The long wait is almost over. The 2024 NFL season starts on Thursday evening and it is sure to be an action-packed, wild and sometimes unpredictable journey to the 59th Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Although it’s very hard to predict games in this league, for some bizarre reason I’m going to try to predict every single one of them. Don’t make me suffer alone. Why don’t you pick your winners every week during the 2024 season and see if you’ve beaten me by the end of the year?
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
The season opener is a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game and could decide who hosts the title game this time around. Led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, Baltimore will make an early statement in Arrowhead.
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The 2023 season ended with two very different results for these teams. Green Bay finished the season on fire and the Eagles faltered at the end of the year. Buoyed by the arrival of Saquon Barkley, the Eagles will reverse that trend and win a close game in Brazil.
Neil’s choice…Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons
There will be headlines everywhere, but especially at quarterback, with Kirk Cousins debuting for Atlanta and Russell Wilson leading the Steelers. With Cousins on board, the Falcons have the firepower to put a tough defense to the test.
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
Kyler Murray will benefit from the arrival of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. However, it won’t be easy to score more points than Josh Allen in Buffalo, so I’m leaning toward a home win for the Bills, who have a lot to prove in 2024.
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams’ debut, whether good or bad, will be one of the headlines of Week 1. I think his start to the NFL will be a good one and a winner. The Bears will be exciting to watch.
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
After 24 years with Bill Belichick, New England has a new boss in Jared Mayo and the Patriots are heading to Cincinnati for the first week. Beating the Bengals led by Joe Burrow is probably too much to ask now.
Neil’s choice… Cincinnati
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
This is an exciting season opener, pitting Houston’s CJ Stroud against Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, and is a chance for the favored Texans to make an early mark in the AFC South.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins
This will be a tough challenge for a Jags team that performed poorly in 2023. Miami didn’t fare much better, getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, but they are loaded with firepower and tend to start quickly under Mike McDaniel.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The Panthers should field a better offense this season around Bryce Young, but the Saints still have a stingy defense, and even if it isn’t spectacular, that should be enough for a home win.
Neil’s choice… New Orleans
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
There was a lot of concern in Minnesota after rookie QB JJ McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury, but I think veteran Sam Darnold is ready to spring a surprise in 2023 and will start strong in NY.
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
Head coach Jim Harbaugh returns to the NFL for the first time in a decade and will bring a physical approach to the Chargers, and they will show that toughness early on against the Raiders, who start with Gardner Minshew at quarterback.
Neil’s pick… Los Angeles Chargers
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
It will be interesting to watch rookie quarterback Bo Nix lead Sean Payton’s Broncos in 2024. But his debut in Seattle is never easy, and the Seahawks will be a competitive team this season.
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
The biggest star of this game could be in the booth as Tom Brady makes his TV debut on FOX. Dallas is coming off a rough offseason, but I think they have the air superiority to win this road game after CeeDee Lamb gets paid.
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield got paid in the offseason, his salary increased from $4 million per year in 2023 to $30 million per season in 2024. He and Mike Evans will have enough to beat Washington while rookie QB Jayden Daniels finds his footing.
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
In this 2023 playoff rematch, Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff will face off again on the big stage. The Lions are legitimate Super Bowl contenders this season and will show us why on Sunday Night Football.
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers on Monday Night Football for the Jets, second try! Let’s hope Rodgers stays healthy all season because he will make NY a contender. However, the 49ers have too much talent and depth to lose this home game.
Neil’s choice…San Francisco
