Week 1 of the 2022 NFL Season is less than two months away. Let’s break down every game and predict who comes out 1-0 after Week 1!
With NFL training camp around the corner, why not go ahead and predict the entire Week 1 slate of games for the upcoming season?
We always get a nice set of games to break into the season with and this year is no exception. Let’s get right into it with the Thursday Night Football game for Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
NFL Week 1 predictions: Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams
The reigning Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams take on the Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills for the season opener.
The two juggernauts meet up at the same field where the Rams just secured their Lombardi Trophy, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
While the Rams are obviously coming off a fantastic championship victory the Bills have had the heartbreaking loss in the playoffs on their mind all offseason.
The Rams have the playmakers on both sides of the ball but the Bills made sure to beef up their only true weakness; their defense. The Bills come out firing and upset the Rams to start the season 1-0.
Bills 30 Rams 27
NFL Week 1: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
The New Orleans Saints kick off their season with a divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The game takes place at the Falcons’ home stadium however both teams are starting off the season with an offseason full of change.
The Falcons are trotting out veteran Marcus Mariota at quarterback while the Saints will likely begin the season with Jameis Winston behind center.
The Saints also have a new head coach with former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over. The biggest question is whether or not Alvin Kamara will even be available due to a pending penalty imposed by the NFL for an offseason arrest.
This will be closer than most think but let’s go with the Saints taking the first win in the NFC South battle.
Saints 21 Falcons 17
NFL Week 1: Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers
The NFL had to have an idea that the Baker Mayfield trade to Carolina was going to happen months ago because this is too juicy a matchup to ignore.
Whether or not Deshaun Watson is starting/available in Cleveland there will be a lot riding on this game from an emotional point of view.
Baker Mayfield, once named the “Savior of Cleveland”, will likely be starting against his old team in Week 1.
All eyes will be on Baker to see how he performs against his own team but I think it will be too early to expect things are synchronized in Carolina. The Browns’ defense will be too much for Baker (or Sam Darnold) to handle and the Browns begin this new rivalry on top.
Browns 24 Panthers 14
NFL Week 1: San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears
This one could get ugly.
While the 49ers may be trotting out Trey Lance to begin his reign in San Francisco and could come with some speed bumps the Bears simply don’t have a complete enough roster to be competitive.
Kyle Shanahan’s explosive offensive scheme will be too much for the Bears’ middling defense to handle.
Justin Fields doesn’t have enough weapons to overwhelm the 49ers’ defense led by up-and-coming defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
As if the task wasn’t difficult enough the Bears also have a new head coach in Matt Eberflus. The Bears will be lucky to win more than six games this season and this won’t be one of them.
49ers 30 Bears 21
NFL Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
An AFC North rivalry match to start of the season? Yes, please.
The Cincinnati Bengals are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in their house and things will be spicy very quickly.
The Bengals are still recovering from a brutal Super Bowl loss to the Rams and their beloved fans will expect big things against the rival Steelers.
Joe Burrow will not disappoint and whoever the Steelers start at quarterback, Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, won’t be ready to hold them off.
While I don’t believe the Bengals are making another Super Bowl appearance this game will be a nice win to start off their revenge tour.
Burrow’s new offensive line will have an excellent first test against DPOY TJ Watt and Cam Hayward. Steelers heading back to the Steel City 0-1. I’m Acri-sure of that.
Bengals 26 Steelers 20
NFL Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions
The 2022 stars of HBO’s Hard Knocks, the Detroit Lions, should have fans on the edge of their seats as they face the Philadelphia Eagles at their home at Ford Field.
Unfortunately for them, Jared Goff will be without his new weapon, wide receiver Jameson Williams, who is still rehabbing.
The Lions’ newest defensive acquisition, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, will have his first NFL appearance against one of the best offensive lines in the league.
The Eagles had one of the best offseasons/drafts in their history and are my pick to take the NFC East this season.
The Lions will fight hard but the Eagles will prevail, especially with the debuting of their most high-profile addition; wide receiver AJ Brown. Fly Eagles Fly.
Eagles 24 Lions 21
NFL Week 1: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Home-field advantage is about the only advantage the Houston Texans will have in this divisional matchup.
The Indianapolis Colts, now led by quarterback Matt Ryan, have a better offense and a far better defense.
Texans sophomore quarterback Davis Mills has too tough of a task for an inexperienced signal caller with an underwhelming offensive roster.
