Arguably the best time of the year for sports is finally here. We have the MLB playoffs, English Premier League, and most importantly, the start of the NFL season. Will letting Norman walk end up dooming the Panthers? Can Bradford step in for Bridgewater and salvage the Vikings' Super Bowl expectations? Is this finally the downfall of the Belichick-Brady regime? Those are answers we'll have to wait and see on, but for now, here's our Week 1 NFL picks.
Sunday September 11, 2016
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
Chris: I'm riding high on Jameis and the Bucs this season so I'll start by giving them the upset win in Atlanta. Now that they can't pump in the crowd noise, I don't see the Atlanta "fans" creating enough of a home field advantage to mess with the Bucs rhythm.
Pick: Buccaneers
Hutch: Atlanta fans are fake, but the Bucs need more time to develop before they become serious playoff contenders. Look for the Falcons to win at home.
Pick: Falcons
Perp: The Bucs are a much improved team from three years ago, with the additions of Winston, Evans, David, and Hargreaves. I think it is just a matter of time before they put it all together. That being said, I still think the Falcons have the advantage in this one. They have more experience on their side and their roster almost stacks up better than the Bucs with an offense filled with Julio and Freeman. That's why I got to take the home team on this one
Pick: Falcons
Consensus Pick: Falcons
Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans
Chris: Back to the top of the article...can Bradford live up to his hefty price tag? Not only did the Vikings give up an arm and a leg to get him, but he's also set to begin the first year of his 2 year, $35 million contract. If there wasn't enough pressure on him to perform while dealing with the Philly fans, there will be now. I look for AP along with the Vikings defense (note not Sam Bradford) to get their Super Bowl aspirations started on the right foot.
Pick: Vikings
Hutch: I like the Titans here. Sam Bradford hasn't had time to learn the Vikings' offense and I expect Mariota to outperform him at the quarterback spot. I admit the Titans' defense is horrible, but with all the Vikings have gone through the last few weeks I don't expect them to be at the top of their game week 1. Watch out for an upset.
Pick: Titans
Perp: The Bridgewater injury was a huge blow to the Vikings. I thought Bridgewater could have had a chance at being an MVP candidate. Giving up first and fourth round picks is an extremely high price tag for a quarterback as injury prone as Sam Bradford. But if it works out for them this season, the Vikings GM will look like a genius. I think it will because they have all the pieces necessary to make a playoff run. In terms of this game, I think Titans are one year out from relevency and I just think the Vikings game will be too much for the Titan's below average front seven. Got to take the Vikes here.
Pick: Vikings
Consensus Pick: Vikings
Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles
Chris: In a game where I can't fathom how the NFL would let slip out of a primetime television slot, we have a bust leading his average team against a future bust and his also average team. The Eagles are heavily favored, mainly due to their hyped defense and loud home crowd, but in a game that will come down to turnovers and field position, I see RGIII giving Browns fans a glimpse of hope for their season.
Pick: Browns
Hutch: I'm actually pretty excited to see this game. Carson Wentz will show whether he is capable of making the transition from North Dakota State to the NFL, and Robert Griffin III will start his resurrection campaign in Cleveland. I think Wentz will have the better performance of the two and prove himself worthy of the second overall pick. Look for the Eagles to ride their home field advantage to an opening week victory.
Pick: Eagles
Perp: This is a game between two of the worst teams in the NFL. Each team has some promising pieces but they aren't gonna be doing much of anything this season. I am excited to see the quarterback play in this game. I am intrigued by Wentz's physical abilities but I will need to see how he transitions from the FCS to the league. I am also interested to see how RGIII will do in a different organization. I just think Wentz will have more help from the players around him and will win by atleast a touchdown in this one.
Pick: Eagles
Consensus Pick: Eagles
Cincinnati Bengals at NY Jets
Chris: On the first football Sunday afternoon in New York, I see the Jets winning for the fifth time in the last six meetings between the two sides. Both defenses will be tough to score touchdowns on and I'd also look for AJ Green to put up some big numbers, but in the end of the day, the Jets simply have more options on the offensive side of the ball (don't get too used to hearing that Jets fans).
