SB Nation NFL writers make their Week 1 predictions
The NFL regular season begins with a Wednesday night game, and SB Nation's panel has made picks for every Week 1 matchup. The writers' choices include a mix of favorites and upsets, with the Seahawks, Rams, and Cowboys among the popular selections.
The nine-member SB Nation panel covers all 16 Week 1 matchups, with the Seahawks receiving near-unanimous support against the Patriots—only Matthew Warren picked New England. The Steelers, Lions, Chargers, and Eagles each drew unanimous selections from the writers, while the Rams, Cowboys, and Bears were also heavily favored. Several games produced genuine splits, including the 49ers-Rams contest, which ended 5-4 in favor of San Francisco, and the Packers-Vikings matchup, which saw Minnesota edge out five picks.
The panel's weekly predictions will be tracked cumulatively throughout the season, with each writer's record updated to measure accuracy. The article notes that 2025's opening week featured surprising results, including the Raiders defeating the Patriots, underscoring the unpredictability that makes early-season forecasting difficult. The season's first game kicks off Wednesday night under the "Sunday Night Football" branding, a scheduling quirk the article highlights with characteristic humor.
This annual prediction feature could shape fan expectations and betting behavior during the NFL's opening week, as readers may weigh the panel's consensus picks when making their own choices. The tracking of writers' records adds accountability that could influence audience trust in the outlet's sports coverage. For casual fans, the mix of unanimous selections and split decisions may highlight which matchups are considered genuinely competitive versus foregone conclusions, potentially affecting how viewers prioritize games.