2024 Week 1 NFL score predictions, picks today: Expert says exact scores for all 16 games

The Week 1 NFL schedule is loaded with high-profile matchups, including four battles between teams that made the playoffs last season and three head-to-heads between divisional rivals. The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers are both hoping to take a step forward in what could be a wide-open NFC South. They'll open their season against each other, with the Saints favored by 4.5 at home in the latest Week 1 NFL odds, one of the largest NFL spreads of the week.

Bryce Young struggled as a rookie, but the Panthers have made roster upgrades across the board, so will they be able to score one of the Week 1 NFL upsets? Those are the sort of questions you'll want answered prior to locking in any Week 1 NFL score predictions. Before you make any Week 1 NFL picks, be sure to see the exact score predictions from SportsLine expert Eric Cohen .

Cohen, a SportsLine NFL expert and host of the Friday NFL props show on SportsLine's YouTube page, evaluated the entire Week 1 NFL slate and delivers score predictions and analysis for each matchup. He finished last season on a 39-28 roll on NFL picks and was profitable for bettors. His exact score predictions were a hit on social media last year and he even hit an exact score in the playoffs, Kansas City's 27-24 upset victory in Buffalo in the AFC Divisional Round. Anyone who followed Cohen's NFL predictions was profitable. You can only see Cohen's Week 1 NFL exact score predictions at SportsLine .

Top Week 1 NFL picks

After diving into all 16 games from the NFL's opening week, Cohen is high on one of those Week 1 home upset picks, the Indianapolis Colts to upset the Houston Texans, 29-26. The Texans were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season, going worst-to-first in the AFC South and improving from 3-13-1 in Lovie Smith's final season to 10-7 with DeMeco Ryans at the helm. The offense in particular was surprising, with C.J. Stroud winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and vaulting Houston from 30th in scoring to 13th.

However, there was some cause for concern down the stretch. Houston didn't produce more than 356 scrimmage yards in any of its final nine games including the postseason as proof that progression isn't always linear in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Colts will welcome back Anthony Richardson, who was instrumental in a 31-20 win over the Texans on the road last season. Cohen sees Richardson as the difference maker here and likes the Colts to compete for the divisional title in 2024 as well. See his other Week 1 football score predictions at SportsLine .

How to make Week 1 NFL score predictions

In addition, Cohen is picking an AFC favorite to dominate its Week 1 opponent by more than three touchdowns. Nailing this result is key to making winning Week 1 NFL picks. You can only see it at SportsLine .

Who wins each Week 1 NFL game, and which AFC team throttles its opponent? Visit SportsLine now to get Eric Cohen's NFL Week 1 score predictions, all from the NFL expert who finished on a 39-28 roll last season .