Hello readers! The wait is almost over as the Detroit Lions go to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs for the NFL's Opening Night for its 104th season of play. Outside of the Opening Night game there are a few games worth mentioning that the 49ers-Steelers, Packers-Bears and Bills-Jets games will be worthwhile to watch. Let's get to work!
NFL Quip of the Week
With Week 1 of the season coming, I feel that the season would be better if I got all of my picks right. Sadly with Week 1 this is never the case. Upsets are never fun.
Week 1 Preview
Week 1 of the National Football League's regular season will start in Kansas City, Missouri and finishes up in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The week features a 16-game slate where all 32 teams will play. It includes a Thursday night game, eight early Sunday games, five late Sunday games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. Both FOX and CBS will have the doubleheaders per NFL TV contract rules. No teams are on a bye this week.
Week 1 Picks
Here is the rules of the pick 'ems: Picks must be submitted prior to the first game of that week's games. Pick changes are allowed but only certain circumstances. If the team you picked wins, you get a win, if your team loses then it counts as a loss. If there is a tie in a game then it will be a tie. The initials TW stands for me and CV stands for Cardinal Viking my former roommate. The 2023 season will be my 10th season doing pick 'ems and it will be Cardinal Viking's seventh season. All game times are in US Eastern Time.
Detroit @ Kansas City (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Lions
The NFL season kicks off with the defending champs hosting the hyped up Detroit Lions. I think the Chiefs will win the game but the Lions running game could be a bit of a issue for the Chiefs defensive line. It could be a shootout but the Chiefs will take it.
Carolina @ Atlanta (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons
An NFC South showdown as this game will feature two young quarterbacks in Bryce Young for the Panthers and Desmond Ridder for the Falcons. The Falcons offense should be able to put up points and the Panthers defense will need to shut down the Falcons running game. Carolina has an interesting offense that will have to support Bryce Young in his first start. I'll take the Falcons as a safe bet.
Arizona @ Washington (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Commanders; CV: Commanders
The first game of the new regime in Washington produces a game where there could be a sellout at FedEx Field for the first time in a long time. Arizona will be without Kyler Murray which means that it could be a win for Washington. The offense for the Commanders should be able to handle the defense of the Cardinals. At least get the first win for the new ownership group.
The first game of the new regime in Washington produces a game where there could be a sellout at FedEx Field for the first time in a long time. Arizona will be without Kyler Murray which means that it could be a win for Washington. The offense for the Commanders should be able to handle the defense of the Cardinals. At least get the first win for the new ownership group.
Cincinnati @ Cleveland (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
The Battle of Ohio sees the Bengals and Browns trying to get bragging rights. The Bengals offense should put up numbers against the Browns. Cleveland's defense is okay but having to double-team Ja'Marr Chase could be not enough for the Brownies to win.
The Battle of Ohio sees the Bengals and Browns trying to get bragging rights. The Bengals offense should put up numbers against the Browns. Cleveland's defense is okay but having to double-team Ja'Marr Chase could be not enough for the Brownies to win.
Houston @ Baltimore (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Ravens gave a new contract for Lamar Jackson and Lamar is going to have to do the rest to pay it back. Baltimore's chances to get back to relevancy will have to start with teams that they should be able to beat. The Texans have a decent shot to put the upset in motion but the offense of the Ravens should keep that thought into submission.
The Ravens gave a new contract for Lamar Jackson and Lamar is going to have to do the rest to pay it back. Baltimore's chances to get back to relevancy will have to start with teams that they should be able to beat. The Texans have a decent shot to put the upset in motion but the offense of the Ravens should keep that thought into submission.
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
Year 3 of the Trevor Lawrence era will have to expect some high expectations for the Jaguars. The Jags have some legit weapons on offense and can do some damage. Indianapolis is kind of a mess and a drama center. It feels like the Jaguars will take this game and win it by more than 10 points.
