Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season will officially get underway this Thursday evening when the Atlanta Falcons take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of last season's NFC divisional playoff game. On that January evening, both defenses dominated as the only touchdown was scored in the game - and that was was by the Falcons.

Nevertheless, the Eagles five field goals were enough to thrust Philadelphia to a 15-10 victory. The Falcons will get a shot at a little revenge as these two squads will officially get the new season rolling this Thursday from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Big games all around

To say a win in Week 1 is a must is taking things a bit too far. However, there are several marquee matchups this weekend that will show which teams may surprise some folks this season, and which squads may be a bit overrated.

Let's take Pittsburgh at Cleveland for example. This should be another romp for the Steel Curtain, right? Just by looking at the point spread, (Pitt-4) however, it seems Las Vegas oddsmakers think just the opposite.

The Browns may have only won a single game over the past two seasons, but they are a dangerous opponent for the rival Steelers this weekend. Why? Because the Steelers are a team that seems to be in flux, while the high flying Browns have a ton of new players and a new attitude.

According to a Cleveland Browns report, the Steelers are still without their No. 1 running back and all-around big playmaker Le’Veon Bell. Bell has yet to report to the Steelers for the 2018 season and even if he does today, how good of shape could he really be in to play in Week 1?

When you only play 16 games per season, each one matters.

Sure, losing on opening day is far from a reason to fold up the tent and go home, but if the Browns beat the Steelers this weekend, you will see panic mode grip the Steel City. After all the Browns finished 0-16 last season and have a record of 1-31 in their last 32 contests. The Steelers don’t want to be the team on the other end of Cleveland winning for the first time in over a year.

Odds, TV times & picks

The NFL really wasted no time in creating some great action in Week 1. Houston at New England, San Francisco at Minnesota, Kansas City taking on the L.A. Chargers and the Cowboys square off against the Panthers are just a few on the Week 1 schedule that will draw a lot of attention.

Below is a list of the entire Week 1 schedule, current game odds, TV start times and channels along with my ATS predictions.

Thursday, Sept. 6

Atlanta at Philadelphia (-2) -- 8:20 pm -- NBC

Sunday, Sept. 9

Bills at Ravens (-7) -- 1:00 pm -- CBS

Cincinnati at Indianapolis (-3) -- 1:00 pm -- CBS

Houston at New England (-7) -- 1:00 pm -- CBS

Jacksonville (-3) at N.Y. Giants -- 1:00 pm -- FOX

Steelers (-4.5) at Browns -- 1:00 pm -- CBS

Niners at Vikings (-6) -- 1:00 pm -- FOX

Bucs at Saints (-7.5) -- 1:00 pm -- FOX

Tennessee (-1) at Miami -- 1:00 pm -- FOX

Kansas City at L.A.

Chargers (-3) -- 4:05 pm -- CBS

Cowboys at Panthers (-3) -- 4:25 pm -- FOX

Seahawks at Broncos (-3) -- 4:25 pm -- FOX

Washington at Arizona (PICK) -- 4:25 pm -- FOX

Bears at Packers (-7) -- 8:20 pm -- NBC

Monday, Sept. 10

N.Y. Jets at Detroit (-6) -- 7:10 pm -- ESPN

L.A. Rams (-4) at Oakland -- 10:20 pm -- ESPN

Picks -- Atlanta +2, Colts -3, Chargers -3, NY Giants +3, Browns +4.5
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED