The NFL is finally back.
After an entire offseason of trades, free agency, the draft, predictions and arguing about which teams got better or worse, we finally get to see everyone on the field. Week 1 is always difficult to predict because we really do not know what these teams are yet, but that is not going to stop me from trying.
Every week this season, I am going to pick the winner of every NFL game and keep track of my record along the way.
No spreads. No betting. Just straight-up winners.
Here are my picks for Week 1.
New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
What better way to start the season than a rematch of Super Bowl LX?
Seattle gets the Patriots at home after beating them for the championship just a few months ago. New England has had an entire offseason to think about that loss, so I expect a much more competitive game this time around, but Seattle is still the better team in my eyes.
The Seahawks begin their title defense with a win.
San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
We are going to Australia for an NFC West rivalry game, and I am starting Week 1 with an upset.
The Rams are loaded and Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season, but San Francisco should enter the new year healthier. Getting players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner back makes a massive difference.
Division games can get weird. Give me the 49ers.
Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Chicago Bears
Both of these teams surprised people last season, but I trust Chicago more entering Week 1.
Caleb Williams has another year of experience, and after winning the NFC North last season, the Bears have shown they are capable of competing with good teams.
Carolina is improving, but I have Chicago starting 1–0.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow and the Bengals need a healthy season more than almost anyone in football.
Cincinnati has had some brutal starts to seasons in recent years, but I think they avoid another one here. Tampa Bay is still dangerous, especially with Baker Mayfield, but Cincinnati’s offense has too much firepower for me to pick against them at home.
Give me Burrow and the Bengals.
New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions
Pick: Detroit Lions
I actually like what New Orleans is building, and I think Tyler Shough could take another step this season.
But going into Detroit in Week 1 is a difficult assignment.
The Lions still have one of the most talented offenses in football, and Jahmyr Gibbs could have a monster season now that the backfield belongs to him.
Detroit starts the year with a win at Ford Field.
Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans
Pick: Houston Texans
Here comes one of my bigger Week 1 picks.
Buffalo is still Buffalo, and Josh Allen can take over any game he plays in. But Houston’s defense against the Bills offense might be the matchup of the week.
Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter can make life miserable for quarterbacks, and Houston gets this game at home.
I am taking the Texans to make an early statement in the AFC.
Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Last season was disappointing enough to bring major changes to Baltimore, but Lamar Jackson is still Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens have too much talent for me to pick against them here. Indianapolis can make this interesting, especially if Jonathan Taylor gets going, but Baltimore should enter the season with something to prove after missing the playoffs.
Ravens win.
Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville won the AFC South last season and gets to begin its second year under Liam Coen at home.
Cleveland, meanwhile, still has major questions to answer.
I think Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars are simply the better football team right now. Sometimes there is no need to overthink it.
Jacksonville gets the win.
Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Atlanta Falcons
This is another one where I am willing to go against the home team.
Both franchises are entering new eras, which makes this one difficult to predict. Pittsburgh has moved on from Mike Tomlin, while Atlanta begins the Kevin Stefanski era.
I like the talent Atlanta has on offense, and if the Falcons get solid quarterback play, I think they can leave Pittsburgh with a Week 1 win.
Give me Atlanta.
New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans
Pick: Tennessee Titans
This might not be the flashiest game on the Week 1 schedule, but I am extremely interested in seeing what Cam Ward looks like entering Year 2.
Tennessee also gets to unveil rookie receiver Carnell Tate, one of my favorite rookies entering this season.
The Jets have plenty of new pieces of their own, but I am taking Tennessee at home.
Titans win.
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Los Angeles Chargers
Jeremiyah Love making his NFL debut will make Arizona worth watching, but the Chargers are the more complete team right now.
Justin Herbert working with Mike McDaniel should be one of the most interesting offensive combinations in football this season. Add Jim Harbaugh to the equation, and there is too much stability on the Chargers’ side for me to take Arizona.
Chargers start 1–0.
Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas is one of the teams I am most curious about this season.
The Raiders have made major changes, and whether Fernando Mendoza starts immediately or they begin with a veteran quarterback, I like the direction of the roster.
Miami is entering a new era of its own, but I think the Raiders take advantage of playing at home and start the season with a win.
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Minnesota Vikings
You can almost throw the records out whenever two NFC North teams play each other.
Green Bay’s 2025 season ended horribly, while Minnesota enters the new year looking to establish itself in what might be football’s toughest division.
I also think Kyler Murray gives this Vikings team a spark. A fresh start in Minnesota could be exactly what he needs, and putting his mobility and playmaking ability into this offense gives the Vikings another dimension that could be difficult for Green Bay to deal with.
Playing in Minnesota gives the Vikings the edge for me.
Vikings win a close one.
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Jayden Daniels being back makes Washington much more dangerous than it was for most of last season.
But Philadelphia has won the NFC East two years in a row for a reason.
The Eagles are still one of the most complete teams in football, and playing this game in Philadelphia makes it even harder for me to pick against them.
Give me the Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Sunday Night Football gives us one of the NFL’s classic rivalries.
Dak Prescott against Jaxson Dart should be fun, and the Giants pass rush could cause Dallas some problems. But when I look at the offensive weapons on both sides, I trust Dallas more.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens give Dak an explosive receiving duo, and I think the Cowboys leave New York with a win.
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs
And we finish Week 1 with a massive AFC West game.
Denver took the division away from Kansas City last season, while the Chiefs endured a nightmare 6–11 year. Now Kansas City gets its first opportunity to show that last season was an exception rather than the end of its run.
There is obviously one enormous factor here: Patrick Mahomes’ health.
If Mahomes is on that field, I am taking Kansas City at Arrowhead. The Chiefs have spent the entire offseason hearing about their downfall, and I expect them to come into Week 1 with something to prove.
Chiefs win.
Those are my Week 1 picks. Some will probably look obvious by Monday night, and at least a couple will probably make me wonder what the hell I was thinking.
That is Week 1 football.
I will be back next week to see how badly—or hopefully how well—I did and make my picks for Week 2.
Season Record: 0–0
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