NFL Week 1: Latest News and Predictions Surrounding Top Matchups

Just because the NFL season officially kicked off Thursday night doesn't mean there's not plenty more action to come. Some of the biggest matchups of the week remain, with intriguing storylines to follow leading up to kickoff. 

Here's your primer with the latest news and predictions for some of the best remaining games on the Week 1 slate.

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Giants quarterback Eli Manning now has a new, lofty contract extension. It must be nice to be a 34-year-old quarterback who hasn't been to the playoffs in three seasons and still get $84 million.

Unfortunately for the Giants, Manning can't mask the gaping holes in their atrocious defense.

Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant should have a field day on Sunday night. 

In two games against the Giants last season, Bryant totaled 16 catches, 237 yards and two touchdowns. That was also back when the Giants had an NFL-quality safety in Antrel Rolle. Expect a huge game from Bryant and the score to be very high.

Prediction: Cowboys 34, Giants 27

Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

It's head coach Rex Ryan's first game with the Bills, and he's orchestrating one of the league's top defenses against what has been anointed as the greatest creation since pockets, the Colts offense. 

There's plenty of intrigue to this matchup, but one reporter thinks the Bills might be able to outgun the Colts.

I highly doubt that, even if LeSean McCoy plays, which he is expected to. I'm not going to stand here and tell you that veterans Frank Gore and Andre Johnson are going to have career-best seasons with Andrew Luck, but I can't see how the Bills can muster enough points to top them on Sunday.

Here's another reason to doubt Buffalo on Sunday:

If Tyrod Taylor beats Andrew Luck, under any circumstances, expect to see pigs flying from the sky and possibly the gates of hell freeze over.

Prediction: Colts 26, Bills 13

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

This game will undoubtedly be a shootout, as both teams feature plus offenses and have defensive concerns. 

The Eagles, who move the ball quickly and score without running the clock much, will give Falcons QB Matt Ryan plenty of opportunities to air it out. The last possession may decide the game, which will definitely boast a high score.

The main concern for the underdog Falcons seems to be their offensive line, which is in shambles. If they can't protect Ryan or get the running game going, it could be a long night for the Birds.

I'm actually going with the Falcons in an upset, however.

I'm unsure of how Eagles coach Chip Kelly is going to manage his running backs, and I don't know the type of chemistry that new QB Sam Bradford has with his young receivers. 

Give me Matt Ryan and wideouts Julio Jones and Roddy White at home in what should be a Monday Night Football thriller. 

Prediction: Falcons 35, Eagles 31

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Don Wright/Associated Press

There's slight hope that one of these teams will be able to field a healthy crop of NFL-caliber receivers on Sunday.

The Chicago Bears just announced the most recent injury update for their trio of wideouts.

If Jeffery and Royal play, the Bears won't get completely embarrassed. If they are both out, this game won't be close. It shouldn't be very close anyway, as the Bears have significant defensive concerns and are facing one of the league's best offenses in Green Bay.

Injuries and drama aside, Mike Ditka is still rolling with the Bears to pull this one out.

I can't see how Jay Cutler and his depleted weapons can outsling Aaron Rodgers, even with Jordy Nelson out. 

The Packers should storm to an easy road win against their NFC North companions. Rodgers is 11-3 against Chicago in his career, the most wins he has against any team, and he should add another tally in the win column after this weekend.

Prediction: Packers 40, Bears 19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Tennessee Titans

Scott Iskowitz/Getty Images

Jameis Winston, the 2015 draft's No. 1 overall pick, will square off against Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick, in what would otherwise be a lackluster game between two bottom feeders. 

This can't be some random scheduling coincidence, can it?

In any event, Tampa Bay is excited about the beginning of its franchise quarterback's NFL career.

I've always said that I think Winston will have a better season than Mariota based solely on the weapons he has. He can be inaccurate and sloppy with the ball and still hook up with big wideouts Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson on a routine basis. 

The bottom line is that the Bucs have put Winston in a great situation for success right out of the gate, and the Titans, well, are still the Titans.

I'll take the Bucs at home on Sunday afternoon in a low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Buccaneers 20, Titans 10