NFL Sundays are back!

The wait is finally over. A brand-new NFL season is here, and with it comes another year of big plays, huge upsets & plenty of hot takes!

Each week, we’ll be putting our NFL experts Nat Coombs & Neil Reynolds head-to-head as they make their picks for the weekend’s biggest games. Who’s going to come out on top?

The Week 1 picks are in… let’s see who they’re backing!

Over to you Neil... Neil’s NFL Picks - Week 1

The NFL is an impossibly-hard league to predict. There are mind-boggling surprises across the United States... and now around the world - every weekend. But that’s not going to stop me from making a few predictions between now and Super Bowl 61, encouraged by my good friends at Hickory’s Smokehouse. Along the way, I’ll be going head-to-head with my old mate, Nat Coombs. May the best man (me) win!

New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks

The Pats face a tough start to the year and will suffer another loss to Seattle in this Super Bowl re-match. Neil’s Pick… Seattle Seahawks

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams

The Rams appear to be the class of the NFL and will have too much for the Niners in Australia, especially with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on defense. Neil’s Pick… Los Angeles Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have been notoriously-slow starters under Joe Burrow, but they will take this one at home. Neil’s Pick… Cincinnati Bengals

New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions

After missing the playoffs last season, the highly-motivated Lions will use their offensive firepower to get off to a winning start. Neil’s Pick… Detroit Lions

New York Jets vs Tennessee Titans

Somebody has to win! These two lowly teams have big years ahead. Geno Smith brings QB stability to NY and I think that makes the difference. Neil’s Pick… New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts

Two teams with much to prove in 2026 meet in Week 1. I expect Lamar Jackson to be back to his elite best this season and that matters here. Neil’s Pick… Baltimore Ravens

Atlanta Falcons vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The Falcons have difference-making talent at the skill positions but questions at QB. I’m leaning towards Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers at home. Neil’s Pick… Pittsburgh Steelers

Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have improved their D, but not enough to slow Caleb Williams. And they won’t score enough points to keep pace with Chicago. Neil’s Pick… Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Hopes are high in Florida and I don’t think Liam Coen is going to let his team rest on their laurels. The Jags will start off like the playoff contender they are. Neil’s Pick… Jacksonville Jaguars

Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans

Tough one to call. I witness first-hand how this Texans D demolished Josh Allen last season. I would not be surprised to see a similar outcome to start this term. Neil’s Pick… Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders

Both are embarking on rebuilding projects that are going to take time. The Raiders have solidity at QB in Kirk Cousins, more playmakers and they’re at home. Neil’s Pick… Las Vegas Raiders

Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings

There will be no Micah Parsons early on for the Packers. That matters. Homefield advantage could help Kyler Murray get off to a winning start in Minneapolis. Neil’s Pick… Minnesota Vikings

Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles

The quarterbacks in this game - Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts – face big personal seasons. The latter makes the better start. Neil’s Pick… Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers

It could be a long and painful season for the Cardinals and they won’t be helped by rookie RB Jeremiyah Love’s summer ankle injury. The Chargers comfortably at home. Neil’s Pick… Los Angeles Chargers

Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants

The Giants are going to be much improved under John Harbaugh, but I’m a big believer in the Dallas attack led by Dak Prescott. Neil’s Pick… Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes should return at QB for the Chiefs, but it’s going to be a tough ask to hit the ground running against that outstanding Denver D. Neil’s Pick… Denver Broncos

For a more complete breakdown of each weeks’ games, make sure you check out my Inside Pro Football Substack blog for my picks column each Thursday. And please subscribe if you like my work… it’s free!