Pick: Jets
Hutch: I gotta pick my boy Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets to pull the upset. Both sides will struggle to score points, but I think the Jets will edge out the victory in their home stadium. The Bengals will be without star linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and I think Darrelle Revis will be able to shut down AJ Green.
Pick: Jets
Perp: This game is going to fly under the radar of the national media but I think is going to be one of the best matchups of the weekend. You have the Jets who boast one of the best defenses in the league led by Revis and an extremely stout defensive line, while also having a solid offense that added Matt Forte in the offseason. And then you have the Bengals who are coming off a great regular season last year but another first round playoff exit for Marvin Lewis. The Bengals have only gotten worse in the offseason losing Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu on the outsides as well as the suspension of Burfict. I think the Jets will be just too much for the Bengals to handle in this one.
Pick: Jets
Unanimous Pick: Jets
Oakland Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Chris: In another toss up game for me, we have two offenses with the capability of taking the top off of the Superdome. The Raiders will be good this year, but Week 1 against Brees at the Superdome is a tough task for a young team that just lost its leader in Charles Woodson, and because of that, I'm taking the Saints.
Pick: Saints
Hutch: Sean Peyton will have the Saints ready for a greatly improved Raiders team, and I expect New Orleans will pull it out in a close game. Look for Mark Ingram to get a shit ton of carries and carry the load offensively.
Pick: Saints
Perp: The Saints are coming off a rough season after losing Jimmy Graham in the 2015 offseason. The Saints should come back strong this season as they have improved the targets around Brees with Michael Thomas and Coby Fleener, but have done little to improve their porous defense. The Raiders, on the other hand, have done an incredible job of improving their roster with the additions of Bruce Irvin, Sean Smith, resigning Crabtree and drafting Karl Joseph and have set themselves up for a great chance at making the playoffs this year. I like the Raiders here because of their improved defense and solid offense. They just have to contain the Saint's explosive offense.
Pick: Raiders
Consensus Pick: Saints
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Chris: Phillip Rivers better hope a contender with a QB problem comes calling sooner rather than later because once again the Chargers front office proved they are right up there amongst the worst in the business. I like the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
Pick: Chiefs
Hutch: Kansas City has a strong defense and a plethora of weapons on offense including Jamaal Charles, Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin. Alex Smith is also coming off one of the best seasons of his career. San Diego has very little on either side of the ball and is in for a long season. I expect the Chiefs to win easily in KC.
Pick: Chiefs
Perp: The Chargers have been a complete mess this offseason. The Joey Bosa contract situation seems to have taken away from the football aspect of things. As much as I do think the Chargers have a solid roster and the pieces necessary to make the playoffs, I don't think they have the leadership in their organization necessary for sustained success. The Chiefs are going to roll in this game. With one of the loudest home crowds and a top 5 defense, the Chiefs are going to control possession and win by 10+ points.
Pick: Chiefs
Unanimous Pick: Chiefs
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
Chris: As Rex visits his former Ravens squad, look for him to blitz early and often. It's no secret that Rex likes to blitz, and with Flacco coming off that season ending knee injury, you can bet on him sending the house. I'm looking for Flacco to take advantage over the top of the Bills defense with his plethora of downfield threats. Ravens win. Flacco's elite?
Pick: Ravens
Hutch: I think Tyrod Taylor is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league, and I'm picking the Bills get the win in Baltimore.
Pick: Bills
Perp: I am not a huge fan of Rex and all of his ridiculous acts for attention. Don't get me wrong, he's a funny guy and a solid defensive coach that really connects with the players on his team, but I just don't think he is always able to control the emotions of his team. This is going to be a make or break season for the coach. In this matchup with the Ravens, I think they have the slight advantage because of their versatile QB Tyrod Taylor. I think Flacco will struggle against this talented defense.
