NFL Predictions Week 1: Final Odds Projections and Fantasy Stars to Watch

After a strong performance from the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, the rest of the league has a tough act to follow.

The Seahawks manhandled the Green Bay Packers by a score of 36-16 on Thursday. If you had Marshawn Lynch on your fantasy team, you should be happy. He ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Seahawks in their victory. Coming into the game, Seattle was a 3.5-point favorite. It covered the spread in a resounding way.

Let's take a look at the rest of the matchups, odds and fantasy stars to watch for during the rest of the Week 1 action.

Sunday, September 7	Favorites/Odds	Location
Monday, September 8	Favorites/Odds	Location
New Orleans at Atlanta	New Orleans -2.5	Georgia Dome
Minnesota at St. Louis	St. Louis -3	Edward Jones Dome
Cleveland at Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh -7	Heinz Field
Jacksonville at Philadelphia	Philadelphia -11.5	Lincoln Financial Field
Oakland at NY Jets	N.Y. Jets -4.5	MetLife Stadium
Cincinnati at Baltimore	Baltimore -1	M&T Bank Stadium
Buffalo at Chicago	Chicago -4.5	Soldier Field
Washington at Houston	Even	Reliant Stadium
Tennessee at Kansas City	Kansas City -5.5	Arrowhead Stadium
New England at Miami	New England -1.5	Sun Life Stadium
Carolina at Tampa Bay	Carolina -3	Raymond James Stadium
San Francisco at Dallas	San Francisco -2.5	AT&T Stadium
Indianapolis at Denver	Denver -6	Sports Authority Field at Mile High
NY Giants at Detroit	Detroit -3.5	Ford Field
San Diego at Arizona	Arizona -3	U of Phoenix Stadium

Fantasy Stars to Watch

Jay Cutler

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears' offense looks like one of the best in the NFL. Jay Cutler is entering his second year in head coach Marc Trestman's quarterback-friendly offense. By most accounts, Cutler looks to be primed for a huge year. 

He has excellent weapons in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett and do-it-all running back Matt Forte. In Week 1, Cutler should have success against a Buffalo Bills pass defense that will miss the presence of All-Pro safety Jairus Byrd.

The Bills didn't franchise Byrd during the offseason and lost him to the New Orleans Saints. Cutler will be the first of many quarterbacks this season who make Buffalo pay for letting Byrd fly away.

LeSean McCoy

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Aside from Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles are on a short list of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL. 

McCoy and the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. McCoy had seven games with over 100 yards rushing last season. He'll get his first of 2014 in Week 1.

The Jags' run defense allowed the fourth-most yards in 2013, and there's no real reason to believe the team will be markedly better in this aspect. It did add former Seahawks Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, but that won't be enough to stop McCoy from having a big day.

Frank Gore

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys' run defense was almost as bad as Jacksonville's last year. Without the injured Sean Lee to anchor the defense, Dallas figures to be even worse against the run this season.

In light of this, facing the physical and dominant San Francisco 49ers offensive line will be no picnic for the Cowboys. 

Frank Gore and rookie Carlos Hyde will both see carries for the Niners, but because the 31-year-old veteran will start, and the Niners should be running it early and often, he'll have a good chance to get going in the first quarter.

Gore is a good bet to shine in fantasy this week.