2026 NFL Week 1 Predictions: Who Will Claim Victory?

The anticipation is over as the 2026 NFL Season has finally arrived and we are excited for it. Week 1 features a Super Bowl Rematch, multiple Division Rivalry Matchups, and a game in the land down under. It’s going to be a good one and we’ll be breaking down our predictions for every matchup. This year, we’re going to have AI predict every NFL matchup as well to see if a Human Vs. AI will come out on top.

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks

The Super Bowl rematch will be played without the Super Bowl MVP as the Seahawks let Kenneth Walker walk in free agency. The Patriots will also be without a running back as TreVeyon Henderson is dealing with a x injury. The running game isn’t something I’ll be expecting much from either as this will be a pass-heavy game. The Patriots want to unleash their new arsenal of AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, while the Seahawks have top-3 receiver in the NFL in JSN. This game is going to come down to which defense can hold out and much like the Super Bowl, I have the Seahawks coming out on top.

My Winner: Seattle Seahawks

ChatGPT Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

Gemini Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

Copilot Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Australia)

The first NFL game played in Australia features two NFC West heavyweights in the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. When you thought the Rams couldn’t get any better, during the offseason, they pulled off a blockbuster deal for Myles Garrett and convinced Aaron Donald to come out of retirement. If I was anyone on the San Francisco 49ers offensive line, I’d be sweating right now. The Rams are the team to beat in not just the NFC West, not just the NFC, but the NFL. The Rams come back to the States, victorious.

My Winner: Los Angeles Rams

ChatGPT Prediction: Los Angeles Rams

Gemini Prediction: Los Angeles Rams

Copilot Prediction: San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals

The showdown between Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow should be one of the highest scoring matchups of the week. Both teams have high-powered offenses and lackluster defenses. The weapons at Joe Burrow’s disposal all have a leg up than what the Buccaneers have to offer.

My Winner: Cincinnati Bengals

ChatGPT Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

Gemini Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

Copilot Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions

I’m high on the New Orleans Saints this year and see them continuing to trend upwards, but the Detroit Lions are just on another level. The Lions offense is one year removed from Ben Johnson and without David Montgomery, but they are going to prove to everyone they can succeed without the two.

My Winner: Detroit Lions

ChatGPT Prediction: Detroit Lions

Gemini Prediction: Detroit Lions

Copilot Prediction: Detroit Lions

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans

The person most excited for this matchup is former New York Jets head coach and current Tennessee Titans head coach, Robert Saleh. He gets the opportunity to go against his former team and prove them wrong for letting him go. The Titans have more potential on their roster and I think Saleh gets that victory he’s been waiting all off-season for.

My Winner: Tennessee Titans

ChatGPT Prediction: Tennessee Titans

Gemini Prediction: New York Jets

Copilot Prediction: Tennessee Titans

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts

The Ravens and Colts both have big seasons ahead of them. For the Ravens, can they succeed under a new head coach in Todd Monken. For the Colts, can they play like the team they were in the first half of 2025 with Daniel Jones? A win for both teams will help steer the course for how the season will go. I still believe in Daniel Jones and he’s more than deserving of his role, but the Ravens have a defense led by Kyle Hamilton that’s going to be too tough to get past.

My Winner: Baltimore Ravens

ChatGPT Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

Gemini Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

Copilot Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers

Two teams with new head coaches are the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both Kevin Stefanski and Mike McCarthy lost their former jobs and found new homes. Stefanski gets top-3 running back in NFL and some other talented offensive players, but has Tua Tagovailoa turnover troubles holding him back. McCarthy gets reunited with Aaron Rodgers, but Rodgers is well past his prime and in his final year in the NFL. As much as Tua is not the answer, the supporting crew around him can carry him to victory.

My Winner: Atlanta Falcons

ChatGPT Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers

Gemini Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers

Copilot Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

Two young teams with promising futures are the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. Fortunately for the Bears, their window to win has started now with a great coach, an offense entering their prime, and a retooled offensive line. The Panthers still need help in the run game and another option for Bryce Young before they can cross over the hump.

My Winner: Chicago Bears

ChatGPT Prediction: Chicago Bears

Gemini Prediction: Chicago Bears

Copilot Prediction: Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars

If the Browns want to win football games, they need to have someone besides Deshaun Watson under center. This move just signals to us that they want to lose and fully intend on losing.They might have a few shots of winning this year, but on the road, against a good Jaguars team is not one they will have any shot in doing so.

My Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars

ChatGPT Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars

Gemini Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars

Copilot Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

I love the Buffalo Bills this year and think if they can win the Super Bowl, this might be the year. One of the few teams that I think is Josh Allen’s kryptonite are the Houston Texans. The Texans have a top-3 defense in the NFL and Allen has struggled against them historically. Allen tries to do it all and his Superman plays won’t be enough for how talented this Texans defense is. Hopefully we’ll see a rematch of these two teams in January.

My Winner: Houston Texans

ChatGPT Prediction: Buffalo Bills

Gemini Prediction: Buffalo Bills

Copilot Prediction: Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders

For both the Dolphins and the Raiders, this game is one of the few on each of their schedules that feel winnable. Both teams are terrible with few bright spots. The Raiders best player is Brock Bowers and he will be out in week 1. That is exactly what the Dolphins need to pull off a week 1 win.

My Winner: Miami Dolphins

ChatGPT Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders

Gemini Prediction: Miami Dolphins

Copilot Predictions: Las Vegas Raiders

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

There’s a big change in Minnesota under center with the Vikings bringing in Kyler Murray. The Vikings have a chance to compete now with how talented both their offense and defenses are. The Packers are not an easy first matchup, but without Josh Jacobs, it’s going to be an uphill battle for Jordan Love and the Packers offense. I like the Vikings defense to bring the pressure on Love and pull off a monumental win to start the year.

My Winner: Minnesota Vikings

ChatGPT Prediction: Minnesota Vikings

Gemini Prediction: Green Bay Packers

Copilot Prediction: Minnesota Vikings

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles

Two NFC East showdowns in one weekend and I am here for it! The Commanders visit the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams feature mobile quarterbacks who are going to be electric to watch. Jayden Daniels is the more electric player, but Jalen Hurts has the better supporting crew to back him up.

My Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

ChatGPT Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles

Gemini Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles

Copilot Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers

The Cardinals and Chargers both have new playcallers on their coaching staff.. The Chargers have one of the top offensive minds in Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator and the Cardinals nabbed Mike Lafleur as their head coach. This will be a big debut for both of them with their new situations and I like McDaniel’s situation better. McDaniel has a top-5 QB in the league, a healthy offensive line, and some serious playmakers, the Chargers are going to start off the year with a big win.

My Winner: Los Angeles Chargers

ChatGPT Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers

Gemini Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers

Copilot Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

The Cowboys and Giants always seem to be in shoot outs against one another and I’m not expecting this to be any different. The Cowboys have the superior offense with a one-two combo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens who can completely control the narrative. I’m expecting a big win for the Cowboys with big performances for both receivers.

My Winner: Dallas Cowboys

ChatGPT Prediction: Dallas Cowboys

Gemini Prediction: Dallas Cowboys

Copilot Prediction: Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Both the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs have starting quarterbacks recovering from serious injuries. Patrick Mahomes underwent knee surgery and Bo Nix is coming off an ankle injury endured during the AFC Championship. Both quarterbacks will be slated to play week 1, but the severity of Nix’s was less concerning and he should be more mobile in this game, something that Patrick Mahomes heavily relies on. The Broncos defense is able to expose Mahomes who should still take time to recover from his injuries.

My Winner: Denver Broncos

ChatGPT Prediction: Denver Broncos

Gemini Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs

Copilot Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs

Game	My Winners	ChatGPT	Gemini	Copilot
NE @ SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA
SF @ LAR	LAR	LAR	LAR	SF
TB @ CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN
NO @ DET	DET	DET	DET	DET
NYJ @ TEN	TEN	TEN	NYJ	TEN
BAL @ IND	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL
ATL @ PIT	ATL	PIT	PIT	PIT
CHI @ CAR	CHI	CHI	CHI	CHI
CLE @ JAC	JAC	JAC	JAC	JAC
BUF @ HOU	HOU	BUF	BUF	HOU
MIA @ LV	MIA	LV	MIA	LV
GB @ MIN	MIN	MIN	GB	MIN
WAS @ PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI
ARI @ LAC	LAC	LAC	LAC	LAC
DAL @ NYG	DAL	DAL	DAL	DAL
DEN @ KC	DEN	DEN	KC	KC