Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
In celebration of the NFL’s 100th season, the Packers and Bears will take up the Thursday spot instead of the usual matchup between a Super Bowl champion and a visiting team. The Packers have reshuffled over the offseason, adding names like Rashan Gary, Za’Darius Smith, and Preston Smith. While Gary will not be participating in this game due to a back injury sustained in the preseason, the Packers will be looking for Darnell Savage, the other first-rounder from the 2019 draft, to succeed in the secondary.
While Green Bay has gained and lost players throughout the offseason, like Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews, but the Bears have mostly held still. They lost safety Adrian Amos to the team they’re playing Thursday but replaced him with former Packer Ha-Ha Clinton Dix to even the score. Mitchell Trubisky will be tasked with leading the same unit into a new season, which is a more difficult task than assumed due to second-year head coach Matt Nagy unveiling a year’s worth of game film to opposing coaches. Expect teams to adjust to the offense that Nagy implemented last year, while the talent on Chicago’s team will be tested more. Unfortunately, no talent on the Bears’ offense will be able to lead their team like Aaron Rodgers will on the other end. Expect the Hall of Famer to be the deciding factor in a defensively-oriented game.
Packers: 26, Bears: 18
Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton’s shoulder looked capable of holding up throughout the duration of the game. While the shoulder injury might linger as the season winds down, expect for the Panthers to match their production from the first half of their 2018 season in the first half of 2019. The Rams, on the other hand, will be facing a lot of pressure to prove that last year’s Super Bowl appearance wasn’t a fluke. Moreso, Jared Goff needs to prove his development over the past couple of years won’t randomly become stunted. The pressure might prove too much against a hungry Panthers defense that will field Luke Kuechly and a nasty front seven that will test Los Angeles’ offensive line sans Roger Saffold, who left for Tennessee this offseason. With Christian McCaffery and Todd Gurley likely playing out to a draw, expect the quarterbacks to determine the result of Sunday’s game.
Panthers: 27, Rams: 26
Washington Theismanns @ Philadelphia Eagles
The exciting quarterback battle of Carson Wentz versus Case Keenum will delivery for many Eagles fans. The teams are simply too far apart in terms of talent for this to be a competitive game at Lincoln Financial Field. With an arsenal of Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Algholor, DeSean Jackson, Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, and Julie Ertz’s husband, Philly will be able to outclass Washington’s improved defense. Offensively, Derrius Guice’s NFL debut is a nice story after the LSU product was not able to participate in his rookie season due to a torn ACL. The offense, otherwise, lacks excitement, especially when Trent Williams is on the outs and Jordan Reed will inevitably get hurt. The Eagles will have their way in this one, even if Reed lasts through game one.
Eagles: 34, Washington: 16
Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
The battle for the runner-up crown to the AFC East starts early this year, with Josh Allen and Sam Darnold squaring up for the second time in their young careers. Both sophomore quarterbacks go into their second year with a much improved supporting cast. The Bills retooled through free agency, adding intriguing receivers in John Brown and Cole Beasley while adding Ed Oliver to replace the hole left by Kyle William’s retirement. The Jets similarly adding pieces to their offense in Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder, while C.J. Mosely and Quinnen Williams will contribute to an impressive front seven. This game will be about which offensive line can hold off the aggressive defensive scheming of both defensive play-callers. The additions of Kelechi Osemele of Ryan Kalil on the offensive line have gone somewhat unnoticed due to bigger moves taking the spotlight, but they can contribute to Bell’s debut, despite the challenge that Buffalo imposes.
Jets: 25, Bills: 19
Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings
These teams feel very well matched. Both sides field exciting offenses with questions along their respective offensive lines while expecting bounceback defensive campaigns. Matt Ryan and Kirk Cousins both missed the playoffs and failed to match expectations in the previous season and will be looking to exceed the lower bars set this year. To add to the similarities between the teams, both starting runningbacks (Dalvin Cook, Devonta Freeman) are returning from season-ending injuries and will look to prior form. This game can go either way, as both units field enough difference-makers on both sides of the ball that can shift the game either way. To simplify things, I’m taking the team with home-field advantage in this one.
