The race to succeed the Chiefs is on. Patrick Mahomes' teammates, natural candidates to retain the Vince Lombardi Trophy, played on the night of Thursday to Friday. Their rivals will wait until this weekend to make their debut during a Week 1 with an appetizing program.
Between the new coaches, the first matches of the rookies, the expected return of injured players, the first week has an XXL program. It will be, as usual, the time of overreactions, exaggerated dreams and immediate despair.
The match to follow: Lions vs Rams
Monday 9 September – Kick-off at 02:20
Detroit Lions – Los Angeles Rams
How do we meet again? After their meeting during the tour of wild cards In the playoffs last season, which ended with Detroit narrowly beating Los Angeles, the Rams and Lions will face off again in this first week of the regular season for a clash at Ford Field.
For Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams), it will therefore be a new trip to the city that selected him and where he spent 11 years between 2009 and 2020. Opposite, Jared Goff (QB, Lions) will meet Sean McVay who had decided to send him to the Motor City.
In addition to these reunions, the game will above all be a real test. The Lions must prove that they have reached a milestone this summer in defense and especially in the secondary. Faced with the Californian receiver duo Cooper Kupp – Puka Nacua and the creativity of McVay, they will have to be present. Opposite, the Rams will also be able to test their defensive squad, orphaned by coordinator Raheem Morris and legend Aaron Donald.
The duel: Aaron Rodgers vs. Brock Purdy
Four snaps, a torn Achilles tendon, and a never-ending story of a real-fake end-of-season comeback: Aaron Rodgers' (QB, Jets) first season left a terrible taste of unfinished business for any American football fan. At 40 years old, the return of the four-time MVP is a full-fledged event of this week 1. Facing the terrible defensive line of the 49ers of Nick Bosa, Javon Hargave and others, the source of 48 sacks last season, he will not have an easy task. Star rookie left tackle Tyron Smith may have his work cut out for him.
Opposite, Brock Purdy (QB, 49ers) is a bit of the anti-Rodgers. For his third year, the one whose recognition is inversely proportional to the results, in the bad sense, will still have to prove himself despite his accomplishments. In a duel between Mr. Irrelevant and a legend, the former is known to depend on the lines of his coach Kyle Shanahan, while the latter is notoriously headstrong. Take your pick, and your opinion, but let's hope it lasts more than 4 snaps.
The stat: 9016
Sunday 8 September – kick-off at 7pm
Cincinnati Bengals – New England Patriots
Sunday will mark the first official game since Jan. 2, 2000, that the Patriots will start with a head coach other than Bill Belichick. That's 296 months and 6 days, 1,288 weeks, or 9,016 days, depending on how you count.
That's how much of a task awaits the new coach of the Boston franchise, Jerod Mayo. The man who spent seven years under Belichick as a player and four as linebackers coach, will have to prove himself, especially since his decision to leave the number 3 draft pick Drake Maye on the bench in favor of Jacoby Brissett is already being contested. Facing the Bengals, who will see the return of Joe Burrow and who will want to get back on track after their failed 2023 season, the task looks complicated.
The Player: Caleb Williams
Sunday 8 September – kick-off at 7pm
Chicago Bears – Tennessee Titans
With the number 1 pick in the draft, the spotlight will be on Caleb Williams' performance in his first as Bears quarterback. The former USC star is expected to deliver. Behind a decent offensive line, he will have his pick of targets: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen (even if his participation is uncertain), Rome Odunze and Gerald Everett. Facing a Titans secondary that could be without Jamal Adams and whose level remains a question mark, Williams will have the delicate position of favorite. History is not really on his side since the last number 1 draft quarterback to win the first game of the season is… David Carr with the Texans against the Cowboys in 2002.
Special mentions to Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders) and Bo Nix (QB, Broncos) who will also be discovering the league. They will play respectively against the Buccaneers (Sunday 10:25 p.m.) and the Seahawks (Sunday 10:05 p.m.).
Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Sunday 8 September – kick-off at 22:05
Los Angeles Chargers – Las Vegas Raiders
Welcome back! Jim Harbaugh makes his long-awaited return to the league as coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. The reigning college champion with Michigan returns to the big league. His first stint with the 49ers had marked, with 3 conference finals and 1 Super Bowl loss in 4 seasons between 2011 and 2014. Courted by the biggest NFL teams, Harbaugh has chosen to take on a hell of a challenge in Los Angeles.
For several seasons, and despite the talent present, whether it be Justin Herbert (QB) on offense or players like Joey Bosa (EDGE) on defense, the LA franchise has been one of the most disappointing between expectations and reality. Harbaugh's stature will not be too much to reverse the destiny of a franchise that has only reached the Super Bowl once in 1995.
