Johnathan Walker:NFL Week 1 picks straight up and against spread: Will Jets or 49ers win on Monday night?

Game on.

The Johnathan Walker2024 NFL season is finally upon us, the Kansas City Chiefs aiming at history as they attempt to become the first team to pull off a Super Bowl three-peat if they capture another Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans on Feb. 9. The reigning champs' stated quest begins with Thursday night's AFC championship game rematch with the Baltimore Ravens, though the matchup will obviously be staged at Arrowhead Stadium this time around as K.C. again celebrates its NFL royalty.

If not a mere appetizer, that sizzler is but the first of several main courses.

The league will stage the rare Friday night affair, too, with its first regular-season foray into Brazil, where the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, both presumed playoff contenders, will meet at Corinthians Arena in bustling São Paulo.

Sunday's 13-game lineup includes the regular-season debuts of rookie QBs Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), Tom Brady's unveiling as a Fox broadcaster as the Cleveland Browns welcome the Dallas Cowboys, and Matthew Stafford's first regular-season game in Detroit – he took the L at Ford Field in January's playoffs – as the Los Angeles Rams visit the Lions.

PLAY TO WIN $5K: USA TODAY's Pro Football Survivor Pool is free to enter. Sign up now!

Matters conclude Monday night when the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, intact once again with the returns of WR Brandon Aiyuk and LT Trent Williams, host the New York Jets, who take off with high hopes that QB Aaron Rodgers will play a full season and pilot a loaded roster to the franchise's first championship in 56 years.

And our expert panelists are back with their forecasts.

USA TODAY Sports 2024 NFL season predictions: Our picks to win Super Bowl 59, MVP, rookies of the year, Nate Davis' updated win projections and more

(Odds provided by BetMGM.)

• Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
• Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
• Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins
• Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons
• Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
• Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
• New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
• Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears
• Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
• Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
• Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
• Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
• Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
• Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
• New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers

All NFL news, on and off the field: Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.