The long wait is almost over. The 2024 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night and it is sure to be an action-packed, wild and sometimes-unpredictable ride all the way to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans on Sunday February 9, 2025.
Despite games being very hard to call in this league, I am – for some bizarre reason – going to attempt to predict each and every one of them. Don't let me suffer alone. Why don't you pick your winners each week during the 2024 campaign and see if you have beaten me by the end of the year
Here we go....
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
The season opener is a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game and could decide who hosts the title game this time around. Led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, Baltimore will lay down an early marker at Arrowhead.
Neil's Pick… Baltimore
Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles
It was two very different endings to the 2023 season for these teams. Green Bay finished red hot and the Eagles were sliding by the end of the year. Buoyed by the arrival of Saquon Barkley, the Eagles will reverse that trend and win a tight one in Brazil.
Neil's Pick… Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons
There will be storylines everywhere, but especially at quarterback where Kirk Cousins debuts for Atlanta and Russell Wilson leads the Steelers. With Cousins on board, the Falcons have the firepower to test a tough D.
Neil's Pick… Atlanta
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
Kyler Murray will benefit from the arrival of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. But it won't be easy to out-score Josh Allen in Buffalo so I'm leaning towards a home win for the Bills, who have much to prove in 2024.
Neil's Pick… Buffalo
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears
The debut of Caleb Williams – whether it be good or bad – will be one of the headlines of Week 1. For what it's worth, I think his start to life in the NFL will be good and victorious. The Bears are going to be a fun watch.
Neil's Pick… Chicago
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
After 24 years of Bill Belichick, there is a new boss in New England in Jared Mayo and the Patriots are on to Cincinnati for Week 1. Upsetting the Joe Burrow-led Bengals is too much to ask for now.
Neil's Pick… Cincinnati
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
This is a mouth-watering season opener pitting Houston's C.J. Stroud against Colts' quarterback Anthony Richardson. This is a chance for the fancied Texans to lay down an early AFC South marker.
Neil's Pick… Houston
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins
This will be a tough challenge for a Jags team that finished poorly in 2023. Miami didn't finish much better with their first-round playoff exit, but they are loaded with firepower and tend to make fast starts under Mike McDaniel.
Neil's Pick… Miami
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The Panthers should field a better attack around Bryce Young this season, but the Saints still have a stingy defense and while they are not spectacular, that should be enough for a hometown win.
Neil's Pick… New Orleans
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
There has been much concern in Minnesota after rookie QB J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury. But I think veteran Sam Darnold is ready to surprise in 2023 and will start strong in NY.
Neil's Pick… Minnesota
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
Head coach Jim Harbaugh returns to the NFL for the first time in a decade and he will bring a physical approach to the Chargers. They will show that toughness early on against the Raiders, who are rolling out Gardner Minshew at QB.
Neil's Pick… Los Angeles Chargers
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is going to be an interesting watch as he leads Sean Payton's Broncos in 2024. But making your debut in Seattle is never easy and the Seahawks will be a competitive squad this term.
Neil's Pick… Seattle
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
The biggest star of this game might be in the booth as Tom Brady makes his TV debut on FOX. Dallas have endured a rough offseason, but I think they have the aerial firepower to win this one on the road now that CeeDee Lamb has been paid.
Neil's Pick… Dallas
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield got paid in the offseason, increasing his salary from $4 million per year in 2023 to $30 million per season in 2024. He and Mike Evans will have enough to see off Washington as rookie QB Jayden Daniels finds his feet.
Neil's Pick… Tampa Bay
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
This playoff rematch from 2023 once again pits Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff against each other on a big stage. The Lions are genuine Super Bowl contenders this season and they will show us why on Sunday Night Football.
Neil's Pick… Detroit
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers on Monday Night Football for the Jets, take two! Let's hope Rodgers stays healthy all season long because he will make NY a contender. That said, the 49ers have too much talent and depth to lose this one at home.
Neil's Pick… San Francisco
