NFL Game Week 1 - Schedule, Picks, How to Watch and more
Updated on: September 1, 2024 / 02:07 PM

NFL Game Week 1 - Schedule, Picks, How to Watch, and more

Whilst the NFL absolutely knows how to keep us entertained during the offseason, there is no denying that the arrival of Week 1 will bring an immense sense of relief to football fans. We have made it! And boy, what a fantastic slate of games to kick the season off. From conference championship repeats to inter-divisional humdingers, it really has it all.

There is so much to be excited about with week 1. How are the rookie quarterbacks going to get on? How does Aaron Rodgers look in a Jets uniform (take 2…)? Who will be victorious in the mouth-watering quarterback battle between reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes?

Game Week 1 of the NFL brings us the much-anticipated return of football in a magnificent way, and this article is going to break down some of the best games to look out for.

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Game Week 1 - Key Games

Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs

  • Date & Time: Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 8:20 p.m. ET
  • Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
  • H2H Stats: 1 - 4 (since 2018)
  • Broadcast Details: NBC, Peacock

Game Preview:

Of course, we have to start with the opener. As is tradition, the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, will be kicking things off. This time, against another AFC powerhouse, the Baltimore Ravens. There are storylines all over this game. Firstly, you have the Ravens looking to exact revenge on the team that defeated them in the AFC Championship game. Secondly, you have the first real test for the vaunted Baltimore defense without their commander and chief Mike Macdonald, who has taken his talents to Seattle as head coach.

You also have some new names in new faces to keep an eye on, with Derrick Henry lining up alongside Lamar Jackson in the Baltimore backfield and hotly-anticipated rookie Xavier Worthy prepping for his rookie debut in Kansas City. There is more to explore here as well, but the reality is, it is just two of the very best teams in the NFL, facing off on opening night. How good is that?

Prediction/Analysis:

It’s never a comfortable feeling to pick against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but that’s exactly what I am going to do here. The Chiefs lost to the Lions in the opener last year, and I reckon the same happens on Thursday Night this week. Whilst I expect Mahomes and the Chiefs to come good in the long run, I think Baltimore will start hotter. They will be desperate for revenge, and the Chiefs may take some time to adjust to life without L’Jarius Snead in the secondary and with rookie Xavier Worthy as a focal point on offense. I back them to do it eventually, but those minor question marks makes me want to lean towards a supremely talented Ravens side who will be desperate to get their revenge.

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

  • Date & Time: Friday, September 6, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Corinthians Arena, São Paulo, Brazil
  • H2H Stats: 1-2 (since 2019)
  • Broadcast Details: Peacock

Game Preview:

The second game of the 2024 NFL season is the first to have ever been played in South America, with the Green Bay Packers taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. We expect both teams to be challenging for the NFC title in 2024, but both are coming off completely different endings to the 2023 season.

Jordan Love flipped a switch at the halfway point last year to lead the Packers to the playoffs, where they completely humiliated the Dallas Cowboys. Love looked like the real deal and one of the best signal-callers in the NFL, earning himself a hefty new contract. On the other side of things, the Eagles started hot, winning 10 of their first 11 games, before capitulating in an ugly fashion. It was so messy that there were even rumors that head coach Nick Sirianni could be fired, just one year after going to the Super Bowl. Instead, the coordinators got the blame, and Sirianni returns to lead an immensely talented roster.

There are Superstars galore in this one, treating fans to a rare Friday night clash between two teams who expect to be right up there in the NFC.

Prediction/Analysis:

I will be backing the Eagles to get the win here, despite finishing so poorly last year. Kellen Moore brings a much-needed upgrade to the offensive coordinator position, where I expect him to fully utilize the thrilling talent of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown, and DeVonta Smith. It’s an embarrassment of riches that were mismanaged last year, and I back them to start strong against a side that punched above their weight last year. It would be foolish to write the Packers off, and I expect them to have another great year, but this Eagles side is a true powerhouse, ready to be unleashed.

New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers

  • Date & Time: Monday, September 9, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
  • H2H Stats: Only played once in the last 7 seasons. San Francisco won 31-13 in 2020
  • Broadcast Details: ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

Game Preview:

The Week 1 schedule is bookended with mouthwatering clashes. Monday Night Football treats us to our first proper look at Aaron Rodgers in a Jets uniform (hopefully…), as he tries to take down the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have a true embarrassment of riches on offense, but it doesn’t get much tougher than going up against the New York Jets, who PFF ranked as having the number 1 defensive line, linebacker group, and secondary in their preseason rankings.

When New York takes to the field, all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers, and whether he is able to fully unleash an offense that is dripping with exciting talent as well. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are two of the most exciting young talents in the NFL, thriving over their first two seasons in the league despite having awful quarterback play. If this offense clicks, and the defense lives up to expectations, then the sky really is the limit.

Prediction/Analysis:

The New York Jets get the edge for me here, despite being the away team against a reigning conference champ. Talent-wise, they might have the most well-rounded roster in the NFL, with true superstars littering almost every position group. Not only that, but San Francisco has been struggling with contract issues during the preseason. Brandon Aiyuk has now signed, but Trent Williams’ status remains up in the air. Even if they do get both players back on  the field in time for the Jets game, what standard will they be at after missing so much time? That is another reason to give New York the edge to me.

Honorable Mentions

Author: Venuse, Inc.