Vikings: 27, Falcons: 26
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Fitzmagic returns to glory as an early-season gunslinger while simultaneously serving as a placeholder for Josh Rosen’s eventual taking of the reins. This game will be closer than many will expect, even after the Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills trade. Devante Parker, Preston Williams, and Mike Gesicki offer interesting options for the Harvard product in the meantime. The offensive line will be in shambles and will allow the Ravens to disrupt the game through the trenches, even sans Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosely, and Za’Darius Smith.
Lamar Jackson will still have to pull his own weight for this game. While this Dolphins defense has many holes, young names like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Xavien Howard, and Christian Wilkins will do what they can to force the Louisville quarterback to rely on his arm. With Howard covering Marquise Brown for what will likely be most of the game, other receivers will have to emerge for Jackson to develop as a progressional passer.
Ravens: 24, Dolphins: 22
Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars
It feels wrong to discredit Nick Foles in big games, given that he performs at his best with the pressure up. That being said, the Jaguars aren’t the Eagles. While the 2019 Sacksonville unit includes an exciting rookie in Josh Allen this year to offset the loss of Telvin Smith. Jalen Ramsey and Tyreek Hill going head to head on the outside will be an exciting matchup for everyone to watch, with both stars displaying a tendency to jaw at their opposition.
Unfortunately, for Jacksonville, Patrick Mahomes is on this roster and so are an extensive list of offensive weapons that can even prove difficult for a top defense to handle. Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce will look to take advantage of their matchups, especially if A.J. Bouye mirrors number two receiver, Sammy Watkins.
Chiefs: 24, Jaguars: 21
Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns
While everyone expects fireworks in OBJ’s Cleveland debut, the reality of the situation is that the offense’s development could require more patience incorporating Beckham Jr. and losing key offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler. Tennessee’s defensive unit is well-coached by head coach Mike Vrabel and features an underrated secondary that will be able to keep up with the extensive depth that Cleveland features at its skill positions. The suspensions of Kareem Hunt and Antonio Callaway have hurt their depth to a point, but this team should be able to do enough to eke out a win.
The other side of the ball will likely be the determining factor against a Titans offense that is currently missing Taylor Lewan and just recently had Derrick Henry return to the field. Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon will be able to control the outside while Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson put pressure on Marcus Mariota from the interior.
Browns: 21, Titans: 18
Indianapolis Colts @ Los Angeles Chargers
Despite Andrew Luck’s retirement and Derwin James’ injury, this might be the most exciting game to watch this upcoming weekend. The Colts will begin to figure out what they have in promising QB Jacoby Brissett, while Philip Rivers looks to make it back to the playoffs before the injury bug sinks the Chargers yet again this decade. Both defenses look to be improved outside of the Derwin James injury, resulting in some of the fireworks being limited on the offensive side for either team. This will be about whatever team is able to make the last long drive down the field.
Chargers: 26, Colts 20 (OT)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have reshuffled their defense while the Bengals have re-inspired doubters after injuries have taken a toll on the offensive line. A.J. Green? Also injured, though at least he’s coming back this season. Andy Dalton will feel a lot of literal and psychological pressure to simply produce at the middling level that we’ve all become accustomed to. Tylers Boyd and Eifert will help bail out the TCU product against the Seahawks, but this front seven will be too much for Cincinnati’s front. Jadveon Clowney will have a field day in his debut as a Seahawk.
Seahawks: 27, Bengals: 19
San Fransisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I expect an offensive shootout in this one. Bruce Arians’ offense will come out firing, and the veteran coach will find a way for Jameis Winston to effectively get the ball into the hands of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and O.J. Howard. While the 49ers field an improved pass rush with Nick Bosa and Dee Ford on the ends, Bosa is fielding a hamstring injury and is 50/50 going into week one. The secondary is in shambles as well outside of Richard Sherman, as the team needs another player to step up in the back end.
On the other end, look for much of the same from Jimmy G’s unit. George Kittle will work the middle, while young wideouts Deebo Samuel, Austin Bettis, and Jalen Hurd attempt to establish themselves in this offense. The offensive line will be able to take care of a middling Tampa Bay front seven, but the Bucs have addressed the secondary in recent drafts and is more likely to field a young defender that can slow down Garoppolo’s progressions enough in his first regular-season game since his torn ACL.