Matt Ryan will be an upgrade for the Colts and provide more stability, leadership, and overall consistent play.
The Texans are an excellent tune-up game for Ryan to get him into a groove with his new team. Colts with the win.
Colts 31 Texans 14
NFL Week 1: Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
The AFC East has gotten so competitive there is a very real possibility the New England Patriots are the third-best team in the division.
They don’t have an easy start to the season facing long a time divisional rival on the road against the Miami Dolphins.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is a defensive mastermind but having squandered their free agency and draft opportunities the offensive firepower of the Dolphins will be too much to handle.
Belichick is always in the game no matter the opponent but quarterback Mac Jones won’t be able to keep up if it becomes a shoot out and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will have more than enough open targets to choose from.
While Dolphins’ new head Mike McDaniel’s first game will be against one of the best coaches of all time a complementary roster will have his back and take the win.
This AFC East battle could be close but not close enough for Bill and the boys to go back to Boston with a victory.
Dolphins 27 Patriots 21
NFL Week 1: Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets
While their offensive scheme may not dictate a need at this position it was very taxing to watch so many talented free agent/rookie wide receivers go unsigned by the Ravens.
On the flip side, the New York Jets had one of the best drafts in the league this year. Even though the Ravens’ wide receiver room is looking bleak they still are a favorite to win this game.
The Jets are definitely trending up and in the right direction as far as rebuilds go they won’t be ready for this.
Lamar Jackson is a threat in every game, and he won’t be counted out in this one either.
The Jets will hopefully put up a better fight against the Ravens than we expect but this game will start Zach Wilson’s second season off with an L.
Ravens 28 Jets 14
NFL Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders
Even with Chase Young possibly being on the PUP list to start the season the Week 1 match against Jacksonville Jaguars should be a victory for the newly named Washington Commanders.
Head Coach Ron Rivera is likely fighting for his job this season and with Carson Wentz as his starting quarterback, this won’t be an easy fight.
The Jaguars are also in the middle of a rebuild. Travon Walker was their first pick overall this draft and after a confusing but expensive free agency they aren’t ready to be truly competitive.
Wentz has plenty of weapons around him and offseason comments aside defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio should have his guys ready for Trevor Lawrence’s second season with his second head coach, Doug Pederson.
I think Doug can turn this unit around but not in Week 1. The Commanders will command a win this time.
Commanders 24 Jaguars 17
NFL Week 1: New York Giants vs. Tennessee Titans
There has been a lot of Ryan Tannehill slander this offseason and it’s understandable considering his playoff performance against the Bengals.
The Brian Daboll era in New York is about to begin and it’s enough to get everyone excited about Big Blue and what they might become.
Daboll is very possibly “the guy” to turn this franchise around however this matchup may be too much for the Giants to start with.
The Giants will start their season facing off against the 247 pound running back (that looks like a defensive end) Derrick Henry and we’ll be curious to see if their first-round draft pick Kayvon Thibodeaux is up to the challenge. My money is on Derrick.
Tannehill admitted the playoff blunder impacted him greatly so he is going to want to show out for his home crowd in Week 1 and head coach Mike Vrabel has to show something as well; that this team can survive without AJ Brown.
The Titans could also be ruling out their new receiver Treylon Burks who was brought in to replace AJ Brown who was traded to the Eagles surprisingly. Burks has spent more time in the building seeing the medical staff than on the practice field so far.
Regardless, this will be a closer game than many anticipated but Vrabel will squeak out a win. Daboll will hopefully use this game as fuel to get quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley into the form required to keep their careers alive. Titans with a close win.
Titans 17 Giants 14
NFL Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals will be entering this contest without DeAndre Hopkins at receiver, and the next five contests after that.
Marquise Brown is joining his buddy quarterback Kyler Murray in the desert amidst a contract dispute with the front office. Things in Arizona are not exactly fine and the defense has several gaping holes that can’t be, but have been inexplicably ignored.
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a brutal AFC Championship loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and are roaring to get back to that game for another shot.
Quarterback superstar Patrick Mahomes will enter his first season without Tyreek Hill but with an abundance of talented receivers at his disposal he should be fine.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach spent their two first-round picks building up their defense and they’ll have a good first test by trying to set an edge around the quick-footed Kyler Murray.
This should still end with a win for the Chiefs and the first AFC West team starts the season 1-0.
