As the NFL season kicked off with an electric opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, fans are now turning their attention to a full slate of games set for Sunday. With 13 matchups lined up, viewers can expect a thrilling weekend of football, with six games airing on CBS and Paramount+.
Exciting Early and Late Window Games
The early window on Sunday features a variety of intriguing matchups, including games involving the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, the late window will focus on teams from the western part of the country, such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks.
CBS Sports HQ analyst Emory Hunt shared his excitement for two key games in particular: Arizona Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans. “I feel like Arizona is a very underrated team,” Hunt noted. “They beat the Eagles last year and gave a lot of teams a tough challenge. This matchup against Buffalo could be one of the better ones this week.”
The Colts-Texans game is also expected to be a nail-biter, given the close contest that took place between the two teams last season. The regular season finale saw a dramatic end when a dropped fourth-down pass by the Colts prevented them from advancing to the postseason, allowing Houston to clinch a spot instead.
Another matchup generating buzz is the Dallas Cowboys versus the Cleveland Browns. Hunt described this game as a “Darkhorse Super Bowl Contender type game,” indicating that both teams could make significant runs this season.
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Early Super Bowl Contenders
While it’s early in the season, analysts are already speculating about which teams could emerge as serious Super Bowl contenders. Hunt pointed to two teams from each conference that could make a surprising impact. “Don’t sleep on Detroit,” he said. “The Lions did a lot of great things last season and have the potential to blossom this year.”
From the AFC, Hunt mentioned the New York Jets as a team to watch. “They have quarterback-proofed their roster with a strong run game and defense,” he explained. “If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy and performs well, the Jets could make a deep postseason run.”
What to Watch For
With matchups like Arizona vs. Buffalo and Indianapolis vs. Houston, the opening weekend promises a thrilling start to the NFL season. Fans should keep an eye on these games to see which teams come out strong and begin to establish themselves as potential contenders.
As the season unfolds, surprises are sure to emerge, but one thing is certain: the NFL is back, and it’s ready to deliver another unforgettable season of football.
