Jeremy CluffArizona Republic
The NFL has long tried to put must-see matchups in prime time.
The Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football matchups in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season definitely qualify as must-see.
The Kansas City Chiefs open the season Thursday night hosting the Detroit Lions in a very intriguing NFL season opener.
The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants face off on Sunday night in what could be a very interesting NFC East showdown.
And the New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills in Aaron Rodgers' Jets debut on Monday night in a fitting conclusion to the NFL Week 1 schedule.
Which of those teams will win this week?
Which other NFL teams will start the season 1-0?
Check out The Arizona Republic's picks and predictions for each game on theWeek 1 NFL schedule, a week full of intriguing matchups.
All times MST.
Click on each game for more picks and predictions for that matchup.
More NFL Week 1 picks: Lions at Chiefs | Panthers at Falcons | Texans at Ravens | Bengals at Browns | Jaguars at Colts | Buccaneers at Vikings | Titans at Saints | 49ers at Steelers | Cardinals at Commanders | Packers at Bears | Raiders at Broncos | Dolphins at Chargers | Eagles at Patriots | Rams at Seahawks | Cowboys at Giants | Bills at Jets
Thursday Night Football prediction
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, 5:20 p.m., NBC
The Lions could be a darkhorse in the NFC this season, but the Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champions. Expect a high-scoring game, with Patrick Mahomes making a big play late to give Kansas City the win.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Lions 24
NFL Week 1 announcers: Television broadcasters, announcing crews for Week 1 NFL schedule
When does the NFL season start?: Here's the Week 1 schedule and how to watch games on TV
Sunday early football games predictions
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 10 a.m., FOX
Both teams have huge questions at quarterback. We think this game will be low scoring, with the defenses making some huge plays. Give the edge to the home team in Week 1.
Prediction: Falcons 21, Panthers 20
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens, 10 a.m., CBS
The Texas could be in for a very long season and the Ravens could be in for a special season. At least, that is what we think we'll be talking about after Baltimore routs Houston in Week 1.
Prediction: Ravens 30, Texans 16
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m., CBS
The Browns are underdogs at home in this game, but we're going to go with them in this one, as long as Deshaun Watson can play a smart game. Having Nick Chubb in the backfield never hurts, either.
Prediction: Browns 24, Bengals 21
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 10 a.m., FOX
The Jaguars could be very entertaining this season with an explosive offense around Trevor Lawrence. We're not sure how the Colts are going to look.
Prediction: Jaguars 28, Colts 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings, 10 a.m., CBS
The Buccaneers are turning to Baker Mayfield at QB. Will he resurrect his career in Tampa Bay? We don't think he'll look great in Week 1 against the Vikings.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Buccaneers 17
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints, 10 a.m., CBS
How much goes Derrick Henry have left in the tank? We think he'll have plenty in Week 1 to help the Titans open the season with an upset.
Prediction: Titans 24, Saints 20
San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 10 a.m., FOX
The 49ers have to open the season back east against a tough Steelers team. That makes this Week 1 matchup very interesting. We'll take San Francisco in a thriller.
Prediction: 49ers 21, Steelers 20
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders, 10 a.m., FOX
The Cardinals are a popular early-season pick for worst team in the NFL this season. This game won't change that.
Prediction: Commanders 27, Cardinals 13
NFL Week 1 odds, betting lines: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for games
Sunday late football games predictions
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 1:25 p.m., FOX
Maybe we're too high on Justin Fields, but we think he has the tools to have a very special season. That will begin in Week 1 against the Packers.
Prediction: Bears 24, Packers 16
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos, 1:25 p.m., CBS
Both of these teams could have some struggles this season. We'll give the edge to the home team in Week 1, but just barely.
Prediction: Broncos 23, Raiders 20
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers, 1:25 p.m., CBS
We've got this game circled as potentially one of the best games on the Week 1 schedule. Tyreek Hill will make a big play late to give the Dolphins a win in a shootout.
Prediction: Dolphins 30, Chargers 27
Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots, 1:25 p.m., CBS
Will the Eagles suffer a Super Bowl hangover or pick up where they left off last regular season? With their talent, we're betting on the latter.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Patriots 20
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX
QB play is obviously critical in the NFL and it will be critical for these teams this season. After last season, we have to give the edge to Geno Smith at home.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Rams 21
NFL power rankings before Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs open 2023 season as favorites
Sunday Night Football prediction
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 5:20 p.m., NBC
The Cowboys could be the class of the NFC East, but something tells us that the Giants will be ready for Dallas in Week 1 at home. What is telling us that, we don't know.
Prediction: Giants 21, Cowboys 17
Monday Night Football prediction
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC
The Aaron Rodgers era in New York could be very exciting. We're predicting an exciting kickoff to that era, but a victory for the Bills.
Prediction: Bills 24, Jets 23
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Reach Jeremy Cluffatjeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com.Follow him on X, formerly Twitter@Jeremy_Cluff.
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