Now that the official schedule is out for the 2025 NFL Season, we can make some early picks and score predictions for Week 1 action. Over the next several months, teams will get deep into their offseason programming, and eventually, we will hit preseason action.
The 2025 NFL regular season will begin on September 4th, with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles getting us started in 2025. There is also a game on Friday the 5th as well, as the Kansas City Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers.
Anyway, now that we know the schedule for Week 1, we can roll out some early picks and predictions for the first week of NFL action in 2025.
Early picks and predictions for 2025 NFL Week 1 games
September 4th - Cowboys @ Eagles, 8:20 PM
The Philadelphia Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champions and are probably going to honor the 2024 Super Bowl team during this game, so you might think that the Birds have an easy win in front of them. However, I do believe this team is at risk of a regression in 2025, and being that anything can happen in Week 1, it would not shock me to see Dallas getting the win here.
Cowboys win 27-24
September 5th - Chiefs @ Chargers, 8:00 PM
The Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC for three years in a row now but did win most of their games in 2024 by razor-thin margins. The Los Angeles Chargers played them quite close in 2024, and you could argue that LA added more talent than KC this offseason. With this game also being at home for the Chargers, this could be a close win for the Bolts.
Chargers win 23-20
September 7th - Buccaneers @ Falcons, 1:00 PM
Maybe one of the more evenly-matched games of Week 1, the defending NFC South champions play the Atlanta Falcons, who could be a frisky team in 2025 if Michael Penix Jr makes a jump. The Bucs are more of a proven team, but the Falcons have the better roster.
I am trusting that the known commodity in Tampa Bay is able to get the victory here in a close divisional game.
Buccaneers win 27-24
September 7th - Bengals @ Browns, 1:00 PM
Oh boy; this could be a blowout. Now yes, AFC North games always seem to be super close, but the Cleveland Browns may end up being one of the worst teams in football this year. Joe Burrow and the Bengals are dysfunctional themselves, but this should not be an issue for Cincinnati.
Bengals win 30-13
September 7th - Dolphins @ Colts, 1:00 PM
The Miami Dolphins are in Indianapolis to face the QB-less Colts. The Colts are likely starting one of Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson this year, which is a losing solution no matter how you slice it, as it's not likely that either ends up playing well.
Even with the Miami Dolphins having issues of their own, they are good enough to get a victory against a team with no viable QB solution.
Dolphins win 24-20
September 7th - Raiders @ Patriots, 1:00 PM
I love the New England Patriots as a sneaky-good team in the 2025 NFL Season, and I would feel quite comfortable in saying that they are better than the Las Vegas Raiders right now. With Mike Vrabel as the team's head coach and a ton of talent added to the roster, the Pats have a great chance in front of them.
They get the win here in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL Season.
Patriots win 17-14
September 7th - Cardinals @ Saints, 1:00 PM
In what might be the least-watched game of the week, the Arizona Cardinals are in New Orleans to face the Saints in the first game of the Kellen Moore era. We also may see the first game of the Tyler Shough era as well. With the Cardinals revamping their defensive line this offseason and filling their biggest needs, this could be a total drubbing in Week 1, as the Saints are pathetically bad.
Cardinals win 28-6
September 7th - Steelers @ Jets, 1:00 PM
Would this be Aaron Rodgers vs. Justin Fields? It might be - right now, though, while both the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets aren't any good, the Jets at least have some semblance of a QB in Justin Fields, and somehow, someway, Justin Fields could be the deciding factor in this game right now.
Jets win 20-10
September 7th - Giants @ Commanders, 1:00 PM
The New York Giants have the hardest schedule in the NFL this year and may honestly, truly, struggle to win three games. I am not predicting that the Washington Commanders fall victim to one of the crazy Week 1 outcomes - they are the better team, and head coach Dan Quinn will know how to avoid a Week 1 stinker.
Commanders win 28-13
September 7th - Panthers @ Jaguars, 1:00 PM
This could be a fun game with two teams who may be better than expected in 2025. I am a huge fan of the Carolina Panthers roster and actually think Bryce Young could hit his stride. With the Jacksonville Jaguars having a first-year head coach in Liam Coen, his first win could have to wait until Week 2. Young and the Panthers get the win here.
Panthers win 23-21
September 7th - Titans @ Broncos, 4:05 PM
The NFL gave first overall pick Cam Ward quite the brutal game to kickoff his NFL career. The Denver Broncos fielded a top-3 defense and the best pass rush in the league in 2024 - they also won 10 games and saw Bo Nix play some of the best football we have ever seen from a rookie QB.
While the Titans could be the pick here for the wise guys, the Denver Broncos are simply a different animal and will win this one.
Broncos win 27-17
September 7th - 49ers @ Seahawks, 4:05 PM
What should we make of these two rudderless teams? The San Francisco 49ers seem to be in a transitional period, and the Seattle Seahawks... well, I have no idea.
The 49ers have the head coach and QB advantage coming into this game, so that could be enough for them to eek out a close divisional victory in Week 1.
49ers win 21-20
September 7th - Lions @ Packers, 4:25 PM
In what could be an early contender for game of the year, the Detroit Lions are in Green Bay to face the Packers in Week 1. Both the Lions and Packers made the playoffs in 2024, but it was the Lions who ended up being the better team.
However, the gap in the NFC North has closed a bit, and I see the Packers defending Lambeau and getting a massive victory in Week 1.
Packers win 30-24
September 7th - Texans @ Rams, 4:25 PM
This could be a really neat Super Bowl 60 matchup, honestly. We're not even close to getting there yet, but we do have two very good teams playing each other in Week 1, as the Texans faceoff against the Rams. Both teams won a playoff game in 2024 and also won 10 games during the regular season.
You may think that Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay hold the fort down in Week 1, but this could be the year that the Texans finally breakout and peak in the CJ Stroud era. Give me the Texans on a last-second field goal.
Texans win 30-28
September 7th - Ravens @ Bills, 8:20 PM
Sunday Night Football is a rematch of the AFC Divisional Round, where the Buffalo Bills beat the Baltimore Ravens. This is a tough game to pick, as the Ravens and Bills are pretty evenly-matched, but Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are just too much at times and are going to be the deciding factor in this one.
Ravens win 29-23
September 8th - Vikings @ Bears, 8:15 PM
Monday Night Football sees the Minnesota Vikings traveling to play the Chicago Bears, and I really have no idea why people are so high on the Vikings this year - they are essentially starting a rookie QB in JJ McCarthy, so he is bound to take his lumps.
Caleb Williams has a year under his belt and now has a competent offensive coach and a ton of talent around him. The Bears are going to win this game and get out to a crucial 1-0 start.