Week 1 of the NFL season is probably the most difficult on the subject of choosing video games. I do know I say that yearly, however that is the fact.
That is why we normally stink.
We expect we all know these groups as they arrive out of coaching camp and the preseason, however do we actually? You’ll be able to’t get something from preseason video games, so it is merely being reliant on the information of the roster, particularly on the subject 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 quite a lot of canine. So let’s get it going proper means with a superb first-week displaying because the canine can 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 one of the 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 in opposition to a staff that likes to blitz. The Chiefs can be higher this 12 months on offense than a 12 months 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 discovered Jordan Love could possibly be their man final season, and I believe that can proceed right here. The Eagles have shored up their secondary, however they have been horrible in opposition to the cross final 12 months. 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
Prisco likes the Packers to upset the Eagles in Brazil, however what does the SportsLine Projection Mannequin — up greater than $7,000 for $100 gamers on top-rated NFL picks since its inception — consider the historic showdown? Take a look at that prediction, in addition to picks for the entire Week 1 video games, right here.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
This can 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 can be a tricky matchup, however I believe the Falcons will be capable to flip over Wilson and get some brief fields. Falcons win it at house.
Decide: Falcons 23, Steelers 17
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
The Cardinals have been a feisty staff final season and can be even higher in 2024. However it is a robust approach to open, on the street in opposition to a Super Bowl contender. The Payments have quite a lot of new faces, however Josh Allen will nonetheless be Josh Allen. Even so, I believe Arizona will hold this shut. Payments take a decent one.
Decide: Payments 27, Cardinals 24
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Bears have obtained quite a lot of the hype this summer season with the addition of Caleb Williams. However this can be his first begin. That is robust for a rookie. The Titans will counter with Will Levis within the first sport for brand spanking new coach Brian Callahan. I believe the Titans will hold 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 in opposition to a Pats staff that has roster limitations. New coach Jerod Mayo may have this staff taking part in a tricky 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 gained in Week 18 to get to the playoffs final 12 months. 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 dangle round right here and discover a approach to win it late.
Decide: Colts 24, Texans 23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This can 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 can even rating in opposition to a Miami cross rush that’s lacking some key gamers. The Jaguars will win it late with a subject purpose.
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 12 months 2, however taking part in in New Orleans isn’t straightforward. The Saints needs to be good on protection, however they’ve some line points that might 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 may have Daniel Jones again as he is recovered from a torn ACL. The Giants protection can be higher this season with the addition of Brian Burns. They are going to power Darnold into a couple 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 can be making his teaching debut for the Chargers, which implies a extra bodily staff. Justin Herbert is again from his foot harm, 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 staff’s coach due to a superb 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. Will probably 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 can be huge. Cleveland is a tricky place to play for an opener, however the Cowboys can be as much as it. Search for the protection to assault Watson and switch him over because the Cowboys win a tricky 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 isn’t straightforward, nevertheless it’s even harder on the street in your first begin. Search for Baker Mayfield to have success in opposition to 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 gained by the Lions. The return of Matthew Stafford to Detroit can 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 believe 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 staff in an opener on Monday evening for the Jets. It is a big-time problem in opposition to the defending NFC champions. However the Jets have Aaron Rodgers again. He has struggled at occasions in opposition to 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
