NFL Week One predictions

It’s finally here, week one of the 2023 NFL season. Kicking off with the banner raising for Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs against Detroit and with intriguing matchups up and down the slate, this is looking like a great start to the season. Let’s take a look at who we think might get an early win on their records.

The Lions have become media darlings over the past 12 months, showcasing a great offensive mind in Ben Johnson and showing Dan Campbell’s rah-rah attitude can work in the NFL. Still, the Chiefs are Super Bowl favorites for a reason and should be winning this. Detroit 17-38 Kansas City

Many expect the Falcons to make a jump in 2023 as they build a physically intimidating offense and look to methodically put up points running the ball. For the Panthers, everything revolves around their rookie QB, Bryce Young. Will Young look good in his first regular-season start? Will it be enough to win on the road? Carolina 14 - 27 Atlanta

This one doesn’t look like it will be close as the Texans take their rookie QB and head coach on the road to Baltimore. For C.J. Stroud, this is a trial by fire as he makes his first start against one of the best defenses in the league. We will get to see Demeco Ryans’ defense try to contain Lamar Jackson though, and that could be fun. Houston 10 - 42 Baltimore

An intriguing divisional matchup as the Super Bowl contender Bengals head to Ohio to face the Browns. The Browns will be looking for drastic improvement this season and the Bengals in week one will be a good chance to test their mettle. Cincinnati 17 - 21 Ceveland

The ascending Jaguars travel to Indianapolis in week one to take on another rookie QB/head coach combo. Trevor Lawrence has a chance to cement himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season, whilst Anthony Richardson will make his long-anticipated debut. Jacksonville 24 - 19 Indianapolis

The Bucs are one of the weirdest-looking teams in the NFL this season as they possess a lot of talent across the roster but a terrible QB room. The Vikings are sort of the opposite with a mediocre roster outside of offensive weapons Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison with usually solid Kirk Cousins throwing them the ball. Tampa Bay 10 - 33 Minnesota

These are two teams firmly planted in mediocrity this season with no realistic chances of deep playoff runs for either. Both could well keep themselves in playoff contention as the season progresses, making every win count. Tennessee 24 - 35 New Orleans

A matchup of two of the most storied franchises in NFL history as the Niners travel to the Keystone State. The Steelers should be a solid team this year, with one of the best pass-rushing duos out there but San Francisco are amongst the elite and should have too much here. San Francisco 31 - 21 Pittsburgh

The Cardinals stink and will stink throughout the season as they definitely don’t try to tank (wink, wink) for Caleb Williams, so it should be no surprise to see them lose on the road in week one to a decent enough Washington team. Arizona 3 - Washington 24

Arguably the most fervent rivalry in the NFL as Green Bay head to Chicago without the self-proclaimed “owner” of the Bears as their QB. Jordan Love has a chance to make the Packers faithful quickly forget about the now-gone Aaron Rodgers. For the Bears, they need a win to kickstart a season that will say a lot about the team. Green Bay 35 - Chicago 28

The Raiders aren’t a good team and the Broncos could maybe be a good team, making this an intriguing matchup. It will certainly be a litmus test for the Broncos under Sean Payton’s leadership and a chance to see if Russell Wilson can re-find his form of yesteryear. Las Vegas 14 - Denver 28

Quite possibly the premier matchup of week one as two teams with Super Bowl aspirations clash in LA. The Dolphins will put up points early and often and the Chargers will look to lean on Justin Herbert’s arm to keep pace. Miami 35 - 33 Los Angeles Chargers

A chance to see the newly reloaded Super Bowl runner-ups take on a team still without a real identity. The Eagles look loaded almost everywhere on the roster and should be able to overpower Bill Belichick’s men in Foxborough. Philadelphia 31 - 17 New England

The Rams are truly one of the worst teams in the league despite possessing Aaron Donald and Matt Stafford (Cooper Kupp’s injury status is unclear), whilst the Seahawks have a chance be right amongst the playoff race all year. Los Angeles Rams 10 - Seattle 33

A classic NFC East matchup for the first Sunday night Prime Time matchup. The Cowboys barely have a weak spot on their roster and should be too much for a Giants side that will struggle to match their impressive 2022. Dallas 26 - New York Giants 17

The AFC East is looking like one of the most loaded divisions in recent NFL history and we will be able to see two teams with February football on their minds meet on the first Monday Night Football of the season. Buffalo  33 - New York Jets 38