Week 1 of a new season can always be a strange one, with new coaches and players just feeling their way into the campaign, leading to weird and wonderful outcomes.

Last week was no exception, with a number of close contests including12 games decided by one score, tying the record for the most such results on an opening week. While getting off to a fast start is always the preferred outcome, dropping the season-opener is not an automatic death knell for a team’s chances of postseason success. Indeed, five teams that lost in Week 1 of the 2024 season — the Ravens, Broncos, Packers, Commanders and Rams — all made the playoffs after losing their first game, so there is hope yet for the likes of the (yikes) Ravens who came out on the wrong side of fate this time around.

***

GAME OF THE WEEK

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)

Sunday will mark the 11^th Super Bowl rematch to take place in the season immediately following the big game clash, and the fourth occasion such a repeat has occurred within the opening two weeks of a season, as Nick Sirianni and the Eagles travel to take on Andy Reid’s Chiefs.

The Eagles’ offense was not at its most potent last week in their 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, with Saquon Barkley restricted to just 60 yards and wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combining for a mere four receptions and 24 yards. But quarterback Jalen Hurts was generally efficient, completing 82.6% of his passes and rushing for two touchdowns against the hated rival, notching up an 18^th career game with multiple scores on the ground — the most amongst quarterbacks all time.

The Eagles’ defense, meanwhile, played the entire game without Jalen Carter, who was ejected for spitting at Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and, while there were some disturbing moments as the Cowboys picked on members of the Eagles secondary, Vic Fangio’s unit was able to pitch a second-half shutout and secure the win.

The Chiefs, who have won three of the last four regular season meetings between these two sides, lost 27-21 to the Chargers in Brazil last week and currently sit bottom of the AFC West. It’s early days of course. They went into Week 1 without suspended wide receiver Rashee Rice, and they lost second-year speedster Xavier Worthy early on to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Patrick Mahomes looked to Marquise Brown, who led the Chiefs with 10 grabs for 99 yards, although the only touchdown pass went to tight end Travis Kelce, who reeled in the 98^th score of his illustrious career.

The Chiefs will be hoping to get more from their running game after their leading rusher against the Chargers — Mahomes himself — managed just 57 yards. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs appeared unable to stop Justin Herbert, but did manage to sack him three times, with Drue Tranquil claiming two sacks along with two tackles for loss.

PREDICTION: Chiefs get their first W of the season in a close game, but the Eagles passing game makes some noise after a clunker in Week 1.

***

WELL WORTH A WATCH

Washington Commanders (1-0) @ Green Bay Packers (1-0)

Thursday Night Football comes from Lambeau Field, as two teams who lost to the Eagles in the NFC playoffs last season collide for the 38th regular season meeting between two of the league’s most storied franchises.

The home teams have enjoyed these clashes of late, with the visiting sides dropping ten of the last 11 encounters. The Commanders come into the game after a 21-8 victory over the listless New York Giants a week ago. Second year quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for 233 yards and rushed for another 68 against the Giants and has a total of 20 touchdowns (passing and rushing) in 11 career road games.

Deebo Samuel, playing his first game as a Commander, led the way with 77 yards receiving and found the endzone on a 19-yard rushing attempt. No other Commander amassed more than 34 yards through the air, with the newly-paid Terry McLaurin held to just two grabs for 27 yards. The Commanders racked up a total of 220 yards on the ground, however, with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt leading the way with 82 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Meanwhile, the Commanders defense sacked Russell Wilson twice and racked up seven tackles for loss.

The Packers, whose head coach Matt LaFleur spent four seasons as the quarterbacks coach at Washington between 2010-2013, secured a vital NFC North win over the Detroit Lions in Week 1, beating last season’s division champs 27-13. Jordan Love was efficient, completing 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and now has a total of 33 touchdowns in his last 17 home starts. Running back Josh Jacobs led the way on the ground with 66 yards and found the endzone against the Lions, marking the tenth game in a row that he has scored a rushing touchdown. The Packers spread the receiving work around last week, with no player earning more than five targets and no-one reeling in more than three catches.

