NFL Week 1 Predictions

Previous Week Prediction Record - Following the first week of games, this slot will show how I fared in predicting the winners of the previous week's games. (Full season record will be in parentheses)

Thursday​​ Games

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots kick off the 2017-18 NFL season by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. While I expect a tightly-contested game, I don't see the Patriots losing a home opener to a team with a so-so offense. Final prediction - New England 27, Kansas City 13

Sunday Games

​Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

​​How effective can Joe Flacco be after missing the entire preseason with a back injury? Without Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones, the Bengals may have a hard time slowing down the Ravens. I expect the Ravens to pull this one out with a late score in the fourth quarter.

Final prediction - Baltimore 24, Cincinnati 20

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

​​This game is not exactly the best of the week, but divisional games always seem to come right down to the wire. With a daunting schedule looming, the Bills need a win this week. I think they get it.

Final prediction - Buffalo 24, New York 13

​Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

​​Again, here is another matchup that seems pretty obvious. Still, there are some storylines to watch in this matchup. Can DeShone Kizer shine in his first career start? Will Le’Veon Bell be game-ready after just recently getting to work? I think the Steelers pull away in the second half.

Final prediction - Pittsburgh 31, Cleveland 17

​Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans ​​

I expect the Houston fan base to be revved up to focus on something other than the hurricane. Blake Bortles has plenty of critics and faces a big test against one of the best defenses from a year ago. I see Houston pulling away for a lopsided win to open the year.

Final prediction - Houston 34, Jacksonville 13

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans

​​This serves as one of the best matchups in week one, with quarterbacks Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota both returning from leg injuries that ended their seasons last year. I have both of these teams in the playoffs, so this game could have seeding implications down the road. I like Oakland to find a way to secure a big road win, but this one should be close throughout.

Final prediction - Oakland 31, Tennessee 27

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins

​​This game has been rescheduled for week 11, so both teams actually have a bye this week. This bodes well for Miami, who get another week of preparation for Jay Cutler. It will be interesting to see how the teams deal with playing 16 straight games.

​Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams

​​No Andrew Luck and on the road against the Rams… Scott Tolzien and company need to figure out a way to win this one, which could buy the team another week to get Luck ready. Jared Goff hopes to have a breakout season, and will face a defense that was awful a year ago but revamped itself in the draft. The Colts find a way to avoid an upset.

Final prediction - Indianapolis 21, Los Angeles 17

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers

I’m curious to see how a young 49ers’ defense fares against Newton and the Panthers’ offense. If they want to return to the playoffs, Carolina needs to win this game and I think they do with a balanced offensive attack and superb play on defense.

Final prediction - Carolina 31, San Francisco 10

​Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears

​​The Falcons need to show they have moved on from their epic collapse in the Super Bowl… starting the regular season against the Bears makes that challenge a bit easier. Expect the Falcons to take control early and roll to a week one win. Then cue the Mitch Trubisky talks.

Final prediction - Atlanta 38, Chicago 10

Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions ​​

This game should be one of the better ones this weekend. I’m curious to see how Carson Palmer bounces back after a rough season last year and how Matthew Stafford backs up his massive contract he just signed. I think the Cardinals are a better defensive team and that RB David Johnson will do just enough to help the Cards snag a road win.

Final prediction - Arizona 31, Detroit 28

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers

​​All bias aside, this matchup is probably the best of the Sunday/Monday games. Last year, the Packers dominated the Seahawks at home; the series has gone to the home team in each of the last six matchups. Whichever team takes care of the ball better should win. This is another game that could have playoff seeding implications later on. I don’t see another 38-10 win for the Packers, but I still expect the Packers to earn the W.

Final prediction - Green Bay 24, Seattle 17​

​Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

​​In a crowded NFC East, every divisional matchup is a big game. Stealing a win on the road would be big for second-year QB Carson Wentz and a retooled offense. Defending home turf could help Washington be a part of the division and playoff hunt down the road. This one should be pretty entertaining with the Eagles pulling out a thrilling win with a last-minute score.

Final prediction - Philadelphia 28, Washington 27

​New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

A week ago, it appeared the Cowboys would be without RB Ezekiel ​​Elliott. Now the biggest inactive may be Giants’ WR Odell Beckham Jr., swinging the odds of winning in the hosts favor. The Giants stole two games against the Cowboys last season, but fall just short in this week’s battle.

Final prediction - Dallas 27, New York 21

Monday​ Games

​​​Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos

The Broncos look solid on defense, giving a shaky offense a chance to win each game. The Chargers could use a divisional road win in week one to help possibly snap a three-year playoff drought. It’s not a must-watch Monday night football game, but it should be a tight and competitive game. The Broncos hold off a late Chargers’ drive for a win.

Final prediction - Denver 17, Los Angeles 14​

​New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson gets to battle his former team in the other Monday night matchup. The Saints offense is among the best in the league, but their defense leaves plenty to be desired. Can the Vikings get off to another hot start behind the support of their fans? The Saints spread the ball around and the defense makes just enough stops to come away with a road W.

Final prediction - New Orleans 34, Minnesota 28

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