This game will be getting all the hype as the NFL loves to do that sort of thing and this year features two football games taking place before the traditional Sunday games and of course, the Monday Night Football game. Look for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to deliver yet again in this one against the Ravens and their staunch defense. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson will look to atone for a subpar performance in that AFC title game last January that put a damper on what was his second MVP season (following his other one in the 2019 season).
The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will play on Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil in what could very well be a high scoring game between two teams that moved the football with consistency last season. The Monday night game will be in San Francisco as the 49ers take on the New York Jets, who are hoping that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will last more than just four plays this season.
All in all, Week One is very unpredictable as not too many regular players were in action in the pre-season contests. However, it's looking like quite a bit of "home" cooking in the opening week of the 2024 season.
The following will offer a capsule style preview of all the games and of course, the Heftyinfo predictions for the games as well.
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs - This one is the game of the week for sure. Mahomes and the Chiefs defending their back-to-back Super Bowl titles against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. Let's Go!
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (in Brazil) - There are serious safety concerns surrounding this game with all the chaos in Brazil, so both teams will play on and head back to the United States of America. Game will likely go down to the wire.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons - This game, like so many others in the season opener, could go either way. The Steelers have Russell Wilson at quarterback and the Falcons now have Kirk Cousins at QB for this season. Here we go!
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills - Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is looking forward to an injury free season while the Bills, with some starters out on defense, will look to QB Josh Allen and the offense to get it going.
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears - The new look Bears are gearing up for what could be a big season with rookie QB Caleb Williams and a strong defense and will take on a rebuilding Titans team in the Windy City.
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals roll !
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts - The Texans and hot shot second year QB C.J. Stroud take on the Colts and their second year QB Anthony Richardson, who missed most of last season with injuries. Toss up in this one.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins - Can the Jaguars defense slow down the high powered Dolphins offensive attack? This one should be a high scoring affair.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - The Panthers are looking to spring the upset in The Big Easy. Saints just missed the playoffs a year ago and QB Derek Carr wants to get the season off to good start.
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants - The Vikings still have All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, but no more Kirk Cousins at QB . . . Sam Darnold is now the man in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Giants are looking to rebound after a poor season as is QB Daniel Jones. Toss up here.
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers - The Jim Harbaugh era begins in L.A. as the revamped Chargers offense goes against a decent Raiders defense, led by mad man Maxx Crosby. Another toss up.
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks - The Broncos are going with rookie QB Bo Nix while Seattle has veteran Geno Smith, who took a step back in 2023 after a superb year prior to that. Another toss up game.
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns - The rugged Browns defense takes on Dallas' high powered offense, led by QB Dak Prescott and newly (signed) extended wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Browns can also move the ball, so they rate the edge with their defense and also playing at home.
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Washington is yet another team starting a rookie at quarterback (Jayden Daniels) against a solid Bucs defense. Can Bucs QB Baker Mayfield duplicate last season's numbers? Bucs win this one in a tight game with a late score.
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions - The Rams and QB Matthew Stafford back in Detroit for the Sunday night opener against a team that was oh so close to getting to their first ever Super Bowl. Will there be a hangover for the Lions this year? Not likely.
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers - The Monday night game with the Super Bowl runners up (49ers) taking on 40-year old Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. Is there still magic in the arm of Rodgers? It will be tested against a formidable San Francisco defense. Meanwhile, the stingy Jets defense will look to limit 'Niners QB Brock Purdy and his offense.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week One . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Kansas City over Baltimore
Green Bay over Philadelphia (game played in Brazil)
Atlanta over Pittsburgh
Buffalo over Arizona
Chicago over Tennessee
CINCINNATI over New England
Indianapolis over Houston
Miami over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Carolina
N.Y. Giants over Minnesota
L.A. Chargers over Las Vegas
Seattle over Denver
Cleveland over Dallas
Tampa Bay over Washington
Detroit over L.A. Rams
San Francisco over N.Y. Jets
Last Season's Record - 178-94
Lock of the Week Record - 14-4
No comments:
Post a Comment