After 7 months of speculation after the Philadelphia Eagles won the Vince Lombardi trophy in February, we have reached the start of the NFL season.

For the next 18 weeks, 272 games will play out on Thursdays, (some) Fridays, (some) Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays... unless things get interesting and other days get used.

Let's take a look at Week 1 of the NFL Season, and remember you can join in and pick along with (or against) me.  

DALLAS COWBOYS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - Thursday, 8:20pm, NBC

The opening night game where the Eagles receive their rings and their Super Bowl Banner, and Dallas gets the "thrill" of watching.  Then they get the "thrill" of playing a high-potent offense a week after they traded off Micha Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.  The Cowboys still have Dak, and with Cee Dee Lamb, will have some power.  Trevon Diggs remains in Dallas so he'll always be a threat to opposing quarterbacks.  

But in the end, I think the weapons for Philadelphia are too much for this Dallas squad to overcome.

RICK'S PICK - Philadelphia

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS - Friday, 8:00pm, YouTube (in Brazil) 

Kansas City is looking to return to yet another Super Bowl, and is one of the top teams to watch yet again in the AFC.  But who knows how much the Chiefs will be ready to play when they face the Los Angeles Chargers.  Not only are they having to play a divisional rival, but they're doing it on the road ... thousands of miles away from home in South America.  The fact this game is being played at a neutral site might actually help the Los Angeles Chargers, who with Justin Herbert could have the weapons to compete with the team that has been consistently good since drafting Patrick Mahomes.

This is going to be a fun one to watch, and I do think a rusty Kansas City Chiefs squad will have their hands full in this Week 1 matchup.

RICK'S PICK - LA Chargers

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at ATLANTA FALCONS - Sunday, 1:00pm, FOX

Baker Mayfield.  He seemed done when the Cleveland Browns cut him a couple seasons ago, but he has made a turnaround with the Bucs.  Mike Evans always finds ways to be in the discussion of top receivers in the NFL and is a welcomed asset to a fantasy roster.  Atlanta's giving us a taste of Michael Penix Jr. under center, and Bijan Robinson as the explosive running option.   But can he duplicate his 2024 success?  

I think the Bucs will come out on top.

RICK'S PICK - Tampa Bay

CINCINNATI BENGALS at CLEVELAND BROWNS - Sunday, 1:00pm, CBS

Joe Burrow didn't deserve what he got last year - a team he fought so hard to generate wins just not getting it done because of a suspect defense.  The Bengals are one of the favorites of the teams who missed the postseason last season to make it this year.  And it's easy to see why when you take a look at their offensive weapons.

But their biggest problem is going to be ... their division is tough.  Baltimore and Pittsburgh offer great cases to be still playing come the second weekend of January and the Bengals have to face those two teams twice.  But they also have to face Cleveland.

Now Cleveland has been quite an interesting study.  Especially their decision to have 4 quarterbacks on their depth chart. Deshaun Watson is out on the reserve list, so he will not play Sunday.  So the depth chart has Joe Flacco starting, with Dillon Gabriel as their second choice and this Spring's NFL Draft biggest faller Shedeur Sanders as the third in line.  

But don't let Cleveland fool you.  While people look at them to be the basement dwellers in the AFC North, they still have Jerome Ford shredding up yards in the backfield, and Jerry Jeudy serving up touchdowns.  

This first Battle of Ohio will be entertaining, but I don't know if the Dawg Pound can be enough to trip up the south.

RICK'S PICK - Cincinnati

MIAMI DOLPHINS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - Sunday, 1:00PM, CBS

Tua.  How healthy is Tua going to be, is an extremely good question as we head into any game for the Miami Dolphins.  But a look at this Miami team screams a big question - overall team health.

Because while Tua will be under center on Sunday, they've got plenty of players either questionable or doubtful for this game.  Three of the four running backs on the depth chart carry an injury designation into Friday's practices, with De'Von Achane questionable, Jaylen Wright doubtful and Alexander Mattison doubtful.  

Tyreek Hill is also questionable, after his oblique left him as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.  While it's unlikely that will cause him not to play, it does raise the question who will then step up if Tua doesn't have Hill to throw to.

That's when you need to remember Jaylen Waddle is a Dolphin.  

Then there are the Indianapolis Colts.  And former Giants QB Daniel Jones, hoping to find a career rebuild, will get the nod for Sunday's game.  Jonathan Taylor danced circles around opposing defenses last year as the primary back, even if it seemed his tailed off towards the end of the season.  Michael Pittman Jr. should be strong as a wide out, but questions remain.

And if Hill plays, and Achane also in the lineup, Miami will be a tough Week 1 foe.

RICK'S PICK - Miami

CAROLINA PANTHERS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - Sunday, 1:00pm, FOX

Bryce Young showed promise last year for the Panthers, and has some strong weapons along with him on offense.  Chuba Hubbard is the primary running back and could explode for a big season.  Xavier Legette and Hunter Renfrow are strong targets for Young.

