A lot will play out in the upcoming season, but getting that win in the first game of the season is always big for any of the 32 NFL teams.
The big questions regarding that opening game are about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and new head coach Matt LaFleur and how well they will get along this season. There is also the matter of how Bears QB Mitch Trubisky will play on Thursday night after taking only three snaps and having no pass attempts in the pre-season.
The Bears and Packers is a big game, but let's not forget the Sunday night game in New England, where the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots will be hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers and their revamped offense (of sorts) as QB Ben Roethlisberger no longer has wide receiver Antonio Brown in his corner. Brown is now with the Oakland Raiders, leaving WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner to help the attack.
The Patriots have QB Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, the greatest QB-Coach winning duo in the history of the NFL, on their sideline for the game.
Enough said.
Two teams chasing the New England Patriots in the AFC East division will go at it in Week One as the Buffalo Bills travel to face the New York Jets in what could be a very exciting game that may very well go right down to the wire.
The Kansas City Chiefs and their high octane offense, led by QB Patrick Mahomes, will be in Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are looking to rebound from a disastrous 2018 season. The Chiefs led the NFL in scoring a year ago and seem to think they have a much better defense than last year. They will be tested by Jags QB Nick Foles, who comes over from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl ring two years ago.
All in all, it should be a great start to the NFL's 100th season this weekend and the following capsule style previews takes a look at all of the action, followed by the Heftyinfo picks for Week One.
Thursday Night Football
Green Bay at Chicago - Can Aaron Rodgers and company spoil the big party in Chicago for the season opener? Not if the dominant Bears defense has anything to say about it.
Sunday Games
Washington at Philadelphia - The Eagles will be looking to soar in the season opener.
Buffalo at NY Jets - The Jets will have fresh legs in their offense as running back Le'Veon Bell makes his debut after a year long holdout. The Bills defense is solid and will make this a tight game.
Atlanta at Minnesota - This game will likely be a high scoring one and should go down to the wire.
Baltimore at Miami - We will see how intent the host Dolphins will be in the "tanking" category. The Ravens would love to roll it up on Miami with QB Lamar Jackson at the controls.
Kansas City at Jacksonville - Can Patrick Mahomes duplicate last year's ridiculous numbers? The Jaguars defense will be chomping at the bit to spoil the Chiefs game plan.
Tennessee at Cleveland - No more hype for the Browns, it's time to play the game. Titans will not roll over in this one.
LA Rams at Carolina - Super Bowl loser hangover? The Rams certainly hope not. Panthers hoping QB Cam Newton stays healthy this season.
Cincinnati at Seattle - The Seahawks have Jadeveon Clowney in the house, along with "The 12th Man" . . . Seahawks roll !
Indianapolis at LA Chargers - Two big weapons from each team are gone for this one. No QB Andrew Luck? Huge problem for Colts . . . No RB Melvin Gordon? Not so much, because the Chargers have QB Philip Rivers and that is the difference maker in this game.
San Francisco at Tampa Bay - Quarterback Jimmy G is back for the 'Niners, but don't sleep on the Buccaneers in this one because their head coach Bruce Arians is a good one.
NY Giants at Dallas - Zeke is back ! Cowboys roll big time in this one.
Detroit at Arizona - Cardinals are going with a rookie quarterback. Lions were a mess last year. Flip a coin in this one.
Pittsburgh at New England - This game is ALWAYS a good one. Take the Patriots at home.
Monday Night Games
Houston at New Orleans - Drew Brees and company are on a mission this year after being robbed by a terrible referee non-penalty call in the NFC Championship Game last January. The Texans defense could be in for a very long night.
Denver at Oakland - It's the Derek Carr-Antonio Brown era now for the Raiders (or is it?) . . . The Broncos are rolling with Joe Flacco at quarterback. Should be a fun game.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week One . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Chicago over Green Bay
Philadelphia over Washington
NY Jets over Buffalo
Minnesota over Atlanta
Baltimore over Miami
Kansas City over Jacksonville
Cleveland over Tennessee
LA Rams over Carolina
SEATTLE over Cincinnati
LA Chargers over Indianapolis
Tampa Bay over San Francisco
Dallas over NY Giants
Detroit over Arizona
New England over Pittsburgh
New Orleans over Houston
Oakland over Denver
Last Season's Record - 169-85-2
Lock of the Week Record - 15-2
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