Best games, important matches, fantasy tips, best bets and predictions

The NFL schedule week 1 for the 2024 season offers some great matchups and we have everything you need to know about our so-called ‘Matches of the Week’ including Gilberto Manzano’s key matchups, Matt Verderame’s key stats, Michael Fabiano’s tips on who should start and who should stay on the bench fantasyJennifer Piacentis best bets and Conor Orr’s prediction for each game.

Let’s get into our top 5 list, which includes Jordan Love vs. Jalen Hurts in Brazil, CJ Stroud vs. Anthony Richardson in a key AFC South game, Tom Brady’s TV debut as the Dallas Cowboys face the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football to close out Week 1 with Aaron Rodgers looking to play a full season instead of just four games. Let’s go!

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (Brazil)

When/TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Friday, Peacock

Spread: Eagles -2.5 (over/under 48.5)

Duel to watch: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley against Green Bay’s inside linebackers

The Packers have had plenty of defensive talent over the past few seasons but have failed to play as a unit. Barkley could have a stellar debut with the Eagles if the inside linebackers don’t improve quickly under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. —Gilberto Manzano

Important statistics: Last season, Jordan Love ranked seventh with 2,242 air yards. Philadelphia struggled in that area, finishing the year ranked 29th in air yards against opponents. —Matt Verderame

Start/Set: Jordan Love needs to be in your starting lineup this week. The Eagles allowed over 20 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2023. —Michael Fabiano

Best bet: These two teams finished 2023 with opposite trends, and it would be a great win for Love and the Packers (+124) if they could pull off the upset. — Jennifer Piacenti

SI’s choice: While I hesitate to bet against Vic Fangio’s defense, Green Bay may have the deepest and most versatile receiver group in the league. Enough talent to shake up a zone-heavy system with some new faces on defense. —Conor Orr

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

When/TV: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Spread: Texans -2.5 (over/under 48.5)

Duel to watch: Colts QB Anthony Richardson vs. Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.

The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft faced a difficult opponent for his first regular-season game in nearly a year. Houston has an opportunistic defense, which could mean a long day for Richardson if his accuracy is off. Stingley had five interceptions in 2023. —Gilberto Manzano

Important statistics: The Texans had a 25.7% pressure rate in 2023, the fifth-best in the league. Indianapolis needs to keep Anthony Richardson upright while Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter come off the edges. —Matt Verderame

Start/Set: Nico Collins has more competition for targets in Houston this season, but he dominated the Colts last season. Let them start! —Michael Fabiano

Best bet: I like Tank Dell when he finds the end zone (+270). Dell had seven touchdowns in just 11 games last season, including one in his only game against the Colts. —Jennifer Piacenti

SI’s choice: Not so fast, my friend. We’ve all jumped on the Texans hype train, and rightly so, but the Colts actually scored more points than Houston last year with Gardner Minshew II at quarterback. Richardson is back, Indy will hold onto the ball and limit time of possession. —Orr

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns

When/TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

Spread: Browns -2.5 (over/under 41)

Duel to watch: Cowboys LT Tyler Guyton vs. Browns DE Myles Garrett

The Cowboys’ 2024 first-round pick will likely get his “welcome to the NFL” moment very quickly when he goes up against Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Guyton was thrown in at the deep end after the team placed veteran tackle Chuma Edoga on the injured list. —Apple

Important statistics: If the Cowboys can get into the red zone, they could have great success. Although Dallas’ offense ranked 14th in red zone efficiency last season, Cleveland ranked dead last on defense, allowing a touchdown on 71.4% of attempts. —Verderame

Starting/Sitting: Whether it’s Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook or Rico Dowdle, you don’t want to have anything to do with the Cowboys’ backfield in fantasy mode this week. —Fabiano

Best bet: Elliott Anytime TD (+205). The Cowboys’ running backs didn’t have success at the goal line last season. Elliott may have faded, but there’s a reason Dallas brought the veteran back. Elliott had 12 rushing TDs in 2022. —Piacenza

SI’s choice: I like Cleveland here, although defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will have a tough time against the Browns’ battered and aging front line with Micah Parsons on the run. But Cleveland is also strong at the outside positions and can put a new-formed Dallas line under pressure. —Orr

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions

When/TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC Peacock

Spread: Lions -3.5 (over/under 50.5)

Duel to watch: Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Detroit’s cornerbacks

The last time these two teams played each other, Nacua tore the Lions’ defense apart with nine catches for 181 yards and a touchdown during their wild-card matchup. But now the Lions are countering with a revamped cornerback rotation of Carlton Davis III, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Amik Robertson. —Apple

Important statistics: The Lions revamped their secondary in the offseason, bringing in a veteran in Davis and newcomers in Arnold and Rakestraw Jr. The restructuring was necessary because Detroit reached a league-low 12.3 yards per pass in 2023. —Verderame

Start/Set: Jared Goff is usually solid at home and now has a rematch against the Rams and their questionable defense. He’s a good fantasy option. —Fabiano

Best bet: Goff has 266.5 passing yards. Goff averaged 280 passing yards per game at Ford Field last season, and this game looks set to be a shootout with a total of 51 yards. —Piacenza

SI’s choice: I think the first game loss is part of the Lions’ hero’s journey this year to the Super Bowl. The Rams can tear apart any secondary in the league and this will be a necessary learning experience for Detroit. —Orr

New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers

When/TV: Monday, 7:20 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC, ESPN+

Spread: 49ers -4.5 (over/under 44)

Duel to watch: 49ers DE Nick Bosa against New York’s offensive line.

The Jets invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason to ensure Aaron Rodgers stays upright for most of the season. They will quickly find out if new additions Tyron Smith, John Simpson and Morgan Moses will be enough to protect Rodgers from edge rushers like Bosa. —Apple

Important statistics: The 49ers led the league in 2023 with 6.6 yards per game. New York, on the other hand, was first in yards allowed per game (4.6). Which unit wins? —Verderame

Start/Set: It’s hard to bench Brandon Aiyuk, but I would temper expectations. He held up through training camp and the preseason, and the Jets were tough on perimeter receivers last year. —Fabiano

Best bet: Breece Hall with 25.5 receiving yards. The Niners allowed 37 receiving yards per game last season, and Hall exceeded that mark in eight of 17 games. Rodgers will likely target his RB in his first game back. —Piacenza

SI’s choice: Trent Williams is back. Brandon Aiyuk is back, too. Kyle Shanahan knows he needs this game to quickly ease the pain of last year’s Super Bowl loss. In the meantime, the Jets will find out how strong their pass-rush rotation is without Haason Reddick. —Orr

All best bets courtesy of DraftKings.

The game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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