The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season opener begins with cautious apprehension in New Orleans. This Saints team enters the season with Klint Kubiak as its new offensive coordinator, and with his hiring comes a new offensive philosophy to New Orleans for the first time in nearly two decades. The new offensive scheme is a welcome change, but personnel concerns have raised doubts among some fans.
Expectations are high for the Saints with a division title on the line, but do they have what it takes to be the third team from the host city to play for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans next February? They may well try to surprise the league. Their hopeful road home to the Superdome in February starts here in Week 1.
In fact, despite their failures over the past three seasons, the Saints haven’t been out of the NFC race for very long, much like their losing streak from 2014-2016. But these Saints have to make themselves believe in themselves one more time. They have to make the fans believe in themselves one more time. They have to make New Orleans believe in themselves one more time. Before time runs out.
***
I’ll be bringing you every single game on the NFL schedule all season and into the postseason, along with my picks for each game. We’ve waited a long time for this season to begin, so let’s get started.
WEEK 1
Thursday, September 5 – NFL Kickoff 2024
Ravens at Chiefs
A season ago, the defending Super Bowl champions Chiefs lost at home to Detroit in the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game, and now Kansas City faces the team they beat last season en route to the Super Bowl. KC won’t lose a prime-time home game on “Banner Night” for the second year in a row. Kansas City wins 29-24.
Choose: Chiefs
***
Friday, September 6th – NFL game in São Paulo
packer at* Eagles – Corinthians Arena – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Green Bay will be looking to build on its success at the end of last season and in the playoffs, while Philly will be looking to erase memories of its relegation at the end of last season and its failure in the playoffs last season. Both teams will have the opportunity to start this season anywhere they want in this international showdown in Brazil. Philly will get off to the best start here. Philadelphia wins 31-28.
Choose: eagle
***
Sunday, September 8 – Early Games
Steelers at Falcons
Atlanta is the media darling in the division early this season, and their performance here at home against Russell Wilson and Pittsburgh, who are still trying to find their stride early in the season, will only fuel that reputation. Atlanta wins 34-23.
Choose: Falcons
***
Cardinals at Bills
It’s a season of major personnel changes in Buffalo, but those changes won’t have much of an impact here against the Cards. Buffalo wins 24-20.
Choose: Invoices
***
Titans at Bears
The Caleb Williams era officially begins in Chicago and it will begin in style with a home win against Tennessee. Chicago wins 23-21.
Choose: Bears
***
Patriots at Bengals
After a very disappointing season in Cincinnati last year, the Bengals, with a healthy Joe Burrow, are looking to regain the top spot in the AFC. The weak Pats will offer a nice warm-up game for the start of the season in Cincinnati. Cincinnati wins 28-17.
Choose: Bengal
***
Texans at Colts
This season in the AFC South, all eyes will rightfully be on CJ Stroud and the Texans, but a healthy Anthony Richardson in Indy will have a lot to say in the race for this division. That would be a great way to start the season, but Stroud wins Round 1. Houston wins 24-21.
Choose: Texan
***
Jaguars at Dolphins
Jacksonville looks to rebound from last year’s disappointing season, but starts the season with a very difficult opponent in Miami, who will be looking to erase the memory of the slump at the end of last season. Miami wins 28-21.
Choose: Dolphins
***
Vikings at Giants
Daniel Jones vs. Sam Darnold isn’t exactly the top quarterback matchup most people expect in Week 1, but thanks to the Justin Jefferson vs. Malik Nabors receiver matchup, this game ends up being more exciting than many expect, with the Vikings coming out on top. Minnesota wins 28-27.
Choose: Vikings
***
Panthers at Saints
New Orleans’ hopes for success this season rest on Klint Kubiak and his new offensive philosophy. After running Sean Payton’s offense for nearly two decades, the Saints are now looking to the future, or should I say the present, of NFL offensive strategies. Kubiak and the Saints look to begin this new era against a familiar divisional opponent. One they swept last season. One that went 2-15 last season.
There will be a lot of attention on the Saints’ new-look offense, but we need to pay just as much attention to the other side of the ball. The key for the Saints in this game and this season overall will be their defense, which will set the tone with a 5-sack performance on Bryce Young. The Saints’ pass rush will make life difficult for the second-year quarterback, forcing him to make mistakes and giving their own offense a chance to capitalize on those mistakes.
This offense should be much improved from the last few seasons, but it may take some time to get going. The Saints will benefit from having Carolina as their first opponent, but the difficulty level will change, and quickly. Like many of the Saints’ recent season openers, this game will be much closer than it should be, but in the end they will win it. The Saints win 24-17.
Choose: Saints
***
Sunday, September 8 – Late Games
Raiders at Chargers
The Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles begins with a bang with a convincing win at home over AFC West rivals Las Vegas. Los Angeles wins 40-23.
Choose: Chargers
***
Broncos at Seahawks
Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix returns to the Pacific Northwest, but loses to Sean Payton in his NFL debut. Seattle wins 23-20.
Choose: The Seahawks
***
Cowboys at Browns
In Cleveland, it will be an offensive affair as both Dallas and Cleveland look to take the next step this season. Dallas wins 37-30.
Choose: Cowboys
***
Commanders at Buccaneers
Tampa Bay looks to begin its quest for a fourth consecutive NFC South title when they host Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, who may have a tough present despite a promising future. Tampa Bay wins 30-21.
Choose: Buccaneer
***
Football on Sunday evening
Rams at Lions – Game of the Week
This rematch of January’s NFC Divisional Playoff could be just as exciting as that game. This time, the Rams find a way to get the win they missed last time. Los Angeles wins 24-21.
Choose: Aries
***
Monday, September 9th – Monday Night Football
Jets at 49ers
A year ago, Aaron Rodgers attempted to make his triumphant debut on Monday Night Football in New York. His season was over on his first appearance. The task now becomes more difficult: After a serious injury, Rodgers and his Jets are now traveling across the country to face the reigning NFC champion 49ers in this year’s Monday Night Football opener. San Francisco wins 28-17.
Choose: 49ers
***
That’s how I see it. Tell us what you think about the first week of the 2024 NFL season. Leave your comments and insights below. Saints football is finally back!
You can see all the odds for your favorite NFL team at Daily Fantasy Sports and Online US Sportsbook | FanDuel.
Follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC“Like” on Facebook at Canal Street Chroniclesand make sure you follow our YouTube channel