But that's if Young gets to throw.  Their offensive line is banged up, with three of the line carrying an injury designation into the Friday practice session.  Left Tackle Ikem Ekwonu is doubtful, and a weak offensive line could spell trouble for Young, who will spend more time running for his life than he will securing and throwing to his targets.

Trevor Lawrence wants to show last year was a fluke, and get the Jaguars back to the playoffs.  And the defense will be stout for the Jags, with Josh Hines-Allen coming back to do what he does best, causing trouble for opposing offenses.

RICK'S PICK - Jacksonville

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - Sunday, 1:00pm, CBS

Geno Smith and Pete Carroll reunite after a year apart as Carroll was named the head coach of the Raiders during the offseason.  Smith enters the season after a career high* 70% completion rate last year with Seattle, just needing 857 yards to reach 20,000 total yards for his career.  However, Smith also was picked off 15 times last year, second only to his rookie season with the New York Jets when he had 21.  

He'll have Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker to throw to, and Brock Bowers also has emerged as a prime tight end in the NFL.  

But those turnovers better be on the minds of the New England Patriots.  

The New England Patriots are led by Drake Maye.  Rhamondre Stevenson could have a hot season in the backfield and Stefon Diggs will be a player to watch, especially when Diggs sees his former Buffalo Bills come later in the season.  

Maye has targets, now it's time to see if the Patriots can begin their climb out of the AFC East basement.

RICK'S PICK - New England

* - He had a higher completion rate in 2020, but with a significant smaller attempt number to the point that it wouldn't qualify.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - Sunday, 1:00pm, FOX

Okay, Arizona.  You're in a tough division, and you have the weapons now to maybe show that you need to be watched when it comes to the NFC West.  And I'm not just stating this because Kyler Murray is my quarterback on my fantasy roster.

James Conner in the backfield, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones as your wideouts.  Plus Trey McBridge as your tight end.

This is time to make a statement. 

However, that statement will not be this week, because you are playing the New Orleans Saints.  Not because the Saints are a dangerous team ... it's actually because of the opposite. 

New Orleans is a lot of question marks, right down to their quarterback Spencer Rattler.  Yes, the Saints will have players to watch for including Alvin Kamara in the backfield and Chris Olave and Brandin Cooks as wideouts.  But New Orleans really doesn't scream to me as a team who will be fighting for a playoff spot in 2025 ... in fact, they are likely "fighting" for the #1 draft pick come December and early January.

RICK's PICK - Arizona

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at NEW YORK JETS - Sunday, 1:00pm, CBS

Aaron Rodgers is going to be under center and wanting to show his former club that he still has a spring in his step.  It's hard for me to think he's going to burst out and show his elite play from his days in Green Bay.

For all the things said about the New York Jets, their defense is still rather strong.  Sauce Gardner is always going to be generating headlines, and Jamien Sherwood and company also compliment this dangerous defense.  I expect them to break up quite a few good looks from Rodgers.  

And bear in mind, Justin Fields has the same monkey on the back as Aaron Rodgers, wanting to show his former team what they may be missing out on.  Fields only was given a chance to play in 10 of the 17 games for Pittsburgh last season, only picking up 5 touchdowns.  

So both teams will have that "wanting to show what the other is missing out on".

Which will make this a compelling Week 1 matchup.

RICK'S PICK - NY Jets

NEW YORK GIANTS at WASHINGTON COMMANDERS - Sunday, 1:00pm, FOX

Remember when the NFL tried to separate the Jets and Giants games into two different time windows?  Those were the days.  

The Giants are looking to snap the ball to Russell Wilson, with Jaxson Dart suited as the backup.  Devin Singletary will be second to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Malik Nabers should be watched as the wideout.   

But Washington is stacked.  Especially after Terry McLaurin finally got his deal done during training camp.  Jayden Daniels emerged as one of the rising quarterbacks last year, especially after that Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears.  

McLaurin isn't the only target for Daniels.  Deebo Samuel is a threat, and so too is Zach Ertz as a tight end.  And Austin Ekeler should still produce a solid season in the backfield.

Sorry, Giants fans, I don't see Big Blue winning this one.

RICK'S PICK - Washington

Whoops .... time got away from me on the late afternoon games.  Here's who I picked those.

San Francisco 49'ers over Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers over Detroit Lions
Los Angeles Rams over Houston Texans
Buffalo Bills over Baltimore Ravens (and boy what a game that was)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS at CHICAGO BEARS - Monday, 8:15pm, ABC + ESPN

A lot of the question marks with both of these teams will hopefully be answered on the final of 16 games in Week 1.  A new staff could be the foundation to improvement from the Chicago Bears this season, meanwhile a new quarterback could allow Justin Jefferson and company excel.  I like Minnesota's roster slightly better, despite the game being in Chicago.

RICK's PICK - Minnesota

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