NFL Week 1: Analysis and Predictions for the 2025 Season
The 2025 NFL season kicks off with exciting matchups in Week 1. Fans will be able to enjoy high-caliber duels, including the Lions’ visit to Lambeau Field, a divisional clash between the 49ers and Seahawks, and an anticipated quarterback duel between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in Buffalo. Alofoke Deportes offers you complete coverage with everything you need to know. Our NFL correspondents provide you with information from the locker rooms, while the Alofoke Deportes research team presents key statistics and relevant data for your bets. In addition, analyst Seth Walder shares his bold predictions for each game, and fantasy expert Eric Moody offers valuable advice. We also include the quality ratings of the Football Power Index (FPI) matchups and game projections, along with the final score predictions of three analysts: Pamela Maldonado, Moody, and Walder. Get ready for an exciting season kickoff, culminating in the “Monday Night Football” game between the Vikings and Bears.(Match times are on Sunday unless otherwise stated.)Featured Matches of Week 1
- Giants vs. Commanders
- Bengals vs. Browns
- Buccaneers vs. Falcons
- Dolphins vs. Colts
- Steelers vs. Jets
Friday: Chargers 27, Chiefs 21
Giants vs. Commanders
1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 43.9/100What’s being heard about the Giants: The Giants suffered defeats against the Commanders last season, losing both games by a total of eight points. This gave Jayden Daniels, Washington’s quarterback, reason to boast about his former teammate and best friend, Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. Nabers, tired of the losses, is seeking redemption in Week 1.What’s being heard from the Commanders: The Commanders know they are facing a defensive line that, according to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, is “as challenging as any we’ll face.” The Giants sacked Daniels five times in their first meeting, but none in the second, allowing a total of 364 rushing yards in the two games. John Bates, one of the best blockers in the league, spoke about the Giants’ defensive line.Key Statistic: Russell Wilson will make his 200th NFL start in Week 1, becoming the 16th quarterback in NFL history to achieve this. Only one other quarterback has made his 200th start in Week 1 of a season, and that player also made his 200th start in a Giants uniform: Eli Manning in 2017.Bold Prediction: Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton will record a reception of over 40 yards, even in a loss. Even in his later years, Wilson occasionally throws long passes, and Slayton could be the beneficiary of such a pass.Injuries: Giants | CommandersFantasy Tip: The Commanders allowed 4.8 yards per carry on 490 attempts last season, the fourth-worst mark in the league, so Washington will likely load the box to stop Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the Giants’ running game. That could open up vertical opportunities for Nabers, even if Marshon Lattimore is closely marking him. Lattimore hasn’t been as consistent or healthy in recent years, so Nabers’ big-play ability and the Giants’ inclination to pass the ball should position him for many targets and a big game.Betting Fact: When the Commanders won both matchups against the Giants in 2024 (with a 2-0 ATS record), it was the first time they covered in both meetings since 2012.Predictions:
Maldonado: Commanders 23, Giants 17 Moody: Commanders 21, Giants 20 Walder: Commanders 24, Giants 17 FPI Prediction: WSH, 68% (for an average of 7 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:Inside the Giants’ quarterbacks room Commanders welcome McLaurin back to training camp Giants’ Nabers says back injury was ‘minor’Bengals vs. Browns
1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 43.8/100What’s being heard about the Bengals: Joe Burrow knows Browns DE Myles Garrett can be a game-changer. Garrett has sacked Burrow more than any other player in the NFL, with 10 sacks in eight games and 20 hits, according to ESPN Research. Burrow said it’s imperative to know where Garrett is on every play and where the quick read is in case Garrett ruins a play.What’s being heard about the Browns: The Browns face a familiar divisional rival, but coach Kevin Stefanski said there’s a bit of mystery with the Bengals’ new defensive coordinator, Al Golden. Cleveland, however, will debut the new version of its offense with a renewed focus on running the ball. The Browns ranked 29th in rushing yards per game last season (94.6), but they face a Bengals defense that ranked 25th in run stop rate (28.9%).Key stat: The Bengals are 1-11 in Weeks 1-2 since 2019 (when Zac Taylor became coach), the worst in the league over that span.Bold Prediction: Chase Brown, Bengals running back, will record multiple touchdowns. The Bengals should rely on Brown to score a lot of points against the Joe Flacco-led Browns. And with 54 receptions last season, Brown proved he can also make an impact in the passing game.Injuries: Bengals | BrownsFantasy Tip: David Njoku is set for a big Week 1. The Bengals allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends last season, and Njoku torched them in both matchups. Njoku is a solid TE1 starter in what should be a high-scoring game.Betting Note: The Browns are on a six-game ATS losing streak as underdogs, the longest active streak in the NFL.Predictions:
Maldonado: Bengals 27, Browns 13 Moody: Bengals 28, Browns 13 Walder: Bengals 33, Browns 13 FPI Prediction: CIN, 64.1% (by an average of 6 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:Bengals, Burrow ready to ‘put on a show’ How the Browns’ crucial offseason is shaping their futureBuccaneers vs. Falcons
