2015 NFL Week 1 Picks

Here are my picks for week 1 of the 2015 NFL season.

Thursday, September 10th
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots- 8:30, NBC: This is one of the marquee matchups of week 1 when Tom Brady plays in his first game since his suspension has been overturned and the Steelers want to come out with a point to prove. I would have picked Pittsburgh if Brady's suspension wasn't overturned, but that's not the case. Give me the Pats at home and expect Brady to have a big night.
Prediction: New England 33, Pittsburgh 31.

Sunday, September 13th
Seattle Seahawks vs St. Louis Rams- 1:00, Fox: This should be an interesting matchup between the two-time defending NFC champion Seahawks and an up-and-coming Rams team. Seattle lost last season in St. Louis and I don't think that happens this season as I think the Seahawks will come out with a lot to prove and expect Jimmy Graham to shine in his Seahawks debut.
Prediction: Seattle 27, St. Louis 20.

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears- 1:00, Fox: Aaron Rodgers and the Jordy Nelson-less Packers take on the Bears, who are entering a transitional season with new head coach John Fox taking over for Marc Trestman. Packers/Bears is normally a great rivalry but I expect Rodgers to have himself a day and shred a Bears defense which will be among the leagues worst. The Packers are my lock of the week.
Prediction: Green Bay 38, Chicago 17.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans- 1:00, CBS: Kansas City and Houston are two teams that are looking to make the playoffs this season after both teams went 9-7 a year ago. Expect a low scoring game here with two great defenses but I like Jamaal Charles and Jeremy Maclin to make big plays down the stretch to help Kansas City to a win.
Prediction: Kansas City 26, Houston 23.

Cleveland Browns vs New York Jets- 1:00, CBS: These are two teams with mediocre at best quarterbacks with Josh McCown for the Browns and Ryan Fitzpatrick for the Jets. The Browns have an OK at best defense, but their offense is among the worst in the league going up against a Jets defense which should be among the leagues best. I think the Jets will win an ugly game here.
Prediction: NY Jets 23, Cleveland 16.

Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins- 1:00, CBS: Miami is a team on the rise led by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who many believe will make a leap after breaking out last season. Washington, on the other hand, is a complete mess and might just be the NFL's worst team. Kirk Cousins won the starting quarterback job over Robert Griffin III, but does it matter? I don't think so. Like I said, Washington is a mess and the Dolphins will get the week one win on the road.
Prediction: Miami 27, Washington 17.

Carolina Panthers vs Jacksonville Jaguars- 1:00, CBS: Carolina is a team that people think will take a step back after losing Kelvin Benjamin for the year with a torn ACL and Jacksonville is expected to be among the leagues worst. Cam Newton typically does more with less and I believe his team gets the road win led by he making big plays and his defense making big stops.
Prediction: Carolina 20, Jacksonville 16.

Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills- 1:00, CBS: This is one of the more interesting games of the 1:00-slate as Rex Ryan makes his debut as Bills head coach against a Super Bowl contender in Indianapolis led by quarterback Andrew Luck. I believe Luck will lead the Colts to a win, but it wouldn't surprise me if Ryan wins his Bills debut with his defense making some big plays.
Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Buffalo 20.

Detroit Lions vs San Diego Chargers- 4:05, Fox: This is another interesting game as two good offenses will go at it. Detroit I believe takes a step back this season and San Diego will be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the AFC. I believe Philip Rivers will outplay Matthew Stafford and lead his team to a good start to the season with a win at home.
Prediction: San Diego 27, Detroit 23.

New Orleans Saints vs Arizona Cardinals- 4:05, Fox: This should be an interesting game as New Orleans will look to bounce back from a disappointing season a year ago and Arizona looks to prove doubters wrong again this season and contend in the NFC. I believe both quarterbacks will be motivated for different reasons, but I believe Carson Palmer will make the big plays to Larry Fitzgerald and that will be the difference in this game as I think Arizona wins at home.
Prediction: Arizona 27, New Orleans 20.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Oakland Raiders- 4:25, CBS: Cincinnati is looking to get off to a good start against an Oakland team that's on the rise. I believe this maybe a closer game than the experts think, but I believe Andy Dalton will make big plays to his receivers and the Bengal defense will make big stops later on in the game which will lead them to a win on the road.
Prediction: Cincinnati 28, Oakland 20.

Tennessee Titans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 4:25, CBS: The first two picks in this past springs draft will debut against each other in Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. These are two of the worst teams in the league but this game should be fun because of the rookie quarterbacks making their debuts with their new teams. I believe Mariota is the better quarterback, but Winston has a better team and more talent around him than Mariota and that will be the difference in this game.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 24, Tennessee 20.

Baltimore Ravens vs Denver Broncos- 4:25, CBS: This is the best game of the 4:00-slate as two of the AFC's best teams face off. I don't know if there's a player in week 1 of the season with more to prove than Peyton Manning as he wants to prove that he's still among the games elite signal-callers instead of a quarterback that's shot. Baltimore is flying under the radar in this game because the focus will be on Manning. I expect a quarterback duel between Manning and Joe Flacco but I think Manning, with a chip on his shoulder, will lead his team to a win.
Prediction: Denver 31, Baltimore 27.

New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys- 8:30, NBC: This might be the best rivalry in the league as these two teams face off with two potent offenses. This should be a very close high scoring game here in Jerry World. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr will put up their numbers in this one, but I expect Tony Romo to make key throws to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten down the stretch and lead the Boys to a pivotal win against arguably their biggest rival.
Prediction: Dallas 37, NY Giants 34.

Monday, September 14th
Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons- 6:55, ESPN: This should be a fun game as Philadelphia debuts their revamped team and expectations are pretty much Super Bowl or bust for Chip Kelly's group. Dan Quinn makes his debut as Falcons head coach and he has a lot of work to cut out for him with that defense facing an elite offense. I expect the Falcons offense to play well too, but it won't be enough to stop the revamped Eagles.
Prediction: Philadelphia 38, Atlanta 30.

Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers- 10:15, ESPN: Minnesota looks to go out and make a statement against a San Francisco team that many experts think are a sinking ship and will finish in last place in their division. I expect Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson to play well and Peterson will be motivated after having basically a whole season off a year ago. This will be a closer game than some people think and I think Minnesota will win on the road.
Prediction: Minnesota 26, San Francisco 20.