NFL Week 1 Preview and Predictions

Written by Shawn Stewart and AJ Olona

Seattle at Atlanta 

1 p.m. ET

FOX

Point Spread: Seattle, -1.5

Surprisingly, the point spread for this game is much closer than things might actually end up being. Seattle enters the start of 2020 fairly healthy. Their high-powered offense will be too much for Atlanta to handle. While Atlanta isn’t particularly banged up either, they are outmatched in this NFC clash.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Seahawks 27 - 24

AJ’S PREDICTION: Seahawks 31-17

Cleveland at Baltimore 

1 p.m. ET

CBS

Point Spread: Baltimore, -8.5

The Browns could keep this close if they are able to establish the run early. After locking up Kareem Hunt, the Browns bring back arguably the best 1-2 punch in the backfield in the NFL. The Browns obviously have their hands full with trying to contain last year's MVP Lamar Jackson. Coming into this game, the Browns secondary will be banged up. They lost second round safety Grant Delpit earlier in the offseason and have already ruled out corners Greedy Williams and Kevin Johnson. On top of that, Mack Wilson is still dealing with an injury as well. The Ravens could put up as many points as they did in their 2019 opener against Miami.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Ravens 38 - 20

AJ’S PREDICTION: Ravens 45-38

New York Jets at Buffalo 

1 p.m. ET

CBS

Point Spread: Buffalo, -6.0

This could be the year we see a new division winner in the AFC East. The Bills defense should feast in this game! I am not sure what to think of the Jets. They are pretty light on receiving options for Sam Darnold and that will continue into week 1. The Jets have already ruled out rookie receiver Denzel Mims. On the other end, Buffalo will be missing CB Josh Norman, but that won’t likely slow down this defense all too much. This could be a statement game for the Bills.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Bills 24-13

AJ’S PREDICTION: Bills 20-3

Las Vegas at Carolina 

1 p.m. ET

CBS

Point Spread: Las Vegas, -3.0

While the Raiders do enter Sunday without any major injuries, this team is still going against Christian McCaffrey. Christian McCaffrey alone is enough to cause headaches for the Raiders. While we are still looking to see what this Panthers team looks like with Teddy Bridgewater under center, we know that Christian McCaffrey will be all over the field! Even with the QB carousel that the Panthers saw in 2019, McCaffrey was still the best offensive player in the NFL.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Panthers 27-17

AJ’S PREDICTION: Panthers 24-10

Chicago at Detroit 

1 p.m. ET

FOX

Point Spread: Detroit, -3.0

The Bears are officially rolling into the season with Mitchell Trubisky as the starting quarterback, for now. That might not bode well for the Chicago offense, but there is a lot to like about the defense.  The Lions will be glad to have Matthew Stafford healthy this season, and with an upgraded running game, hopefully that takes some pressure off Stafford. However, Kenny Golladay was a late addition to the injury report and is listed as doubtful for the Lions. If he can’t go, look for the Lions to try to lean heavily on their trio of running backs.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION:  Bears 17-14

AJ’S PREDICTION: Bears 17-6

Indianapolis at Jacksonville 

1 p.m. ET

CBS

Point Spread: Indianapolis, -7.5

Don't expect much of anything from the Jaguars this entire season. They have let several key pieces go via trade or release on both sides of the ball. They are fully headed into rebuild mode now, in hopes to land their quarterback of the future, possibly in Clemson star Trevor Lawrence.  The Colts on the other hand look like they are in win now mode. They went out a signed 38-year-old quarterback, Phillip Rivers to lead their offense. The Colts should be able to run the ball consistently on the Jaguars defense and with the added pieces on the defensive side, they could put this game away early. Both teams head into week 1 fairly healthy on both ends of the ball.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Colts 24-10

AJ’S PREDICTION: Colts 38-10

Green Bay at Minnesota 

1 p.m. ET

FOX

Point Spread: Vikings, -2.5

What a great early season match up to get the NFL started. The NFC North will likely come down to these two teams. Aaron Rodgers is still under center for the Packers (for the time being) and should have a solid running game behind him with Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, and rookie AJ Dillion.  The Vikings offense will rely heavily on the run, with Dalvin Cook being the lead back. This game is going to come down to the wire.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Packers 28- 24

