Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is officially here! As mentioned in my introductory post, I will be giving my picks for each week, insights for Fantasy Football, and prop bets that I like for the week. Before I get started, one last question….
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!!!
PICKS
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
- After the Cowboys traded away their best player in Micah Parsons, I expect their defense to struggle in big ways this season. That belief, mixed with the Superbowl Banner Night for the reigning champs, I expect the Eagles to take care of business with an early season NFC East win.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers
- The NFL has started scheduling more and more games around the globe, with this one featuring a long-awaited AFC West divisional matchup in Brazil. The Chargers are dealing with a banged up offensive line, so I expect the Chiefs defense to put pressure on QB Justin Herbert all night. Hopefully the turf is in better shape than last year’s contest in Brazil.
Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints
- The Cardinals have flown under the radar this offseason, and they have many young offensive players hungry to make an impact this season. With the Saints starting Spencer Rattler at QB, I’ll take the Cardinals.
Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
- This is a matchup of two teams who have struggled over the past couple seasons. QB Bryce Young showed flashes with the Panthers and the end of last season, but I’m predicting a bounce-back season for the Jags starting with a win at home.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons
- Many believe these will be the top two teams in the AFC South this year. The Buccaneers have many stars on offense, and I still expect Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. to need some time to get adjusted to a full season as the starting QB. Give me the Bucs.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Jets
- For those that read my posts, you’ll quickly come to learn that I am a diehard Steelers fan. I will try to be as unbiased as possible when making my picks and discussing their season, but I can’t possibly pick against an Aaron Rodgers revenge game! Steelers 100, Jets 3.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
- If the Bengals have even a “bad” defense this year, compared to an AWFUL one like last year, they can make the playoffs. Their offense is just too stacked. Bengals.
Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts
- One of the several toss-ups for Week 1. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what to make of these teams heading into the season, but I am not optimistic. I’ll take the home team.
Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots
- The Raiders made some huge changes to their organization in the offseason, adding QB Geno Smith, HC Pete Carroll, and drafting rookie RB Ashton Jeanty. I think they’ll start the season strong with a road win.
New York Giants @ Washington Commanders
- Reigning Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels returns looking to avoid a sophomore slump. While I do expect a small amount of regression, I believe his talent will be too much for the Giants.
Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos
- No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward faces quite the challenging defense in his first NFL start. As someone who lives in Denver, I can tell the Broncos are eager to show Cam Ward what a top 3 defense is all about.
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
- This division will truly be a toss-up at the end of the season. The Seahawks should have a pretty solid defense, but I have learned my lesson in underestimating Kyle Shanahan and the Niners.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
- The Packers made the trade of the offseason, acquiring Micah Parsons just a couple of weeks ago. The Lions are extremely talented, but I am a little unsure of how the product on the field will look after losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators.
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Rams
- If QB Matthew Stafford is healthy this season, the Rams are in position to make a real run at another playoff run. I’m taking them due to my trust in the veteran quarterback and genius HC Sean McVay.
Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills
- What an INSANE matchup to kick off the Sunday Night Football schedule. Both teams have massive Superbowl aspirations, if they can somehow get past #15 in red. The Ravens have debatably the most stacked roster in the league, and I can see them picking up a road win in a tough Buffalo environment.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
- Maybe a surprising pick for some, but I really like the Bears this season. Yes, rookie QB Caleb Williams looked rough last season, but he has a new offensive coordinator in Ben Johnson and plenty of weapons around him. Also, I just don’t believe in Vikings QB JJ McCarthy just yet.
BETS
Saquon Barkley Anytime TD (-185)
Brock Bowers 70+ Receiving Yards (+117)
Justin Fields Under 172.5 Passing Yards (-111)
FANTASY SLEEPER OF THE WEEK
Minnesota Vikings RB Jordan Mason
- Mason joins the Vikings roster after a breakout season with the 49ers, and I think he will be such an important part of the Vikings offense. Week 1 fantasy sleepers are always hard to predict, but let’s see what our guy JM can do!
Thanks for reading, I’ll be back next week, and have the best NFL viewing weekend!