The Buffalo Bills made quite the opening night statement, routing the defending Super Bowl champion L.A. Rams, 31-10 on Thursday. Josh Allen looked in complete command of the offense (save for two fluky interceptions) and Sean McVay's defense looks out of sorts in the second half. Now, we land on opening weekend with some key matchups to kick off the season and perhaps the most intriguing will be an AFC West showdown between the Las Vegas Raiders and L.A. Chargers. Let's dive into this week's picks.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Sept. 11)
Baltimore Ravens @ N.Y. Jets
Lamar Jackson turned down a massive contract extension from the Ravens this week, worth a reported $49-million per year...I feel like he's motivated heading into this season and I'm not buying into the Joe Flacco revenge game scenario. Pick: Ravens, 27-17.
Line: Ravens -6.5
ML: Ravens
Spread: Ravens
Cleveland Browns @ Carolina Panthers
Let's talk about a revenge game here though, pitting Baker Mayfield against his former Browns squad. The Browns went all-in on Deshaun Watson and Mayfield didn't like it one bit. Now he has Christian McCaffrey and an upgraded defense on his side. Pick: Panthers, 21-17.
Line: Panthers -1
ML: Panthers
Spread: Panthers
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
The Colts haven't won in Week 1 since 2013 (I know, I was surprised to hear this too). However, I think this team has all the makings to go on a deep playoff run this year with Matt Ryan coming on board and I don't think Jonathan Taylor can be stopped. Pick: Colts, 28-17.
Line: Colts -7
ML: Colts
Spread: Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Washington Commanders
Doug Pederson returns to the NFL with the task of turning Trevor Lawrence into the star quarterback the Jaguars expect him to be. On the other side of the ball, Carson Wentz gets another shot to prove he can be a QB1 in this league...it's a meh game for me. Pick: Commanders, 24-20.
Line: Commanders -3
ML: Commanders
Spread: Commanders
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
Bill Belichick has probably watched endless film on Tua Tagovailoa for the last six months leading up to this game. However, I don't think it's going to matter as these two teams seem headed in opposite directions and Tyreek Hill gives defensive coordinators nightmares when trying to prepare for him. Pick: Dolphins, 27-20.
Line: Dolphins -3.5
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
There's a lot of hype surrounding Jameis Winston heading into the year after the the Saints were 5-2 before his season was cut short with a torn ACL and the team finished 9-8, ultimately missing the playoffs. Today, I think he gets the better of Marcus Mariota and the Falcons. Pick: Saints, 24-16.
Line: Saints -5
ML: Saints
Spread: Saints
Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions
You want to talk about a hype train rolling into the year? Look no further than the Eagles, who seem to be the public's darling to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl next February. This will be a tough test on the road to open the year as I think the Lions will play with a chip on their shoulders. Pick: Eagles, 26-23.
Line: Eagles -5.5
ML: Eagles
Spread: Lions
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals fell just short in the Super Bowl last year to the Rams and Joe Burrow will be motivated to get back there again. What do we make of the Steelers? Well, I'm not buying into Mitch Trubisky although you know how these division games go. Pick: Bengals, 27-21.
Line: Bengals -7
ML: Bengals
Spread: Steelers
San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears
I'm buying into the 49ers this season, so much so that I think they make the Super Bowl and not necessarily with Trey Lance (more on this another time). The Bears are in tough this year with a rookie coach and minimal talent on both sides of the ball. Pick: 49ers, 26-16.
Line: 49ers -6.5
ML: 49ers
Spread: 49ers
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
Many people are expecting the Packers to fall from grace after losing Davante Adams in the offseason...I'm not one of those people. I think Aaron Rodgers will figure things out with his young receiving core, just not today in a hostile environment. Pick: Vikings, 24-21.
Line: Packers -1
ML: Vikings
Spread: Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs @ Arizona Cardinals
The Chiefs got off to a slow start last year before finding their groove and ultimately making the playoffs. I think they're another team that won't miss Hill in the offense as much as people think and this Cardinals team has a lot of question marks without DeAndre Hopkins to start the year. Pick: Chiefs, 28-20.
Line: Chiefs -6
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers
I think this is the most intriguing matchup on the schedule this week considering the revamped AFC West as a whole. Josh McDaniels takes over as head coach of the Raiders with some new offensive weapons and on the other side of the ball, the Chargers finally have a healthy defense that added Khalil Mack in the offseason. Pick: Chargers, 28-23.
Line: Chargers -3.5
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
New York Giants @ Tennessee Titans
Brian Daboll will make his head coaching debut with the Giants against a scrappy Titans squad. There are some concerns offensively for the Titans having lost A.J. Brown to the Eagles, however one thing going in their favor is the bowling ball that is Derrick Henry. Pick: Titans, 21-17.
Line: Titans -5.5
ML: Titans
Spread: Giants
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
This is a rematch from last year's Thursday night game to start the season and it had plenty of offensive flare. There are question marks on the offensive line for both these teams heading into the year, which could play a huge factor. It's worth noting that Tom Brady is 6-0 in his career against the Cowboys. Pick: Buccaneers, 26-23.
Line: Buccaneers -2.5
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers
Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson returns to Seattle on the opposing sideline...that's something we'll all have to get used to. I think Russ will be pretty motivated in this game, the only question is will his teammates get up for this one the same way? Pick: Broncos, 24-16.
Line: Broncos -6.5
ML: Broncos
Spread: Broncos
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