NFL Week 1: Bold predictions for every game on a loaded schedule

NFL Week 1 bold predictions for Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray vs Patrick Mahomes? Battle of the red jerseys? Sign me up. Two strong teams from both western divisions should be a terrific battle for Sunday afternoon. This one isn’t as easy to determine as both offenses are similar however the defense will likely be the deciding factor in this bout.

Advantage Kansas City. The Chiefs beefed up their defense in the first round of the draft while the Cardinals used their only first-round pick to bring Baltimore receiver Marquise Brown to the desert. The bold prediction for this game has nothing to do with the defense but with a third-year running back.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushes for over 100 yards, has over 40 receiving yards, and scores at least one touchdown. 

Edwards-Helaire, the former LSU star, is looking to regenerate his standing within the Chief’s organization and his third season is a perfect time to do it. The Cardinals’ run defense historically has not been great and this season shouldn’t be an exception.

Chiefs 31 Cardinals 24

NFL Week 1 bold predictions for Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers

This is easily one of the best divisional games of the week. The tension between these two teams will be palpable and the storylines are basically endless. The Raiders ruined the Chargers’ playoff hopes last season with a classic Dan “Legatron” Carlson game-winning field goal. The Chargers also acquired Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s other best friend, Khalil Mack, in the offseason.

Now Carr will hope to defeat the loaded Chargers with his college teammate and other best friend, receiver Davante Adams, against his old teammate Mack. The pressure on both quarterbacks is growing but our bold prediction is that one quarterback rises to the occasion more than the other.

Justin Herbert doesn’t miss a beat and logs over 300 passing yards with 3+ touchdowns.

While Hebert hopefully isn’t facing the same defense the Raiders put on the field last season he seems to improve each season, dramatically. Herbert is starting the season with receivers he already has familiarity with so the learning curve is minimal. This game should be high scoring but the Chargers have built such an impressive unit it’s tough to bet against them.

Chargers 31 Raiders 24