The team’s newest addition, edge rusher Micah Parsons, marked his Green Bay debut with his first sack, and will look to add to his 10.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in eight career games against the Commanders.

PREDICTION: Packers go to 2-0 for the first time since 2020 as they begin to flex their muscles in the NFC.

Atlanta Falcons (0-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

The ‘Kirk Cousins Bowl’ takes place in the Twin Cities, as the Vikings welcome the Falcons with both sides leaning on second-year quarterbacks. These two franchises have been subjects of video essay series on Secret Base’s YouTube channel, and both make for highly-entertaining viewing, a phrase that describes what this game should be.

Michael Penix racked up 298 passing yards and accounted for a passing and rushing TD in Week 1 as he almost drove his side to overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ultimately, however, the Falcons couldn’t finish the job, losing 23-20 in frustrating fashion. Penix now has over 295 passing yards with scores through the air and on the ground in back-to-back games going back to last season. Running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for 48 rushing yards on 22 attempts but, despite the underwhelming numbers, Robinson was a huge part of the Falcons’ offensive success, with six grabs for 100 yards and a touchdown. Drake London led the way with 15 targets and eight receptions, but only managed 55 yards through the air. He appears to have escaped injury to be available this weekend.

The Falcons defense, for so long an area of concern, only sacked Baker Mayfield once and hit him twice, while managing just two tackles for loss.

The Vikings went on the road in Week 1 and got a W over the Bears at Soldier Field, with J.J. McCarthy becoming the first quarterback to come back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and win on debut since Steve Young back in 1985, contributing 143 air yards and two touchdowns. While Aaron Jones drew the start at running back, it was Jordan Mason — an offseason acquisition from the 49ers — who led the team with 68 rushing yards on 15 carries. Jones only mustered 23 yards on eight attempts, but he did catch one of McCarthy’s passing scores, and tied with Justin Jefferson for a team high 44 receiving yards. Brian Flores’ defense, meanwhile, sacked Caleb Williams twice and hit him another three times.

PREDICTION: Vikings go to 2-0 and the Falcons lose more ground in the NFC South.

***

ALSO ON IN WEEK 2

Cleveland Browns (0-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-1)

Both these sides dropped Week 1 games to bitter rivals, but can the Ravens kickstart their season with a win over their former selves, or will the Browns and Joe Flacco — making his first career start as a visitor to Baltimore after 38,245 yards and 212 touchdown passes as the franchise’s leading passer — continue a run against the Ravens that has seen them win two of the last three meetings?

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)

Both sides picked up a win in Week 1, with the Jaguars easing past the Panthers and the Bengals made to fight all the way against the Browns. One of these teams will be 2-0 for the first time since 2018 but, in this battle of the big cats, will Trevor Lawrence overcome Joe Burrow, or will the former LSU Tiger take his side to a fourth straight win over the former Clemson Tiger’s Jaguars?

New York Giants (0-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

Both sides are coming off Week 1 losses to NFC East rivals, although the Cowboys are probably feeling slightly better about themselves. Russell Wilson tossed five touchdown passes in his last start against Dallas, but that was back in 2020. Dak Prescott averages two touchdowns a game against Big Blue in his career and racked up 404 passing yards with five total touchdowns the last time he played. Can the Giants end the Cowboys domination of this storied rivalry, or will the Boys log their 16th win in 17 meetings?

Chicago Bears (0-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-1)

Ben Johnson takes his Bears squad to the place where he made his name, after both sides lost early ground in the NFC North race. Jared Goff was right at home in the Lions’ dome last season, averaging 282.4 passing yards in nine regular season games, with two or more touchdown passes in six of the last seven. Caleb Williams and the Bears’ passing game needs to get more explosive, but can they get the Johnson era its first win, or will the master, Dan Campbell, score an early victory over the apprentice?

