NFL Pick’ems: Week 1

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Winner: Chicago Bears

Starting the season off with a bang! This game could go a long way in deciding who wins one of the League’s most competitive divisions. One of the oldest NFL rivalries to kick off the 100th NFL season seems very fitting. The Bears are at home, where they lost just one game in 2018. That was to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. The defense should be able to contain Aaron Rodgers, who is playing his first game in a brand new offensive system.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

This should be an entertaining matchup between the Chiefs’ explosive offense and the Jags stout defense. If anyone can slow down Tyreek Hill, CB Jalen Ramsey is the guy. Unfortunately for the Jags, they have no answer for Travis Kelce. Look for the Chiefs to pull out a close victory in this one.

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings

Winner: Minnesota Vikings

What juicy match up to kick off the season. This game could go either way – a wild West shootout, or a brutal defensive game in which the offenses are still knocking off the rust. The Vikings have the advantage in the running game with a healthy Dalvin Cook, that should give them the edge here.

Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns

Winner: Cleveland Browns

A solid early test for both teams, this should be a close game that is decided by the last possession. The Browns at home, with the Dawg Pound going nuts, get the slight edge. The Titans should find some success on the ground, but stopping Baker and the boys might prove to be too much to ask.

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

Winner: Buffalo Bills

The Jets may struggle early on in this new offense while they get the kinks worked out. Facing a top secondary like the Bills’ won’t help their cause. If Josh Allen can protect the ball, the Bills should have enough to pull this one out.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

Winner: Baltimore Ravens

This one could get ugly. There’s always one or two blowouts opening weekend. Either one team just isn’t properly prepared for opening day, or the match up is a major problem for one side. That could easily happen here, as the Ravens will force Ryan Fitzpatrick into a few turnovers, while slicing and dicing through this defense like butter.

Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles

Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

On the road, with a new QB running an inexperienced offense, facing a division rival – these all spell disaster for Washington. The Eagles are expected to contend for the NFC Championship this year and are one of the tougher teams to beat at home. If Washington’s offensive line falters early, the Eagles could win this one by a couple of touchdowns.

Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers

Winner: Carolina Panthers

The Rams are coming off a Super Bowl loss, with multiple new pieces that could take some time to gel. The Panthers are a tough opponent at home. With the uncertainty surrounding Todd Gurley’s health, the Rams could struggle early on.

Indianapolis Colts @ Los Angeles Chargers

Winner: LA Chargers

The Chargers are heavyweight contenders opening at home. The Colts are out of Luck, literally and figuratively. Jacoby Brissett will be under pressure all day long, which could mean an early, insurmountable lead for the Chargers.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks

Winner: Seattle Seahawks

If there’s one place a team with a rookie head coach doesn’t want to be to start the season on the road, it’s probably at Seattle. The Bengals might put up some points in garbage time, but this game could be over at the half.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Winner: Dallas Cowboys

This matchup is usually quite unpredictable, with the road team often sneaking out a surprising victory. Not this time. Two things are needed to stop the Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys offense: a masterful gameplan, and the talent to execute it. The Giants have neither.

San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winner: San Francisco 49ers

It will take a few games for the Buccs to settle into Bruce Arians’ intricate new offense. The 49ers have Jimmy G back, who should find plenty of room to throw the football around. San Fran takes this one in a close contest.

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals

Winner: Detroit Lions

The debut of Kyler Murray, and his head coach Kliff Kingsbury, could get off to a rough start. The Lions have a revamped defense that is settling into its second year under Head Coach Matt Patricia. Veteran Matt Stafford has enough chemistry with his offense to do some damage to a Cards defense in transition.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots

Winner: New England

Unfortunately, we won’t get to see the amazing would-be theater of Antonio Brown getting a chance to play his long-time former team. One could imagine a Steve-Smith-vs-the-Panthers style bloodbath occurring. But alas, we’ll just have to dream what that would be like. Even without Brown, the Pats should take care of business in their home-opener.

Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints

Winner: New Orleans Saints

Both of these teams have high hopes for the season. Unfortunately for the Texans, they’ll have to start the year in one of the toughest places to win on the road – against a pissed off Saints team getting their first bite of action since being robbed of a Super Bowl birth last season.

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders

Winner: Denver Broncos

The Broncos defense is still a contender-worthy side. Von Miller and Bradley Chubb should have a field day against this offensive line, while the offense should find room to run against a porous Raiders front.