LET THE GAMES BEGIN. HERE. WE. GO.

Well. Here we are. On the brink of another NFL season. A season that will ride the highs and lows of high school foot…I mean NFL football. We are about to watch the first NFL season in 23 years where we don’t see Tom Brady suit up. And as usual, the new season will bring its fair surprises and shocks. It will answer questions such as: is Joe Flacco…COUGH…I mean Kirk Cousins elite? It should also create its fair share of confounding puzzles that the Riddler himself would be very proud of, as there is sure to be a random QB picked in the 3rd round or later who is bound to look like the best player of the draft.

We here at the Official Sports Place have a little healthy competition going. Each writer will be predicting every game of the NFL season, week by week, and at the end of the season, we will declare a winner based on the overall record. Keep an eye out for our writer’s overall season predictions as well, including full award and Super Bowl predictions will arrive within the next few days. So, without further ado, here are our full week one predictions!

Detriot Lions at Kansas City Chiefs

There is a lot going on here. The Lions have entered the season with something they haven’t experienced in a long time…expectations. And just like Uncle Russ once said. With Great Expectation comes Great Disappointment. So can the Lions actually match up to their expectations against the defending Super Bowl champs and end up with some edible kneecaps post-game?

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Kansas City Chiefs over Detriot Lions.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Detriot Lions over Kansas City Chiefs.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Detriot Lions over Kansas City Chiefs.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Kansas City Chiefs over Detriot Lions.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Kanas City Chiefs over Detriot Lions.

Chase Price (0-0) – Detriot Lions over Kansas City Chiefs.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Kansas City Chiefs over Detriot Lions.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Kansas City Chiefs over Detriot Lions.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Detriot Lions over Kansas City Chiefs.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Not exactly sure there are a whole bunch of people lining up to watch these 2 teams play, but they both have young quarterbacks with something to prove and show their teams what life in the future could be with them at the helm.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Carolina Panthers over Atlanta Falcons.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Carolina Panthers over Atlant Falcons.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers.

Chase Price(0-0) – Carolina Panthers over Atlanta Falcons.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

If Deshaun Watson isn’t back to who was in Houston in this game, the Browns have the same chances to win this game as DC putting out a good movie. And even if Watson is back to his normal self, will that be enough to vault a team with as much excitement as their name suggests over Joe Cool and giant kitties? Remember kids, sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Chase Price (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns.

Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints

This is one of those games that could just go either way. How good will Derek Carr look in his Saints debut? How will a new but still old look Titan a year after being a very big disappointment? The Carr signing still doesn’t make much sense to me for the Saints, but let’s see if he, a professional NFL QB making millions a year, can prove my inexperienced writer brain wrong. Also, this season will determine Ryan Tannehill’s future in Nashville. So…if I were him I’d play the best I could.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – New Orlean Saints over Tennessee Titans.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Tennessee Titans over New Orleans Saints.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – New Orlean Saints over Tennessee Titans.

Evan Davis (0-0) – New Orlean Saints over Tennessee Titans.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Tennessee Titans over New Orleans Saints.

Chase Price (0-0) – New Orlean Saints over Tennessee Titans.

Nate Baker (0-0) – New Orlean Saints over Tennessee Titans.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Tennessee Titans over New Orleans Saints.

Greg Graves (0-0) – New Orlean Saints over Tennessee Titans.

San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers.

This match-up will prove to be one of the best of the week. 2 second-year QBs in Brock Purdy and Kenny Pickett, who are looking to prove to their respective teams that they are their franchise QBs. The 49ers must feel much better heading into this match-up than they did a few hours ago, as they managed to get a record-breaking deal done with their best player, Nick Bosa, before week one rolled around.

Both Pickett and Purdy better be prepared to use their legs a ton this game, as they both face off against an opposing defensive line filled with stars. T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Alex Highsmith and their 49ers counterparts, Bosa, new addition Javon Hargrave, and Arik Armstead, will perhaps make the biggest impacts on this game.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Pittsburgh Steelers over San Francisco 49ers.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Pittsburgh Steelers over San Francisco 49ers.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – San Francisco 49ers over Pittsburgh Steelers.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Pittsburgh Steelers over San Francisco 49ers..

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Pittsburgh Steelers over San Francisco 49ers.

Chase Price (0-0) – Pittsburgh Steelers over San Francisco 49ers.

Nate Baker (0-0) – San Francisco 49ers over Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Pittsburgh Steelers over San Francisco 49ers.

Greg Graves (0-0) – San Francisco 49ers over Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Another cat team that is coming into this season with high expectations. Sometimes you gotta sit there and wonder. There are so many cat teams and only so much yarn that can go around, but I think the Jags will end up a significant portion. (I’m in my analogy groove just ride with it.) On the other side, the Colts have big expectations for rookie QB Anthony Richardson. Can he finally be the franchise QB that Indy desperately needs?

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Chase Price (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Jacksonville Jaguars over Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are a good team. They have a good quarterback. Regardless of what the public opinion is on Kirk Cousins, he is a good quarterback and I think the right team could win a Super Bowl with him at the helm. But let’s all not pretend like we don’t know he’ll be donning the red and gold over in the Bay Area next year this time.

The name Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, doesn’t make anyone want to hand over their gold unless of course you’re forced to endure his Progressive advertisements on a loop. You’ll want to give away a whole lot more after that.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chase Price (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders

The Cardinals…uhh…how do I say this…look like Spy Kids CGI when they play football. I mean…if whatever the heck they’re doing out there actually counts as football of course. Even poor Caleb Williams is thinking about skipping a draft where he is guaranteed to go first overall just to avoid the Cardinals. A team in 2023 with Joshua Dobbs as its start quarterback on week 1? Really?