Year 3 of the Trevor Lawrence era will have to expect some high expectations for the Jaguars. The Jags have some legit weapons on offense and can do some damage. Indianapolis is kind of a mess and a drama center. It feels like the Jaguars will take this game and win it by more than 10 points.
San Francisco @ Pittsburgh (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers quest to get to the Super Bowl starts with a trap game against the up and coming Steelers. The Kenny Pickett sophomore campaign will require some growth as a passer. He will have some help on offense to get it done but the 49ers could be somewhat of a challenge. Could be a slugfest with points on the board.
The 49ers quest to get to the Super Bowl starts with a trap game against the up and coming Steelers. The Kenny Pickett sophomore campaign will require some growth as a passer. He will have some help on offense to get it done but the 49ers could be somewhat of a challenge. Could be a slugfest with points on the board.
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Well the NDSU Bison fans won't have to travel far for Cody Mauch's first game as an NFL player. His team will face some trouble as the Vikings defense isn't awful but it isn't a pushover either. Still the matchup that I think will be something to keep an eye on is the Vikings offense vs Buccaneers defense. The offense of the Vikings will need to put up points as it could be a trying time to return to a time where the defense was a menace.
Well the NDSU Bison fans won't have to travel far for Cody Mauch's first game as an NFL player. His team will face some trouble as the Vikings defense isn't awful but it isn't a pushover either. Still the matchup that I think will be something to keep an eye on is the Vikings offense vs Buccaneers defense. The offense of the Vikings will need to put up points as it could be a trying time to return to a time where the defense was a menace.
Tennessee @ New Orleans (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The first game for Derek Carr donning the Fleur-de-Lis helmet. New Orleans will hopefully get better production of the quarterback spot this season compared to last year. Tennessee will also see some production out of DeAndre Hopkins in the offensive side of the ball. The game will be a challenge for the Titans defense but I think the offense can pull off the upset.
Green Bay @ Chicago (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Bears
The Jordan Love era begins against the Packers biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears. The Bears also have a different logo for this year which is weird for them. Despite the dominance of Aaron Rodgers vs the Bears the Packers have a good team still. Justin Fields had some growing pains last year but he should be able to rebound for this year. It'll be a tough call but I'll take the Packers.
The first game for Derek Carr donning the Fleur-de-Lis helmet. New Orleans will hopefully get better production of the quarterback spot this season compared to last year. Tennessee will also see some production out of DeAndre Hopkins in the offensive side of the ball. The game will be a challenge for the Titans defense but I think the offense can pull off the upset.
Green Bay @ Chicago (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Bears
The Jordan Love era begins against the Packers biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears. The Bears also have a different logo for this year which is weird for them. Despite the dominance of Aaron Rodgers vs the Bears the Packers have a good team still. Justin Fields had some growing pains last year but he should be able to rebound for this year. It'll be a tough call but I'll take the Packers.
LA Rams @ Seattle (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams had a tough year with injuries in the 2022 title defense campaign. Their failed attempt to get back to prominence was due to the injuries to the offense, namely Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford. Both of them will be back. Seattle had a remarkable season last year with Geno Smith having a renaissance season. He will have some expectations to continue with that good play against their biggest division rivals.
The Rams had a tough year with injuries in the 2022 title defense campaign. Their failed attempt to get back to prominence was due to the injuries to the offense, namely Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford. Both of them will be back. Seattle had a remarkable season last year with Geno Smith having a renaissance season. He will have some expectations to continue with that good play against their biggest division rivals.
Las Vegas @ Denver (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Jimmy Garoppolo era begins for the Silver and Black. It remains to be seen how effective Jimmy can be with his health issues. He could possibly do some help with the Raiders being a deep thrower and his confidence. Russell Wilson will have a new head coach to help him and the Broncos offense back on track with Sean Payton. It's a bit of a risky play to pick the Raiders but I'll go with them.
