NFL Week 1: Top Matchups

· Jul 03 - 5 minutes read

The 2023 NFL season starts with a bang in Week 1. The opening weekend should be full of great games. Check out the top matchups of Week 1.

The season opens with the Detroit Lions visiting the Kansas City Chiefs. In recent seasons, this would have been a game few fans looked forward to, as the Lions have struggled for years. However, Detroit is a different franchise under coach Dan Campbell. Heading into the season, NFL odds week 1 have the Lions as the favorite to win the NFC North and the fourth choice to win the NFC. After finishing 9-8, its first winning season since 2017, Detroit has postseason aspirations.

NFL Week 1: Top Matchups — Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs - Kyle Rivas/Getty Images/AFP

Visiting the Chiefs – the defending Super Bowl champions – is still a tall task, though. The Lions will be a substantial underdog, possibly by as many as seven points. Expect plenty of points. Kansas City has been a juggernaut with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid. The Lions ranked fifth in points per game in the 2022-23 season.

Sunday afternoon has several enticing games. The Panthers-Falcons and Bengals-Browns are intriguing divisional clashes. The New Orleans Saints are the favorite to win the NFC South, but the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons are among the top three favorites. Quarterback Bryce Young and running back Bijan Robinson will also make their debuts, which are among the sportsbook’s favorites for Rookie of the Year.

The Cleveland Browns are hoping to turn it around this season, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson. Per NFL lines week 1, the Browns are a borderline playoff team. Cleveland could make a statement in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are viewed as a contender.

The San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers will also battle. This could be a sneaky good game. Similar to the Browns, the Steelers have playoff goals after finishing 9-8 last season. Pittsburgh’s defense is healthy and its offense could improve with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett and a refortified offensive line. The 49ers are one of the best teams from the NFC, appearing in the previous two NFC Championship games. The Steelers should also have a noticeable home advantage, giving them a puncher’s chance. Plus, this matchup will feature some of the NFL’s premier defenders, including edge rushers Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt.

INTERESTING: Former San Francisco #49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick says he’s still waiting for a #NFL team to call him to resume his career, despite being 6 years removed from #NFL.

🤯

Kap vows to keep pursuing return in face of ‘political bias.’

“I’m going to keep… pic.twitter.com/yx8gLIZu2t

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 29, 2023

Take A Look At These Other Two NFL Week 1 Special Articles

The Packers-Bears and Dolphins-Chargers are the top matchups at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday. The NFC North should be one of the most competitive divisions this season. The Green Bay Packers are expected to decline after trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, they have built a promising offense with a talented receiving group. How will Jordan Love perform in his first game as the starting QB? The Chicago Bears could be one of the most improved teams in the NFL. Quarterback Justin Fields has drawn some MVP buzz. Will he live up to high expectations?

The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers feature some of the most exciting offenses in the NFL. The Dolphins have an electric receiving duo with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Justin Herbert is possibly a top-five quarterback in the NFL and could compete for the MVP Award. This Week 1 matchup will also show off Miami’s revamped defense, coached by veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The Dolphins and Chargers could be sleepers to make noise in the AFC this season. NFL odds for Week 1 view Los Angeles as the slight favorite against Miami.

Sunday’s action is capped with a primetime battle between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks will make their Cowboy debuts and tight end Darren Waller will play in his first game as a Giant. Dallas and New York will likely be the Philadelphia Eagles’ best competition in the NFC East. Will either team impress on Sunday Night Football?

Monday night’s game could be the most anticipated matchup of Week 1. Rodgers will don the Gotham green for the first time, as the Buffalo Bills visit the New York Jets. This could close as the smallest point spread of the week with the Bills favored by one point. Two potential contenders in the AFC collide for an intense rivalry. This should be an excellent matchup to finish the opening weekend.

Get ready for the kickoff of the NFL season with the latest NFL week 1 Vegas odds! Explore the exciting NFL matchups and bet on your favorite teams at BetUS.

BET ON NFL WEEK 1