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Chase Price (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Washington Commanders over Arizona Cardinals.

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

For the first time in a long time, the Houston Texans have some excitement surrounding them. A rookie QB with tons of potential and a defensive cornerstone in pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. New head coach and defensive play-caller DeMeco Ryans is one of the brightest defensive minds the game has to offer, and I expect Houston’s defensive unit to immediately improve under him.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Houston Texans over Baltimore Ravens.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Chase Price (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears.

Ah. The sweet smell of September football at the legendary Soldier Field in Chicago. Most people associate this “smell” with Aaron Rodgers wallopping the Bears, as usual. But maybe things will be different this year. The Bears may have the better quarterback now, after 20 years. They got Justin Fields a big new weapon in D.J Moore.

The truth is, week one will be the start of a do-or-die journey for both young starting QBs in this game, Fields and Jordan Love. If either QB isn’t able to perform up to expectation this season…well I’m sure you can complete that sentence yourself.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers.

Chase Price (0-0) – Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers.

Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos.

The Raiders…certainly had an off-season. They moved on Derek Carr because he wasn’t getting it done for them and wouldn’t take the team over the hump. So their logical next step was to…ahem…bring in someone even more limited than Carr ever was? Jimmy G takes over at quarterback for the Raiders, and all I say is at least they can put that face on every marketing material ever and make a bazillion dollars.

As far as the Broncos go…Bronco’s Country. Let’s Ride. Maybe the 2nd time is the chance?

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Denver Broncos over Las Vegas Raiders.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Denver Broncos over Las Vegas Raiders.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Las Vegas Raiders over Denver Broncos.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Denver Broncos over Las Vegas Raiders.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Denver Broncos over Las Vegas Raiders.

Chase Price 0-0) – Las Vegas Raiders over Denver Broncos.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Las Vegas Raiders over Denver Broncos.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Las Vegas Raiders over Denver Broncos.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Denver Broncos over Las Vegas Raiders.

Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots

The reigning NFC Champs, with continued Super Bowl dreams, will ride into The Best a Man Can Get Stadium to face Emperor Palpatine and his Darth Vader-less Empire, which has struggled to stay afloat since Vader turned back into Anakin and moved to Florida. The Patriots’ defense will determine whether or not this game can stay close, because if that offense has to keep up in a track meet…this game might turn into Fergie-all-the-all-star-game levels of bad really quick.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – New England Patriots over Philadelphia Eagles.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Chase Price 0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Philadelphia Eagles over New England Patriots.

Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers

This is going to be an exciting game. The debate about who was the better QB between Justin Herbert and Tua Tagoviloa was raging on all through the past year and was seemingly put to bed after Herbert beat Tua’s Dolphins in Week 14 of last season. However, if the Dolphins emerge victorious in this game…? Dolphins fans will take to the streets of Twitter faster than a mob of election deniers at the Capitol building.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Miami Dolphins over Los Angeles Chargers.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Los Angeles Chargers over Miami Dolphins.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Miami Dolphins over Los Angeles Chargers.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Los Angeles Chargers over Miami Dolphins.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Los Angeles Chargers over Miami Dolphins.

Chase Price 0-0) – Miami Dolphins over Los Angeles Chargers.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Los Angeles Chargers over Miami Dolphins.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Miami Dolphins over Los Angeles Chargers.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Miami Dolphins over Los Angeles Chargers.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks.

The Rams had a very bad season last year. And I’m not sure they did much to fix their terrible offensive line and get Matthew Stafford some weapons other than Cooper Kupp, who might not play for the first couple of weeks. Their defense still has all the same holes it had last season. The Rams won it all in 2021/22 but they’re still paying all the “all-in” moves they made then.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Los Angeles Rams over Seattle Seahawks.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Chase Price 0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

The Giants are coming off a magical season where they shattered most expectations. For the first time, Daniel Jones looked like a viable quarterback (even though he may not be a Super Bowl quarterback) and the Giants’ defense was very good. They brought back Saquon Barkley and added some weapons for Jones, so they should be just as good as they were last year.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Chase Price 0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Nate Baker (0-0) – New York Giants over Dallas Cowboys.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants.

Greg Graves (0-0) – New York Giants over Dallas Cowboys.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

The Jets have big expectations. They went and got a future Hall of Fame quarterback and a bunch of weapons to go along, which effectively puts them in firm win-now mode. They have to go for all this season, but on the other hand, it feels the same way for the Bills. Yes, they have a young franchise QB but many weapons around him and on defense are getting older. The Bills have to break through and at least make the Super Bowl this season.

Arye Pulli (0-0) – Buffalo Bills over New York Jets.

Jaymin Kanzer (0-0) – New York Jets over Buffalo Bills.

Ani Iyengar (0-0) – New York Jets over Buffalo Bills.

Evan Davis (0-0) – Buffalo Bills over New York Jets.

Jason Perillo (0-0) – New York Jets over Buffalo Bills.

Chase Price 0-0) – Buffalo Bills over New York Jets.

Nate Baker (0-0) – Buffalo Bills over New York Jets.

Lincoln Heimbach (0-0) – Buffalo Bills over New York Jets.

Greg Graves (0-0) – Buffalo Bills over New York Jets.