THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 8:20 PM: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 

   It may have taken 48 seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs to finally lay claim to a PFL title, but it was sweet times, for sure, when they did! The Pete Russo Trophy will reside in Kansas City for at least one year, and maybe longer, as the Chiefs begin defense of their crown against the visiting Jaguars. All eyes will be on the two opposing quarterbacks with Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence trying to outgun Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes. An underlying story will be the pass protection for Mahomes who was crunched some 181 times last season and, if he does absorb that many this year, what effect, if any, will that have upon his play.

   Final analysis: KC is loaded with talent and showed it can put up points on anyone with last year's title run when they scored 42, 32, 38, and 50 points. Kansas City 32-20

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS   

  The Patriots are hoping to improve on their last place finish of a season ago, while the Bucs, under a new coaching staff, will be trying to repeat as NFC South Champs. New England almost certainly will try to mirror the success the New York Giants had last year with a revamped offensive line and the much anticipated debut of Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty. Tampa Bay's front seven will need to be up to the task and do have the players to get the job done. If they can limit the effectiveness of Jeanty and the running game, then the Patriots' offense might struggle.

   Final Analysis: Hard to envision how each of these teams will perform. The Buccaneers have a new coaching staff in place and the Patriots have a new look offense. Going to go with the vet coach here over a new coach with a new team. New England 27-22.

 SUNDAY 1:00 PM: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT NEW YORK JETS 

  Final Analysis: Not much is expected from either team this season, so getting a week 1 win will feel good to whoever comes out on top. A low scoring game could be forthcoming...New York 21-17.

GAME OF THE WEEK 

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: MIAMI DOLPHINS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 

  This is a pretty good opening week matchup. The Eagles are coming off a spectacular 15-2 season that saw them engage in the highest scoring Super Bowl in league history. Unfortunately, Philly was on the losing end of the historic, 50-48, outcome that had Kansas City earn its first ever PFL Championship. The Dolphins secured the AFC East crown only to be stunned by the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round, 31-24. The Dolphins upgraded their offensive line and added some weapons for QB Tua Tagovailoa. The secondary could be better as well. Philly will see three newcomers to its offensive line and that could be the storyline in this one. If the unit can get it done versus Miami up front they should be fine.

   Final Analysis: Miami will need to score if they want to win this one and that could be a tough goal indeed. The Eagles' Oline will tell the tale. If they can block the Dolphins up front, then QB Jalen Hurts and Co. are likely to do damage and HB Saquon Barkley might find room to roam. Philadelphia 30-24.   

    Buffalo enjoyed a true renaissance season a year ago as they made the playoffs, upset the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round, and made it to the Divisional game. There, though, they met these very same Baltimore Ravens and would be throttled, 37-9, as QB Lamar Jackson ripped the Bills' secondary for 400+ yards passing and 4 touchdowns. Buffalo did add CB Kamryn Wooten as well as FS Stephon Walford through the draft in hopes of bolstering up the pass defense. Both have size at 6'2" and solid man coverage skills, but it remains to be seen what effect they can have in a game like this. While it is just week 1, the Bills get an early test to see if they can take the next step. On the Ravens' side of the ledger, their newly retooled offensive line gets its first exam. Baltimore had one of the top offensive lines, if not the best unit, in football for some time, but that line now has three rookies starting and that could prove interesting indeed.

   Final Analysis: Both clubs have something to prove and something to work on. Still feel the Ravens have the better overall team, but the Bills might be closing the gap a bit especially if they can repeat their ability to protect QB Josh Allen again this season.  Baltimore 28-20.

1:00 PM CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

    There is reason to be excited if you are a Bears' fan this season. Afterall, the team has second year signal caller Caleb Williams ready to roll, a good defense, and already coming off a successful 10-7 record from last year. The Vikings had an up and down campaign and will be hanging their hat on another second year quarterback in Michigan alum JJ McCarthy. He took over for Sam Darnold and played well completing 74% of his pass attempts for 3192 yards, 21 touchdowns, and a very good 113.2 QBR. But the running game did not have a single back average 4 YPC or better and that has to improve in order for the team to have any real long term success.

   Final Analysis: Minnesota did not make major moves to improve its running game in the draft. Rookie RG Ted St. Clair could help a bit, but the backfield is the same. The Bears have pieces in place for Caleb Williams and should keep improving. Chicago 26-18.

   The Falcons will strut into Bank of America Stadium this week fully anticipating a victory. The offensive line has been refueled to a point but, to a large degree, is very similar to last season's unit. The defense, which was an under-rated group last year, seems to have gotten better particularly up front where rookies DT Harold Poindexter and edge rusher Gabe Jacas could have a big impact. DE Ruke Orhorhoro could also be poised for a big season. Carolina introduces rookie QB and top pick Shedeur Sanders to the Charlotte area fans and the PFL. The team finally abandoned hopes of ever seeing draft bust Bryce Young improve. A big question mark will be how rookie LT Will Campbell holds up for the Panthers and if the new look defensive line can get it done. There, NT Derrick Harmon and DE Shemar Stewart will need to step up right away.