Pick: Bills
Consensus Pick: Bills
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans
Chris: This is going to be another one of those tough games to watch with two defensive-minded teams matching up in Houston. It will be two offenses that will have a tough time establishing any sort of rushing attack and may end up relying a little too much on lobbing the ball up to their big play receivers. I'm taking the Bears but it will be a low scoring affair that might just come down to who can punch in touchdowns during their red zone opportunities.
Pick: Bears
Hutch: As a Texans fan, I'm excited for this season. We've got some new weapons, and I think they'll live up to their potential. The Bears defense is god awful, and Osweiler should be able to pick apart their weak secondary. Look for the Texan's to cruise to an easy victory.
Pick: Texans
Perp: The Texans defense is going to overwhelm Cutler early and often. I think Osweiler gets the offense off to a fast start and pulls out his first victory as a Houston Texans. The Bears just do not have the defensive side of the ball to stop Lamar Miller and the Texan's rushing game.
Pick: Texans
Consensus Pick: Texans
Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris: This is a game, unlike the Browns-Eagles game, that I'm genuinely excited to watch. We get to watch the Jaguars maybe finally eclipse mediocrity. Even more so, we get to watch the return of Jordy Nelson. I'm intrigued to see if we'll see the unstoppable combo of Rodgers to Nelson once again or if Nelson proves too old to fight back from such an injury. No matter how bright the Jaguars future may look, they still don't have a tough home environment to play in and Aaron Rodgers is still the Packers quarterback.
Pick: Packers
Hutch: Jacksonville is a much improved team, but the Packers will be too much for them to handle in week 1. Look for Rodgers to get off to a hot start and, and look for Lacy to rack up some short yardage TD's in the redzone.
Pick: Packers
Perp: Everybody knows about the Jaguars improvement from last year. With the acquisitions of Jalen Ramsey, Dante Fowler Jr. (back from injury), Myles Jack, Malik Jackson, etc., the Jaguars look to upset one of the perennial great teams in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers has his favorite target back as he looks to show he still is the best QB in the NFL. I think this is going to be a nail biter of a game but I got to give this one to the Packers. Spread goes to the up and coming Jaguars (+5).
Pick: Packers
Unanimous Pick: Packers
Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks
Chris: Seattle's defense should be able to toy with, in my opinion, a pretty average quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. I also see Russell Wilson having a good game now that he's married to Ciara--and everything that goes with that. It should be an easy win for the Seahawks with the 12th man by their side.
Pick: Seahawks
Hutch: Seahawks will ride one of the best home field advantages in sports to a week 1 victory over the Dolphins. Look for Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and the talented Seattle secondary to stifle Miami's average passing attack.
Pick: Seahawks
Perp: The Seahawks are just too good at home, I just do not see it Ryan Tannehill coming into Centurylink Field and pulling of an upset. Tannehill has a lot to prove this season. He has some great targets in Jarvis Landry and DaVante Parker as well as Arian Foster to hand the ball off to. I think he can make a jump up into that 2nd tier of NFL quarterbacks. But it almost seems like now or never.
Pick: Seahawks
Unanimous Pick: Seahawks
NY Giants at Dallas Cowboys
Chris: The Tony Romo injury pushed this game down to a pick 'em in Vegas, and I think it's a steal. In last season's opener, the Giants let poor decision making blow their late game lead and I don't see that happening again. I initially thought this game would be a late game shootout, but with Romo going down, I see Spagnuolo getting creative and forcing Dak Prescott into a lot of turnovers. Giants win easy.
Pick: Giants
Hutch: The Giants D is nothing special, and I think Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot become stars in their Dallas debut. Look for the Cowboys to get the surprise W.
Pick: Cowboys
Perp: The Giants spent a whole lot on some questionable acquisitions (Janoris Jenkins and Olivier Vernon). I also think Dak Prescott is being way over hyped and the Cowboys defense is straight average. I think this game comes down to the arm of Eli Manning. If he's hitting OBJ regularly in this one, this game could get ugly.
