2024 NFL Outlook - Must-Watch Week 1 Matchups (2024)

As we eagerly count down the days to the 2024 NFL season's opening game, just 112 days away, the rest of the offseason will seem to fly by. The anticipation builds as we look forward to the exciting matchups and thrilling moments the new season will bring.

Offseason workouts will transition into mandatory minicamps and training camps, fueling our excitement. Once all NFL teams have finalized their 53-man rosters for Week 1, the preseason commences, giving players a feel for the action.

The season will start in the first week of September and end with Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025. But before reaching the big game, every team's campaign starts with the opening week. Here are the best matchups on schedule to kick off the league's 105^th season.

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Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs – September 5, 8:20 p.m. ET, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Ravens vs Chiefs opening night is going to be electric ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/9eOXO1FA9s

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) May 16, 2024

It's a thrilling tradition that the defending Super Bowl champions host the season's first game. This year, the Chiefs will ignite the field, starting their push for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title against the Ravens in a highly anticipated rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game.

Fueled by the desire for revenge after their home loss to the Chiefs, the Ravens are ready to make a statement. Led by two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, they've bolstered their roster with the addition of former NFL Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry, adding a new level of power and skill to their lineup.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs will continue to have their nucleus of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and Chris Jones. Baltimore's elite defensive secondary will also try to cover Kansas City's receivers, including Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy.

New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers – September 9, 8:20 p.m. ET, Levi's Stadium

"You think it's a coincidence?"

— @ColinCowherd on Jets/49ers Week 1 on MNF pic.twitter.com/cxoRpCi7JE

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 14, 2024

The Jets and 49ers are two of three teams with the most prime-time games this season (six). They will start the season against each other in a promising "Monday Night Football" showdown. The 49ers will host returning quarterback and California native Aaron Rodgers.

San Francisco was one play away from winning the franchise's sixth Super Bowl title. However, the 49ers start the march to potentially hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy against a team that hasn't made the postseason since the 2010 AFC Championship Game.

Jets fans will closely monitor Rodgers' Achilles after a season-ending injury last year. The offensive line must protect him in their opener, mainly because Nick Bosa, Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, Dre Greenlaw, and Fred Warner will try to get to the four-time NFL MVP.

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns – September 8, 4:25 p.m. ET, Cleveland Browns Stadium

Tom Brady makes his Fox Sports NFL debut on September 8th when the Cowboys face the Browns. It's safe to say that @EmmanuelAcho & @JoyTaylorTalks are excited to see it!

"We're the GOAT network. Home of the GOAT." — @JoyTaylorTalks pic.twitter.com/YTvb4MadbJ

— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) May 14, 2024

Both teams have talented players on offense. However, this game could turn into a defensive battle, given the elite athletes they have on that side of the ball. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett will lead the way for the Browns, who also have Shelby Harris, Jordan Hicks, Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Juan Thornhill.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, and Trevon Diggs. It won't be surprising if this pairing becomes a low-scoring match.

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions – September 8, 8:20 p.m. ET, Ford Field

What happened to that Rams team @AdamSchefter..

"They lost to the Detroit Lions"

"LET'S GOOOO" ~ @evanfoxy #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/oDY1wz8lex

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 15, 2024

The first "Sunday Night Football" matchup for 2024 will feature two teams that have been linked much in recent years. Since the trade that saw Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff switch teams, the Rams won Super Bowl LVI while the Lions reached their first NFC Championship Game since 1991.

If this game is anything like their Wild Card round encounter last season (the Lions won by one point), it promises to be an exciting clash in Detroit.

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles – September 6, 8:15 p.m. ET, Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Estamos indo para o Brasil! 🇧🇷

Week 1's game will be in São Paulo against the Eagles.

📰: https://t.co/t4Wy4TYR0R#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/SQWOp5AFhH

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 10, 2024

The NFL will have an international game as early as Week 1, and Brazilian fans could be in for a treat. The Packers turned heads after dominating the Cowboys in their Wild Card round showdown. Conversely, the Eagles also made the playoffs but on a losing streak. The bad fortune continued as they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Wild Card encounter.

Despite their contrasting fates, they are two of the best teams in the NFC. Getting a fresh start should make this game intriguing.

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