   Final Analysis: It often takes awhile for a team to adjust to a new quarterback in the fold and the Panthers might need some time to get a feel for their new defense as well. The Falcons have been focused on what they want to do for awhile now. Atlanta 27-20.

1:00 PM DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

    Detroit, as of this writing, was devoid of a full time staff and that never bodes well. They scored a combined 21 points (10.5 PPG) in their two encounters with the Packers last season and, obviously, will need to vastly improve upon that stat if they wish to succeed here at Lambeau Field. Green Bay revamped its offensive line and added a stud tailback in Nicholas Singleton. The solid pass defense of last season also got an upgrade with the addition of CB Domani Jackson. If the Pack can run then the passing of QB Jordan Love will improve.

   Final Analysis: Green Bay could get caught trying to find its balance between its running and passing game, but they likely have the advantage with the Lions missing a FT staff. Green Bay 26-22.

1:00 PM PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

   This might be week 1, but this matchup has had serious playoff ramifications in seasons past. They split the season series a year ago with each team winning at the other's home field. The Steelers look like they will go with Justin Fields at quarterback with Texas rookie Quinn Ewers on the sidelines, but ready to go. The Steelers added some speed to their backfield and it will be interetsing to see how they mix in their new backs with veteran Najee Harris. The Bengals have QB Joe Burrow, WRs Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins, and now rookie WR Jack Bach into the barn. 

   Final Analysis: Feel Cinci has better skills on offense, but the Steelers play the better defense. Fields is not a major threat and not sure how Pittsburgh is going to work in its backfield yet. Pittsburgh 26-22.

4:05 PM TENNESSE TITANS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

   The Titans did not upgrade their running back situation so it seems HB Tony Pollard is the man again. Not much was added to the wide receiver corps either, so it appear QB Will Levis will be asked to do a ton again this year. Levis was sacked 134 times last year and cannot take that type of punishment again. The Chargers drafted a tremendous weapon in WR Emeka Egbuka, but the rest of the receivers are average at best. The defense got an infusion of youth, but just not sure the O has enough to hang with the more high powered clubs out there. 

   Final Analysis: Tennessee still has some of the trouble spots it had a year ago as do the Bolts. Still, Tennessee is likely the slightly better overall club. Tennessee 24-21.

4:15 PM WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

    An intriguing opener for both teams. Washington is in an upbeat mood with second year QB Jayden Daniels running the show. They added a quicker back in Kaleb Johnson and fixed up the defense with two new corners in Shavon Revel and Jermari Harris along with OLB David Bailey, and should be an improved team this year. The Raiders drafted Miami QB Cam Ward to be their guy of the future and then surrounded him with talent. HB Omarion Hampton has star potential as does WRs Savion Williams and Jaden Higgins. Sadly, though, the defense was mostly neglected and ranks among the worst in the PFL.

   Final Analysis: While the Raiders might be dangerous on offense, the defense is woefully lacking and that will likely means the young attack will have to score way too much each week. Washington can and will pass the ball and should have success here. Washington 30-22.

4:15 PM CLEVELAND BROWNS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

   The Browns seem to have given up on QB DeShaun Watson, but only have rookie Kurtis Rourke as an alternative. Both cases do not seem to be the answer Cleveland wants. The offensive line has some youngsters projected to start and WR Isaiah Bond is seen as an elite deep threat addition. The secondary is pretty solid, especially at corner,  but undersized rookie MLB Smael Mondon might have his hands full stopping the run. San Francisco, unlike  Cleveland, has supreme confidence in their QB, Brock Purdy. Purdy threw for almost 6000 yards last season while getting sacked 135 times! Anything near those numbers this season will almost certainly derail the team at some point in time. 

   Final Analysis: One team (Cleveland) has no confidence in its quarterback while the other team (San Francisco) leans almost entirely on its quarterback to get the job done but maybe to the team's detriment. Not sure what the Browns are going to do at QB so that makes predicting this one tough. San Francsico 27-23.

4:15 PM HOUSTON TEXANS AT DENVER BRONCOS

  The Texans have more than enough to be contenders this season. QB CJ Stroud has the defending league rihsing champion, Joe Mixon, to hand the ball to and the team drafted speedy WR Evan Stewart to join an already solid stable of receivers that includes Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The secondary could be an area of concern, but if DE Will Anderson and Co. can get pressure the unit should be ok. Denver has alot to look forward to with second year QB Bo Nix maturing. They need a better running season out of tailback Javonte Williams. The defensive front seven is average and there is a worry that the interior line might be a shade too weak to hold up against the more physical Olines in the league. CB Derek Stingley is elite, but the rest of the secondary looks vulnerable.

