The start of the NFL season is not just about dominating a particular matchup and winning the opening game.
It is about setting a tone for the season and a team establishing an identity. While all coaches and players want to win in Week 1, it may be more important for a team to establish its personality and its strengths so it knows that it can go back to these areas on an every-week basis.
It's especially important for teams that see themselves as contenders to send a message during the first or second week of the season.