And just like that, the NFL preseason has come to an end. Over the past four weeks, we’ve seen players battle for roster spots, some rookie quarterbacks secure their starting jobs, and a number of storylines begin to come into focus ahead of the season. With the 53-man roster cut deadline over, teams now know what their squads will look like heading into the year.
That being said, are there any more games for us to focus on today? Or will we need to wait for the NFL season to get Monday Night Football action?
Are There Any NFL Games Today? A Look Ahead to NFL Week 1 Kickoff
The Week 1 NFL schedule officially kicks off Thursday, September 5th. With most teams only playing three preseason games, there are no NFL games today. Instead, fans can turn their attention to what really matters right now: fantasy football. That’s right. This weekend is the last before the season officially kicks off, which means fans of the sport have only a few days left to get their fantasy rosters set.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
That being said, Pro Football Network has you covered with some of the most in-depth fantasy coverage around. Whether you are looking for a funny fantasy football team name, early Week 1 start/sit advice, or rankings for every single possible position and scoring system around, the PFN Fantasy Draft Kit has it all.
NFL Week 1 Schedule
- Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
NBC | 8:20 p.m. ET (Thursday) - Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Brazil)
Peacock | 8:15 p.m. ET (Friday) - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons
FOX | 1 p.m. ET - Arizona Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bills
CBS | 1 p.m. ET - Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears
FOX | 1 p.m. ET - New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals
CBS | 1 p.m. ET - Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
CBS | 1 p.m. ET - Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins
CBS | 1 p.m. ET - Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
FOX | 1 p.m. ET - Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants
FOX | 1 p.m. ET - Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
CBS | 4:05 p.m. ET - Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
CBS | 4:05 p.m. ET - Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FOX | 4:25 p.m. ET - Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
FOX | 4:25 p.m. ET - Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
NBC | 8:20 p.m. ET - New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
ESPN | 8:20 p.m. ET (Monday)
Early Week 1 Bets For You to Consider
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (-3)
- Moneyline: Ravens +130; Chiefs -155
- Total: 46.5
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs begin their season by hosting the first game in the traditional manner. Last year, the Detroit Lions came into Kansas City and upset the Chiefs on what was supposed to be their special night. This year, the Baltimore Ravens will be looking to do the same.
This game is a repeat of last year’s AFC Championship Game when the Chiefs prevailed while keeping the Ravens’ offense to just 10 points. However, turnovers were a big part of it, with Baltimore turning the ball over three times compared to Kansas City’s zero.
Look for Baltimore to be out for revenge in Arrowhead against a Chiefs team that has looked a little sluggish in the first month of the season in recent years.
Prediction: Ravens 24, Chiefs 23
Pick: Ravens +3
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions (-3.5)
- Moneyline: Rams +145; Lions -175
- Total: 51
The first Sunday Night Football game of the year sees Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff face off in a battle of the two quarterbacks who swapped teams a few years ago. Not many believed at the time that Goff would be the player leading the Lions into a new era as NFC challengers, but here we are.
The Rams are still a playoff-caliber team when Stafford is at the helm (9-6 in 2023), but they struggled when he wasn’t on the field. Meanwhile, Detroit was superb last year, going 11-5 against the spread when favored and only failing to cover once in the last six weeks — which ironically was when they hosted L.A. in last year’s Wild Card game.
I like the Rams to play the Lions close here, and I lean toward taking them to get 3.5 points. The total is set to be similar to last year’s Wild Card contest, which went under. However, that game had much more tension to it with the stakes in Detroit, so this will likely prove to be a game played with more flowing football.
Predictions: Lions 27; Rams 24
Pick: Lean Rams +3.5
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