NFL Picks: Aaron Rodgers’ return, debuts for first-round QBs highlight packed Week 1 slate

Around the AFC

Roaring start. What a way to start the season. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes looked like the two best quarterbacks on the planet. No surprise there. And the Chiefs prevailed in crunch time. Also as we’ve all come to expect. The two-time reigning Super Bowl champs are off and running. Who is capable of catching them? Could it be the Ravens in late January?

Joey B.’s return. Joe Burrow was just rounding into MVP-esque form last year when an injury ended his season. The Bengals were 5-4 at the time of the injury but looked to be back in contention given his play and the talent around the quarterback. Now he’s back and, if he plays 17 games, Burrow could well be an MVP contender this year. The game’s better with the top quarterbacks at full health, so welcome back, Joe.

Sophomoric behavior. Speaking of top quarterbacks, C.J. Stroud put together a sensational rookie year for Houston and now starts Year 2 against Indianapolis. The Colts got a promising glimpse of Anthony Richardson, taken two spots after Stroud at No. 4 in the 2023 draft, last year before a shoulder injury cost him the rest of the season. Now he’ll have a chance to try to stake his claim alongside Stroud as one of the best young quarterbacks in the game.

Around the NFC

Stafford/Goff redux. Week 1 delivers another rendition of Matt Stafford and Jared Goff facing off against their former teams. Both did excellent work in 2023 leading the L.A. Rams and Detroit, respectively, to the postseason. Both will have Super Bowl aspirations in 2024. Ford Field will be rocking as the Lions start the year in primetime on Sunday Night Football. You can already hear the “Jar-ed Goff” chants. This should be a good one.

Caleb Era. Chicago didn’t bother hiding the fact it was taking Caleb WIlliams No. 1 overall this spring. They named him their starter almost immediately. His status as a captain was a foregone conclusion. Now it’s up to him to stop three decades of revolving quarterback play in the Windy City. He doesn’t have to do it all in Week 1, of course, but opening at home against Tennessee will have optimism among Bears fans at a fever pitch.

First look at Jayden. The Commanders, too, will get the first regular-season look at No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. The former LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner debuts on the road against Todd Bowles’ Tampa Bay defense. Daniels has electrifying talent and Washington could surprise this fall if it translates to the field early in the season.

Game of the Week

New York Jets at San Francisco

Aaron Rodgers made it just four snaps into his Jets tenure a year ago before tearing his Achilles tendon. Now he’s back and debuts in 2024 on the road against his childhood home team. The 49ers (-4.5), meanwhile, are Super Bowl or Bust after getting through an arduous offseason that included gritty but ultimately successful long-term extensions for WR Brandon Aiyuk and LT Trent Williams. This is a chance for the Jets to make an early statement, but it’s tough duty against Kyle Shanahan’s team.

49ers 27, Jets 24

Lock of the Week

Arizona at Buffalo

There’s excitement in the desert. The Cards added receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. and edge Darius Robinson in the first round among their eight top-104 draft selections this spring. Year 2 under Jonathan Gannon should be a step forward. But going across the country and taking on an MVP candidate in Week 1? That’s no easy assignment. The Bills (-6.5) had a transitional offseason but as long as they have Josh Allen, they should be in contention.

Bills 31, Cardinals 17

Upset of the Week

Dallas at Cleveland

The Browns (-2.5) put together a terrific 2023 and did so with a revolving door at quarterback. Now they have Deshaun Watson back healthy which is… supposed to be a good thing? Watson has played in just 12 games for Cleveland in more than two years since being traded and signing a massive, fully guaranteed five-year deal. Dallas, meanwhile, had all kinds of contractual drama this summer. But the bottom line is when CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons are on the field, the Cowboys are a talented group. And they’ll want to make a statement after last year’s postseason flameout.

Cowboys 27, Browns 20

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