It is Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, and it is time to welcome back one of Fox Sports New Jersey’s favorite segments: the Games of the Week! Each week of the NFL season we pick six games that are going to play a big roll in determining playoffs, seeding and so much more over the course of the season. So let’s welcome football back the only way we know how!!!
BALTIMORE RAVENS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
The rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game. We all know what went down. K.C. rolled into Baltimore a rare underdog against a high-flying Ravens squad, and punched the Ravens right in the mouth to the tune of 17-10. It was supposed to be Baltimore’s year, and it was just a mirage. The Ravens have heard about it all off-season. Lamar Jackson has heard about his record against Patrick Mahomes all off-season as well. The Birds are going to want to turn this narrative on its head.
The Chiefs know this is a tricky game. Yes, the banner for the Super Bowl title goes up, but this game is no gimmie. The Chiefs lost in this spot exactly one year ago to Detroit. The year before the Rams celebrated their world championship at home only to see the Bills throttle them 31-10. So this game is never easy.
The Tampa Bay Bucs were the last defending champ to win its season opener the ensuing year. That was three years ago now.
Expect a slugfest on Thursday night between two great teams, and for the Chiefs to find a way, as usual to prevail thanks to a big play on defense.
PICK: CHIEFS 27 – RAVENS 24
GREEN BAY PACKERS vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (BRAZIL)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 27: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on November 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For the first time ever the NFL will play a regular season game in Brazil! And it will take place on the extremely rare Friday night.
Both teams traveled over 10-plus hours to get to this game, and there were reports over the summer that neither team should wear green because of gangs. There are even reports that the players are concerned for their safety.
Sounds like a fun time this week (see sarcasm). Since the Eagles are the “home” team for this match-up, they opted to wear black helmets and pants and white road jersey’s. As for the Packers — well, they are stuck with their green jersey’s. Oh well.
As for the game it should be a good one. Both teams feature two of the best young quarterback’s in the game in Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts. There are high expectations for both squads, but the Eagles come in with more pressure on Head Coach Nick Siriani after last season’s collapse down the stretch where Philly lost five of six down the stretch.
PICK: EAGLES 31 – PACKERS 24
MINNESOTA VIKING @ NEW YORK GIANTS
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 8: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants after a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Giants are celebrating their 100th anniversary on Sunday. So instead of wearing their traditional uniforms, the G-Men will wear these ghastly throwbacks to the 1920s with a helmet that looks more like Michigan than Big Blue.
The Giants hope their play looks better than the threads on Opening Day. They need it, and Daniel Jones needs to get off the mat fast in this one. There is a lot of pressure on his shoulders following a disapointing, injury riddled 2023 season. Many are questioning whether the Giants were right to invest $160 million over four years in Jones. This is his chance to write a new script.
The one positive is he has Malik Nabers catching passes, but the ground attack minus Saquon Barkley, and questions on the O-Line are an issue.
The Vikings are not much better. They are forced to roll with Sam Darnold under center because rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is out for the year with a knee injury. Can Darnold play well enough to keep Justin Jefferson happy? That’s a big question.
PICK: GIANTS 22 – VIKINGS 20
TENNESSEE TITANS @ CHICAGO BEARS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 17: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears passes in the first half of a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field on August 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
A lot of people are rolling with the Bears this year. But the hype may be very premature. Chicago is starting its second rookie quarterback in four seasons in Caleb Williams after they jettisoned Justin Fields to Pittsburgh. Is Williams the real deal? Maybe he will be, but he needs time to learn the ropes. It wasn’t that long ago Mike Eberflus was on the Head Coach Hot Seat. How long before that heats up again.
The Titans are rolling in with house money. They have a new coach in Brian Callahan, who most people have never heard of. Callahan was the Offensive Coordinator for the Bengals the past few years. And quarterback Will Levis has shown some grit last season. Titans are a live upset player.
PICK: TITANS 19 – BEARS 17
DALLAS COWBOYS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Tom Brady,
Kevin Burkhardt and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talk on the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California.The Browns and Cowboys battle in the Dog Pound on Sunday, but all eyes — or should I say ears — will be trained on the broadcast booth as Tom Brady makes his FOX Sports debut. That will be an interesting listen. He’ll get to call this battle between Dak Prescott — a free agent to be, and DeShaun Watson, who is looking to put his past troubles behind him. Logic dictates that the Boys should win, but Cleveland has a great pass rush, and one can never trust the Cowboys on the road.
PICK: BROWNS 24 – COWBOYS 20.
NEW YORK JETS @ SAN FRANCISCO
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets warms up before the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The wait is finally over. Aaron Rodgers is going to return to the field for the first time since tearing his Achillies Tendon last September. Can Rodgers bounce back and at least look like the quarterback we saw in Green Bay in 2021? If he does that, the Jets will be a great situation.
This is a tall order traveling to San Francisco to face defending NFC Champion 49ers. San Fran just got back Trent Williams and Brandon Ayiuk from lengthy holdouts. It will be fascinating to see what shape Williams is in at left tackle because the Jets will rotate edge rushers with Haason Reddick absent because of his hold out.
Rodgers is 10-0 on Monday night, and also 81-10 when opponents are held under 20 points. Plus Rodgers numbers vs. San Fran are better in the regular season than in the postseason. That said, expect this game to come down to turnovers and special teams. Keep an eye on both kickers, and also be aware that Rodgers and center Joe Tippman had exchange issues during the summer.
PICK: 49ers 27 – JETS 24 – OVERTIME
