NFL Week 1 Schedule: 5 Biggest Matchups To Open 2022 Season

There's plenty of anticipation for the start of the 2022 NFL season, and several marquee games are on the opening-week schedule. Week 1 includes four games between playoff teams, in addition to important divisional matchups.

All three of the primetime games on the Week 1 schedule feature some of the biggest storylines around the league. Sunday's late-afternoon slate is better than the games at 1 p.m. ET.

Let's take a look at the five biggest matchups on the Week 1 schedule.

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams

The 2022 NFL Kickoff Game has the potential to be a Super Bowl LVII preview. The Rams are bringing back most of their core that won last year's Super Bowl title, and they are favored to repeat as NFC West champs. Expectations couldn't be higher for the Bills. Buffalo is the Super Bowl favorite, and Josh Allen has the best odds to win the MVP favorite award.

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers

This is a rematch of last year's finale, which turned out to be the most consequential game of the 2021 regular season. The Raiders beat the Chargers with the AFC's final playoff spot on the line. The AFC West is viewed as the best division in football. Only two AFC teams have better Super Bowl odds than Los Angeles. Las Vegas arguably made the biggest non-quarterback addition of the offseason by trading for Davante Adams.

Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals

Based on last season's records, this is the best game on Sunday's schedule. The Chiefs have reached the AFC Championship Game in four straight years. The Cardinals are coming off an 11-win campaign. Sunday is the first look at Kansas City's offense in a meaningful game since Tyreek Hill was traded and Patrick Mahomes choked away the AFC Championship Game. Kyler Murray has plenty to prove after this summer's contract controversy.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

If the Vikings are serious about overtaking the Packers in the NFC North, they can prove it by a strong performance at home. Green Bay is vulnerable this season without Davante Adams and Allen Lazard could miss Sunday's contest. If Aaron Rodgers leads the Packers to a win in Minnesota, it will be a rather convincing statement that Green Bay is still the top team in the division.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys

Yes, Tom Brady takes on America's Team. Both the Bucs and the Cowboys are reigning division champions with high expectations, but they enter the season with a ton of uncertainty. How is Brady going to perform after a strange offseason and playing behind a questionable offensive line? What can be expected from the Cowboys now that so many key players from their top-ranked offense are gone?