It seemed as if it was moving at a snails pace, but football is finally back. With a lot of interesting matchups in Week 1, we may find out quickly who is a contender, and who is a pretender. Which teams take home the W? Let’s check it out.
Carolina Panthers @ Denver Broncos
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Since the NFL moved the first game of the season to TNF with the host being the defending Super Bowl Champions in 2004, the team that held up the Lombardy Trophy seven months prior are 10-2. Make that 10-3 after the Carolina Panthers beat the Denver Broncos in a nail bitter thanks to Cam Newtons two passing touchdowns.
Outcome: Panthers 20 Broncos 17
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Green Bay Packers
Many believe the Jaguars can be a playoff contender in 2016. They will be tested early, especially this week. Behind Eddie Lacys 120 yards rushing and one score, the Jaguars will have to build on something come week 2.
Outcome: Packers 28 Jaguars 24
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
This game will be all about the defense. With a healthy Joe Flacco though, Baltimore squeezes out a win over the Rex and Rob Ryan led Bills.
Outcome: Ravens 17 Bills 13
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Chargers come in the healthiest they have been in years, as the Vhiefs limp along missing a few pieces to that defense. In somewhat of a shootout look for the Chiefs defense to make a critical stop late in the 4th.
Outcome: Chiefs 31 Chargers 27
Minnesota Vikings @ Tennessee Titans
No Teddy Bridgewater? No problem for Minnesota….at least in week 1. Look for the Minnesota Vikings defense to stop almost everything Tennessee throws, or runs for that matter, at them.
Outcome: Vikings 24 Titans 9
Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans
Nov 11, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) makes a tackle on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
A new signal caller and healthy running back has Houston feeling good about their chances this year. A matchup against Chicago in week 1 is exactly what the doctor prescribed. Behind Lamar Millers two rushing touchdowns, Houston will start the season off in a positive way.
Outcome: Texans 24 Bears 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons
A great divisional matchup to start off the season will let us know if Tampa Bay is who we think they are. Thanks to the leg of second round pick Aguyo, Tampa Bay starts 1-0 on both the season and in the division.
Outcome: Buccaneers 23 Falcons 20 OT
Cleveland Browns @ Philadelphia Eagles
The RGIII era has begun in Cleveland. So has the Carson Wentz era in Philadelphia. Thanks to a better defense, look for the Eagles to apply an ample amount of pressure on Griffin and force a total of four turnovers.
Outcome: Eagles 23 Browns 10
Oakland Raiders @ New Orleans Saints
Oaklands defense will be great this year. It just won’t be on display in week 1 as Drew Brees and his new weapons light up the scoreboard.
Outcome: Saints 31 Raiders 23
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
With no weapon outside of AJ Green in the receiving corps, the Jets defense won’t have to game plan too hard. Behind a defense that will cause three turnovers and a QB that will throw two touchdowns, the Jets will take care of Cincinnati.
Outcome: Jets 24 Bengals 16
Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck is back and healthy. Can he return to form from two years ago? With a game against a soft Lions defense, Luck should be able to get back on track and lead his team to a W.
Outcome: Colts 27 Lions 24
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Throw out the records and what each team looks like on paper when these two meet up. With a rookie quarterback starting, the Giants will be able to force a couple of turnovers and pull this game out at the end.
Outcome: Giants 31 Cowboys 20
Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks
It’s hard to play in Seattle, that much we know. It’s harder to play in Seattle when traveling 3,000 miles across country. Seattle will have this game won at halftime when the score is 24-3.
Outcome: Seahawks 31 Dolphins 10
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals
No Tom Brady? A BIG problem for the New England Patriots. Jimmy Garoppolo won’t have an easy night against this fire powered defense. Will we see NC State alum, Jimmy Brissett, sometime during this game? It may run across Bill Belichicks mind when Garoppolo has three interceptions by halftime.
Outcome: Cardinals 27 Patriots 16
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Redskins
Josh Norman has his work cut out for him in the first three weeks of the season. Just focusing on week 1, be prepared to see Antonio Brown dominate him when the two are matched up. Big Ben will find Brown for two touchdowns and lead the steelers to a W.
Outcome: Steelers 27 Redskins 17
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
I guess the NFL struggled to pick a second MNF game during week 1. Les by a better defense, the Rams will pull off the win and spoil Chip Kelly’s first game with the 49ers.
Outcome: Rams 20 49ers 13
Fan Duel
Carson Palmer – $7,900
David Johnson – $8,800
Latavius Murray – $6,800
Deandre Hopkins – $8,400
Golden Tate – $6,900
Travis Benjamin – $5,600
Travis Kelce – $6,400
Roberto Aguayo – $4,500
Eagles D/ST – $4,800
Total: $59,900
