| Buccaneers |
over |
Cowboys |
The Buccaneers have almost their entire core back from last year, and that pass rush will keep Prescott off balance in the first half. Dallas rallies to make it interesting, and the defending Super Bowl champ typically wins here. |
| Eagles |
over |
Falcons |
It's a battle of first-year coaches Arthur Smith and Nick Sirianni, so someone has to get their first win. Hurts earned the starting job, and he is looking to liven up an offense that averaged just 20.9 points per game last season. Ryan lost Jones via trade, but it's time to unleash rookie TE Pitts. This will be an entertaining game in the fourth quarter, and it's a coin flip. |
| Steelers |
over |
Bills |
The Steelers are being left for dead despite an offseason spent revamping the O-line. Najee Harris is the answer at running back, and Big Ben thrives with that support. Diggs torched the Steelers for 10 catches for 130 yards last year. Pittsburgh returns the favor. |
| Vikings |
over |
Bengals |
Burrow is back for the Bengals, and Ja'Marr Chase struggled with drops in the preseason. The Vikings need to be better against the run this season, and they will be better in this spot. Burrow will watch another former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook get Minnesota out to a first-half lead it won't give up. Patrick Peterson also makes a difference in his Vikings' debut. |
| 49ers |
over |
Lions |
The Lions are heavy underdogs in Dan Campbell's first game as head coach. Goff is familiar with the 49ers, but he was 3-5 as a starter against them with the Rams. It will be more difficult in Detroit, and San Fran returns most of its playmakers after an injury-riddled season. For now, Garoppolo manages the offense. |
| Titans |
over |
Cardinals |
Tennessee ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring offense last season, and the Titans added Julio Jones to an offense that features Tannehill, Henry and A.J. Brown. Arizona continues to evolve around QB Murray, Hopkins and A.J. Green. It's a back-and-forth game that fantasy owners will point to as the reason they won in Week 1. |
| Seahawks |
over |
Colts |
The Colts have issues at QB. If Wentz cannot play, then Eason will make his first NFL start. Seattle allowed just 3.9 yards per carry last season, so whoever is at QB will be pressed to match plays with Wilson. The Seahawks start off the season in style under new OC Shane Waldron. |
| WFT |
over |
Chargers |
Chargers HC Brandon Staley makes his debut, and QB Herbert is expected to build on last year's rookie season. Speaking of which, Washington's Chase Young will be disrupting the Chargers' offense. Five of Washington's seven wins were in the underdog role last season. We like them to steal one at home. |
| Panthers |
over |
Jets |
The Sam Darnold Bowl is here. The perception is first-round pick Zach Wilson will have more success in New York with first-year HC Robert Saleh, and Darnold is tasked with rejuvenating a Carolina offense that returns CMS. Robby Anderson finds the end zone against his former team, too. |
| Texans |
over |
Jaguars |
Urban Meyer makes his debut with Jacksonville, and No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence will get his first start. Tyrod Taylor will start for Houston given the uncertainty around Deshaun Watson. As grim as the outlook is for the Texans, they still swept the Jaguars last season. They win here, too. |
| Chiefs |
over |
Browns |
It would not surprise us if the Browns win this game given how they played in last year's AFC divisional round. Baker can hit play-action throws behind a strong running game that features Chubb and former Chiefs RB Hunt. The Browns also upgraded their back seven in the offseason. Is it going to be enough to beat the Chiefs at home? Probably not this time considering Mahomes is 17-4 at home and has never lost to an AFC North opponent. |
| Dolphins |
over |
Patriots |
Alabama fans will be tuning in to this one with the QB matchup between Tua and Mac Jones. It's Nick Saban's former NFL team against Saban's mentor Belichick. For all the Alabama ties, look for Dolphins rookie Jaylen Waddle to make a splash with a few highlight-reel catches. We like Miami in a tight game. |
| Saints |
over |
Packers |
Big homer pick for me, obviously, but not without its merits. Hurricane Ida forced this game to move to a neutral site in Jacksonville. The Packers beat the Saints on SNF last year, and these two teams seem to swap wins every time they meet up. Rodgers beat the Saints for the first time in the Superdome in that game, and Jameis Winston will have some success in the short passing game with Alvin Kamara and new WR weapon Callaway. Can he keep up with Rodgers and an offense that returns all the right pieces? It'll be very close and the Florida weather may play a factor. |
| Giants |
over |
Broncos |
The Broncos have Teddy Two Gloves at starter, and rookie Javonte Williams could split time with Melvin Gordon III at tailback. Daniel Jones enters a pivotal year as the Giants' starter, and it hinges on whether Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay can stay healthy. In the home opener, the Giants find a way to win ugly. |
| Rams |
over |
Bears |
Rams fans have the QB they want to see in Stafford, and he has years of experience against the Bears. If L.A. can get the running game early, then that will be more than enough for the defense to tee off on Andy Dalton. The SNF spotlight will only increase the cat-calls for Justin Fields. |
| Ravens |
over |
Raiders |
The Raiders will be fired up to open Allegiant Stadium, and it's a big spot for Gruden in his fourth year of his second stint. Vegas was just 2-6 at home last season. Will fans make a difference against Baltimore? Lamar Jackson is 2-1 on MNF and he has 7 TDs and no INTs in those games. He's happy to play spoiler here, too. |