NFL 2023: Week 1 Preview

Football is finally back. It’s so nice to say that the road to Sin City Super Bowl 2024 begins now.

Take a look at the games to kick off the 2023-24 season, including the FOX Sports and First & Jenn Games of the Week.

First & Jenn’s Game of the Week

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

When: 9/7/23 @ 8:20 p.m. EST

Television: (ESPN/ABC) Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters

Radio: (Westwood One) Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner

Notes: Pay attention to the quarterback battle between Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen. The return of Bills safety Damar Hamlin is going to be another thing people look out for.

All-Time History: BUF leads series, 67-57

Prediction: Jets 30-20

America’s Game of the Week 

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

When: 9/10/23 @ 4:25 p.m. EST

Television: (FOX) Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Notes: No more Rodgers, so the Bears have an opportunity to start the season strong with one of their biggest rivals.

All-Time History: GB leads series, 104-94-6

Prediction: Bears 21-17

Game to Skip 

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Commanders

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (FOX) Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink

Notes: Both very shaky NFC teams that are not going to make the playoffs. Next.

All-Time History: WAS leads series, 76-47-2

Prediction: Commanders 20-14

Week 1 Matchups

Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs

When: 9/7/23 @ 8:20 p.m. EST

Television: (NBC) Mike Tirico, Chris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

Radio: (Westwood One) Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner

Notes: We know what team is going to win, but it’s going to be interesting to watch the Lions develop this season as they get younger and faster, especially defensively.

All-Time History: KC leads series, 9-5

Prediction: Chiefs 34-27

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (CBS) Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

Notes: Interested in this quarterback battle as well as one is coming in a lot more successful than the other. Both defensives are interesting to look at this season as well.

All-Time History: CIN leads series, 52-47

Prediction: Bengals 30-24

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (CBS) Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala

Notes: The Lamar Jackson story is going to be very interesting as this season plays out. I think he has a great game against a shaky Texans defense.

All-Time History: BAL leads series, 9-2

Prediction: Ravens 28-24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Minnesota Vikings

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (CBS) Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan, AJ Ross

Notes: The Vikings are being slept on in the NFC North and NFC alone, so they’re coming into this game fierce and ready to kick off the season strong.

All-Time History: MIN leads series, 33-23

Prediction: Vikings 28-20

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (FOX) Chris Myers, Robert Smith, Jen Hale

Notes: The Panthers seem to be the team in better shape between these two, but it’s worth taking a look at the new pieces to both teams. 

All-Time History: ATL leads series, 35-21

Prediction: Panthers 21-10

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (FOX) Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake

Notes: One team is riding the high from the playoffs with their offense, and the other is probably losing a crucial cog of their offense. 

All-Time History: IND leads series, 27-17

Prediction: Jaguars 21-13

San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (FOX) Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver

Notes: Both teams have some stars that are worth paying attention to. 

All-Time History: SF leads series, 12-10

Prediction: 49ers 28-21

Tennessee Titans @ New Orleans Saints

When: 9/10/23 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

Television: (CBS) Chris Lewis, Jason McCourty, Ross Tucker, Amanda Guerra

Notes: The Titans are a few years away from getting back to being dominant again, but the Saints are on the up. Both offenses are going to be intriguing since both are fairly young.

All-Time History: TEN leads series, 9-6-1

Prediction: Saints 20-14

Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos

When: 9/10/23 @ 4:25 p.m. EST

Television: (CBS) Tom McCourty, James Lofton, Jay Feely, Tiffany Blackmon

Notes: Nothing really stands out about either team except for how Jimmy Garoppolo will do on this team.

All-Time History: LV leads series, 70-53-2

Prediction: Broncos 21-20

Philadelphia Eagles @ New England Patriots

When: 9/10/23 @ 4:25 p.m. EST

Notes: I know eyes are going to be on the offenses, but both defenses are going to be very interesting to look at.

Prediction: Eagles 28-23

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

When: 9/10/23 @ 4:25 p.m. EST

Television: (FOX) Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin

Notes: Both teams have an opportunity to make the playoffs in a wide open NFC after being a few years removed from tasting the postseason.

Prediction: Seahawks 21-17

Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Chargers

When: 9/10/23 @ 4:25 p.m. EST

Television: (CBS) Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins

Notes: I’m interested to see how both teams react from how their seasons ended last season and what develops of both teams as the season kicks off. 

All-Time History: MIA leads series, 17-15

Prediction: Chargers 24-21

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

When: 9/10/23 @ 8:20 p.m. EST

Television: (NBC) Mike Tirico, Chris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

Radio: (Westwood One) Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic

Notes: The battle for second place in the NFC East starts early for these two teams. The Giants look to repeat what they did last season and the Cowboys look to try to dominate even after losing some key guys.

All-Time History: DAL leads series, 73-46-2

Prediction: Cowboys 24-14

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