The NFL is back baby! I've been waiting, you've been waiting and finally, we have meaningful football games at our disposal. So many storylines throughout the offseason and of course, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to three-peat as Super Bowl champs (check out the 2024 predictions to see if I think they can do it). From Taylor Swift to Joe Burrow's new hairstyle, I can't wait for kickoff. Let's dive into the Week 1 picks.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Sept. 5)
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs open their quest for a third straight championship at home in a rematch of the AFC Championship game against the Ravens. It's a new look offense for both sides, with the addition of Derrick Henry in Baltimore and new weapons for Patrick Mahomes in Hollywood Brown (although he will sit this one out) and rookie Xavier Worthy. This should be a defensive battle just like it was last January and I think the Chiefs start off strong on opening night. Pick: Chiefs, 24-20.
Line: Chiefs -2.5
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs
Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Packers were the hottest team down the stretch last year, winning six of their final eight games to get into the playoffs. They dismantled the Cowboys in the wild card game and Jordan Love established his presence in the process. The Eagles are looking to forget their finish last season that ended on a whimper in the playoffs. There are questions on the offensive and defensive lines, but I think they start strong here. Pick: Eagles, 27-20.
Line: Eagles -2
ML: Eagles
Spread: Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Atlanta Falcons
The Steelers will have a new look offence this season with the acquisitions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The only question is, who will lead this team under center? It looks like Fields will get the nod in this opening matchup and he has a lot to prove against a revamped Falcons defense under defensive-minded coach, Raheem Morris. Kirk Cousins will do enough to survive this Steelers' defensive front. Pick: Falcons, 24-21.
Line: Falcons -3.5
ML: Falcons
Spread: Steelers
Arizona Cardinals @ Buffalo Bills
No Stefon Diggs? No problem. The Bills will lean heavily (again) on Josh Allen and like many, I think this offense will be fine without Diggs. They found success leaning on the run down the stretch last season and I anticipate that type of play-calling will continue. Keep an eye on Sean McDermott's retooled defense, whom could have their hands full with Kyler Murray. Pick: Bills, 27-17.
Line: Bills -6.5
ML: Bills
Spread: Bills
Tennessee Titans @ Chicago Bears
This is a moment Bears fans have been waiting for all offseason, the moment of truth if Caleb Williams is the real deal. Interestingly enough, the last 15 quarterbacks selected with the top pick are 0-14-1 in their first start. I'm not much of a believer in this Titans team and the Bears defense should give some headaches to Will Levis, so give me Williams and Co. Pick: Bears, 20-17.
Line: Bears -3.5
ML: Bears
Spread: Titans
New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals
This game has a bizarre feel to it. It's unclear if Ja'Marr Chase will suit up without a new contract and Tee Higgins is questionable to play in this game. It could be an opportunity for one of their young rookies to step up, but regardless, it's not an ideal start for Joe Burrow to come back to. Considering Jacoby Brissett's experience in this league, I'll take the Pats on the points here. Pick: Bengals, 20-13.
Line: Bengals -8.5
ML: Bengals
Spread: Patriots
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Demeco Ryans lit a fire under this Texans team last season and C.J. Stroud looked every bit like a franchise quarterback. The biggest question on the other sideline is what the Colts have in Anthony Richardson? He played just three games last year and they're hoping he will be an integral part of this offense. Pick: Texans, 26-21.
Line: Texans -3
ML: Texans
Spread: Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are one of these bubble playoff teams for me this year and the questions are more about Tua Tagovailoa's ability to stay healthy and how their defensive additions from the offseason will play out. The Jags have questions of their own and Trevor Lawrence will have to live up to the hype of his new contract, this game could be a shootout. Pick: Dolphins, 30-27.
Line: Dolphins -3.5
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Jaguars
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
New head coach Dave Canales will have his work cut out for him getting Bryce Young to fill that role of a top pick. This year, he has a couple more weapons offensively, but they're still in a rebuild mode. For the Saints, there is pressure on Dennis Allen and Derek Carr to get this team into the playoffs and they need a strong start in Week 1. Pick: Saints, 23-20.
Line: Saints -4
ML: Saints
Spread: Panthers
Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants
The Vikings may have got their future quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, but they will have to patient as he sits out the year with a knee injury. In the meantime, veteran Sam Darnold will be under center in an offense that runs through Justin Jefferson. I'm not high on the Giants this season, but this is a spot where their front seven could expose Darnold and Daniel Jones does just enough with his legs to scrape out the win. Pick: Giants, 21-18.
Line: Vikings -1.5
ML: Giants
Spread: Giants
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh is finally back in the NFL and that likely makes Chargers fans excited. He's committed to the run game that will feature Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, in an effort to take the pressure off Justin Herbert. Nothing like a divisional matchup to kick off your return and it's against a scrappy Raiders team that follows the lead of its tenacious head coach, Antonio Pierce. I like the Raiders defense to cause some problems for Herbert, who has an unproven wide receiver group. Pick: Raiders, 20-17.
Line: Chargers -3
ML: Raiders
Spread: Raiders
Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks
The Broncos seem very high on Bo Nix and maybe that's because the ceiling isn't very high after the last two years of the Russell Wilson experience. In any case, Sean Payton is invested in his guy and we will see if Mike Macdonald's defensive genius will make the rookie's opening start a nightmare. Pick: Seahawks, 23-14.
Line: Seahawks -6
ML: Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns
Like the Saints, there is a lot of pressure on Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott to elevate this Cowboys team in the playoffs. After three straight 12-5 seasons with nothing to show for it, this could be McCarthy's last kick at the can in Dallas. There are questions for the Browns with Deshaun Watson, who hasn't lived up to his deep pocketed contract so far, and pair that with some potential offensive line injuries to start the season and this could be a messy defensive battle. Pick: Browns, 19-16.
Line: Browns -2.5
ML: Browns
Spread: Browns
Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Commanders could be a sneaky team to keep an eye on this year. Jayden Daniels is a mobile quarterback and they've added Austin Ekeler to compliment Brian Robinson Jr. in the backfield. Dan Quinn has to be excited about the defensive additions in Washington, but lets see how Todd Bowles' zone scheme matches up against the rookie quarterback. Pick: Buccaneers, 26-23.
Line: Buccaneers -3.5
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Commanders
Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions
A rematch from last year's wild card game that has Matthew Stafford returning "home" to Detroit once again. While the Rams will be looking for redemption for last season's playoff loss, the Lions have their sights set on one thing: Super Bowl. This should be a slugfest to open the year and the Lions will have a bad taste in their mouths after letting the NFC Championship game slip through their fingers. Pick: Lions, 27-24.
Line: Lions -4.5
ML: Lions
Spread: Rams
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers
The Jets' playoff hopes were crushed in Week 1 last year when Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles' injury. They're looking to reset with his return and make a playoff push with a defense that's as good as any in the league. The Niners came oh so close to lifting the Lombardi Trophy last year and keep the same core intact for another run. Two star studded running backs in this game and the difference will be about which defense can do the better job containing them. Pick: 49ers, 23-20.
Line: 49ers -4.5
ML: 49ers
Spread: Jets
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