Bills get statement win in 2022 season opener. Plus, expert NFL Week 1 picks and fantasy advice.

September 09, 2022
Sport

The 2022 NFL season is here!

And, before we look forward to a promising slate of games Sunday, we look back on the season-opening game at SoFi Stadium.

About last night: Buffalo Bills 31, Los Angeles Rams 10 – The Bills unveiled a team expected to contend for a Super Bowl title – in no small part because of quarterback Josh Allen, who threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. The “Super Bowl 57 preview” looked more like the Super Sunday blowouts from the 1980s and ’90s.

Winners and losers from the Bills’ rout of the Rams
PHOTOS: Best from Bills-Rams

Game of the week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys — For the second straight year, the Bucs and Cowboys square off in Week 1. The 45-year-old Tom Brady retired, then unretired, and now will lead a Tampa Bay team expected to contend for another Super Bowl. The Cowboys, meanwhile, haven’t played in a Super Bowl since January 1996, which was before Brady’s first season of college football at Michigan. That’s a major LOL for those fans who root against the Cowboys.

Play to win $25K: USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool

Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers — Baker Mayfield against his former team, which will have journeyman Jacoby Brissett behind center after an 11-game suspension was levied against Deshaun Watson. Mayfield denied saying “I’m going to (expletive) them up” when referring to this juicy revenge game, but you know he’s totally thinking it. Want a mind-blowing #funfact? The Browns are 1-21-1 since 1999 in season openers.Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks — While Russell Wilson makes his much-ballyhooed return to Seattle, Geno Smith begins the season as the Seahawks’ starting quarterback. Even if Wilson did not take a snap during the preseason and the Broncos are operating under a new head coach, it would be an absolute stunner if the Seahawks won this Monday night showdown.

Also, if you haven’t already signed up for USA TODAY Sports’ survivor pool, do it now! It’ll make the season even more fun.

Join USA TODAY Sports’ survivor pool
Keys to winning USA TODAY Sports’ survivor pool

PHOTOS: Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games

NFL Week 1: Pigskin prognostications

Week 1 picks: USA TODAY Sports’ panel of experts has provided fans with the great public service of making prognostications for every game this weekend.
Lorenzo’s Locks for Week 1: Are the Packers a good bet on the road in Minnesota against a rookie head coach?
NFL Week 1 odds: Which teams, according to Tipico Sportsbook, are favored to win this weekend?
2022 season predictions: USA TODAY Sports experts weigh in with their Super Bowl 57 picks, playoff teams and individual award winners.
Power rankings: See how all 32 teams stack up heading into the new season.

NFL news, notes and analysis

Dak Prescott ‘good to go’: The Cowboys quarterback was held out of most of practice Thursday.
Russell Wilson says Seahawks tried to trade him ‘couple of times’: Wilson was aware that Seattle attempted to trade him but called it “part of the business.”
Ex-Saints coach Sean Payton fires salvo at Bucs: Payton, now an analyst for Fox Sports’ NFL pregame show, is sticking by his old team for the NFC South.
Award-winning broadcaster eager for role on ‘Sunday Night Football’: Veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico, who won a Sports Emmy in 2022, will replace Al Michaels as the play-by-play voice for “Sunday Night Football” on NBC.

Fantasy football: Get your lineup right

Of course you want to start the new season off with a win. We’re here to help. Our fantasy football experts have valuable advice to get the most out of your lineup.

Fantasy rankings for Week 1: For your convenience, these position-by-position rankings were updated for this week’s games.
Boom or bust picks for Week 1: Key players who could sizzle (Kyler Murray) or fizzle (Daniel Jones) this weekend.
Studs, duds and sleepers: Here are some names to know going into Week 1. Trey Lance is a full-time starter, but can fantasy owners expect big things from him when the 49ers play the Bears?