Coming off their Super Bowl victory, the Eagles will look to diversify their offensive attack relying less on the legs of Saquon Barkley and more on the arm of Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts under a new offensive coordinator. The Cowboys are without cornerback Trevon Diggs in week one, and the Cowboys have made their run defense an off-season priority, which should lend to throwing the ball. With more touchdowns in 2024 than his teammate AJ Brown, Devonta Smith should at least be a good bet to get in the end zone in what should be a high-flying game for the defending champs.

Carolina saw great progression from Young in the back half of last season. In weeks nine through 16, Young threw for over 1800 yards 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions. That improvement makes me feel confident in the Panthers’ offensive capabilities this season.

Usually it’s unwise to start rookie running backs week one, unless they’re a generational talent (see Ashton Jeanty). However, Henderson is special, and has shown flashes early and often this off-season. On a Patriots offense with little to no explosive talents, Henderson should get an abundance of touches early in his career, especially in a game versus Buffalo where New England will look for offense anywhere they can get it.

No wide receiver had a more tumultuous off-season than Mclaurin, who sat out of training camp until very recently, being rewarded with the big contract he desired. However, even with that shiny new deal, I wouldn’t trust him just yet. Missing months of practice with a young quarterback is never good, especially with the Commanders trading for touch vacuum Deebo Samuel. Samuel can, theoretically, be given the ball in both the run game and pass game, taking opportunities away from Mclaurin, again, theoretically. Their opponent in week one, the Giants, invested heavily in defending against the pass in both pass rush and in the secondary. All this adds up to a shaky start for Mclaurin as he makes up for lost time.

New York heads into 2025 with a new head coach in Aaron Glenn and a new quarterback in Justin Fields. I truly do not feel like Fields has anything extremely special to offer as a passer despite great ability to run the football. In week one he faces a stout Pittsburgh defense that is very dynamic in its scheme against the run and running quarterbacks. It is just a recipe for disaster to start Fields, at least this week.

You simply can not trust Hall at this point in his career. Since his rookie year, his career has been on a downward trajectory and now he’s losing carries to Braelon Allen. Against the Steelers stout run defense, it could be rough for the entire Jets offense. However, for the year, Hall is a risk every week he’s started due to his shaky situation.

Rams star quarterback Matthew Stafford has been out for most of the off-season with a mysterious injury which has kept him out of practice. Recently he has returned to practice and is apparently good to play week one. But an old quarterback missing most of the off-season is never good. The Texans, on the other hand, have a defense that projects to be one of the best in the league, with two extraordinary pass rushers. While Houston has problems on offense, this season should be an improvement for quarterback CJ Stroud, who was hampered by play calling and injuries throughout the previous season.

Carolina looks to make massive improvements this year on the defensive side of the ball, but early on it may be a struggle to see that goal achieved. The offense, though, is what gives me great confidence in this upset pick. Bryce Young enters year four with a new weapon at receiver in first round pick Tetairoa McMillan. I am very pleased by Young’s adaptation to the playbook and the ability to utilize his weapons like running back Chuba Hubbard. I think the game will be very slow for both teams, but I think the better offensive team late in this game will win. Give me the Panthers.

To begin the 2025-2026 NFL season, I’m deciding to go with the Baltimore Ravens over the Buffalo Bills. Although the Bills have the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, the Ravens have the second-highest-ranked top 100 player in the NFL currently; Lamar Jackson. With the ability to outrun the pass rush and to hit his targets on passing plays, the Buffalo Bills would definitely have to come up with some sort of solution for an early season Jackson and the Ravens.