It's here. After months of preseason games, training camp drama, and roster cuts, the NFL regular season officially kicks off tonight.

Week 1 is my favorite week of the year. Every team is 0-0. Every fanbase has hope. And the football is real — these games count.

Here are my picks for the week, with context for anyone still learning the game.

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🏈 The Game of the Week

Thursday Night: Patriots at Seahawks

My pick: Seahawks NBC & Peacock — 8:20 PM ET

This is the one that opens the season — and it's a genuinely interesting matchup. The Seahawks are at home in Seattle, where the crowd noise is famously one of the loudest in the NFL. The Patriots are in a rebuild, which means this is a great chance to watch a young team try to prove something on the biggest stage.

What to watch for: The Seahawks' offensive line vs. the Patriots' pass rush. If New England can pressure the quarterback early, this game gets interesting fast. If Seattle's line holds, expect a comfortable home win.

Beginner tip: Pay attention to the crowd noise in Seattle. When the Seahawks defense is on the field, the fans get so loud that the opposing offense can't hear their own signals. It's called a "12th Man" advantage and it's genuinely one of the coolest things in football.

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The Rest of the Weekend

Sunday 1 PM Slate — The Ones Worth Your Time

Chiefs vs. Ravens My pick: Chiefs

This is the marquee early game. Two of the best teams in the AFC, two elite quarterbacks, and a matchup that could easily be a preview of the AFC Championship in January. If you only watch one early game, make it this one.

What to watch for: The Ravens' rushing attack vs. the Chiefs' run defense. Baltimore loves to run the ball. Kansas City loves to stop it. Whoever wins that battle probably wins the game.

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Cowboys vs. Giants My pick: Cowboys

The NFC East rivalry is always must-watch TV, even when neither team is great. The Cowboys are expected to be better this year. The Giants are in a transition. But divisional games are always closer than they look on paper — don't be surprised if this one comes down to the fourth quarter.

What to watch for: The Giants' new offensive scheme. They've made changes in the offseason and Week 1 is the first real look at how it works against a real defense.

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Dolphins vs. Bills My pick: Bills

Miami in September is a home-field advantage for the Dolphins — the heat and humidity genuinely affect visiting teams. But the Bills are one of the best teams in the AFC and I think they handle it. This is a great game to watch if you want to see what a high-powered passing offense looks like.

What to watch for: The Dolphins' wide receivers. Miami has some of the fastest players in the league. When they get the ball in space, things happen quickly — and it's exciting to watch even if you don't know all the names.

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Sunday Night Football

Eagles vs. Packers My pick: Eagles

A classic NFC matchup with two passionate fanbases. The Eagles are coming off a strong offseason and are considered one of the NFC's best teams. The Packers are always dangerous at home — but this game is in Philadelphia, where the fans are notoriously intense.

What to watch for: The Eagles' defensive line. Philadelphia has one of the best pass rushes in the league, and if they can get pressure on the Packers' quarterback early, this could be a long night for Green Bay.

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Monday Night Football

Rams vs. 49ers My pick: 49ers

The NFC West rivalry to close out Week 1. These two teams genuinely do not like each other, and it shows on the field. The 49ers are at home and are one of the most complete teams in football. The Rams have the talent to keep it close.

What to watch for: San Francisco's defense. The 49ers run one of the most complex defensive schemes in the NFL — but even as a beginner, you'll notice how well they take away what the other team wants to do. It's a masterclass in defensive football.

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My Lock of the Week

Chiefs over Ravens. Two great teams, but Kansas City has the edge at home and their quarterback is the best in the league right now. I think this is a 24-17 Chiefs win that feels closer than it actually was.

My Upset Pick

Giants over Cowboys. I know, I know. But Week 1 is weird, divisional games are unpredictable, and the Giants have something to prove. I'm not confident in this one — but I'm putting it out there.

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How Did Last Week Go?

(This is Week 1 — no previous picks to review. Check back next week when I'll recap how these turned out!)

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New to football and not sure what you're watching? Take the Free 5-Day Football Course — it'll make these games make a lot more sense. Browse more Football 101 explainers.