory at home.

Bengals: 13 Seahawks: 31

Indianapolis Colts @ Los Angeles Chargers

After the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck, all the attention shifts to Jacoby Brissett to lead the Colts offense. Ideally, his first start would not come playing against the Chargers on the road. Despite reportedly being interested in LeSean McCoy and missing out on him, it sounds as though the Chargers will begin the season without Melvin Gordon. Los Angeles will have a chance to build on a very good season last year. While I think that the Colts will be a scrappy team this season, I believe they will drop the first game to the Chargers.

Colts: 17 Chargers: 24

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals

Both teams are looking for any kind of positivity that they can find. After an abysmal season for the Cardinals last season, they are hoping that youngster Kyler Murray can be as electric as he was in college for the Sooners. For the Lions, Matt Patricia hopes to bring the “Patriot way” and create a stellar defense to lead the way. While this game may not be fun to watch, there are some reasons to like where these franchises are headed. In a close one, I expect the Lions find a way to knock off the Cardinals at home.

Lions: 21 Cardinals: 20

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliot returns just in time to face off against the divisional opponent Giants. In a battle of running backs, between Elliot and Saquon Barkley, the game may not last very long as the time will continuously run. While the Giants hope to rebound this season, it does not appear to me that they can win week one in Dallas, where the Cowboys dominated last season. With a great defense and serviceable offense, the Cowboys will be difficult for anyone, let alone the Giants.

Giants: 16 Cowboys: 28

San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This game is truly a toss-up. While I like what the 49ers have done for their defense, I do not believe that Jimmy Garappolo is the answer to all of their offensive woes from a season ago. Matt Breida and George Kittle are nice pieces, but will need to take a step forward this season. The Bucs are an interesting team with Bruce Arians at the helm. If Jameis Winston was ever going to get to the place that he was expected to be, now would be the time. Just because weird things happen in week one, give me the Buccaneers in a blowout.

49ers: 13 Buccaneers: 35

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots

The Patriots look to defend their Super Bowl title. It seems like we say that far too often, but here we are. While Tom Brady refuses to age, some of his teammates have moved on to other teams or retired. Can Bill Belichick continue his magic, or will they struggle for once? All things considered; the Steelers are no push-over. Mike Tomlin will have his team ready and without distractions from Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, perhaps the squad will be more cohesive. It seems to me that both teams are set to take a step back this season, but I think the Steelers will squeak one out against the Patriots, who seem to always start slow.

Steelers: 27 Patriots: 23

Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints

The Texans hope to clinch AFC South after the announcement of Andrew Luck’s retirement. Starting against the Saints is not an easy task. The Saints, by all accounts, should have been the NFC Champion last season but had a terrible no-call on an obvious pass interference. Houston traded for some offensive line help, but have struggled to find consistency. As it is every season, I believe that Houston will be disappointing. They could win their division, but they can’t beat the Saints in week one.

Texans: 17 Saints: 31

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders

The two teams that brought up the rear in the AFC West last season have a chance to get an early lead on one another. The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco and hope that he can return to his former self, that helped maneuver a Super Bowl victory in Baltimore. Whereas, the Raiders hope that they can get the most out Antonio Brown, who they traded for this offseason. While both teams are pretty inconsistent, they will be difficult teams to play in 2019. I think the Broncos take down the hometown Raiders in a hard-fought matchup to round out the first week.

Broncos: 23 Raiders: 14