NBC Sports Philadelphia's Derrick Gunn gives his predictions for Week 1 of the NFL season.
Jets at Browns (8:20 p.m., Thursday night, NFL Network)
Jets need to work on their run game. Young Sam Darnold will continue to grow. Browns have tied and lost a game they should have won. This time, they finally get their first win since December 2016.
Saints at Falcons (1 p.m., FOX)
Big NFC South showdown in the A-T-L. After two weeks, I still can't figure out the Saints. Last Sunday, their 3rd down conversions were lethargic, just 3 for 12. Falcons bounced back with an important divisional win over Carolina. Their offense is balanced, this one is in their backyard. The home team will prevail.
49ers at Chiefs (1 p.m., FOX)
Niners ran for 190 yards and held off a Lions' rally. Patrick Mahomes is on fire and has been one of the hot topics in the league with 10 TD passes and 0 INTS through two games. Chiefs can light up a scoreboard in a hurry. Against the Steelers, they had 6 TDs in just 27:49 of possession. KC's pass defense has allowed 870 yards through two games. Niners will get their yards, but Chiefs go to 3-0.
NFL
Raiders at Dolphins (1 p.m., CBS)
Jon Gruden's crew blew a 19-7 third-quarter lead at Denver. WR Amari Cooper got more touches and yet the Raiders still didn’t get the job done. Ryan Tannehill has been efficient but not great. Raiders still fishing for first win but will come up with empty nets again this weekend.
Bills at Vikings (1 p.m., CBS)
This is the mismatch of the weekend. Bills have all kinds of problems, and now their best player, RB LeSean McCoy has rib issues. Vikes settled for a tie in Green Bay because their kicking game was off. Now they have a new kicker in Dan Bailey and will boot the Bills big time.
Packers at Redskins (1 p.m., FOX)
Still shocked at how the Colts handled the 'Skins.' Skins run game produced 65 yards and now has taken another hit. RB Rob Kelly was placed on IR with a toe injury. The 'Skins third RB on that list. Aaron Rodgers is functioning on one good leg and is still better than most QBs with twin healthy legs. Look for the Pack to get a leg up on this one.
Bengals at Panthers (1 p.m., CBS)
Andy Dalton to A.J. Green is a beautiful thing when it's on point. The duo hooked up for three scores vs. Baltimore. They have 10 days to prepare for Cam Newton and the Panthers. Still, I don’t like Cam being the Panthers' leading rusher. Carolina will pounce on the Bengals to give Cincy its first loss.
Titans at Jaguars (1 p.m., CBS)
Titans beat the Jags twice last year, but this season Jacksonville sent a message to the rest of the AFC South and the conference in general. They are the new bullies of the AFC after handling the Patriots. Titans are in for a long day against the Jags' relentless defense.
Broncos at Ravens (1 p.m., CBS)
Broncos haven’t looked great in two games, but all that matters is looking good enough to win. They’ve won their first two games by a grand total of four points. Ravens have run hot and cold. Von Miller will be chasing Joe Flacco around. Give Denver the advantage.
Giants at Texans (1 p.m., FOX)
Giants have enough talent at the skill positions to easily score 30 points per game. But their offensive line stagnates their potential. Texans have lost by seven and three. Last week, Texans wideouts DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller combined for 14 catches, 223 yards and two TDs against the Titans. The Houston aerial show will fly high over the Giants.
Chargers at Rams (4:05 p.m., CBS)
The Rams offense is simply explosive. They had 10 plays of 17 yards or more vs. the Cardinals. Their defense is not to shabby, also. Philip Rivers can put pressure on any defense, but not even he can stay with what the Rams have cooking.
Bears at Cardinals (4:25 p.m., FOX)
Bears defense was good before, but the addition of Khalil Mack gives that D some respect. Cards haven’t been able to do much of anything right the first two games and it doesn’t look like Arizona will rectify its problems on both sides of the ball any time soon. Cards drop to 0-3.
Cowboys at Seahawks (4:25 p.m., FOX)
It was just a few years ago when both of these teams were considered the upper echelon of the league. Now they’re trying to avoid being the laughing stocks. Head coach Pete Carroll says Russell Wilson is tying to do to much by himself. Wouldn’t you if you were the Hawks QB with no run game, and not many reliable passing targets to help him out. The Boys offensive line is actually a little better than the 'Hawks. Dallas shoots down Seattle.
Patriots at Lions, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
Pats still licking their wounds after getting beat down by the Jaguars. To help its receiving core, New England traded for talented but unreliable WR Josh Gordon. The third quarter has been the Lions' biggest problem. They’ve been out scored 45-10 in that quarter. Trust me, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are studying that. And will exploit it.
Steelers at Buccaneers (8:15 p.m., Monday night, ESPN)
Le’Veon Bell is still missing in action, Antonio Brown was disciplined by Mike Tomlin for missing a practice this week, and the Steelers still don’t have a win. Is there trouble in the Burgh? If all that is not bad enough, they play a Bucs squad that’s caught many off guard. Ryan Fitzpatrick has the weapons, and the home turf to his advantage. Steelers find out the Bucs are for real.