Tucker’s Top 5 NFL Games: Week 1
By Tucker Harlin
Week 1 of NFL football is a little under 24 hours away and to celebrate, I’m releasing my top five games of Week 1.
Most of these are going to be standalone games, but I’m sure not every standalone game will find its way into my top fives over the course of the year.
These are ranked in ascending order.
5. TITANS @ BEARS- CHI -4, 1 PM FOX, SUNDAY
Credit: Sports Illustrated
Alright… I’m very biased with this one. But truthfully, this is the most excited I’ve been for a Tennessee Titans season since 2020.
It’s the same kind of excitement I felt in Josh Heupel’s first season in Knoxville but to a higher degree.
This feels like a season which the Titans could catch a lot of team off their guard. You’d much rather be the hunter than the hunted, and the Titans are most definitely the former.
The Bears are also a prime example of a team looking to catch their division by surprise this year.
Like the Titans, the Bears had a big year in free agency on offense by bringing in receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift to pair with another recently acquired free agent in D.J. Moore.
The whole league will have an eye on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in his debut to see if he shows potential to be the next great quarterback in the league.
I fully expect this game to come down to the wire in Soldier Field, but I like the Titans based on the fact that quarterbacks taken first overall are horrible in their first game recently.
4. PACKERS vs EAGLES (São Paulo)- PHI -2.5, 8:15 PM Peacock, FRIDAY
One can only hope the security measures taken by the NFL will be enough for its first ever game in Brazil.
Why would you send two franchises with green as their primary color to play a game in a country where wearing green can get you in trouble with gangs?
To make it less likable, this game is only available on Peacock, a service I haven’t paid for because at most one NFL game and an interesting Big 10 football game would be the only reason I’d want to download it.
3. RAMS @ LIONS- DET -3.5, 8:20 PM NBC, SUNDAY
Credit: Pride of Detroit
Ah yes, another reunion between Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, and their old organizations.
The Rams’ season ended with a Wild Card loss in Detroit last January, a nasty first return for Stafford as a hungry Lions fan base was treated to their first playoff win in 32 years.
I’m anticipating yet another close game between these two and probably another situation in which Kelly Stafford gets upset by the treatment she receives from Lions fans.
I think the Lions edge out the Rams in another tight game.
2. JETS @ 49ERS- SF -4.5, 8:20 PM ESPN, MONDAY
Is Aaron Rodgers going to last more than four plays this time around?
Probably, but he’s cursed against the team closest to his hometown of Chico, California.
The 49ers have become the biggest juggernaut in the NFC, and I don’t see them being anything less in 2024. Both Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams are happy now that they’ve negotiated their contracts with the front office, so there shouldn’t be anything in the 49ers’ way.
But the Jets are hoping to find their way into the playoffs this fall.
The defense is Super Bowl caliber, and the offense has two potent skill players in Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. Everything depends on Aaron Rodgers, and that’s what quickly broke the 2023 season.
I like a close, competitive game in the bay area, but I think the 49ers survive in a Monday night classic.
1. RAVENS @ CHIEFS- KC -3, 8:20 PM NBC, THURSDAY
The NFL always makes sure its opening game is one to remember, and the rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship Thursday should be just that.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are ready to defend their Super Bowl title. The Chiefs are hoping Xavier Worthy is a noticeable improvement at wide receiver this season, something they need after a down year at the position in 2023.
Baltimore is also hoping for a different look to its offense in 2024.
While I’m sure Lamar Jackson will still be a threat on the ground, he’ll have longtime Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry in the backfield with him. Henry is the best running back in Baltimore since Ray Rice about a decade ago.
Zay Flowers is looking to take a big step in his second year in the organization, and you know the defense will be strong as ever.
This will be as good of a game as we’re hyping it up to be, and I like the Ravens to get vengeance in Arrowhead Stadium.
