This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
To learn more about our privacy policy Cliquez iciWith no disrespect to thehighly anticipated 2019 NFL season-opener, a game in which the 10-3on Thursday nightto kick off the league's 100th year, many consider the first Sunday of a given NFL season to be the most exciting day on the football calendar.
Sucheagerne s isthe result of a seven-month buildup capped by anincreasingly exce sivepreseason. NFL teams, players and fans alike are ready for real games that will begin to shape the 2019 season. For half of the league, the elation of a new yearwill be met with the optimism a sociated with a season-opening win. Teams that lose in Week 1, of course, will be sent back to the drawing board immediately in an effort to avoid the dreaded 0-2 record.
MORE:
The 2019 season begins with familiar contenders jostling for position atop the league. The final four teams from last season the Patriots, Rams, Chiefs and Saints are the top four teams in Sporting News' . Closely behind them is the Cowboys, the team SN Super Bowl 54.
The long road to that game is Aaron Judge Jersey about to begin for Dallas and the 31 teams hoping to prove us wrong in our prediction. So, on the subject of predictions, here are our picks for Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season, all the way through the now-traditional"Monday Night Football" doubleheader on Aroldis Chapman Jersey ESPN.
Week 1 NFL picks, predictionsWashington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles ()Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
These season-opening division games can be tricky for teams like the Eagles, big favorites hosting their rivals in a game they have no busine s losing. Ask the Saints, who let the Buccaneers score 48 points in the Superdome to open last season. Of course, that lo s did not impact New Orleans' run to the NFC title game, and Philadelphia would take the same trade-off should it drop its opener against Washington. Don't count on it, though, especially if Trent Williams isn't there to keep the Eagles' pa s-rushers away from Case Keenum.
Prediction: Eagles 21, Redskins 10
Kansas City Chiefs () at Jacksonville JaguarsSunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
This game (well, half of it)presents asneaky-good matchup. We all know what the Chiefs' offense can do with reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes slinging the ball toTyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but the Jaguars' defense is on a mi sion to prove it's just as stingy as it was two years ago. NowJacksonville has Josh Allen to rush QBs like Mahomes and make life easier on its Jalen Ramsey-led secondary, a potentially lethal combination. On the other side of the ball, the presence of Nick Foles isn't as important in this game as the availability of Leonard Fournette, who the Jags can use to control the clock and keep Mahomes off the field as much as po sible. If they can do that, the result will be one of those head-scratching Week 1 upsets.
Prediction: Jaguars 30, Chiefs 28
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings ()Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
These teams play in equally impre sive, relatively new stadiums, and they are equally difficult to project as they enter the season. The Falcons and Vikings both have reasons for optimism, but they play in two of the NFL's toughest divisions. A good start in 2019 is vital for both James Paxton Jersey after similarly disappointing 2018 seasons, too. Even though Atlanta is on the road, it has the better quarterback and, at this point, the more athletic defense. We'll take Matt Ryan's team in a close game.
Prediction: Adam Ottavino Jersey Falcons 31, Vikings 27
MORE:
Tenne see Titans at Cleveland Browns ()Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
In many ways, these teams feel like they're trending in opposite directions, with Baker Mayfield's Browns looking like contenders and Marcus Mariota's Titans sliding out of contention. Yet this marks new Cleveland coach Freddie Kitchens' debut, and it's still fair to question whether the Browns' optimism will be met with victories, especially early in the season. Of course, the fans in Cleveland are feeling the same optimism, so the atmosphere atFirstEnergy Stadium should push the home team to a win.
Prediction: Browns 17, Titans 13
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets ()Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Here's another one of those tricky, season-opening division games. In terms of trying to progre s their second-year quarterbacks, the Bills and Jets are in similar places. New York feels a step ahead; Le'Veon Bell is much better than anybody Buffalo can feature in its rushing attack, andGregg Williams' defense hopes to be as loud on the field this season as the coordinator is on the sideline. The Jets should beat the Bills in their fancy new uniforms. Again, though weird Week 1division game.
Prediction: Bills 24, Jets 17
Baltimore Ravens () at Miami DolphinsSunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
If the Dolphins win this game, it likely will be because Ryan Fitzpatrick started at quarterback and put up more inexplicably ma sive numbers to open a season. The Buccaneers benefited from this"Fitzmagic" phenomenon last year. The more likely scenario is Baltimore running all over Miami. At some point this season, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's supposedly more precise pa sing will be put to the test. Week 1 against the Dolphins will not be that point.
Prediction: Ravens 21, Dolphins 6
Los Angeles Rams () at Carolina Aaron Hicks Jersey PanthersSunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
This game is defined by unknowns, which are normal for Week 1 but compounded in this case. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is dealing with a sprained foot, and even though Carolina thinks he'll be able to play, the game plan might be tweaked to account for his injury. In LA, coach Sean McVay has kept his 2019 offense under wraps, so Luke Kuechly has no film to study in an effort to wreck everything the Rams want to do. Even with those unknowns, we do know this game has entertaining written all over it. Expect a bunch of points and, as long as Los Angeles doesn't get sloppy with turnovers, a Rams win.
Prediction: Rams 35, Panthers 28
Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers ()Sunday, Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The bad news for the Colts is their quest to compete in the AFC without Andrew Luck begins with a game against one of the conference's best teams. The good news for the Colts is Jacoby Bri sett doesn't have Anthony Rizzo Jersey to deal with a rowdy crowd at the Chargers' temporary home. Even without Luck, Indianapolis has enough talent to compete with the likes of Los Angeles, and in many games, Bri sett will be able to make enough plays to push his team to victory. Against Philip Rivers, though, it won't be enough.
Prediction