Finally, the 2026 NFL season is upon us. With that, it’s the return of my weekly straight-up picks for every game. My 2024 NFL regular season picks record was 190-72. Last season, I regressed and finished with a 178-94 record. Let’s see if I can start this year off on a high note with my slate of Week 1 picks.
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks — Wednesday Night Football
What a game to start the season. A rematch of last year’s Super Bowl. Can Drake Maye elevate his play in Year 3 against top defenses? Can the Seahawks running game, now led by rookie Jadarian
Price, be consistent enough to replace the lost production of Kenneth Walker III? Only time will tell. But for this game, I’m taking the defending champs at home.
Winner: Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams — Thursday Night Football
Thursday Night Football kicks off this year with a bang in an NFC West matchup. I’m interested in seeing how the revamped wide receiver corps of the 49ers performs. For the Rams, I’m intrigued with the various upgrades they made to bolster their defense. I expect this to be a close division rivalry game, but am giving the nod to the Rams.
Winner: Rams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals — Sunday (Early Game)
I think this will be one of the more fun early games to watch on Sunday. I anticipate this game is going to be a high scoring affair. I’m giving the edge to the Bengals here. The Buccaneers have five new starters on defense, three of them being rookies, and it may be a while before they are firing on all cylinders.
Winner: Bengals
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions — Sunday (Early Game)
The Lions are coming off a disappointing 9-win season despite having a Top 5 offense in the NFL in ’25. In my opinion, they have a good shot at reclaiming their spot as kings of the NFC North. I believe the Lions will earn a decisive victory over the Saints for the first game of the season.
Winner: Lions
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts — Sunday (Early Game)
This is an intriguing matchup. Both of these teams faltered last year and missed out in a tough AFC race for the playoffs. In my opinion, this game will come down to who wins in the trenches. Baltimore’s revamped offensive line or the Colts’ rising defensive front seven? I’ll push my chips in for the Ravens—making them my first road team victor of Week 1.
Winner: Ravens
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers — Sunday (Early Game)
I don’t have much to say about this game. Long story short, I think the Falcons won’t be good this year and will be in the running for a Top 5 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. I’ll take the Steelers at home.
Winner: Steelers
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers — Sunday (Early Game)
This NFC matchup features two division winners from last season. I don’t think the Panthers are poised to repeat as NFC South champions. However, the Bears certainly have the talent to challenge for a second consecutive NFC North title. I’ll be taking Chicago on the road in this one.
Winner: Chicago
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars — Sunday (Early Game)
I really like what the Browns were able to cook up in the draft this past April. I’m just not confident an offense with seven new starters led by Deshaun Watson will be that competitive this season. I think the Jaguars will win this one quite handily.
Winner: Jaguars
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans — Sunday (Early Game)
This is one of my favorite matchups of the weekend. Two AFC playoffs teams last year trying to start off the season with a big victory. The Texans have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but Josh Allen is arguably the best offensive player in NFL. I think this will be a close one but have Allen and the Bills finding a way to win on the road.
Winner: Bills
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans — Sunday (Early Game)
I honestly have a hard time getting a read on this one. Both teams had some drastic offseason changes and will be starting at least eight new players on their rosters for the upcoming season. I’ll just go with my gut and say Cam Ward will have a big day against a Jets defense that was one of the worst in the NFL a season ago. I’m taking the home team here.
Winner: Titans
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
Easily one of the most boring games all weekend long. Two bad teams going head-to-head isn’t much fun to write about. Truth be told, the Dolphins could very well wind up being the worst team in football this year. I’ll be going with the Raiders at home.
Winners: Raiders
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
A classic NFC North rivalry matchup is a great way for Packers and Vikings fans to begin their ‘26 gridiron campaigns. Quite frankly, I’m worry about both team’s running games. I think that could be an issue for both of them this season. For this matchup, I’m banking on Kyler Murray having a big debut for the Vikings in front of a sellout crowd in Minneapolis to earn them the ‘W’.
Winner: Vikings
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Commanders reversed their record last season (5-12) compared to an impressive 12-5 outing in 2025. I expect them to be more competitive this season, but going up against the Eagles in an NFC East rivalry matchup to start the season is a tough draw. I think the Eagles come up with a big divisional win on Sunday.
Winner: Eagles
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
I’m not sure that the Cardinals have what it takes on offense to take down the Chargers on the road. I think their rushing attack with Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier will be formidable. But will Jacoby Brissett be able to dial up the heat against a quality Chargers defense? I’m not so sure about that. I’m taking Los Angeles in this one.
Winner: Chargers
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants — Sunday Night Football
Sunday Night Football is a classic NFC East rivalry matchup. I think the Giants will be a lot better than last year with their additions and John Harbaugh coaching them, but I think Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense will come out hot and put up some points in primetime against the Giants defense.
Winner: Cowboys
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs — Monday Night Football
This is a tremendous matchup to end the Week 1 slate of games. Can Bo Nix make a big jump in Year 3? Will Patrick Mahomes be able to revert to pre-ACL injury form? Those are two big questions that loom large for me for both teams this year. My gut tells me this is going to be a nailbiter, but I’m confident Denver can do enough to come out of Arrowhead with a big win against their AFC West nemesis.
Winner: Broncos