...Nat's Picks are In

New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks

In this Super Bowl rematch, plenty of change for Seattle to contend with, whilst Drake Maye new bestie AJ Brown will look for that early connect & a shock road win. Nat's Pick... New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams

You’ll need a degree from MIT to work out that body clock these two West Coast rivals will be on for the historic first game in Oz. You, me & everyone else has the Rams as Super Bowl faves. So, this feels like an inevitable upset special but….Nat's Pick... Los Angeles Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cincinnati Bengals

Shootout city in store, with Joe Brrrrr & the tag team champs Jamarr Chase & Tee Higgins getting it done against a motivated Baker Mayfield. Nat's Pick... Cincinnati Bengals

New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions

Is the window closing on the Lions, and are the hipster pick Saints legit? Or are they gonna get trapped climbing in through that window? Enough window references for one week? Fine. Nat's Pick... Detroit Lions

New York Jets vs Tennessee Titans

The Jets may just be that team better than advertised, and there’s no doubting the 5* talent in the mix with Garrett Wilson & Breece Hall who’s expected back. Nat's Pick... New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts

Our live game on FIVE Action – I’ll be in studio with Sam, Osi and Efe – and what a game to kick off our coverage. Danny Dimes is back, but with Michael Pittman gone, does he have enough around him to flex like he did last season before injury struck? Nat's Pick... Baltimore Ravens

Atlanta Falcons vs Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s Aaron Rodgers last dance, surely, and the start of the Steelers in the post Mike Tomlin era. Everyone’s so down on them, but I quite fancy them for a sneaky inside rail playoff run. And a home win here. Nat's Pick... Pittsburgh Steelers

Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers

Two playoff teams from last time, but far from likely that they’ll repeat. The Bears have a formidably tough division, so need to pick up wins in match ups like this, even with the road disadvantage. Nat's Pick... Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns vs Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s possible I may be starting at QB for the Browns by Week 3. Shame they’re so dysfunctional in that respect, because there’s a nucleus of a solid young roster. Jacksonville for the Super Bowl? This may be their year and a soft landing to start Nat's Pick... Jacksonville Jaguars

Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans

What a tasty matchup between two bona fide contenders in the AFC as one of the best Defenses in football (Houston) meets one of the best QB’s (Allen). Nat's Pick... Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders

Don’t listen to the haters, both these teams will be highly entertaining to watch even if they’ll most likely be nowhere near the playoffs. The Raiders are my surprise package this season, though admittedly it’s not a high bar! Nat's Pick... Las Vegas Raiders

Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray era starts - it’ll either be inspired, or crash and burn, but either way will be consistently watchable. I’m not buying the Green Bay hype either. (Note : this will come back to haunt me in about 4 months) Nat's Pick... Minnesota Vikings

Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles

Will it be more dysfunction in Philly despite the exit of AJ Brown? Of course, but we may just be way underestimating status, as I think they’re sleeper Super Bowl contenders once again. Nat's Pick... Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers

Love the Chargers this season, with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back on either side of the line to protect Justin Herbert, Mike McDaniel in to call insane trickery and a vanilla Week One match up to blow off the cobwebs. Nat's Pick... Los Angeles Chargers

Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants

Every year I pick the Cowboys for great things, every year they fall short. This time? Maybe it’s finally Dak’s year. Nat's Pick... Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs

Can everyone calm down about the Chiefs demise pls? We’re about to enter a new era of Mahomes-mania, and when they’re sitting at 13-4, with a top seed come the playoffs, we’ll all remember the days when we said the dynasty was over and Andy Reid was washed up. Nat's Pick... Kansas City Chiefs

For more from me be sure to catch the Nat Coombs Show where this season I'll be joined by an All-Pro crew of expert voices from both sides of the pond, getting you up to speed on all the latest news & key stories from around the league.

...and there we have it. Who’s got it right?

And there we have it - Week 1’s picks are locked in! Nat & Neil have made their calls, but with the NFL being as unpredictable as ever, anything can happen once the action gets underway.

There are plenty of games where they’ve agreed, but a few where they’ve gone their separate ways - including the Patriots vs Seahawks, where Nat is backing New England while Neil is tipping Seattle.

Now all that’s left is to sit back, enjoy the action & see who comes out on top!

Will Nat take an early lead, or will Neil start the season with bragging rights? Check back next week for their Week 2 picks and find out who’s got the best NFL crystal ball.

Fancy watching the NFL with us? Head to your nearest Hickory’s Smokehouse and join us for NFL Sundays, live on the big screens, with great food, drinks and plenty of American football atmosphere.

See you have here next week for Nat and Neils' NFL Sunday Picks Week 2!