1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 43.6/100What’s being heard about the Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield will face a big test without All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs and two of his top receivers, Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck). Cade Otton’s playing status is also in jeopardy due to a groin injury. But Mayfield has been in this situation before, having been, at one point, without his top three receivers last season. Specifically with McMillan’s injury, which occurred in the Bucs’ second preseason game, this is where Egbuka’s ability to learn all the receiver roles in this offense will be of great help.What’s being heard about the Falcons: When QB Michael Penix Jr. got into a fight during a joint practice with the Titans last month, he pointed out in his press conference that he wasn’t going to shy away from a fight because “I’m from Tampa.” In his first full season as a starter, Penix will first face his hometown team in Week 1, the Buccaneers, division rivals. The second-year quarterback said he’s managed to steal some fans now that he’s playing for Atlanta: “They say, ‘Oh, you’re there now, so we have to transfer'”. Key stat: The Falcons have won two straight games and four of their last five matchups against the Bucs.Bold prediction: Egbuka will record at least six receptions in his NFL debut. The buzz around Egbuka this preseason has been too strong to ignore, and he will come out immediately making plays for a Buccaneers offense that needs him.Injuries: Buccaneers | FalconsFantasy Tip: Mike Evans should see a lot of targets against a Falcons defense that allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to WRs in 2024. Atlanta remains vulnerable to outside receivers, and although they made personnel changes this offseason, the Falcons still struggle to pressure the quarterback, which puts extra pressure on the secondary. Evans faces A.J. Terrell Jr., and in their Week 5 matchup last season he produced 23.2 fantasy points.Betting data: Mayfield is at minus-140 to throw more than 1.5 touchdown passes; he had multiple passing touchdowns in 12 of 17 starts in 2024.Predictions:
Maldonado: Falcons 26, Buccaneers 24 Moody: Buccaneers 33, Falcons 20 Walder: Buccaneers 22, Falcons 20 FPI Prediction: TB, 54.2% (by an average of 2 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:Can Egbuka and others step up for the injured receivers? Mooney (shoulder) says he will be in the game call Within the Falcons’ competition for the right tackleDolphins vs. Colts
1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup rating: 36.9/100What’s being heard about the Dolphins: After missing almost the last month with injuries, respectively, WR Tyreek Hill and RB De’Von Achane have returned to practice for the Dolphins and are expected to play. Regarding the offensive cohesion of Miami, which went three weeks without its two leaders in total yards last season, coach Mike McDaniel said that not only were Hill and Achane “on point” before their injuries, but he also “saw them in the classroom being live action participants in a way that I think may have been more difficult in previous years.” Translated: There is no concern about whether the Dolphins stars will acclimate on game day.What’s being heard about the Colts: The Colts have revamped their defense with a new scheme featuring man-to-man coverage, but the key player, according to coaches and teammates, is Laiatu Latu. The second-year defender finished last season with only four sacks, but the Colts are featuring him in 2025 in an effort to unlock his potential.Key stat: This is Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa’s first career start against the Colts, the only AFC team (besides the Dolphins) he has never faced.Bold Prediction: Colts QB Daniel Jones will run for over 40 yards. When Jones has been successful, he has leaned on his legs, and I would expect coach Shane Steichen to try and maximize that part of his game right away.
Predictions:
Maldonado: Dolphins 24, Colts 20 Moody: Dolphins 31, Colts 21 Walder: Colts 23, Dolphins 17 FPI Prediction: IND, 50.5% (by an average of 0.6 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:Tagovailoa says relationship with Hill is ‘good’ The Colts believe in Jones’ approach as QBSteelers vs. Jets
1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 37.8/100What’s being heard about the Steelers: Yes, the headline of this matchup is Aaron Rodgers’ return to MetLife against the Jets, but it’s also a crucial test for a Steelers ground defense that faltered at the end of last season. The Steelers will face a solid RB duo in Breece Hall and Braelon Allen (whom coach Mike Tomlin compared to Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery), along with a familiar face in mobile QB Justin Fields, and they’ll do it without first-round rookie DT Derrick Harmon (MCL sprain). But third-year lineman Keeanu Benton expressed confidence in his unit’s improvement over last season. “We’re not all just looking for the pass and those big stats or sack stats,” he said. “We’re ready to get dirty.”What’s being heard about the Jets: Eight of the Jets’ 11 defensive starters faced Rodgers last summer in training camp. A small benefit, perhaps. Coach Aaron Glenn acknowledged that his familiarity with Rodgers, who was cut in the offseason, has “some value.” It could help them anticipate Rodgers’ cadence/hard count, which he uses as a weapon. Both Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks praised Rodgers’ intelligence and experience. But Glenn said, “Physically, we all start to decline at some point as we get older.”Key statistic: This is the first season opener in NFL history between starting quarterbacks who played for the opposing team the previous year: in 2024, Fields was with the Steelers and Rodgers with the Jets.Bold Prediction: These two teams will combine for 44 or fewer combined pass attempts. Only five games last season had so few pass attempts between both teams, but I expect both teams to be particularly run-heavy. If neither team gets out to a big lead, each could stick to that game plan until the end.Injuries: Steelers | JetsFantasy Tip: The Steelers recently gave RB Jaylen Warren an extension, and Tomlin made it clear that he will be number 1 on the depth chart. Warren is also a strong pass catcher and excels in pass protection, an important skill with 41-year-old Rodgers under center, as the veteran is not shy about using his running backs as receivers from the backfield. That said, Warren has never exceeded 15 rushing attempts in a game in his career, so keep that in mind when setting lineups.Betting Fact: The under has hit in each of the Steelers’ last six Week 1 games, the longest active streak in the NFL.Predictions:
Maldonado: Jets 19, Steelers 17 Moody: Jets 20, Steelers 17 Walder: Steelers 19, Jets 16 FPI Prediction: PIT, 58.8% (by an average of 3.5 points)Essential Readings of the Confrontation:Rodgers downplays facing the Jets in the Steelers’ opening game Fields brings a different dynamic to Rodgers
