- Primary Subject: 2026 NFL Regular Season – Week 1
- Key Update: Complete breakdown and score/spread predictions for all 13 games on the main Sunday slate of Week 1.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: September 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: The article provides expert score predictions, spread picks, and detailed match analysis for the 13 games played on NFL Sunday in Week 1.
The first football Sunday of the 2026 NFL season is on the horizon, bringing a perfect slate of games to celebrate the day the NFL takes over the sports calendar.
13 games will take place this Sunday, featuring division rivalries, historic regular-season confrontations, and clashes between playoff contenders.
Predicting the NFL is always hard, but the first Sunday of the football season takes that task to the next level.
But I'm not one to run from a challenge, and there's a special kind of entertainment you can only find in trying to predict a Jets vs. Titans game.
Without further ado, let's dive into the 2026 NFL Week 1 predictions.
Browns at Jaguars
The Jaguars go into this game as massive favorites and deservedly so. Anthony Campanile manufactured one of the best defenses in the NFL last year, and under Liam Coen, the Jags offense took a massive step forward.
From the receiving core to the cornerback room, both of which include Travis Hunter, the Jags are better top to bottom.
The Browns offense is going to struggle all year long, no matter who is under center.
With the game taking place in Jacksonville, one of the best home fortresses in the NFL last year, against a top defense in the league, you need to be a die-hard Browns fan to predict them to win.
I have the Jaguars winning comfortably and also covering the spread.
Falcons at Steelers
Penix, Tua, there is only one thing certain about the Falcons offense: it's going to struggle against a solid Steelers defense that normally starts the year really well.
The Falcons ' number-one options at receiver and running back are elite. The guy in charge of moving the sticks, not so much.
I think the Steelers' defense puts on a dominant performance and helps Aaron Rodgers start his last season in the NFL with a victory.
Jets at Titans
Real NFL fans know this is the true game of the day, not Josh Allen against the Texans' defense.
I mean, who doesn't like to spend a good portion of their Sunday watching Cam Ward and Geno Smith trading bombs?
In all seriousness, this is arguably the hardest game to predict this Sunday. Yes, the Titans are better on paper, especially on offense, and they have the home-field advantage.
However, the Jets' defense is not awful, apart from generating takeaways, as their off-season additions improved the unit as a whole.
Despite that, I still have the Titans taking this game, in what I expect to be a close contest.
I think Cam Ward will take a step forward this season, starting with this game. The Titans have more weapons on offense, a better OC in Brian Daboll, and a head coach in Robert Saleh who always makes his defenses overperform.
Ravens at Colts
In what I expect to be one of the most exciting games this Sunday, Lamar Jackson will finally have the chance to showcase the brand-new offense he fell in love with during training camp.
The Ravens' defense should also improve significantly with Jesse Minter at the wheel. But will that take time, or will it instantly click in week 1?
Well, it's probably neither of the two. I expect the Ravens' defense to be solid, but I don't think they will be elite from the get-go.
However, when you are facing a Daniel Jones who is back from an Achilles heel injury and an Alec Pierce who probably won't be 100%, solid might just do it.
The Ravens have huge talent across the board, and I expect Lamar Jackson and the offense to bounce back from a subpar year.
Ravens take this one in a thrilling game in Indianapolis.
Bills at Texans
To say Josh Allen and the Bills have struggled against the Texans would be an understatement.
The Texans' defense can cause Josh problems like only a few other defenses in the NFL can. Yes, the Bills added DJ Moore in the off-season, but I don't think that tilts the balance in their favour in this matchup.
Then there is the Bills' defense, which wasn't great last year, especially against the run. Well, the Texans improved their offensive line and traded for David Montgomery, significantly improving their running game.
Josh Allen would need to put on the cape of capes for the Bills to have a shot at winning this game.
That might very well happen, as Josh has more than enough talent to do so. But the cape has been locked in the closet every time he faces the Texans, and the Houston defense has the key.
I have the Texans winning and covering the spread.
Saints at Lions
The Detroit Lions' bounce-back year starts at home against a sneaky good New Orleans Saints team.
Offensively, the Lions are one of the best teams in the league, and the loss of David Montgomery doesn't worry me that much, as Jahmyr Gibbs, the No. 1 pick in fantasy football, is still there.