   Funal Analysis: Houston should push past Denver, but the Broncos have provem to be, based up last year's close losses to top tier teams,  a sticky out. This is a danger game for Houston. Houston 24-21.

8:20 PM LOS ANGELES RAMS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

   The Rams are an aging team and have to be at least a little concerned about the abilities of 37-year-old QB Matt Stafford. They have added plug-and-play WR Elic Ayomanor and TE Jake Briningstool to the attack, but it remains to be seen just how much better the offense actually is with them in the mix. Rookie backer Jalon Walker should help a defense that has been, since all-world DL Aaron Donald retired, average. The Colts made a stuuning late season run into the playoffs last year and then clipped the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round. The backfield is mostly the same as is the wide receiver corps although the unit did sprinkle is a few guys with some speed. The defensive line, which was very productive, is the same, but the Colts added a trio of linebackers in Miles Frazier, Nate Dickerson, and Joshua Hayward that could thrive if the defensive line is as good as it has been in the past. The secondary lacks overall speed or lock down cover skills outside CB Kenny Moore, but should hold up if the front seven is as good as expected.

   Final Analysis: All eyes will be on the play of Stafford and the Colts defense. Both have something to prove and get a real shot in this early season matchup to see what they have. Indianapolis 26-20.

7:00 PM NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

   The New York Giants have assembled a physical team that is a serious NFC Title contender. The running game is superior and the defense ranks near the very top of the league. The G-Men routinely boast that they will run a team over and often can pull it off. They ran for over 2000 yards last season, steam rolled the Green Packers in the playoffs, and then ran into the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Philly would turn the tables on New York as ex-Giant Saquon Barkley ran over them for 200+ yards, the Giants could not run the ball, and the Eagles stomped Big Blue, 34-7. The Cowboys seemed intent on amending their poor running game from last season. But, after drafting HB Dylan Sampson in the second round the team did virtually nothing to help the rest of the offense. So, it seems, the Pokes will rely simply on the skills of Sampson to cure their running ills of last year. The defense got better when shut down CB Tarvis Hunter put on a Cowboys' helmet and he, along with CBs Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, makes for one of the top corner units in the league. The Dline, though, is basically the same and the linebacking group got Barret Carter to help out inside. QB Dak Prescott, now 32, regressed during the off-season and that trend is likely to continue,

   Final Analysis: While Dallas may have gotten better in a few spots, the team is far behind the Giants in many areas. New York is easily one of the most physical teams in the league. DTs Dexter Lawrence and rookie Deone Walker comprise a near immoveable tandem and LBs Kayvon Thibideax and Brian Burns racked up 26 and 20 sacks respectively. The combination of powering the ball on the ground and a rugged defense makes NY a tough customer indeed. New York 32-16.

10:15 PM SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

    Seattle came within an eyelash of achieving an unlikely dream visit to the Super Bowl last season as they bowed out in the NFC Title game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Seahawks use a ball control, game management styled attack that coincides with an excellent defense that is outstanding at getting TFLs and sacks. The D is led by second year DE Byron Murphy and is expected to perform well again this season. Seattle committed to the same style of ball this year as it used its first three draft picks on offensive linemen. LG Marcus Tate, C Bryce Foster, and RG Donovan Jackson will make up the interior of the line and must be able to pave the way for top back Kenneth Walker to run through. The entire notion is to keep QB Geno Smith out of predictable passing downs by powering the football and playing solid defense. The success of the Giants and Seahawks has many PFL coaches rethinking their overall approach to the game and could signal a trend should both teams continue their winning ways. Arizona is just talented enough to be a weekly menace, but they are also lacking enough talent to be considered a real threat to the NFC elites. QB Kyler Murray and WR Marvin Harrison can and will make explosive plays from time to time, but the backfield is not dynamic and the receivers, outside of Harrison, lack top end speed. The team could not generate much in the way of pressure last season so DE Nic Scourton and NT Bear Alexander were drafted. Scourton, in particular, should offer at least some pass rush ability. The linebacking unit does not have a single 80+ defender and the secondary is in need of help as well.

  Final Analysis: Unless the Cards can generate a much better pass rush than last season, the secondary will get exposed and the defense will fall short. That would mean a whole lot of weekly pressure on Murray. Arizona could still sneak into the playoffs if a number of things fall right, but their playoff impact would likely be minimal if that event occurred. They played Seattle to a 2 and 3 point game last year and gave the 'Hawks all they could handle despite losing both matchups. Losses in weeks 17 and 18 to the Rams and Niners kept them out of the post-season. Seattle 24-20.