AJ’S PREDICTION: Vikings 24-23

Miami at New England

1 p.m. ET

CBS

Point Spread: New England, -6.5

The Tom Brady era is over in New England, but the Cam Newton era is about to begin. Could we see a little rust from the former MVP? New England did very little to put much talent around Newton this offseason. On the other end, Tua Tagovailoa looks to be the future in Miami, but for now, it is Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter once again. While they lost a ton of pieces during the offseason, the New England defense should be solid once again this season, and in this game. Despite that, this game could be much closer than people think, and might quickly send Patriot fans into a worry.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Patriots 31-13

AJ’S PREDICTION: Dolphins 27-24

Philadelphia at Washington 

1 p.m. ET

FOX

Point Spread: Philadelphia, -6.0

The Eagles have been decimated by injuries before a single snap has been taken in the NFL season. They have already ruled out WR Alshon Jeffery, as well as big time free agent addition, DT Javon Hargrave. Washington just cut future Hall of Fame running back, Adrian Peterson (who is now with the Lions), and potential starter Derrius Guice due to off the field issues. Washington will have trouble running the ball against this stout defensive line of the Eagles, which will put a lot of pressure on Dwayne Haskins. Without much around him yet again, he may struggle to move the ball too well.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Eagles 28-20

AJ’S PREDICTION: Eagles 32-10

L.A. Chargers at Cincinnati

4:05 p.m. ET

CBS

Point Spread: Chargers, -3

The Joe Burrow era has begun in Cincinnati!  I still have some concerns at the quarterback position for the Chargers, and this could be an ugly game with lots of turnovers. The Chargers are also heading into this game a little banged up. Chargers starting center Mike Pouncey is already ruled out for the game while fellow lineman Brian Bulaga and Trai Turner are both questionable. It’s also starting to look like Mike Williams might miss this game as well. The Chargers could have a hard time spreading the ball around between just Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry. Whoever runs the ball effectively in this game will win! 

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Chargers 20-16

AJ’S PREDICTION: Bengals 27-13

Tampa Bay at New Orleans

4:25 p.m. ET

FOX

Point spread: Saints, -3.5

This is easily the game of the day! It does not get any better than this quarterback matchup! Two future Hall of Famer's battling it out in Tompa Brady vs. Drew Brees. Do not be surprised if this is a playoff preview!  While it’s starting to look like Mike Evans might not play for the Bucs in a Brady’s debut game, don’t look for that to be an issue. The Buccaneers have so many options on the offensive side of the ball that it is scary. Whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game. It is most likely going to be a very high scoring affair. Hell, it might even come down to who has the better kicker on the night!

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Saints 41-38

AJ’S PREDICTION: Buccaneers 34-31

Arizona at San Francisco

4:25 p.m. ET

FOX

Point Spread: San Francisco, -7.5

The 49ers are another team decimated by injuries. Throughout training camp, they have been losing receivers left and right. Early on, the 49ers lost Travis Benjamin to an opt out and have already placed Tavon Austin, Jalen Hurd, and Chris Thompson on injured reserved. Deebo Samuel has already been ruled out for the season opener and first round receiver Brandon Aiyuk is questionable. Arizona will be debuting the duo of Kyler Murray and superstar DeAndre Hopkins running that offense, but in the end, defense wins! And the 49ers have one of the best defenses in the NFL. We’ll see how big of a loss DeForest Buckner is right out the gate

SHAWN’S PREDICTION:  49ers 20-16

AJ’S PREDICTION: Cardinals 24-13

Dallas at L.A. Rams

8:20 p.m. ET

NBC

Point Spread: Dallas, -2.5

This is a defensive team in the L.A. Rams vs. an offensive juggernaut with the Dallas Cowboys! The Cowboys will rely heavily on the run, as they typically do, and look for the Rams to rely heavily on the passing game. The Rams offense is going to have a hard time keeping up with the Cowboys offense and the pieces that they have. While the Rams just locked in star corner Jalen Ramsey to a monster extension, he can’t cover Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb all by himself. This game could come down to the wire, as the Rams need to prove that 2019 was a fluke.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Cowboys 24-13

AJ’S PREDICTION: Rams 21-17

Follow A.J. on twitter @age_lona and Shawn @ShawnSportsNut.