NFL Week 1 Game-by-Game Expert Predictions

The NFL season has started and football is finally back. Fans everywhere can rejoice and get ready for the first Sunday of the season.

We have already seen a few games take place as the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Baltimore Ravens in the opening matchup. The Philadelphia Eagles won the first-ever game in Brazil, dispatching the Green Bay Packers.

But what about the rest of the games coming up this weekend?

The Newsweek Sports staff made predictions for every game and this is how the games are expected to play out.

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

Both the Saints and Panthers are looking to get their year started off on the right foot. Carolina wants to show that Bryce Young is the real deal and New Orleans needs Derek Carr to show he can perform at the highest level. The NFC South may be more competitive this season so grabbing division wins early is crucial.

Matt Levine: Saints

Eva Geitheim: Saints

Ricardo Sandoval: Panthers

Jeremy Hanna: Saints

Valentina Martinez: Saints

Alex Kirschenbaum: Saints

Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants

After Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was ruled out for the remainder of the season, veteran Sam Darnold is now the signal-caller. He was always going to start but now won’t have a rookie waiting behind him. New York will be looking to see how Daniel Jones performs coming back from injury. This will be a battle of two former top-10 draft picks, both of which haven’t lived up to the hype.

Matt: Giants

Eva: Vikings

Ricardo: Vikings

Jeremy: Vikings

Valentina: Vikings

Alex: Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta will be showing off their new toy in quarterback Kirk Cousins as they look to get back to the postseason. Pittsburgh wants to do the same but will be relying on backup quarterback Justin Fields after Russell Wilson has been dealing with an injury. This game has all the makings of being one of the best from the early window of matchups.

Matt: Steelers

Eva: Falcons

Ricardo: Falcons

Jeremy: Steelers

Valentina: Falcons

Alex: Falcons

New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals

On paper, Cincinnati should win this game. But there is a reality where the Bengals are missing both star wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. New England can look to take advantage of that behind veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who won the starting job over rookie Drake Maye.

Matt: Patriots

Eva: Bengals

Ricardo: Bengals

Jeremy: Bengals

Valentina: Bengals

Alex: Bengals

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

Both of these teams can compete for the AFC South crown, but the Texans are seen as potential Super Bowl contenders as well. The Colts would love to spoil their hyped-up offseason and send them packing with a divisional loss to open the year. Anthony Richardson is back for Indianapolis, facing off against C.J. Stroud.

Matt: Texans

Eva: Texans

Ricardo: Colts

Jeremy: Texans

Valentina: Texans

Alex: Texans

Arizona Cardinals @ Buffalo Bills

The Bills wide receivers will look a little different after losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason. It could be a work-it-out sort of game for Buffalo. But Arizona is hungry to be more competitive, and what better way than by grabbing a massive road win to begin the year?

Matt: Bills

Eva: Bills

Ricardo: Bills

Jeremy: Bills

Valentina: Bills

Alex: Bills

Tennesee Titans @ Chicago Bears

Rookie star Caleb Williams will make his debut for Chicago against a tough Tennesee defense. The Titans will try to give him a ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment but Williams could have some tricks up his sleeve as well. Chicago has a strong offensive attack, potentially giving them the chance to be a sleeper playoff contender this season.

Matt: Bears

Eva: Bears

Ricardo: Bears

Jeremy: Bears

Valentina: Bears

Alex: Bears

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins

Both Florida teams are looking to get to the postseason, with Miami being viewed more highly than Jacksonville. The Jaguars dropped five of their last six games to end the season. Miami made the playoffs but ran into the Chiefs. This game could be a statement early on in the AFC.

Matt: Dolphins

Eva: Dolphins

Ricardo: Dolphins

Jeremy: Dolphins

Valentina: Dolphins

Alex: Dolphins

Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks

Bo Nix gets his first start in the NFL as the Broncos look to turn the page on their future. Seattle trots out Geno Smith under center, looking to get back to the postseason. Both teams are being slept on entering the new year and a win could go a long way to showing people they mean business.

Matt: Seahawks

Eva: Seahawks

Ricardo: Broncos

Jeremy: Broncos

Valentina: Broncos

Alex: Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh makes his return to the NFL stage as Antonio Pierce looks to right the ship in Las Vegas. The Raiders smacked the Chargers the last time they played them by a score of 63-21, giving Los Angeles a chance for redemption.

Matt: Chargers

Eva: Chargers

Ricardo: Chargers

Jeremy: Chargers

Valentina: Chargers

Alex: Raiders

Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns

This is a battle of playoff teams from a year ago, giving us a potentially great game. Dak Prescott takes on Deshaun Watson in what could be a defensive showing between these two teams. Oh, and NFL legend Tom Brady will be making his broadcast debut in this game.

Matt: Browns

Eva: Cowboys

Ricardo: Browns

Jeremy: Cowboys

Valentina: Cowboys

Alex: Browns

Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay is favored in this game, especially with rookie Jayden Daniels making his debut for Washington. But the Commanders have a new head coach in Dan Quinn, who would love nothing more than to grab a victory to open the season up. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will be the X-factor in this contest.

Matt: Commanders

Eva: Buccaneers

Ricardo: Commanders

Jeremy: Commanders

Valentina: Commanders

Alex: Commanders