Hello readers! The wait is over. The National Football League is back! The league's 105 season will start in September 5th when the Baltimore Ravens travel to Kansas City to take on the two-time defending champion Kanas City Chiefs. In this post, I will talk about a preview for the Week 1 games, my picks for the 16 games and the broadcast pairings for the games. A lot to talk about, let's get to work!
Week 1 Preview
The first week of the National Football League's regular season will start in Kansas City, Missouri and finish up in Santa Clara, California. Week 1 will feature 16 games where all 32 teams will play. No teams are on a bye this week. There will be a Thursday night game, a Friday night game (a first in the modern era), eight early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS and FOX will not have the dual doubleheader in Week 1. They will have the dual doubleheader in Week 15 as well as Week 18. Probably the reason why is that FOX wants the nation to see how well Tom Brady can do as a color commentator. As such, FOX will have the doubleheader while CBS will have the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!
Week 1 Picks
The rules for these picks are basic. They are straight up, not based on over/under or point spread. Picks are expected to be done prior to the first game of that particular week. If you pick a team that wins, you get a win, if they lose, you lose. If a game ends in a tie or is canceled, it ends as a tie or it doesn't count. You can switch picks prior to that game. The 2024 season is the 11th season that I started doing picks. I did pick 'ems on Wordpress from 2012 to 2014 and then on Blogger from 2017 to the present day. I'm excited to get started!
Note: All game times are in US Eastern. TW is me.
Baltimore @ Kansas City (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Chiefs
Opening night! The Ravens look to spoil things for the Chiefs as they celebrate their repeat championship. Last year brought a spoiler as the Lions beat the Chiefs. I think Andy Reid's squad will be ready to get to it. Baltimore could play spoiler if they keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline. Which also means that John Harbaugh needs to take a page or two out of Dan Campbell's playbook and go for it on 4th down on necessary situations. This will be a good test to see how well the passing attack of Kansas City can improve. I'll take the Chiefs.
Green Bay @ Philadelphia (Peacock, 8:15 pm): TW: Eagles
For the first time in a long time, there will be football on a Friday night that isn't on a Black Friday. Even on Peacock even. The Packers and Eagles travel to Sao Paolo in Brazil for the first NFL game in that country and South America. Outside of that, the Packers will have a good test to see how well they can improve from the successful season they had last year. Jordan Love will need to step up as the Eagles defense isn't as strong as it was but will need to play well regardless. Philly is expected to win more than likely because of their multi-pronged attack on offense. The Jalen Hurts in the air is as dangerous than the Jalen Hurts on the ground. He also has a pretty solid running group and wide receiver group as well. I'll take the Eagles.
Arizona @ Buffalo (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Cardinals
Kyler Murray and company against the Buffalo Josh Allen's! Arizona had a tough 2023 season and it would do wonders for them to upset the Bills in their own stadium. It's a long shot but I think if the Cardinals want to prove that they're for real it would be worthwhile for them to do it. Buffalo could pull off the win but I would urge caution. Marvin Harrison Jr will need to be kept an eye on at all times. Let his other wide receivers beat you. Buffalo will need to find someway to get the running game going as well as they can take advantage of the Cardinals rush defense.
Carolina @ New Orleans (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Saints
A reset button is in order for the Carolina Panthers as they look to improve after a dismal 2023 campaign. There is a small chance that they can pull off a win against rival New Orleans. Bryce Young will have some help on offense to encapsulate a win in the Dome. New Orleans is my pick because of their in general overall talent on offense. Outside of quarterback, they're really solid. If Derek Carr can improve after a rough 2023 season, I like the Saints chances to win. Get Alvin Kamara involved why don't you. Have I mentioned how much of a pain picking in Week 1 is.
Houston @ Indianapolis (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Texans
An intriguing matchup in the AFC South. The Texans surprised quite a few people in winning the division and also winning a playoff game. The real question is can they repeat that performance going into 2024? What they face in Week 1 is a Colts squad that is looking to normalcy as they hope to have Anthony Richardson to reach his potential in his sophomore campaign. The Colts will also need to find an answer at running back as Richardson needs to have some pressure off of him. I think the Texans will win based on offense and overall defensive prowess.
Jacksonville @ Miami (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Dolphins
The battle of Florida! The 3rd year for Trevor Lawrence starts with a tough test against one of the better teams in the AFC in Miami. As expected, the weather will be hot. The offenses should be just as hot as Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence will throw it well. When it comes to defenses, the Jaguars might have the best case for it but the offense still would go for the Dolphins. I think the Dolphins take it with a balanced offense.
Minnesota @ NY Giants (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Vikings
The Sam Darnold era starts in Minnesota while the G-Men try to get back to a winning season. The game itself isn't likely going to be a stellar one as both teams will likely be rebuilding. Sam Darnold will have the keys to the car and should do well as long as he doesn't crash it via interceptions. The Giants aren't a particularly great defensive team but maybe getting a a little better on offense. It is hard to say which one will win in these matchups but I'll go with the safe choice in the Vikings.
New England @ Cincinnati (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bengals
The Post-Belichick era begins as Jerod Mayo goes to the Queen City to take on the Bengals. Jacoby Brissett will get the nod at quarterback. The guy is a capable quarterback but his receiving corp will need to step up. The running game and defense should do fine. The Bengals will get a chance to rebound after Joe Burrow injured halfway through the season. The key to success for the Bengals will be the health of Burrow once again. They will also have a tough test as the Patriots defense will be in their face all game. I don't trust the Patriots offense to run over the Bengals. I think it should be a good game for the Bengals.
