The Thursday night game will be in Melbourne, Australia between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in what should be a good NFC West battle. On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills travel to take on the Houston Texans in a game between two teams that lost in the AFC divisional playoffs last January. Both of these teams are regarded as teams that could get to the Super Bowl this time around.
There are four games featuring division rivals as the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings go at it in an NFC North tilt. The NFC East will have all four teams facing off in the opener as the Dallas Cowboys face the New York Giants on the road on Sunday Night Football while the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Washington Commanders earlier in the day. On Monday Night Football, the Denver Broncos will face the host Kansas City Chiefs in what should be another exciting one.
All in all, the opening week around the NFL is one of the most unpredictable as the 32 NFL teams don't usually show too much from their starting players during the pre-season and this time around it was no different.
This is the 18th season this blog is picking games on a weekly basis and it's always fun to try and figure out how things might go during the course of the NFL season. These picks made here are strictly predictions and are not to be taken serious for gambling point spreads or straight up plays or anything like that. So if people like to do that sort of thing, you're on your own with the sports odds makers.
With that said, here goes nothing as Heftyinfo makes the picks for Week One around the NFL with the capsule style previews for all 16 games featured and then the actual picks for the games.
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks - The home team should come out on top, but in a season opener, expect the unexpected. The Patriots will be without running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle injury) in this game, so quarterback Drake Maye will have the chance to throw more often to his two new wide receivers. Seattle's defense will be ready for the challenge and the offense will look to do the same.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia) - When these two teams go at it, expect a battle and this one should be no different. Both teams feature very good defenses in this game in the "land down under." The call here is the Rams win in a close finish.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers - The Bears have higher expectations entering this season and the Panthers won the NFC South a year ago. This game will likely come down to the wire.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals - Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has a new contract and should be flying high for this one. The Bengals have Joe Burrow at quarterback with two of the best wide receivers in the game and what they hope will be an improved defense with several new players.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions - Take the Lions in what should be a high scoring game.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans - This game is a test in the opener for two starting quarterbacks looking to shed the "choker" label following earlier than expected playoff exits last year.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - The Ravens looking to bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing season while the Colts will look to do the same after so many injuries ruined a great start last year.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars - Take the Jaguars at home against a Browns team being led by QB Deshaun Watson, who hasn't started in nearly two years.
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers rate the edge in this opener as QB Aaron Rodgers begins his final NFL season. Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa is looking to revive his career.
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans - In a game between two teams that went 3-14 a year ago, something positive has to happen. Some payback perhaps for Titans new head coach Robert Saleh as he goes against the team that fired him two years ago.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers - Arizona appears to be in total rebuild mode this year while the Chargers are looking to improve a stagnant offense with new coordinator Mike McDaniel on board this season. This one should be an interesting game.
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders - Two teams with new head coaches looking to rebuild on the fly as the season gets started. Toss up.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings - NFC North rivals in this one and the Vikings have Kyler Murray now playing quarterback, looking to get the offense back in gear this season. Packers are expecting good things in the 2026 season after making the playoffs last season. This game will likely go down to the final possession and perhaps even into overtime. Definite toss up here.
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles coming into this season with a chip on their shoulders as QB Jalen Hurts has been questioned by many following a down 2025 season right after a Super Bowl title. The Commanders also looking to prove themselves after falling hard with QB Jayden Daniels being injured for most of the 2025 season after his spectacular rookie year.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - The Sunday night "prime time" game between two teams that dislike each other. Dallas will attempt to prove all the hype about them is correct as they enter 2026 with a huge revamping of the NFL's worst defense from a year ago. The Giants appear to be up and comers, led by second year QB Jaxson Dart. This game should be a good one with the Cowboys sneaking it out against the home team.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - Monday Night Football in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes and company taking on the Broncos, the team that took over AFC West crown a year ago. Take the Chiefs in a squeaker.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week One . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over New England
L.A. Rams over San Francisco (game played in Melbourne, Australia)
Chicago over Carolina
Cincinnati over Tampa Bay
Detroit over New Orleans
Buffalo over Houston
Baltimore over Indianapolis
Jacksonville over Cleveland
Pittsburgh over Atlanta
Tennessee over N.Y. Jets
L.A. CHARGERS over Arizona
Las Vegas over Miami
Minnesota over Green Bay
Philadelphia over Washington
Dallas over N.Y. Giants
Kansas City over Denver
2025 FINAL SEASON RECORD - 176-95-1
Lock of the Week Record - 16-2
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