Sometimes I wish football was all year round, but that would probably ruin the magic. It's September and here in the US, it's already getting chilly especially at night. I had to wear a hoodie while walking the dog this evening.

Opening week of the NFL season feels like a freaking holiday. There's a common saying that sports are provided to the masses as a means of distraction from bigger issues or injustices etc.

Well, consider me happily distracted. Consider me a sheep. I believe football is the greatest sport on this earth. The satisfaction in my soul that it has returned is just off the charts.

Many of these matchups are set to be insanely competitive. The NFL knows what they're doing.

Here's some of my thoughts on the Week 1 matchups.

Ravens at Chiefs

This is a rematch of last season's AFC Title Game. It was a low scoring yet thrilling game. I expect the Chiefs to likely win this one but I am curious to see how it plays out. Can Ravens QB Lamar Jackson put a championship season together before he retires or his mobility goes away? We shall see.

Packers at Eagles - (Brazil)

This game will be the NFL's first trip into the southern hemisphere. Brazil has a very respectable amount of NFL fans and I imagine this game will be important to a lot of those fans. You love to see it.

This should be a great game. Both teams have a solid core group of talented players and both have been in the playoffs a lot recently. It's not out of the question these teams meet in the playoffs in January.

I think the Packers win.

Steelers at Falcons

These franchises are both in intriguing and similar positions. To many, these teams are potentially a QB away from a deep playoff run and well, they both enter this season with new QBs they believe in.

Kirk Cousins for the Falcons, and Russell Wilson for the Steelers. This is going to be so good. I'll pick the Steelers only because of their defense.

Cardinals at Bills

At first glance this game seems a bit boring but after two seconds of extra thought, this game is probably the sleeper game of the week. This could be a classic waiting to happen.

Cards QB Kyler Murray is FINALLY healthy. Josh Allen is a star but we shall see how he fares without Stefon Diggs. I guess I'll pick the Bills.

Patriots at Bengals

This is the first lopsided game of this week one slate. The Bengals should stomp the Patriots.

For the Bengals, they're expecting Joe Burrow to come back from yet another injury and make the Bengals championship contenders. For the Pats, this is a whole new era. Bill Belichick is gone after about 1,000 years of greatness. Should be interesting.

Texans at Colts

Two second year QBs are set to face off in a AFC South battle. Everyone and their mama expects C.J. Stroud to be the next Peyton Manning. The hype is off the charts with him. Let's see how he and the Texans handle having a target on their backs. For the Colts, QB Anthony Richardson is a mystery.

Texans should win but divisional matchups, especially in week one, can be very tricky.

Jaguars at Dolphins

This is a battle of two Florida teams who are well coached and both recently payed their young quarterbacks. Was paying these guys truly worth it? I got the Dolphins here.

Panthers at Saints

Is Bryce Young big enough? Can his skill outweigh his small stature? Can Derek Carr ever replicate his epic 2016 season? This is going to be a physical NFC South game it will be fun to see how it plays out. Both teams have low expectations but they are scrappy. I got the Saints basically because it's the safer choice.

Vikings at Giants

I am always pumped to see Justin Jefferson play. Let's see if he can singlehandedly resurrect Sam Darnold's career, at least as a QB1.

For the Giants, let's see if Daniel Jones is a fraud for certain. Might be Drew Lock time for the G-Men.

I think the Vikings got this one.

Raiders at Chargers

The Raiders feel oddly scary to me and I don't know why. They have a unique cast of characters. QB Gardner Minshew, DE Maxx Crosby and HC Antonio Pierce are all dudes I would not want to fight in a bar. Plus, they still have Davante Adams to boot. Interesting.

The Chargers got a bit more interesting with Jim Harbaugh as a head coach.

I got the Raiders in this one.

Broncos at Seahawks

Broncos HC Sean Payton is kinda overrated and maybe wasted Drew Brees's career. Something about the guy is just untrustworthy. He seems weird to me but he was right about Russ being washed.

The Seahawks are a respectable but probably just average team. I have them winning in this one.

Cowboys at Browns

This is going to be another sneaky good game. The Cowboys are always good in the regular season and I expect them to be solid again.

At this point, Deshaun Watson needs to just embrace being the villain of the NFL. Just torch teams and win. That's all he can do.

I got the Browns here. They have a mean defense and good roster overall.

Commanders at Buccaneers

Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels is a giant question mark to me. He seems athletic but kinda average. His thin frame scares me too. But if he can rejuvenate a once very proud franchise, that would be cool I guess.

I have no reason to think the Bucs won't be very good this season. I like Baker, but let's see if he can put two good seasons in a row together.

Commanders just way too raw, they will stay in the game but the Bucs got this one.

Rams at Lions

Stafford and Goff meet once again. The two QBs will forever be tied together as will both franchises pretty much. Probably the most even trade of all time.

I think the Rams are poised to be better than last season and they were a playoff team last year. The Lions will be great again too.

I have the Rams this time. This could be an NFC Title game preview for sure!

Jets at 49ers

Well well well. What a SUPER interesting game! The 49ers have been extremely dominant the past six years or something. It's been great but also full of tragedy. They have accomplished everything but win it all. Starting to feel like the 90's Bills or something.

The Jets have been discussed at length for the past several years. Let's hope Aaron Rodgers survives this season. Rodgers has seen plenty of the 49ers over the years, with pretty much zero success. Let's see how he fares in 2024.

Rodgers nearing retirement while Purdy still very very young. This will be fun to look back on regardless.

The 49ers should win fairly easily. BUT Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk have both not been practicing I am pretty sure due to their contract disputes. This could prove challenging. Might be a good game who knows. Then again, Rodgers has been a bit of a drama queen and reluctant practice attendee himself.

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I'm saving the Titans vs Bears game preview for later.

Which game are you most excited about?!?!