Week 1 of the NFL season is finally here! Fans have had months to get excited about their team for the upcoming season and now they have the chance to finally see their teams in the games that count. So excited, in fact, that some are shelling out big bucks to be in the building for Week 1. Here’s a look at the five biggest games of Week 1…and what some fans might pay to get inside. the stages for the action.
Highest Ticket Price: $24,089.00 (at SI Tickets)
For the first time in their careers, Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes will square off in this blockbuster Week 1 matchup in Glendale, Arizona. Murray, who just signed a massive five-year, $230.5 million extension this offseason, has a lot to prove this season after the Cardinals faded down the stretch of 2021, losing five of six to close out the season after a Promising start of 10-2.
Meanwhile, Mahomes has made big strides as a leader this offseason as he begins his quest for a second Super Bowl ring. It’s the first season of Mahomes’ career that he won’t have speedster Tyreek Hill with him in Kansas City after Hill was traded to the Dolphins this offseason. But Mahomes could have a new favorite target with JuJu Smith-Schuster in tow, and Travis Kelce remains one of the best weapons in the NFL. This offense should still be a lot of fun to watch, and we’ll see if Murray and the Cardinals can match them on Sunday afternoon.
Highest Ticket Price: $18,200.00 (at SI Tickets)
Want to see the defending Super Bowl champions open the new season? It won’t be cheap. The Rams kick off the 2022 NFL season on Thursday night against Josh Allen and the Bills in what could be the best game of a packed Week 1 roster. After some offseason questions, many of the top faces from that Super Bowl team are back for another round in Los Angeles, with Sean McVay returning as coach after considering leaving and Aaron Donald following suit after retirement rumors surfaced. Matthew Stafford will continue to throw the ball to Cooper Kupp, Donald will continue to plug holes on defense and McVay will continue to mastermind the operation from the sidelines, and that makes the Rams a legitimate contender to repeat as champions.
Meanwhile, the Bills should be in contention in the AFC after nearly clearing the hurdle in back-to-back seasons. Last year’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Chiefs despite Allen’s four touchdown passes should still leave a sour taste in the team’s mouth, but there are very few gaps in this list and beating the defending champions in the road in Week 1 would be a huge statement. .
Highest Ticket Price: $13,361.00 (at SI Tickets)
Rivalry games always carry a little more meaning, and this divisional matchup has seen its share of drama over the years. These teams split their two meetings last season, including a looming November victory by the Falcons when the Saints barely missed the playoffs. But the rivalry takes on a different feel this year with the Matt Ryan era in Atlanta. Ryan, who was traded to the Colts this offseason after 14 years and more than 200 starts leading the Falcons’ offense, was a staple in this rivalry, and not seeing Ryan or Drew Brees in a matchup between the Falcons and Saints feels a bit strange. .
Instead, we have a battle of the top two picks in the 2015 NFL draft: Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Mariota gets the nod at quarterback for the Falcons in the post-Ryan era, while Winston is back at center in New Orleans after suffering a season-ending injury midway through last season.
Highest Ticket Price: $7,494.00 (at SI Tickets)
Another hot ticket in Los Angeles, this Sunday afternoon AFC West clash should be a lot of fun. There is history between these teams, as the Raiders and Chargers played a win-or-go-home game last season in Week 18 won by Las Vegas in overtime. That loss sent star QB Justin Herbert and the Chargers home without a playoff berth, but the Chargers believe they are more prepared to compete this season thanks to a bigger and more physical roster on both sides of the ball.
Meanwhile, the Josh McDaniels era in Las Vegas begins with this game. The longtime Patriots offensive coordinator has a veteran quarterback to work with in Derek Carr and other dangerous weapons like TE Darren Waller.
Highest Ticket Price: $1,649.00 (at SI Tickets)
Fresh off a Super Bowl as offensive coordinator for the Rams, Kevin O’Connell makes his head coaching debut in Minnesota in this matchup with division rival Packers. With weapons like Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen to work with, O’Connell and QB Kirk Cousins have a chance to light up this Minnesota offense in a big way. They’ll have to do it against a Packers offense led by Aaron Rodgers at QB. This will be the first regular-season game for Rodgers without Davante Adams, who was traded to the Raiders this season. Who will emerge as Rodgers’ main target instead of Adams? Will it be enough to lead the Pack to an away win in Week 1?
