Week 1 NFL Picks

I’ve been waiting a long time to say this: football is officially back.
The regular season opens up on Thursday night when the Eagles will begin their quest for a repeat at home against Atlanta.
If there’s one thing you need to remember for the first week of the regular season, it’s expect the unexpected.
Plenty of favorites are bound to be upset.
Fan bases will be tempted to press the panic button if their beloved squads lose but they shouldn’t forget that the commencement of the season is a beautiful thing.
(Projected winners in bold, upsets will be italicized)
Thursday night game

Atlanta @ Philadelphia: The Eagles offense didn’t look good at all in the preseason. Atlanta should be able to muster enough points to get the win.
Prediction: Falcons 20, Eagles 17
Sunday early afternoon games

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans: The Bucs will wish Jameis Winston was playing. Tampa simply doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Saints with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB.
Prediction: Saints 34, Buccaneers 17
Buffalo @ Baltimore: What do you get when Nathan Peterman and Joe Flacco compete against each other? A whole bunch of ugliness.
Prediction: Ravens 19, Bills 10
San Francisco @ Minnesota: The Vikings have a more well-rounded team than the Niners do. Chill with all the Jimmy-G hype.
Prediction: Vikings 31, 49ers 17
Jacksonville @ NY Giants: The Jaguars defense is elite. The offense? Different story. I expect the Giants to win a slugfest at home. I can’t wait to see that Jalen Ramsey-Odell Beckham matchup.
Prediction: Giants 20, Jaguars 17
Cincinnati @ Indianapolis: The Bengals quietly had a successful preseason on both sides of the ball. I expect Cincy to spoil Andrew Luck’s return.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Colts 23
Houston @ New England: Welcome back, Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt. The Patriots will be too much for the talented Texans to overcome in Week 1.
Prediction: Patriots 30, Texans 21
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland: No Le’Veon Bell for the Steelers will open the door for a Browns upset. Yes, Pittsburgh still has weapons outside of Bell but he makes their offense special.
Prediction: Browns 24, Steelers 23
Tennessee @ Miami: I expect this game to be competitive but the Titans will wear down the Dolphins in the end.
Prediction: Titans 23, Dolphins 17
Sunday late afternoon games

Kansas City @ LA Chargers: The Chargers have to set the tone in the division early. Everybody seems to be picking them to win the division, it’s time for them to show out.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Chiefs 20
Washington @ Arizona: The Alex Smith era in D.C. will get off to a winning start. Adrian Peterson will be motivated to prove he has something left in the tank as well.
Prediction: Redskins 21, Cardinals 17
Seattle @ Denver: This is an even game across the board, I have a hunch that Russell Wilson will be the difference.
Prediction: Seahawks 20, Broncos 17
Dallas @ Carolina: In an otherwise close contest, the game will be decided by which offense can make more plays. I’ll take Cam and his crew over the Cowboys.
Prediction: Panthers 26, Cowboys 20
Sunday night game

Chicago @ Green Bay: Whether Khalil Mack plays or not, Aaron Rodgers will make a couple of plays that the Bears won’t be able to defend and that’ll be the difference in the game.
Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 17
Monday night games

NY Jets @ Detroit: In a closer game than people will expect, the Lions will pull it out thanks to Matthew Stafford’s heroics.
Prediction: Lions 23, Jets 20
LA Rams @ Oakland: In Jon Gruden’s first game on the sidelines in more than a decade, the Raiders have a tall task in beating the Rams. The Raiders simply don’t have the depth to withstand a high-powered Rams attack.
Prediction: Rams 27, Raiders 17
