The NFL season is here, we’re all excited. But what can you expect this week? Here’s our NFC West Week 1 Preview.
Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers
The Rams enter 2018, hoping to wash the taste of a Super Bowl loss out of their mouth, and they will look to do that against the Panthers. The Panthers narrowly dodged a preseason injury scare with Cam Newton, which is a good thing because they will need all their best players going up against the NFC West king. The Rams are good, not sure that needed to be said but this team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and are led by an offensively gifted coach in Sean McVay.
To stand a chance the Panthers will need their team to click on all cylinders. Christian McCaffrey will need to be on point as the Panthers best skill position player. Despite it being a home game for the Panthers, I think the Rams will be able to get to Cam Newton and lock down their first win on the road for 2019. Rams over Panthers, 24-17.
Seattle Seahawks @ Cincinnati Bengals
C
These teams finished 2018 going in different directions. The Bengals finished 6-10, last in the AFC North and the Seahawks secured a wildcard spot at 10-6. On paper this is a juicy matchup for the Seahawks. The offseason was not kind to the Bengals offensive line and the Seahawks will have Jadeveon Clowney and Ezekiel Ansah to unleash. Not to mention Russell Wilson leading the charge poses problems for even the best teams. The Bengals have talent, but they are still without their star receiver, A. J. Green. I do not predict a pretty week 1 for the Bengals and believe they will struggle greatly. My prediction is a big game for Russell Wilson, Chris Carson, and Seattle defense and an ugly game for the Bengals. Seahawks over Bengals, 34-17.
San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 49ers get another chance to see if Jimmy Garoppolo is worth that big pay check he secured coming from the Patriots, against a Bruce Arians led Buccaneers team. Each team was tough to watch last year. The 49ers were massively beat down by injuries at key positions, and the Buccaneers just were not playing well coupled with the fact they are in an extremely tough division. With Garoppolo returning and Arians coming out of retirement, there is rejuvenated hope for these fan bases. Garoppolo has a lot to prove, but would only be an improvement in my opinion at the quarterback position for the 49ers. Arians should do wanders for Jameis Winston and this Buccaneers team. My prediction for this game is that both defenses struggle but ultimately the Buccaneers beat the 49ers. Buccaneers over 49ers, 31-24.
Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals
It’s a new year and hopefully a fresh start to a winning season for both these teams. Both the Lions and Cardinals finished last within their respective divisions in 2018 and both teams can start to turn it around here in week 1. Many eyes will be on Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray to see if this offense will be something to watch and the Lions will be the first up to experience it. My prediction for this game is that the Cardinals offense will be good and put up points, but will lose due to defensive deficiencies. Lions over Cardinals, 27-21.
Week 1 prediction – Win-Loss
Los Angeles Rams – 1-0
Seattle Seahawks – 1-0
San Francisco 49ers – 0-1
Arizona Cardinals – 0-1
That’s all for our NFC West Week 1 Preview. Check back next week for Week 2!
