Aug 18, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Week 1 of the 2018 NFL regular season is finally here, and you might be entering the weekend with your own preferences regarding which games to focus on, and which to place on the backburner.

Most of you have your favorites and fantasy players to track. But in case you’re completely neutral or need help breaking ties with regard to what to watch, we’ve ranked all 16 games from most appealing to least enticing.

1. Texans at Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Deshaun Watson’s back, J.J. Watt’s back, and the Patriots are trying to prove they’re still elite after a brutal offseason. So many storylines here as two Super Bowl contenders battle.

2. Bears at Packers (Sunday night, NBC): Khalil Mack vs. Aaron Rodgers! The highest-paid defensive player in NFL history chasing the highest-paid offensive player in NFL history. Plenty of hype surrounding the Bears, too, so if they keep this close it’ll be dramatic.

3. 49ers at Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Oh baby. One of these fan bases will likely be panicking if either Kirk Cousins or Jimmy Garoppolo starts off 0-1. Big expectations on both sides, although there’s a better chance this becomes one-sided that many might believe (translation: San Francisco is overrated).

4. Falcons at Eagles (Thursday night, NBC): This is a little intriguing than usual because we don’t know what to expect from Nick Foles and the Eagles are shorthanded right now on that side of the ball. They’ll have their work cut out for them with a target on their back in a battle of the last two NFC Super Bowl teams.

5. Chiefs at Chargers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): Lots of hype surrounding the Chargers right now, while all eyes will be on Patrick Mahomes as he takes the reins at quarterback for K.C. Plus, you know this’ll end in dramatic fashion.

6. Jaguars at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Jags are legit now, and the Giants are a candidate to go from worst to first. Odell Beckham’s return and Saquon Barkley’s debut make this a must-watch early on.

7. Steelers at Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Browns are so hot right now. At home against a Steelers team that has been dealing with Le’Veon Bell’s mess, they could put up a fight.

8. Jets at Lions (Monday night, ESPN): Sam Darnold. That is all. Literally, there isn’t much else to this game. But Darnold is worth watching in his NFL debut.

9. Seahawks at Broncos (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Both teams underwent such major changes in the offseason, so it’ll be fun to see how they look. Doubt this is one-sided, too.

10. Cowboys at Panthers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Two playoff-caliber NFC teams with plenty of interesting players, and it should be close.

11. Rams at Raiders (Monday night, ESPN): This could be one-sided, but it’ll be fun to tune in to make fun of Jon Gruden regardless.

12. Bengals at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Andrew Luck’s return keeps this one afloat, because the Bengals are boring and the Colts are too sans Luck.

13. Redskins at Cardinals (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Alex Smith’s debut is worth keeping tabs on, and this should at least be a competitive game. But still not a lot of sex appeal.

14. Bills at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): This would carry a lot more weight if Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson were involved. Neither team is likely going anywhere in 2018.

15. Buccaneers at Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Tampa Bay doesn’t do much for the average fan right now, and this could easily be a blowout in New Orleans.

16. Titans at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Miami might be the worst team in the league and the Titans still have to prove they’re legit. That can’t happen here, so this one doesn’t deserve a lot of attention.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.

1 thought on “Week 1 NFL Game Watchability Rankings

  1. NO WAY the TNF game was the best this weekend and the worst is clearly Colts Bengals the Saints are at least watchable. Houston New England is OK but Raiders Rams is a better game so is Chiefs Chargers

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