Pick: Giants
Consensus Pick: Giants
Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts
Chris: With Megatron gone Matthew Stafford will need every bit of Golden Tate. Unfortunately, Golden Tate is playing banged up. He hasn't been able to compete in a full practice this week, but will most likely tough it out for Week 1. The Colts line is going to be the X factor to me in this one. If they can keep Luck on his feet, they can win easily.
Pick: Colts
Hutch: With the departure of Calvin Johnson, the Lions offense took a major hit. They still have some good receivers in Golden Tate and Eric Ebron, but Tate is playing injured and Eric Ebron missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury and just returned to practice this week. I expect the Colts to pull this one out.
Pick: Colts
Perp: The Colts did not look good in the preseason. Their offensive line is a work in progress and will need to improve in order to protect the Colt's $140 million investment, Andrew Luck. They will be going against an average defense that is not much better on the other side of the ball either. This is going to a shoot out between Stafford and Luck, but I think that Luck will hit Dontae Moncrief for a game winning touchdown.
Pick: Colts
Unanimous Pick: Colts
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
Chris: The last quarterback to fill in for Brady, Matt Cassel, had no issue carrying the Patriots season and earned himself a payday in doing so. Many Pats fans look for Garoppolo to do the same during his 4 week stint while Brady serves his suspension for Deflatagate. Whether he likes it or not, he gets to do it to kick off Sunday Night Football--if there wasn't already enough pressure. Arians will find ways to score on the impressive Patriots defense and Patrick Peterson and Co. will be able to contain the Garoppolo led offense. The Cardinals will win but I have a feeling we'll see these two match up down the road in a redemption game for Brady.
Pick: Cardinals
Hutch: The Cardinals offense is definitely aging, but I think Carson Palmer and co. have enough in the tank to get the win at home week 1. I think Garoppolo will do an adequate job for the Patriots filling in for Brady, but opening the season against the Cardinals D on the road is a tough gig.
Pick: Cardinals
Perp: How can you bet against Belicheck, especially when he is an underdog. I know Brady's out and they are playing one of the best teams in football right now but I just don't see him losing this one. I think Garoppolo suprises the world and plays a very efficient game under center. The Patriots defense is extremely underrated and they are going to shutdown Palmer and co. Belicheck will be moving on from Arizona with a victory in this one.
Pick: Patriots
Consensus Pick: Cardinals
Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins
Chris: This game should be a great opening to Monday Night Football. Unlike the later game, it will be a shootout that comes down to the wire. I have the Redskins as one of the more underrated teams in the NFL and like them here to upset Big Ben and the Le'Veon Bell-less Steelers.
Pick: Redskins
Hutch: The Redskins don't have enough on either side of the ball to beat a talented, experienced Steelers team. Look for the Steelers to ride a balanced offensive attack to victory.
Pick: Steelers
Perp: The Steelers have all the fire power you are looking for on the offensive side of the football. They have the best set of triplets in the league: Roethlisberger, Bell and Brown. I see Brown putting up a buck fifty on Norman. Kurt Cousins and the Redskins offense won't be able to keep up with Steelers in this one.
Pick: Steelers
Consensus Pick: Steelers
LA Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Chris: I guess this got on Monday Night Football to kill two birds with one stone but it will be interesting to see how many Rams fans make the journey up to San Francisco. It will be low scoring and come down to defense right until the end. Rams win in their debut game as the Los Angeles Rams.
Pick: Rams
Hutch: How is Blaine Gabbert still starting in the NFL? That alone is enough for me to pick the Rams. I admit Case Keenum isn't much better, but he has enough weapons around him to pull off the victory.
Pick: Rams
Perp: Chip Kelly is a great college football coach, but an average NFL coach. His offensive gameplan does not win games in the NFL. You also have Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem. I see this being a long season for the 49ers. I am not the biggest fan of the Rams offense, but I think their defense, led by Aaron Donald, will keep the niners run game in check and give them the victory in their first game of the season.
Pick: Rams
Unanimous Pick: Rams