AFC South Division
Sunday 8 September – kick-off at 7pm
Indianapolis Colts – Houston Texans
Tennessee Titans@Chicago Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins
Meetings between two teams from the same division are rare in this week 1, but the matchup between the Colts and the Texans is enticing. Both teams have big ambitions for this season, in the hands of their respective sophomore quarterbacks. The Houston players have found their franchise quarterback in CJ Stroud. Impressive last year. He led the franchise in the playoffs with a 10-7 record, even allowing himself to correct the Browns (45-14) in wild card.
The Colts hope to follow the same path with the return of Anthony Richardson (QB). Without showing the creative genius of Stroud, Richardson had still given reassuring signs in four small appearances. His duo on the ground with Jonathan Taylor (RB) will be a test for all opposing teams.
In a division that is emerging from the abyss and could be very tight, the Jaguars start with a heavyweight. For Doug Pederson's second season and what looks like Trevor Lawrence's (QB) last chance, the Floridians start with a small derby against the vengeful Dolphins and a Tua Tagovailoa (QB) freed forever from financial questions. A match that will give a trend for both teams.
The (other) division duels
Sunday 8 September – kick-off at 7pm
New Orleans Saints – Carolina Panthers
Kick-off at 22:05
Los Angeles Chargers – Las Vegas Raiders
The right to bounce back? In the NFC South, the Saints (9-8) and the Panthers (2-15) were not exactly the most exciting teams in the league. Like a half-baked Derek Carr (QB, Saints) and a Bryce Young (QB, Panthers) in decline despite his status as number 1 in the draft. In Louisiana, Carr is expected but will his line, strengthened by the selection of Taliese Fuaga (OT) with the 14th draft pick, give him enough time to express himself? Bryce Young absolutely must show better. He will now have Dave Canales as coach, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks. Faced with the Saints' formidable secondary line, the beginnings could be difficult for the one who threw ten interceptions (for 11 touchdowns!) last year.
In LA, the Raiders will revive Minshew mania in 2024. The mustachioed quarterback has earned his starting spot. With targets like Davante Adams (WR) and newcomer Brock Bowers (TE), he'll have plenty to do. Starting against a Jim Harbaugh defense is no gift, though.
The rest of the matches
Philadelphia Eagles – Green Bay Packers – Saturday at 02:15
Atlanta Falcons – Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday at 7 p.m.
Buffalo Bills – Arizona Cardinals – Sunday at 7 p.m.
New York Giants – Minnesota Vikings – Sunday at 7 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks – Denver Broncos – Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Cleveland Browns – Dallas Cowboys – Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Washington Commanders – Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
XXL program for this week 1 where games like Eagles – Packers or Cowboys – Browns could very well have been posters of the week. In the first named, Philadelphia will have to show that the dynamic has changed after an end of season in the form of an implosion, facing Packers in full swing.
In the second, both Dak Prescott (QB) and Deshaun Watson (QB) will have a lot to prove this season. Their debuts will be difficult against the formidable opposing lines personified by Micah Parsons (OLB, Cowboys) and Myles Garrett (DE, Browns). In Atlanta, the first expected for the offensive armada of Kirk Cousins' Falcons (QB) against the iron defense of Mike Tomlin's Steelers.
Watch out for the Bills and Josh Allen, this Arizona team looks like a tricky one. The attack duo Kyler Murray (QB) – Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR) can be explosive. Already an important match between the Giants and the Vikings. Both teams have their chances and could glean a precious success in two complicated divisions (NFC East and NFC North).
The Seahawks are the favorites against the Broncos. For Mike MacDonald's first time as coach, a defensive improvement is expected. However, the Sean Payton – Bo Nix duo seems to click and Denver has everything to gain. Finally, Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield (QB) will have to begin the difficult task of confirmation. The Commanders are starting their reconstruction around Dan Quinn and Jaden McDaniels (QB), second pick in the draft.
All NFL Week 1 Posters
Saturday September 7th
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles – 2:15 a.m.
Sunday September 8th
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Atlanta Falcons – 7 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals @ Buffalo Bills – 7 p.m.
Tennessee Titans @ Chicago Bears – 7 p.m.
New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals – 7 p.m.
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts – 7 p.m. (AFC South)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins – 7 p.m. – To follow live for free on M6+
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints – 7 p.m. (NFC South)
Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants – 7 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers – 10:05 p.m. (AFC West)
Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks – 10:05 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns – 10:25 p.m.
Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10:25 p.m.
Monday September 9th
Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions – 2:20 a.m.
Tuesday September 10
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers – 2:15 a.m.
