Week 1 NFL Predictions: Picking Games is Always a Challenge
As the NFL season kicks off, fans and analysts alike are faced with the difficult task of predicting the winners of each game in Week 1. With the uncertainty of rookie quarterbacks starting and a number of young quarterbacks taking over as starters, there are no guarantees when it comes to picking games this early in the season.
Acknowledging the difficulty of this task, many analysts are calling for a mulligan if their predictions fall flat in Week 1. This sentiment is shared by NFL analyst Pete Prisco, who admits that while he had a successful season last year, Week 1 is always a challenge.
Despite the challenges, Prisco is still confident in his ability to pick games and will be making predictions both straight up and against the spread. Fans are advised to pay attention, as this could be the year Prisco finally wins the pick competitions.
One of the highly anticipated matchups in Week 1 is the game between the Detroit Lions and the defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Prisco believes this game will be a true test for the Lions, who will face off against Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. With the Chiefs as the favorites, Prisco predicts a 33-23 victory for Kansas City.
Another notable matchup is between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers. This game marks the debut of No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young for the Panthers. Prisco believes the Falcons, led by their strong offensive lineup, will come out on top with a 27-21 victory.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will be making his first NFL start for the Houston Texans against the Baltimore Ravens. Prisco expects the Ravens, with their solid defense and revamped offense, to dominate in a 31-14 victory.
In the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals will face off against the Cleveland Browns. Prisco predicts a close game, with the Browns prevailing 29-26 in a late-game win.
Other Week 1 predictions by Prisco include the Jacksonville Jaguars defeating the Indianapolis Colts 34-17, the Minnesota Vikings edging out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21, and the New Orleans Saints defeating the Tennessee Titans 23-17.
Prisco also predicts the Pittsburgh Steelers to upset the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 23-21, the Washington Commanders to overpower the Arizona Cardinals 33-10, the Green Bay Packers to squeak by the Chicago Bears 27-23, and the Denver Broncos to narrowly defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24.
Additionally, Prisco expects the Los Angeles Chargers to emerge victorious over the Miami Dolphins in a close 31-30 matchup, the Philadelphia Eagles to defeat the New England Patriots 30-22, the Seattle Seahawks to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 30-14, the Dallas Cowboys to beat the New York Giants 31-24, and the Buffalo Bills to triumph over the New York Jets.
As teams prepare for the start of the season, it remains to be seen whether Prisco’s predictions will hold true. With the NFL season full of surprises and upsets, fans can only anticipate the action that lies ahead in Week 1.