The Jimmy Garoppolo era begins for the Silver and Black. It remains to be seen how effective Jimmy can be with his health issues. He could possibly do some help with the Raiders being a deep thrower and his confidence. Russell Wilson will have a new head coach to help him and the Broncos offense back on track with Sean Payton. It's a bit of a risky play to pick the Raiders but I'll go with them.
Miami @ LA Chargers (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Chargers
The Dolphins and Chargers getting together might mean a huge offensive explosion with points abound. Two offenses that can run, pass and get points. The difference in the game will be whether or not the defense of the Chargers can get back on track and prevent the Dolphins from running over them.
The Dolphins and Chargers getting together might mean a huge offensive explosion with points abound. Two offenses that can run, pass and get points. The difference in the game will be whether or not the defense of the Chargers can get back on track and prevent the Dolphins from running over them.
Philadelphia @ New England (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Tom Brady will make his return to New England for Tom Brady Day. What his Patriots will face is a toughie in the defending NFC champion Eagles. The Eagles are looking to get back to the Super Bowl and they still have the pieces to help them get back to them. It is more of a hunch that the Patriots will take down the Eagles. I feel the Patriots offense will actually put up points in the redzone, a stat that they couldn't achieve last year.
Tom Brady will make his return to New England for Tom Brady Day. What his Patriots will face is a toughie in the defending NFC champion Eagles. The Eagles are looking to get back to the Super Bowl and they still have the pieces to help them get back to them. It is more of a hunch that the Patriots will take down the Eagles. I feel the Patriots offense will actually put up points in the redzone, a stat that they couldn't achieve last year.
Dallas @ NY Giants (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Cowboys-Giants games have been interesting watches over the last few years. The two don't like each other. The Cowboys won't have Ezekiel Elliot at running back for them but they have a reliable back in Tony Pollard playing for them. They should be able to handle the Giants at home. New York had a remarkable season including getting a playoff win for the first time in 11 years. It'll be an interesting game but I would take the Cowboys.
The Cowboys-Giants games have been interesting watches over the last few years. The two don't like each other. The Cowboys won't have Ezekiel Elliot at running back for them but they have a reliable back in Tony Pollard playing for them. They should be able to handle the Giants at home. New York had a remarkable season including getting a playoff win for the first time in 11 years. It'll be an interesting game but I would take the Cowboys.
Buffalo @ NY Jets (ABC; 8:15 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Jets
The Bills-Jets matchup finishes up the week with Aaron Rodgers taking the helm for New York. The Jets look to be a bit better with Rodgers at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers in 2022 was a bit of a letdown as he fell off a cliff stats wise. In 2023 we are not sure what to get in terms of production. If the Rodgers to Wilson connection does well enough the Jets could pull off the win. I don't see it happening as the class of the AFC East is still the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen should be able to handle their business against the Jets.
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings
The Bills-Jets matchup finishes up the week with Aaron Rodgers taking the helm for New York. The Jets look to be a bit better with Rodgers at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers in 2022 was a bit of a letdown as he fell off a cliff stats wise. In 2023 we are not sure what to get in terms of production. If the Rodgers to Wilson connection does well enough the Jets could pull off the win. I don't see it happening as the class of the AFC East is still the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen should be able to handle their business against the Jets.
Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings
CBS Early
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota
Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan
Houston @ Baltimore
Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta
Tennessee @ New Orleans
Chris Lewis, Jason McCourty, Ross Tucker
CBS Late
Philadelphia @ New England
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Miami @ LA Chargers
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Las Vegas @ Denver
Tom McCarthy, James Lofton, Jay Feely
FOX Early
San Francisco @ Pittsburgh
Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston
Arizona @ Washington
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Carolina @ Atlanta
Chris Myers, Robert Smith
FOX Late
Green Bay @ Chicago
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
LA Rams @ Seattle
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2023 Week 1 Maps
Records
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2022: 157-112-2
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
2021: 173-98-1
2022: 166-103-2
2022: 166-103-2
I will see you all after the Monday night game for the Week 1 Recap post! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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