2018 NFL Week 1 Picks

Here are my picks for week one of the 2018 NFL Season.

Thursday, September 6th
Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles- 8:30, NBC: This should be a fun opening game between these two solid teams. This is a rematch of last years divisional round game in which came down to the final play. The Falcons have everyone back from last seasons team and expect to improve from last years offensive struggles. The Eagles are trying to avoid the Super Bowl hangover and Nick Foles struggled in the preseason. Alshon Jeffery is out tonight as well and I like the road team in the opening game to win for the second straight season.
Prediction: Atlanta 20, Philadelphia 17.

Sunday, September 9th
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns- 1:00, CBS: This game just got a whole lot fascinating on paper now with the news of Le'Veon Bell not back and playing yet. The Browns look to improve with many offseason additions. Despite the loss of Bell, the Steelers are still better than the Browns and expect James Conner to have a breakout game running the ball to lead the Steelers to a win.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 17.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Indianapolis Colts- 1:00, CBS: This game has some intrigue with Andrew Luck playing in a regular season game for the first time in almost 2 years and the Bengals looking to bounce back from a disappointing season from a year ago. Despite Luck being back, the Bengals have a better roster and it might not be close and I like them here on the road.
Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Indianapolis 17.

Tennessee Titans vs Miami Dolphins- 1:00, FOX: Expectations are high for the Titans this season after making the division round a year ago and they have a new coach in Mike Verbell. The Dolphins expectations are lowered and rightfully so although Ryan Tannehill is back from injury. I love the Titans in this spot and I like them to win comfortably on the road.
Prediction: Tennessee 27, Miami 16.

San Francisco 49ers vs Minnesota Vikings- 1:00, FOX: This should be a fun game in Minneapolis. Expectations are high for the Niners with Jimmy Garappolo in town for a full season as well as the Vikes because they have a loaded roster an upgraded at quarterback. That said, I love the Vikes because their roster is miles better than the Niners and home field advantage helps too.
Prediction: Minnesota 30, San Francisco 20.

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots- 1:00, CBS: Another fun game on paper. The Texans should be a good team this season with key players returning from injury including DeShaun Watson. The Pats are still going to be a contender as long as Tom Brady is playing at a high level. I expect this game to be close and I like the Pats at home.
Prediction: New England 27, Houston 20.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints- 1:00, FOX: The Saints come in to the season with expectations through the roof and rightfully so with Drew Brees still playing at a high level and them actually having a component defense for once. The Bucs are a mess with Jameis Winston suspended and Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting. No brainer here, the Saints are my lock of the week.
Prediction: New Orleans 37, Tampa Bay 13.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Giants- 1:00, FOX: The intrigues of this game is the return of Tom Coughlin to MetLife Stadium as a Jags executive as well as the individual matchup of Jalen Ramsey vs Odell Beckham Jr. The Jags look to build on last years AFC Championship game appearance and the Giants look to rebound from their 3-13 disaster. Something tells me that the Giants will have a bit of a chip on their shoulder and will pull off a week one upset.
Prediction: NY Giants 24, Jacksonville 20.

Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens- 1:00, CBS: This game would have been a lot more interesting if Josh Allen was starting here. Everyone expects a complete drop off from the Bills this year after breaking their playoff drought a season ago. Nathan Peterman will start for the Bills and we all remember his awful showing last season against the Chargers. The Ravens defense is one of the good ones in the leagues and I like them here to win comfortably.
Prediction: Baltimore 26, Buffalo 10.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers- 4:05, CBS: This is a great divisional game between two teams that can conceivably make deep playoff runs. Pat Mahomes replaces Alex Smith at quarterback and has a very good supporting cast. The Chargers look to turn around their bad luck in close games issues from a season ago and turn it into a division title. This is going to be a great game and perhaps the best game of week one. Give me the Chargers in a close one to turn around their fortunes for at least this week.
Prediction: LA Chargers 27, Kansas City 24.

Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos- 4:25, FOX: Neither team has high expectations this season, but both teams look to rebound on disappointing seasons from a year ago. Amazing how these two teams were in the Super Bowl five seasons ago. Anyway, both teams have seen a lot of turnover in their rosters and the Seahawks in particular. The Seahawks offensive line is a mess and I love that Broncos pass rush led by Vonn Miller and rookie Bradley Chubb to get to Russell Wilson to lead them to a week one win.
Prediction: Denver 22, Seattle 17.

Washington Redskins vs Arizona Cardinals- 4:25, FOX: I don't know what to make of this game. The Redskins expectations are lowered in a loaded NFC as well as the Cards, who are starting Sam Bradford over Josh Rosen. Alex Smith isn't a bad quarterback and although he doesn't have Derrius Guice for the season, I like him to make plays and lead the Skins to a week one win.
Prediction: Washington 24, Arizona 20.

Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers- 4:25, FOX: This game has intrigue in it with the Cowboys, who's expectations are lowered due to injuries on the offensive line and key free agent losses. The Panthers have higher expectations this season with a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. I like Cam Newton to use his arm and legs to lead the Panthers to a win.
Prediction: Carolina 34, Dallas 20.

Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers- 8:30, NBC: This game just got a whole lot intriguing with the Bears new acquisition of Khalil Mack (assuming Mack plays). But reality is, the Bears season hinges on the development of Mitch Trubisky. Aaron Rodgers is back from a broken collarbone and he'll lead the Pack in a fun game over their division rivals.
Prediction: Green Bay 27, Chicago 19.

Monday, September 10th
New York Jets vs Detroit Lions- 7:10, ESPN: The intrigue of this game is that Sam Darnold makes his NFL debut and on the flip side, Matt Patricia makes his NFL head coaching debut. Darnold does not have a good supporting cast around him although Matthew Stafford's isn't great either, I like the Lions in this spot at home.
Prediction: Detroit 26, NY Jets 16.


Los Angeles Rams vs Oakland Raider- 10:15, ESPN: This game would have looked a whole lot better on paper if Khalil Mack got a contract extension from the Raiders, instead he was shipped off to Chicago and the Raiders might just be one of the worst teams in football. The Rams meanwhile are loaded on both sides of the ball and have arguably the best roster in football from top to bottom. I absolutely love the Rams in this spot going away.
Prediction: LA Rams 34, Oakland 16.