NFL Week 1 2025: Matchups, Picks, and Bold Predictions

     After waiting 211 days for the NFL to start back up, fans are getting their wish on September 4th, 2025. The reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Dallas Cowboys to kickstart the season. NFL previews and predictions are back, so expect weekly updates on all the latest NFL news in this weekly article. 

(+7.5) Cowboys (0-0) @ Eagles (0-0) - Thursday Sept. 4th 8:20 PM ET | NBC

The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will play host to their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have made headlines recently, trading superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. In exchange for Parsons, the Cowboys received two first round picks along with defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Dallas also picked up wide receiver George Pickens over the offseason. The Eagles are bringing back almost everybody from last season, and are the current favorite to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. 

Standout Pick - Saquon Barkley OVER 112.5 Rush/Rec Yards (-110)

Score Prediction

PHI 34 DAL 20

(-3.5) Chiefs (0-0) @ Chargers (0-0) - Friday Sept. 5th 8:00 PM ET | YouTube 

The first ever game exclusively streamed on YouTube is set to break records in viewership, but the actual game is set to be a good one. Two AFC West squads will tilt in São Paulo, Brazil as the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs fell 40-22 to the Eagles in the Super Bowl this past season. Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice will miss the first six games of the season due to a suspension. Herbert and the Chargers were taken down 32-12 by the Houston Texans. The Chargers have been written off by many fans, but I expect them to bounce back, and make a run in January. 

Standout Pick - Travis Kelce UNDER 4.5 REC (+500)

Score Prediction

KC 23 LAC 24

(-6.5) Cardinals (0-0) @ Saints (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | CBS

The Saints are the projected worst NFL team this season, just mere years after being one of the most exciting teams. The Saints are starting second-year quarterback, Spencer Rattler. Rattler was drafted in the fifth round (150th overall) during the 2024 NFL draft. The Saints also drafted QB Tyler Shough in the second round (40th overall), who will start the year as the backup to Rattler. Kyler Murray is returning as the Arizona’s starting quarterback, as the Cardinals prepare to compete in a crowded NFC West. 

Standout Pick - Spencer Rattler UNDER 30.5 Passing Attempts (-110) 

Score Prediction

ARI 27 NO 10

(+1.5) Dolphins (0-0) @ Colts (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | CBS

The Colts have a brand new quarterback to start off the new season, Daniel Jones. Jones beat out Anthony Richardson in order to gain the role to open the year. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will hope to have a nice, healthy season this year. After battling some injuries, he hopes that this can be one of his better seasons. Miami is among one of the squads that has been slept on this offseason, and I expect them to make some noise behind their wide receiver duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. 

Standout Pick - Tyreek Hill AND Jaylen Waddle OVER 79.5 Receiving Yards Each (+596)

Score Prediction

MIA 31 IND 20

(+2.5) Raiders (0-0) @ Patriots (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | CBS

Tom Brady will have his statue placed in New England this Sunday, but he might not be rooting for the Patriots. Despite Brady’s many seasons with the Pats, he is now a minority owner for the Raiders. The Patriots hope they have found their next quarterback in Drake Maye. Maye had an up and down year last season, but picked it up toward the end of the season. As for Vegas, they are headlined by drafting RB Ashton Jeanty in the first round. While he may be a beast, Jeanty may take more than one game to settle into the NFL. 

Standout Pick - Drake Maye OVER 249.5 Passing Yards (+200)

Score Prediction

LV 13 NE 27

(-2.5) Steelers (0-0) @ Jets (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | CBS

It didn’t take long for Aaron Rodgers to return to MetLife. After leaving the Jets for the Steelers this offseason, Rodgers will make his return in week one. However, I think that the main focus will be on the Jets replacement for Rodgers, Justin Fields. Fields is coming over from the Steelers (opposite of Rodgers), and looks to prove his dual threat ability under a new offense. I expect him to come out the gates throwing the ball, mainly looking for WR Garrett Wilson. 

Standout Pick - Justin Fields OVER 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (+325)

Score Prediction

PIT 20 NYJ 27

(+6.5) Giants (0-0) @ Commanders (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The New York Giants have signed Russell Wilson as their new quarterback. I personally don’t like this, as I feel like rookie QB Jaxon Dart should be leading this club. I expect him to take the reins sometime in November/December. As for the Commanders, their quarterback is locked in with Jayden Daniels at the helm. Many have said that Daniels had “the greatest rookie quarterback season of all-time”. While that may be valid, I expect a little bit of a falloff this year. 

Standout Pick - Commanders UNDER 26.5 Total Points AND Giants UNDER 20.5 Total Points (+213)

Score Prediction

NYG 20 WSH 21

(+3.5) Panthers (0-0) @ Jaguars (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The Panthers have been one of the worst NFL teams for years, but I think this is when they turn it around. QB Bryce Young looked solid towards the finish of last season, and he has some serious weapons at his disposal. I expect rookie WR Teterolia (Tet) McMillian to have a field day in his rookie debut. As for the Jaguars, last year was extremely underwhelming, as they finished 4-13, after being projected to win the division. Nonetheless, I expected another 4-13/5-12 season out of Jacksonville. 

