WEDNESDAY will see the return of America's favourite past-time and what better way to kick-off the fun than with a Belfast Media's best bets ahead of the return of the sport of kings.
Wednesday night football will take place between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch to kick-off the new campaign and the anticipation will have all eyes fixated on the curtain raiser in Melbourne in front of a packed crowd welcoming the AFC champions New England and Super Bowl winners Seattle to town.
Thursday Super Bowl favourite the Los Angles Rams on Thursday Night Football
The Rams are the first team in NFL history to have the MVP (Quarterback, Matthew Stafford) and Defensive Player of the Year from the previous season (Defensive End, Myles Garrett) on the same team - and if the rumours are true - they’ll be adding another former Defensive Player of the Year in retired Rams legend Aaron Donald back to their ranks as they have their eyes firmly set on the Vince Lombardi.
And Sundays are back! Redzone returns with none other than Scott Hansen set to present seven hours of football beginning at 6pm and getting the evening in ahead of the Monday blues.
Some of the matchups on Sunday really have the excitement brimming and what better way to start than with two young quarterbacks both drafted first overall face off, Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers.
Williams is arguably the most polarising quarterback in the league, making throws that echoes the careers of some of the greats, and in just his third season he is already receiving decent MVP odds.
Another pair of former first overall quarterbacks go head to head in Cincinnati with Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visiting Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Both of these quarterbacks love to toss the ball a lot and aren’t opposed to occasionally starring in the Netflix special 'Quarter-Back'.
The Bengals are notorious for starting the season slow and coming close to implosion, while on the contrary, the Buccaneers are infamous for peaking early into their campaign and starting hot.
Josh Allen and the revamped Buffalo Bills visit the Houston Texans in a matchup destined to be a classic.
Aaron Rodgers pictured in Croke Park
The whole world was rooting for Josh Allen to get his overdue first Super Bowl ring last season, but he and the Bills fell short in Denver, but this season under new head coach Joe Brady, the Bills look to finish the job with a Lombardi Trophy.
First up they need to get through the best defensive set-up in the NFL, the Houston Texans, a team who swarmed opposing offences last season like a hive and posed a threat in the playoffs despite below average quarterback play.
Four more games bring plenty of excitement, including two rivalry matchups that are perfect for the opening weekend.
Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders travel to Philadelphia to face Jalen Hurts and the Eagles. After taking Washington to the brink of a Super Bowl in his first season, Daniels returns with a stronger supporting cast and plenty to prove. It promises to be another fascinating chapter in the growing rivalry between the two NFC East teams.
The Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in another huge divisional clash. Minnesota still has questions at quarterback, while Green Bay and Jordan Love will be looking to establish themselves in a competitive NFC North. With both teams needing an early statement win, this should be an intriguing battle.
Sunday Night Football brings the Giants against the Cowboys in one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, while Kansas City host Denver in another fascinating matchup. Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix both return from injury with plenty to prove, setting up an exciting contest under the lights.
OUR EXPERT PICKS:
Patrick's Pick:
Anytime Touchdown Scorers:
Puka Nacua (LA Rams) - 5/4 - Thursday
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals) - 6/5 - Sunday
Patrick's Bet Builder - 14/1
Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) Over 20 rushing yards
Jacksonville Jaguars Moneyline (win)
Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) Anytime Touchdown
Jaxson Dart (NY Giants) Over 29.5 rushing yards
James Cook (Buffalo Bills) Anytime Touchdown
Maghnus' Pick:
Anytime Touchdown Scorers:
Amon-Ra St Brown (Detroit Lions) 11/10
Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers) 7/4
Maghnus' Bet Builder - 23/1
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) Anytime Touchdown
Philadelphia Eagles Moneyline (win)
Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)
Tennessee Titans Moneyline (win)
Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) Anytime Touchdown
Scott's Pick:
Scott’s Bet Builder - 20/1
Seahawks, Jacksonville, Detroit, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Chargers, and Baltimore.