Chiefs 31 Cardinals 21
NFL Week 1: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The first divisional matchup for the AFC West in Week 1 and they picked the perfect two teams.
The Raiders and Chargers could have tied in the final game of the 2021 season to send them both to the playoffs.
When it seemed the Raiders were comfortable with a tie the Chargers head coach Brandon Staley called a surprise timeout and the Raiders elected to go for it.
One Daniel Carlson field goal later and the Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention after an excellent offensive showing by quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers will be out for blood this week.
The Raiders will be trotting out quarterback Derek Carr and his new receiver (and best friend) Davante Adams, which will certainly energize all the Silver and Black fans dominating the inside of SoFi Stadium but it may not be enough.
The Chargers’ main weakness last season was their defense and the Chargers fixed that this offseason by signing one of the best cornerbacks (JC Jackson) and an elite defensive end in former Raider Khalil Mack. Another close friend of Raiders QB Derek Carr.
There will undoubtedly be a lot of emotions throughout this matchup and things could get very chippie at times. Every single AFC West game matters with a division this stacked with talent but the Chargers are going to take this one and the Raiders will have to play catch up. Bolt up.
Chargers 37 Raiders 31
NFL Week 1: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Funny that we just mention divisional rivals squaring off in the first week of the season. Here we go again with NFC North rivals; the Packers vs the Vikings.
The Packers always seem to have issues dealing with Dalvin Cook specifically and this Sunday won’t be an exception.
The Vikings new head coach, another ripe apple plucked from the Sean McVay coaching tree, Kevin O’Connell, is ready to throw all of his weapons at the Packers this week.
The Packers’ defense is going to be in for a solid bout but the Packers spent a lot of draft capital building up their defense which should be a top 5 unit this season.
Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers so he can never be counted out but he lost his trust blanket, receiver Davante Adams, and the Packers once again failed to bring in receivers that will fill the void.
Surrounded by aging veteran Randall Cobb, mid-tier WR2 Allen Lazard, and a handful of rookies won’t ease the pain for Rodgers or make this first game any easier.
Rodgers will always keep it competitive but the purple eaters will squeak this win out and we may see new Kings of the North emerging slowly after Week 1. Rodgers may be vacating the Iron Throne quicker than anticipated.
Vikings 31 Packers 28
NFL Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The first game of the season for 2021 was this exact same matchup, and it was a treat. The football gods, or the scheduling officials in New York, have graced us with this duel again except we have to wait for Sunday night this time.
This one should not disappoint either.
Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is likely (hopefully) entering his final final season with Todd Bowles leading the team in his second stint as a head coach.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is fighting for his job and quarterback Dak Prescott is entering this season without elite receiver Amari Cooper.
The Buccaneers have a reputation for being equally efficient on both sides of the ball and the Cowboys will have their hands full Sunday night.
Ceedee Lamb will work to fill the void left by Cooper and Ezekiel Elliot is doing his best to hype up his doubters this offseason that he will return to form.
Tom Brady loves a challenge and he will rise to the occasion this week armed with his usual group of playmakers and an imposing defensive unit.
This won’t be as close as their Week 1 meeting in 2021. Brady’s last first game of the season is a win over “dem boyz”.
Buccaneers 30-Cowboys 21
NFL Week 1: Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
A round of applause for the NFL league scheduling personnel; this is even juicier than the Baker Mayfield vs Cleveland Browns matchup.
Former Seahawks “12” quarterback Russell Wilson is now a Denver Bronco. For NFL Week 1 he is going back home to Seattle with his new team, new head coach, and new chance to get back to his championship form.
Seattle on the other hand doesn’t know who is starting at quarterback and whether it’s Drew Lock or Geno Smith things are looking bleak.
Head Coach Pete Carroll will be tasked with scheming against the quarterback he helped develop and ultimately win a Super Bowl with.
The tension in Lumen Field on Monday Night Football will be palpable. Both teams are starting the year off with new quarterbacks and in the Broncos’ case a new offensive system.
The Broncos roster, as it has to be in the AFC West, is loaded on both sides of the ball.
The Seahawks’ offensive line and defensive lines are questionable while their running backs and receivers (assuming DK Metcalf plays) are enticing.
Russell Wilson may enter a stadium filled with boos but when he leaves Broncos fans will be applauding. The Wilson era in Denver begins with a win against the team he led for 10 season. Let’s ride.
Broncos 27-Seahawks14