New England Patriots (0-1) @ Miami Dolphins (0-1)

Both sides lost in Week 1, the Patriots a tight game to the Raiders and the Dolphins in an absolute shocker to the Colts. The Dolphins have owned this rivalry in recent years, after almost two decades of Patriots dominance, but can they put last week’s mauling at the hands of Daniel Jones behind them, or will Drake Maye and the Patriots get their first win of the season over the team with the worst vibes in the entire NFL?

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ New Orleans Saints (0-1)

The 49ers come into the Big Easy already banged up, with George Kittle on injured reserve and Brock Purdy seriously doubtful to play. The Saints were feisty in their loss to the Cardinals last week, with new coach Kellen Moore filling the air as Spencer Rattler attempted a career-high 46 passes. Can Mac Jones, making his 49ers bow, go into the Superdome and pick up a win to keep the 49ers rolling, even as their medical room gets busier with each passing week?

Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ New York Jets (0-1)

The Bills won in dramatic late fashion in Week 1, while the Jets lost in almost the same manner. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things against the Ravens with 424 total yards, while Justin Fields had the Jets offense looking functional with an eighth game in his last nine starts without an interception. Can the Bills move to 2-0 for the fifth time in the Sean McDermott era, or will the Jets earn their first win over the Bills in four meetings?

Seattle Seahawks (0-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

In the ‘We Ditched Russ Bowl’, the Seahawks offense needs to remember that players other than Jaxon Smith-Njigba can be targeted in the passing game (JSN looks in Week 1? 13; every other Seahawk combined? Nine). The Steelers offense looked functional against the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers pitching his 28th career four-touchdown game. Can the Seahawks and Sam Darnold breach the Steel Curtain, or will the Steelers earn their third straight win over the Birds?

Los Angeles Rams (1-0) @ Tennessee Titans (0-1)

A rematch of Super Bowl XXIV (or the ‘Jeff Fisher Bowl’, call it what you will). The Rams took care of business against the Texans in Week 1, while the Titans tripped over their own feet repeatedly in letting the Broncos beat them in Mile High. Matt Stafford is playing his 224th career game while his opposite number Cam Ward is suiting up for only the second time. Can the Rams build off last weeks win, or will the Titans earn a fourth win in five meetings while earning the first win of the Cam Ward era?

Carolina Panthers (0-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-0)

The Panthers were beaten by the Jaguars last time out, while the Cardinals just held on to overcome the Saints. Can Kyler Murray continue his streak of games with both a passing and rushing touchdown against the Panthers, or will Bryce Young lead his side to a sixth win in four meetings in this battle of former first overall picks?

Denver Broncos (1-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-0)

The ‘Peyton Manning Bowl’ takes place in the ‘House that Peyton Built’ with both of his former sides coming off Week 1 wins. The Broncos had their defense to thank for their win over the Titans, sacking rookie Cam Ward six times, while the Colts rolled back the years and looked like the side that Peyton led as they became the first team since 1978 to score on every offensive possession. Will the Broncos advance to their first 2-0 start since 2021, or can the Colts start their season with two victories for the first time since their last Super Bowl season?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ Houston Texans (0-1)

The Bucs eked out a win over the Falcons in Week 1, while the Texans offense slept through a loss to the Rams. These two sides played out a barnburner in 2023, with the Texans outlasting the Bucs 39-37 thanks to five C.J. Stroud touchdown passes. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield returns to his home state on the back of six straight games with at least two touchdown passes. Will the high-flying Bucs take the honours, or will the ferocious Texans defense sink the visitors?

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)

Both sides won their opening games, with the Chargers beating the Chiefs in Brazil and the Raiders outlasting the Patriots in Foxboro. Geno Smith goes up against an old club (2018), while Jim Harbaugh locks horns with the team for whom he coached quarterbacks in 2002-03. Will the Chargers go 2-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2001-02, or will this be the Raiders first 2-0 start to a season since 2021?

***

Global fans give 100% so NFL Game Pass on DAZN gives it back. 100% NFL. 0% Compromise.

Find out more at DAZN.com/NFL