The new NFL season is upon us, and 31 teams are looking to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs on the road to New Orleans, at Super Bowl LIX. Here is a look at this week’s matchups, and The HCC Times sportswriter Jonathan Chekol’s predictions for these games.
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs – 8:20 p.m. ET (Thursday, Sept. 5)
A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship kicks off the 2024 season – this time at Arrowhead Stadium, as the Super Bowl champs take on the Ravens in Kansas City, MO. The Ravens are coming off an offseason highlighted by the arrival of running back Derrick Henry, who had 280 carries, 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Henry’s running ability, along with MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson (3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in the regular season) and the multifaceted playmaking ability of wide receiver Zay Flowers, is expected to show even more improvement this season – all of which should help the Ravens on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, they re-signed defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million extension.
However, things are not all rosy in Charm City. The Ravens have lost a significant number of players from last season, including wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Dolphins, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to the Los Angeles Chargers, and linebacker Patrick Queen to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens have struggled in the past against the Chiefs and going into Arrowhead will be no easy task. However, if the Ravens can control the tempo with Henry, and unlike last time out – where the Ravens only scored 10 points – make the most of their offensive positions, they have a shot of pulling the upset on the road.
The Chiefs are still the standard in the AFC, boasting the duo of QB Patrick Mahomes (401 completions in 597 attempts, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions) and tight end Travis Kelce (93 receptions for 984 yards), and coming off their third Super Bowl in just four years.
The key for the Chiefs will be their defense, which was able to keep the Ravens offense in check last time out. During that game in Baltimore the Chiefs held the Ravens to 10 points, 3-11 on third down, and forced 3 turnovers. Defensive tackle Chris Jones – who had 30 tackles and 10.5 sacks last season – is one of the best in the game due to his rare combination of speed and power. He and his defense will be crucial for the Chiefs to be successful once again vs the Ravens’ new-look offense.
Prediction: Ravens – 10 Chiefs – 24
The Chiefs defense will once again be able to hold the Ravens’ high-octane offense. Jackson’s stats against the Chiefs in previous meetings also don’t look promising, with 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 10 sacks, and a 1-3 record in regular season matchups.
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles – 8:20 p.m. ET (Friday, Sept. 6)
The Eagles started their 2023 in great form, going 10-1 at the beginning of last season before losing five of their final six games, eventually losing the NFC East to the Cowboys and going one-and-done in the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 32-9. The Eagles have improved their roster in the offseason by signing running back Saquon Barkley from the New York Giants – who had 247 carries for 962 yards and 6 touchdowns – and getting cornerback Darius Slay, who had 48 solo tackles, back from injury. They also did well in the draft, selecting promising young players such as cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo, and Cooper DeJean from Iowa.
The Packers came out of nowhere in the postseason, going into Jerry’s World (AT&T Stadium) and upsetting the Cowboys, 48-32. Packers quarterback Jordan Love had a total of 2,150 yards and 18 touchdowns with only one interception over his final eight games of the regular season. Those final performances earned Love a four-year, $220 million contract extension this offseason, and with wide receiver Christian Watson healthy again, Love has a deep wide receiver room to work with.
Prediction: Packers – 23 Eagles – 30
This should be a close game, but Philadelphia have won two of their last battles with the Pack, and the Eagles have made the most improvements to their roster this offseason, despite how good Green Bay looked toward the tail end of last year.
Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns – 4:25 p.m. ET (Sunday, Sept. 8)
The Dallas Cowboys started last season with a 5-3 record through their first eight games, but ended on a hot streak going 7-2 in the tail end of the regular season to win the division. Dallas had home field advantage in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but got upset at home to the Packers, 48-32, which was a very disappointing end to their season. Their offense scored 29.9 points per game in 2023, while the defense allowed 18.5 points against per game.
Dallas recently signed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a 4-year, $136 million contract, and still have their star signal-caller Dak Prescott who went for 4, 516 yards, 36 touchdowns and 9 interceptions last season. The Cowboys also brought back Ezekiel Elliott after his one-year stint with the Patriots last season, where he had 184 carries, but only 3 touchdowns. This season the Cowboys are looking to break their almost thirty-year wait to bring a championship back to Arlington, but QB Dak Prescott has a subpar record in the playoffs, going 2-5 with him as starter.
The Browns went 11-6 last season as they finished second behind the Ravens in the AFC North last year, with Cleveland winning 7-3 games last season to qualify as a Wild Card team. They were led by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to the playoffs last year. However, starting QB Deshaun Watson will be returning for the Browns after shoulder surgery sidelined him last season, as the team looks to get back into the playoffs this season. Running back Nick Chubb is out to start the season, with a torn MCL and an ACL injury. Their receivers are solid, but can Watson remain solid with less to work with?
Prediction: Cowboys – 35 Browns – 20
The Cowboys have won 3 of the last 4 September games as underdogs, while the Browns have lost 11 of their last 12 Week 1 games.
Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions – 8:20 p.m. (Sunday, Sept. 8)
The quarterback swap between Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Lions quarterback Jared Goff has worked out, as both have been successful in the last four years. The Rams won the Super Bowl three seasons ago, while 2023 saw the Lions reaching the NFC Championship game for the first time in thirty-two years.
The Lions are a good young team, with returning players such as 2023 Pro Bowl wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown as well as the running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs – who combined for 23 touchdowns last season.
The Rams hope to enjoy another productive season from last season’s breakout rookie, Puka Nacua, who had 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. They also welcome back star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who had 59 receptions, 737 yards and 5 touchdowns for LA last year.
Prediction: Rams – 35 Lions – 38
This could go either way, but the Lions should win this one at home – although, no team allowed more passing yards or touchdowns in the second half of the 2023 season than Detroit, who will hope that form doesn’t continue.
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers – 8:20 p.m. (Monday, Sept. 9)
The final game of Week 1 will see the return of QB Aaron Rodgers with the Jets, a year after he tore his Achilles just four plays into last season against the Bills. The Jets went 7-10 last season and finished 3rd in the AFC East.
The Jets have signed various players this offseason, including longtime Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith to shore up the offensive line. Gang Green have also signed former LA Chargers WR Mike Williams to play opposite of dynamite wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who went for 1, 042 yards and 3 touchdowns last season, as well as drafting linebacker Will McDonald IV from Iowa State with the 15th overall pick.
The 49ers went 12-5 last year en route to their second Super Bowl appearance in four years, but came up just short against the Chiefs, losing 25-22 in overtime. Quarterback Brock Purdy looks to lead the redemption tour for the 49ers after an offseason of drama that saw wide receiver Bradon Aiyuk get his contract extended, as he agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension. The Niners also brought in wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall draft pick – who is notably still recovering from a recent attempted robbery in which he was shot in the chest.
Prediction: Jets – 17 49ers – 34
This has the potential to be ugly for Rodgers and co. as the 49ers are at home and have a defense that has only allowed 17.5 points per game last season. The 49ers are also 11-3 against the Jets and have won three of the last four meetings since 2008.
