Prisco's Week 1 NFL picks: Jordan Love-led Packers torch Eagles protection, Jaguars win shootout in Miami

Week 1 of the NFL season is probably the most difficult in terms of choosing video games. I do know I say that yearly, however that is the fact.

That is why we often stink.

We predict we all know these groups as they arrive out of coaching camp and the preseason, however do we actually? You may’t get something from preseason video games, so it is merely being reliant on the information of the roster, particularly in terms of who’s taking part in.

Yearly I say I hope to get off to a quick begin with these picks, however seemingly yearly I do not.

Time for a change.

I like this week’s card and I like a whole lot of canine. So let’s get it going proper method with a very good first-week exhibiting because the canine might be barking — and a few will win outright.

NFL Week 1 picks? Nothing to it. Simply watch. 

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo)

This rematch of the AFC Championship sport will characteristic two of the very best within the NFL. Lamar Jackson is taking part in behind a rebuilt offensive line, which could possibly be an issue early within the season towards a workforce that likes to blitz. The Chiefs might be higher this yr on offense than a yr in the past, which can present up right here. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs protection each get off to good begins. Chiefs take it. 

Decide: Chiefs 24, Ravens 18

Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Peacock)

This primary-ever NFL sport in Brazil options two of the higher groups within the NFL. The Packers came upon Jordan Love could possibly be their man final season, and I feel that may proceed right here. The Eagles have shored up their secondary, however they have been horrible towards the go final yr. Packers take it as Love has a giant evening and the attacking new-look protection of the Packers performs properly sufficient. 

Decide: Packers 33, Eagles 28

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

This might be Russell Wilson vs. Kirk Cousins as each groups have new veteran quarterbacks. Wilson and the Steelers did not look good within the preseason, however Cousins did not play and is coming off a torn Achilles. The Steelers protection might be a troublesome matchup, however I feel the Falcons will be capable to flip over Wilson and get some quick fields. Falcons win it at dwelling. 

Decide: Falcons 23, Steelers 17

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Cardinals have been a feisty workforce final season and might be even higher in 2024. However it is a powerful method to open, on the street towards a Super Bowl contender. The Payments have a whole lot of new faces, however Josh Allen will nonetheless be Josh Allen. Even so, I feel Arizona will preserve this shut. Payments take a good one. 

Decide: Payments 27, Cardinals 24

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Bears have obtained a whole lot of the hype this summer season with the addition of Caleb Williams. However this might be his first begin. That is powerful for a rookie. The Titans will counter with Will Levis within the first sport for brand spanking new coach Brian Callahan. I feel the Titans will preserve this one shut, however the Bears will win it late. 

Decide: Bears 23, Titans 21

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Joe Burrow is again wholesome for the Bengals on this one, which instantly makes the Bengals a contender. Being at house is much more of a bonus towards a Pats workforce that has roster limitations. New coach Jerod Mayo could have this workforce taking part in a troublesome model of soccer, however within the second half it will likely be Burrow who takes over as Jacoby Brissett struggles. 

Decide: Bengals 26, Pats 17

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This can be a rematch of the sport the Texans received in Week 18 to get to the playoffs final yr. The Colts did not have Anthony Richardson in that one, however he is again now at quarterback. C.J. Stroud will construct on his 2023 rookie season, however opening on the street is hard. The Colts will hold round right here and discover a method to win it late. 

Decide: Colts 24, Texans 23

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This might be a high-scoring sport. Each groups needs to be actually good on offense, whereas the defenses may take time. Miami is quick, which can trigger issues for the Jacksonville secondary. However the Jaguars may also rating towards a Miami go rush that’s lacking some key gamers. The Jaguars will win it late with a discipline objective. 

Decide: Jaguars 34, Dolphins 31

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

New coach Dave Canales will attempt to jump-start quarterback Bryce Young in Yr 2, however taking part in in New Orleans is rarely simple. The Saints needs to be good on protection, however they’ve some line points that would influence the offense. Even so, search for the Saints protection to restrict Younger and the Panthers offense because the Saints win it. 

Decide: Saints 29, Panthers 16

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

Sam Darnold is the quarterback for the Vikings, taking part in within the stadium the place he started his profession with the Jets. The Giants could have Daniel Jones again as he is recovered from a torn ACL. The Giants protection might be higher this season with the addition of Brian Burns. They’ll power Darnold into a number of turnovers, which can result in factors. Giants take it. 

Decide: Giants 23, Vikings 21

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Jim Harbaugh might be making his teaching debut for the Chargers, which suggests a extra bodily workforce. Justin Herbert is again from his foot damage, however how wholesome is he proper now? Gardner Minshew will begin for the Raiders, which supplies the Chargers a giant edge at quarterback. Harbaugh will win his first sport because the workforce’s coach because of a very good sport from Herbert. 

Decide: Chargers 28, Raiders 17

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Bo Nix makes his first begin at quarterback for the Broncos in arguably the hardest place to play. It is going to be loud. This would be the debut for brand spanking new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who throws a ton of seems to be at quarterbacks from the defensive aspect. That could possibly be a problem for Nix. Search for Seattle to win it huge. 

Decide: Seahawks 30, Broncos 17

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

Deshaun Watson has been banged up some for the Browns, however he’ll begin at quarterback. The Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb again after his contract, which might be huge. Cleveland is a troublesome place to play for an opener, however the Cowboys might be as much as it. Search for the protection to assault Watson and switch him over because the Cowboys win a troublesome street sport. 

Decide: Cowboys 22, Browns 20

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

This would be the first begin for Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Dealing with a Todd Bowles protection is rarely simple, however it’s even harder on the street in your first begin. Search for Baker Mayfield to have success towards the Commanders secondary right here. Bucs take it. 

Decide: Bucs 27, Commanders 20

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock, fubo)

This can be a rematch of the playoff sport from final season received by the Lions. The return of Matthew Stafford to Detroit might be much less of a narrative now. The larger story for the Rams is the protection now with out the retired Aaron Donald. The Lions are bodily up entrance, which is why I feel they are going to run it proper on the Rams to manage the sport. Lions take it with a giant sport from Jahmyr Gibbs. 

Decide: Lions 28, Rams 21

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN, fubo)

This can be a lengthy journey to play a workforce in an opener on Monday evening for the Jets. It is a big-time problem towards the defending NFC champions. However the Jets have Aaron Rodgers again. He has struggled at instances towards the 49ers in his profession. Search for the Jets to maintain this shut, however the 49ers will win it late.

Decide: 49ers 23, Jets 21