I think the Saints' offense can make the game interesting, but their defense will likely struggle against the Lions' dominant offense.
I have the Lions winning and covering the spread in a game that should announce to the NFL that the Detroit Lions are back.
Buccaneers at Bengals
Baker Mayfield, with a chip on his shoulder, is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL.
Mayfield did get paid, but public opinion about his contract is mixed, including from Bucks fans, and I have no doubt the Texans native is eager to prove to fans and critics around the league that the Bucks made the right decision.
The Bengals' defense, despite improving in the off-season, is stil far from elite, and Mayfield should be able to carve them up.
Unfortunately, he is facing one of the most prolific offenses in the league, away from home. In a shootout where one side has Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, I'm sorry, Baker, but I have to go with the Burrow-Chase side.
I have the Bengals winning in a high-scoring and closely contested game.
Bears at Panthers
The Bears are expected to take the next step this season, becoming a defense that doesn't rely only on takeaways, while simultaneously cementing their place among the elite NFL offenses.
Carolina has proven to be a tough opponent to beat at home, and the Panthers have some interesting weapons on offense, namely Tetairoa McMillan.
All things considered, I think the Bears offense will be too much for this Panthers defense, in a game that will likely be high-scoring.
I have the Bears winning but not covering the spread.
Dolphins at Raiders
There is not much to say about this one. The Dolphins are openly tanking, and it's impossible to know what to expect from that wide receiver room.
Even without Brock Bowers, the Raiders should be able to win this one comfortably. They have more than enough talent on both sides of the field to do so.
Cardinals at Chargers
In what might be the most one-sided game of Week 1, I think the Chargers put on a masterclass against one of the worst defenses in the league.
Mike McDaniel, with the talent of Justin Herbert, Hampton, and a good receiver duo in Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, will give Chargers fans a lot to be happy about this upcoming Sunday.
I have the Chargers comfortably winning and covering the spread.
Commanders at Eagles
Continuing the trend of one-sided games, the Commanders and their depleted offensive line face the Eagles in Philadelphia.
There are just too many question marks on the Commanders' side to predict them beating a solid team like the Eagles.
Sure, Philadelphia's offense might not be the most flashy, but more often than not, it gets the job done.
The Eagles are also the much better team on the defensive side, and I wouldn't be shocked if this was a low-scoring game on the Commanders' side.
Packers at Vikings
The Packers have yet to win a game without Micah Parsons, but perhaps the Vikings' tricky quarterback situation might be just what the doctor ordered.
I don't have a lot of trust in Kyler Murray or Carson Wentz, and even less in J.J. McCarthy if push comes to shove.
The Vikings defense should be good, but the Packers offense is more than capable of putting points on the board.
I think the Packers edge out the Vikings in Minnesota to start the season 1-0, with Love having a great game.
However, I don't think they will beat the spread.
Cowboys at Giants
This might be a trickier game than most people expect. The Cowboys' offense is great; there is no doubt about it. However, there are still many question marks about their defense.
With John Harbaugh in charge, the Giants should be a much more competitive team. But I don't think it's fair to just dismiss all of the Giants' problems because there is a new coach in town.
The Cowboys have the better offense; they have continuity on their side, and they have the superior quarterback in Dak Prescott, who is likely to be among the top 5 MVP candidates this season when all is said and done.
I have the Cowboys winning and covering the spread.
Broncos at Chiefs
I expect this to be the best game of Week 1. An elite defense, an elite quarterback who is coming off an injury and is eager to show the NFL who still runs the league, and Tyler Swift in the stands, probably.
The absence of starting left tackle Josh Simmons is what swung the pendulum for me.
I still think Mahomes is going to have a good game, but starting an undrafted rookie to protect your QB's blindside against the defense with the most sacks in 2025 is not a recipe for success.
Waddle's addition should make the Denver offense more prolific and help with slow starts that plagued them last year.
I have the Broncos just barely beating the Chiefs at Arrowhead, in what promises to be a fantastic game of American Football.
Those are my 2026 NFL Week 1 predictions. Let's hope they age better than the Russell Wilson trade to the Broncos.
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