The punters take on the pundits!
Thursday 8 September 2016 23:07, UK
The NFL is back! And this season we're pitting our experts against NFL fan bases across the UK - this week it's the turn of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
We'll be tracking the progress through the season and keep a check on what knows their stuff, focusing on Sky's live games for some in-depth thoughts and then predictions for the rest of week's matches.
Representing the experts is Sky Sports News NFL reporter Richard Graves, and up against him is Welsh Jags fan Joe Vincent.
Richard: Carolina have the task of bouncing back from their Super Bowl letdown and although CB Josh Norman was allowed to leave, much of the squad which dominated the NFC last term remain in tact.
The return of WR Kelvin Benjamin, who missed last season through injury, is another weapon for Cam Newton to utilise and a defense which feasted on turnovers last year was strengthened through a draft in which Carolina used their first four picks on solidifying this unit.
Expect Carolina to avenge their Super Bowl 50 disappointment. Panthers
Joe: I can see the Panthers being fired up for revenge and taking advantage of the Broncos inexperienced QB Siemian. Cam Newton won't be sulking during the post-match press conference after this one. Panthers
Richard: This is a mouthwatering matchup in week one. The Jaguars showed signs of promise last year with young trio, Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns giving beleaguered Jags fans plenty to be excited about.
However, the Packers start the year as favourites to reclaim the NFC North from the Vikings and all reports suggest they'll have a bonafide ground attack containing a noticeably slimmed down Eddie Lacy. Green Bay will look to make their mark early, but don't sleep on the Jaguars. Jaguars
Joe: No way I can pick against my team - I'd be chased out of town! Look out for new additions Malik Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack (I could go on) on the Jags D - if they gel quickly it could be a great season for us long-suffering Jags fans. Of course, Aaron Rogers may have other ideas...Jaguars
Richard: The Dallas Cowboys are hoping the formula which took them to a 12-4 record two seasons ago can work again after claiming the draft's best running back, Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick.
If the Cowboys are to do well, their running game, working behind maybe the best offensive line in football will have to excel.
In contrast, their division rivals made a huge splash in free agency with defense the New York Giants' priority. The defensive line appears vastly improved with the addition of Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon while Janoris Jenkins bolsters the secondary.
The problem is their offensive line has been awful through pre-season and the Giants have struggled to put points on the board, prompting them to re-sign veteran Will Beatty. If they can't address this problem, it could be a long year for Big Blue. Cowboys
Joe: Dak Prescott has shown some real potential in pre-season and I can see it being close until late on - just think Eli Manning gets the job done in the end. Giants
Richard: There's plenty of optimism surrounding this year's Cardinals - and with good reason. Their NFC Championship defeat in Carolina was a deflating way to end 2015 but they are primed to bounce back.
New England will play the first month of the season without QB Tom Brady as he serves a four-game suspension for his role in the "deflategate" saga and that will put them at a disadvantage.
Rule out Bill Belichick at your peril though. He's sure to have formulated a scheme to suit Jimmy Garoppolo and once Brady returns the Patriots will once again be in the playoff hunt. Cardinals
Joe: Really fancy Arizona to go all the way this year, and with Tom Brady out I think they lay down a marker. It could get painful for Pats fans here. Cardinals
Richard: Can Washington repeat last year's NFC East title run? Many think so. Kirk Cousins is back at QB after agreeing to another one year, prove yourself deal and they claimed WR Josh Doctson in the draft first round.
DeSean Jackson and TE Jordan Reed provide Cousins with attacking options but they could have issues at running back. Alfred Morris joined division rivals Dallas, with Redskins preferring to go with Matt Jones but his injury issues reared their head in pre-season and questions are being asked over his durability.
Pittsburgh are being tipped as Super Bowl contenders from the AFC. However they start the season without running back Le'Veon Bell. DeAngelo Williams was impressive filling in for Bell last season and he should be again at the outset of this campaign.
QB Ben Roethlisberger's relationship with stud WR Antonio Brown will again pose problems for opponents while the Steelers sought to strengthen their defense through the draft, using five of their seven picks on that side of the ball. Further to that they completed a trade for Cleveland's former first-round pick, CB Justin Gilbert this past weekend. If Big Ben can stay healthy, it's a team which could go very close to winning it all . Steelers
Joe: Big Ben will hit his stride and tip this in the Steelers favour, but I expect Skins tight end Jordan Reed to cause real problems and make it a tough night for the Pittsburgh D. Steelers
Richard: Football is back in Los Angeles but in week one the returning Rams are on the road. A blockbuster trade was made to secure the franchise's quarterback of the future as Rams claimed California's own Jared Goff with the No 1 pick.
He has struggled to adjust to life as a professional in pre-season and starts as the team's third string QB. Case Keenum will start and his role is to manage the offense. This is a run-first team, spearheaded by second year running back Todd Gurley. Despite losing CB Janoris Jenkins in free agency, play-wrecker Aaron Donald will lead one one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
Chip Kelly is the new man in charge in San Francisco but it would be a shock if the team finished with a record over .500. Blaine Gabbert has won the starting QB role while Colin Kaepernick will be his backup following an off season in which he was strongly touted for a trade away. Veteran WR Anquan Boldin left in free agency to join Detroit and the 49ers don't appear to have replaced him.
Torrey Smith is the team's clear top receiver. Defensively the 49ers added DeForest Buckner in the first round of the draft but the harsh reality is, this team has plenty of holes to fill. Rams
Joe: Jeff Fisher will be rubbing his hands together at the thought of sending his team out against [former Jaguars quarterback] Blaine Gabbert. LA gets off to a flying start against a team that's had a tough offseason. Rams
Sky Sports is your home of the NFL with the opening game between Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos on Friday morning at 1.30am and then settle in for a triple header every Sunday starting at 5pm.