Pittsburgh @ Atlanta (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Steelers
New quarterbacks for both teams in this one. Russell Wilson went to the Steelers and Kirk Cousins went to the Falcons. The supporting cast around them are fairly even with maybe more leeway to Cousins as he has one of the best running backs in the league in Bijan Robinson. Wilson does have the combo of Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. Wilson's wide out group is a bit lacking sadly. I think the game will come down to the defenses for the most part. I would argue that the Steelers have the better defense. I'll take the Steelers.
Tennessee @ Chicago (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Bears
The start of a new era in Chicago. Caleb Williams track record in preaseason was alright granted he didn't play the first game. The Bears gave him captain status so that has to mean something. The jury is still out on the Bears and I don't think that they'll have a great year as some people might think. They may have won the offseason but they haven't done anything yet. Tennessee is kind of in for a rough time. Derrick Henry is gone and there's a new regime in town. DeAndre Hopkins is not going to be able to play as he is still on the IR. Will Levis will be ready to go in general. I think it'll be a tough go of it for Tennessee, I'll take the Bears.
Denver @ Seattle (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Seahawks
A new era for the Broncos as Bo Nix will take the reins. Not much can be said about Nix just yet but he will have a challenge in his first regular season start. He will have Javonte Williams at running back and Courtland Sutton to help him out against the Seahawks. A new era of sorts in Seattle as Pete Carroll is out and Mike MacDonald is in. Despite the change in coach, the supporting offense is still pretty much the same Noah Fant is questionable to play but other than that they will have DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III ready to go. I think Seattle takes it, I don't trust Denver.
Las Vegas @ LA Chargers (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Raiders
The Raiders saw some turnover at quarterback and running back but the Silver and Black should be still a force to be reckoned with. Gardner Minshew will get the start and the defense should be up to their usual selves in this game. The Chargers got a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh returns to the NFL after a successful college stint in Michigan resulting in a National Championship last January. The Chargers will have a tough test on their hands as star Justin Herbert is questionable for Week 1 with a foot injury. If he can't go then Taylor Heinicke would get the nod. Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins are the new kids on the block for running back. Returning is Josh Palmer and new wide receiver Ladd McConkey via the draft. Not sure what to make of the Chargers in this game. I think the Raiders will take it by a field goal.
Dallas @ Cleveland (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Cowboys
Tom Brady's debut as a broadcaster. The former quarterback and future Hall of Famer will do color commentary with Kevin Burkhardt. The jury is still out on how well Brady will do. Besides the Brady talk, Dallas would like to get off to a good start with a win. They have a decent shot at doing that against the Browns who will likely need to re-find the magic that happened last year. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and CeeDee Lamb are back and ready to go. Cleveland will have an okay shot at upsetting the visiting Cowboys but they will need to get strong performances from their offense as David Njoku is dealing with an injury and Nick Chubb will also be hurt a bit as well. I think Dallas will be a bit too much for the Brownies.
Washington @ Tampa Bay (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Buccaneers
One team that has seen turnover and the other has seen stability. Washington got a new head coach and quarterback. Dan Quinn returns to the head coaching ranks after spending a stint in Dallas coordinating the defense. His new quarterback is Jayden Daniels, the standout from Louisiana State University, who will get the start. Washington did improve a bit on their offense and should be interesting how well they can gel together as a unit. Tampa Bay didn't have a head coaching change this season and they didn't change quarterback. Instead, they likely added some pieces to bolster their depth as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are getting up in age but should still be viable options this season for Baker Mayfield to throw to. I'll take the home team.
LA Rams @ Detroit (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Lions
A rematch of the NFC Wild Card game last year. The Lions won the matchup of course but it was a close one by a 24-23 score. Safe to say, both teams did have some change over the course of almost eight months. The two teams will be better rested of course. The biggest change for the Rams over the course of the offseason was the retirement of Aaron Donald and some changes to their defensive coaching. The Lions have stayed mostly the same with their team. Maybe a few depth pieces. The offense will stay the same while the defense should get better maybe. Actually I don't know if the Lions did improve a lot. All I know is that I'll take the Lions in this game.
NY Jets @ San Francisco (ABC/ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: 49ers
Week 1 wraps up with an intriguing matchup between the hardy veteran Aaron Rodgers facing off against the youngster Brock Purdy. The Jets had a rough go of it last year as the Aaron Rodgers era ended after five minutes of real time action. If he lasts longer than five minutes this year, it'd be a miracle for Jets fans. It will be a chance of redemption for the 49ers as they try to get back to the Super Bowl. With all the distractions, it will be a trying year to see if the Red & Gold can play through the hangover that is a Super Bowl loss.
Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings
CBS Single
New England @ Cincinnati
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Jacksonville @ Miami
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Houston @ Indianapolis
Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Jason McCourty
Arizona @ Buffalo
Tom McCarthy, Ross Tucker, Jay Feely
Las Vegas @ LA Chargers (Late)
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Denver @ Seattle (Late)
Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta
FOX Early
Pittsburgh @ Atlanta
Joe Davis, Greg Olson
Minnesota @ NY Giants
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Tennessee @ Chicago
Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez
Carolina @ New Orleans
Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth
FOX Late
Dallas @ Cleveland
Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady
Washington @ Tampa Bay
Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2024: Week 1 Maps
Records
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2022: 157-112-2
2023: 147-125
2019: 161-94-1
2022: 166-103-2
2023: 161-111
See you all after the Monday night game for the Week 1 Recap! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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