Buccaneers: 35, 49ers: 31
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
While rivalry games are much harder to determine than non-divisional matchups, the Cowboys seem to outclass the Giants at every position besides running back and tight end. Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram won’t be enough to save Eli Manning against a hungry, talented Cowboys defense. Byron Jones won’t be working against a true number one receiver with Golden Tate serving an undeserved suspension. Linebackers Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and Sean Lee roam the middle, while Demarcus Lawrence will give Nate Solder a huge challenge in the first game of the season. On the offensive side, Zeke just got fed and he’ll be looking for more after sitting out the entire preseason. The offensive line fields a returning Travis Frederick, while Prescott has Jason Witten and Randall Cobb as weapons to work with outside of Amari Cooper. Eli Manning won’t be able to do enough to keep up.
Cowboys: 24, Giants: 10
Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals
Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray are heading into what is seemingly a manageable debut against a Lions team that is predicted to finish last in the division this season. However, Matt Patricia comes from the Belichick coaching tree. While disciples of the Patriots dynasty never seem to find long term success as a head coach, Patricia should be able to stay a step ahead of Kingsbury’s college-style offense. The team would require Kyler Murray to lead this team in his NFL debut against a defense that has acquired new pieces to contribute in Trey Flowers, Justin Coleman, and Mike Daniels. This unit will be raring to get in the head of the rookie quarterback that is sitting behind a relatively weak offensive line.
The Cardinals have acquired new intriguing pieces as well, but Jordan Hicks and Byron Murphy won’t be enough to take the place of Patrick Peterson in this defense, as the star cornerback will serve a six-game suspension heading into this season. Look for Matt Stafford and Kerryon Johnson to have their way with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit.
Lions: 30, Cardinals: 13
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots
The reigning Super Bowl champions are missing Rob Gronkowski, Trent Brown, Trey Flowers, and (due to injury) David Andrews from their 2018 unit. While Belichick is capable of coaching up any roster into a Super Bowl contender, it typically takes time for any Patriots roster to fall together. This never-ending cycle has left speculators to expect New England to fall off every year, before turning into a Super Bowl contender by November. That cycle will likely continue.
The loss of Antonio Brown looks more and more like an addition by subtraction every day, and while his production on the field will definitely be missed, Juju Smith-Schuster will be able to take over the number one role and lead the team better than even quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That’s a lot to put into a player going into his third year, but the quarterback-receiver pair has other pieces on this offense to work with. Vance McDonald and James Conner complement an offense that also possesses a talented offensive line. The Steelers defense will also be improving with a proper replacement for Ryan Shazier properly in place. Devin Bush looks to instantly star in this defense and bring this unit to similar results as their pre-2017 installments.
Steelers: 21, Patriots: 20
Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints
The Texans have made a handful of roster moves in recent weeks, acquiring Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, and Carlos Hyde (among others), while losing Jadveon Clowney in a trade to Seattle. While these players will take time to buy into Bill O’Brien’s system, the Saints are raring to go with minimal roster changes since their NFC Championship Game loss against Los Angeles. Drew Brees and co. are looking to prove that they remain Super Bowl contenders heading into the next decade. Expect Alvin Kamara to take full advantage of the Texans’ front seven, as the all-world offensive line including Ryan Ramcyzk and Terron Armstead will enjoy not going head-to-head against Clowney.
Saints: 28, Texans: 7
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders
The Broncos and Raiders have retooled in order to compete with the Chargers and Chiefs in the AFC West, and this game is a big first step to see who can use an early win to their advantage in the playoff race. With Joe Flacco stepping in for Case Keenum, the Raiders’ defense will be given a manageable challenge and an opportunity to test out Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Abram, and Trayvon Mullen and see how they fare on an NFL field in real speed. Though, the Raiders’ offense will be tasked with a bigger challenge against the Broncos’ defense. If Kolton Miller and Trent Brown can hold a fraction of their own against Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, then look for Antonio Brown and Derek Carr cure the headaches caused by the Oakland’s offseason.
Raiders: 17, Broncos: 13
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