Standout Pick - Bryce Young OVER 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (+145) 

Score Prediction

CAR 24 JAX 20

(-4.5) Bengals (0-0) @ Browns (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The Cincinnati Bengals retained everybody they wanted to, whether it took too long or not. The Bengals have had a knack for opening the season on a sour note, so they hope that they are able to prevail against Joe Flacco and a lowly Cleveland Browns squad. The main problem has been that Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow hasn’t played up to standard, being less mobile and staying inside the pocket. He should be up to speed, as he finally had some preseason action this year. 

Standout Pick - Joe Burrow OVER 9.5 Rushing Yards (-110)

Score Prediction

CIN 28 CLE 17

(-2.5) Buccaneers (0-0) @ Falcons (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The Atlanta Falcons will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week one of the NFL season. Michael Penix Jr. will be at the helm of Atlanta’s offense to open up the year. The Bucs will be rolling with Baker Mayfield for another season, as he and Mike Evans have proved to be one of the NFL’s most elite duos. I expect a defensive battle in this one, and a fight to the finish line in this NFC South contest. 

Standout Pick - Michael Penix Jr. UNDER 174.5 Passing Yards (+800) 

Score Prediction

TB 17 ATL 13

(-2.5) 49ers (0-0) @ Seahawks (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 4:05 PM ET | FOX

After a very disappointing 2024 season (injury riddled), the San Francisco 49ers will attempt to turn it around this year. They lost WR/RB Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, so somebody will need to step up in that wide receiver room. As for the Seahawks, they signed ex-Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to a 3-year, $100.5 million dollar deal. I expect him to put on a show in Seattle, in front of the best fans in the NFL. 

Standout Pick - Sam Darnold OVER 2.5 Passing Touchdowns (+500)

Score Prediction

SF 20 SEA 31

(+8.5) Titans (0-0) @ Broncos (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 4:05 PM ET | FOX

Titans new quarterback Cam Ward will make his debut in Denver, against Bo Nix and the Broncos. I expect Ward to have a subpar performance, as the Broncos defense will pounce all over him. Bo Nix will have a field day against an underdeveloped Tennessee secondary. This will be the least competitive game of the week, as Denver should blow out the Titans. 

Standout Pick - Bo Nix OVER 299.5 Passing Yards (+700) 

Score Prediction

TEN 10 DEN 37

(+2.5) Lions (0-0) @ Packers (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 4:25 PM ET | CBS

The Green Bay Packers traded for defensive stud, Micah Parsons, and then signed him to a monstrous 4-year, $188 million dollar deal. However, Parsons is dealing with a sprained L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back, and he is questionable to play. Regardless, expect a lot of points to be scored in this game. Two of the most high-powered offenses clash in this one, with two coaches who are not scared to go for it on fourth down. 

Standout Pick - OVER 54.5 Total Points (+225) 

Score Prediction

DET 27 GB 30

(+3.5) Texans (0-0) @ Rams (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 4:25 PM ET | CBS

CJ Stroud enters his third year, hoping to build on a Divisional Round appearance last season. The Rams quarterback, Matthew Stafford has been inactive for the last few months (practice), but is in line to start this game at Sofi. Despite being the underdogs, I expect Stroud to make some extraordinary plays, and get the ball into the hands of some of his difference makers. 

Standout Pick - Nico Collins OVER 99.5 REC Yards (+185)

Score Prediction

HOU 31 LAR 23

(+1.5) Ravens (0-0) @ Bills (0-0) - Sunday Sept. 7th 8:15 PM ET | NBC

The Buffalo Bulls are set to clash with the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” in week one of the 2025 NFL season. Baltimore is led by star QB Josh Allen. As for the Ravens, they are led by their dynamic trio of Lamar Jackson (QB), Derrick Henry (RB) and Zay Flowers (WR). I expect Buffalo to pull away in the second half, and assert themselves as the main threat behind the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Standout Pick - Dalton Kincaid OVER 0.5 Receiving Touchdowns (+250)

Score Prediction

BAL 24 BUF 37

(-1.5) Vikings (0-0) @ Bears (0-0) - Monday Sept. 8th 8:15 PM ET | ABC/ESPN

The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears will close out the first week of NFL action at Soldier Field. It will see second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy make his regular season debut, as he was injured all of last year. As for Chicago, they are led by new Head Coach Ben Johnson and QB Caleb Williams. I expect a low scoring, defensive battle in this one. However, expect Williams to look to new TE Colston Loveland a lot in the pass game. 

Standout Pick - Colston Loveland OVER 49.5 REC Yards (+300)

Score Prediction

MIN 17 CHI 20