2024 Week 1 NFL Predictions
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are the Super Bowl champions and the best team in the NFL. This is the season opener, and it’s at their home. KC is chasing a three-peat, and this is the beginning of it. They get the win in Arrowhead and start hot.
Winner: Chiefs
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
The Panthers haven’t made many major improvements, and losing Brian Burns also hurts their defense. The Saints still lack identity, but they have a more cohesive roster. New Orleans will win this one, but the rest of the season doesn’t look good for either team.
Winner: Saints
Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants
The Giants have a real shot to start the year off strong here. Minnesota’s offense is heavily depleted compared to last year, and the Giants’ defense looks impressive. Justin Jefferson can do plenty of things, but carrying the Vikings’ offense in 2024 will be a difficult challenge even for him.
Winner: Giants
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have a history of starting the season off hot. As talented as they are, the Packers still have a young team that’s finding their groove. This should be an extremely close game, but Philly will steal the win.
Winner: Eagles
New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals
This is Cincy’s game to win here. Joe Burrow will want to come out strong and prove himself again. If they can get Jamarr Chase on the field, that’s even better. The Pats have an uphill battle right now, and it's too steep in week 1.
Winner: Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Atlanta Falcons
The Steelers have a strong roster that should exceed expectations this year. They also still have one of the most fun defenses in football. The Falcons have a high-powered offense that should’ve been impressive for a few years now. They can reach their potential with a new coach and a veteran QB. They’ll put it together this year, and they’ll start right away.
Winner: Falcons
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson is returning for the Colts. They have all the potential in the world, and this season should be an improvement over the last. The Texans are scolding hot right now, though. CJ Stroud has an insane offense that now includes Stefon Diggs, and they have a top-five defense in the league. The Texans are contenders, and it’s time to watch them win.
Winner: Texans
Arizona Cardinals @ Buffalo Bills
Arizona gave Kyler Murray a massive weapon in Marvin Harrison Jr. this year. That connection will be fun, but it will take some time before they’re dangerous. The Bills lost a lot of weapons, but their offense is sneaky good, and they should surprise fans this year. Josh Allen is still one of the best QBs in football, and he’ll elevate this offense in a major way.
Winner: Bills
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins
The Jaguars are not a bad team by any means. Going into head coach Dough Pederson’s third year, they’re on an upswing and they should be fun this season. Miami still has a loaded offense, though, and a great defense to match. Head coach Mike McDaniel just re-signed with the team and they’re looking to win again. This is Miami all the way.
Winner: Dolphins
Tennessee Titans @ Chicago Bears
It’s far too early to hop on the Caleb Williams hype train, but the Bears’ roster looks great beyond him. The Titans are now without Derrick Henry, and it’s time for Will Levis to get the start at quarterback. They have a sneaky good offense around Levis, though. Chicago is excited about their team this year, and playing at home could win them the game.
Winner: Bears
Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks
Broncos QB Bo Nix looked like tremendous in the preseason and earned himself the starting job. The Seahawks are mostly the same team they were last year. While that’s not bad, there isn’t much expectation to exceed 2023. The Broncos make a statement in week one and get a win in Seattle.
Winner: Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers
New head coach Antonio Pierce is rolling with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, and it’s a great choice for them. Pierce brings a culture change that Vegas desperately needs. The Chargers are a completely different team this year. With new coach Jim Harbaugh and a depleted receiver room, they’re starting over completely. They’ll be successful, but not right away. The Raiders leave with this one.
Winner: Raiders
Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions
This could be the most exciting matchup of the season. Matt Stafford returns to Detroit once again to face his former team. They met in the playoffs last year, and the Lions came out with the win. Now LA is without a key defensive player, and Detroit has only improved. The Lions are true Super Bowl contenders, and they’re lighting that fire in Week One.
Winner: Lions
Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns
This game is one of the easier ones to call this weekend. The Cowboys just re-signed CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott is starting a contract year, and their defense is still dangerous. The Browns have a talented roster, but Deshaun Watson has not panned out the way they want. Cleveland will struggle until he can return to form, starting in week One.
Winner: Cowboys
Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are a surprisingly good team, and that won’t change. Baker Mayfield has found himself again and brought them to the playoffs in his first year there. The Commanders are looking at a rookie QB with all the expectations and a defense that was disappointing a year ago. Like many teams, they’re on the upswing but have a tough matchup in Tampa.
Winner: Buccaneers
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers
Exactly one year ago, Jets fans were buzzing for Aaron Rodgers's arrival. He was injured minutes into the game and missed the year. After that, New York was a disaster; their whole game plan went down with Rodgers. Now, he returns against one of the best defenses in football away from home. This is just an unfortunate start for New York, but a Week-two bounceback is highly likely.
Winner: 49ers
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