WEEK ONE NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Season record: 0-0

Once again I will throw my hat into the ring and pick each game from every week in the NFL. I will explain from each match up why I went with a team that I think will win. In week one it’s always a crap shoot to figure out who will prevail. Even the greatest reasons why you think a team should win backfires because this is the NFL. On any given Sunday, anything can happen. One week you can look and sound like you know what you are talking about. Then the weeks you fail miserably and you can look like you know nothing from these outcomes. I’m probably not going to be a site every week where you copy my picks for your own pool.

I have to warn you… picks some weeks may not be any good. Every week will be entertaining, I can promise you that. If I start getting red hot it means I have somehow gotten my hands on the NFL season scripts.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

First game of the season is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship between the Ravens and Chiefs. The Chiefs will unveil their Superbowl banner in front of the hometown while rubbing salt on the wounds of the Baltimore Ravens defense which could be deadly for Patrick Mahomes and company. Ravens defense shut out the Chiefs in the second half of that championship game. Costly mistakes by the Ravens offense did Baltimore in. I like the Ravens knocking that smirk off Mahomes face and send an early statement this season that your luck will not follow you into this season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

FRIDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

First ever NFL game being played in Brazil which is in the continent of South America, just in case you failed geography in high school. The Packers and Eagles are both playoff teams from last year meeting on a neutral field in a questionable city of violence and drug cartels giving out free neckties. This is confusing as Brazil you think would have sandy beaches filled with sandy brown buns. This game features two teams going into different directions last season. Philadelphia was trending downward in a spiral that came crashing down in the playoffs and at the end of regular season for a team soaring high the year before. The Packers, the youngest team in the league, were trending upwards making noise in the playoffs. Jordan Love should exploit the Eagles weakness – the secondary of that Eagles defense. The Brazilian colors are comparable to Green Bay in this coin flip game in another country. It has to give the Packers an edge.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

In the off-season, the Falcons addressed their weakness at the aerial attack by getting Kirk Cousins behind center. The Steelers tried to upgrade their quarterback with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It is Wilson’s job out of the gates and the Steelers are on the road. How will Cousins fare coming back from an Achilles injury that ended his season with the Vikings last year? Wilson has something to prove and he looked bad in preseason. Cousins has that strong running game behind him that should help him get his feet wet and find his old rhythm. Not a fan of the Steelers upgrades, either Fields or Wilson. Wilson is a fraud and has turned into a bum as he was when he put the Denver uniform on. I like the Falcons also being at home.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT BUFFALO BILLS

Many experts think this will be a bad year for the Bills as they lost some key players. The Cardinals will have Kyler Murray for the start of this season unlike last year when he returned late into the year from an injury. Bills have filled the shoes of the guys that left with young players and some veteran free agents. The Cardinals will unleash their new stealth plane in the aerial attack with Marvin Harrison Junior.

The Cardinals will need time to work the new equipment in the skies to perfect the Murray Harrison Jr. combo. The Cardinals gave teams battles last year, but the roster has some holes and some new pieces that need time to adapt. I like the Bills in this one being at home. I like Josh Allen getting out of the gates strong with something to prove after being called overrated. He will respond with a big game to show his critic, Stephon Diggs, he does not need to operate this high octane offense the Bills have.

OUR PICK: BILLS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS

The Titans are under new management. The Bears may have FINALLY found their quarterback the number one pick overall in Caleb Williams. The Titans quarterback Will Levis in his second season with another play book is still trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Bears defense is not what the doctor ordered for Levis right out of the gates. I like the rookie QB Williams in this one versus a suspect Titans defense which was not all that well last year. Williams played well in preseason. I think the Bears build on the second half of last season and they get off to a great start unlike most seasons where it takes them to the middle of the season to gel. This Bears defense looks and feels like a top 5 unit in the NFL and will be ready to rumble is the perfect recipe for the first win of the season.

OUR PICK: BEARS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Patriots are starting Jacoby Brissett which should tell everyone that they are picking Bengals in this contest. No more Bill Belichick in New England as the Patriots rebound is head coach Jerod Hold the Mayo. He’s bringing back the tough brand of football mentality to these Patriots. Not buying it. Joe Burrow and the Bengals will get off to a fast start this year unlike last few seasons. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase want the Bengals ownership to show them the money.

This receiving duo will show they are worth the money, but they will cost too much for the Bengals to keep. One of them will be gone next year. Maybe two. Bengals fans are hoping this is the year they use them wisely and get back to the playoffs to win it all. The Patriots I expect to be bottom feeders for the year.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CJ Stroud took the league by storm last year for the Texans. During the off-season, Houston upgraded and brought in some big time names on both sides of the ball. The Colts did not look good when Anthony Richardson was behind center. Richardson missed most of his rookie season with injury and now in year two we don’t know if he is the face of the franchise as his rookie season is an incomplete. The Colts played well when Gradner Minshew took over for the injured Richardson. You have to go Stroud right now with additional weapons over Richardson who is still trying to establish himself as the man of the Colts offense.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins versus Jaguars in surf wars down at South Beach. The Cheetah aka Tyreek Hill the fastest Dolphin in the ocean versus Jaguars Trevor Lawrence leading his surf ninjas must die into Miami. The Jaguars took a step backwards as their season collapsed in the second half. The Dolphins collapsed during the last game of the season and lost the division to the Bills. Then the Dolphins got freezer burn in the first round of the playoffs visiting Kansas City. I think the Dolphins and the Jaguars will put up points in week one. I like the Jaguars defense making one more stop over the Dolphins defense that lacks a pass rush. I consider Jaguars a winning team over the past two seasons in which Miami intends to struggle beating top teams. Jaguars have shown flashes that they are a top team but have not done it an entire season. Visiting Jaguars topple the Dolphins in all out surf wars in the state of Florida.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Which team out of this match up will jump start their quarterback first? The Saints have veteran Derek Carr who has not yet lost to the Panthers franchise. Then the number one pick in 2023 for the Panthers, Bryce Young, did not look like a guy that should have been selected that high. Last season Carr’s first season in New Orleans he did not light up the score board. He had moments. I like the Saints defense against another new head coach for the Panthers. Young is still a work in progress with a team that has many younger players and still trying to find themselves. Carr should be able to lead this Saints offense to at least 20 points which should be enough for the win.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

The Vikings are relying on the idea of the resurrection of Sam Darnold as their quarterback. Was Darnold ever something of a QB in the NFL? Then the Giants are marching the great Daniel Jones back behind center who missed most of last season with an injury. The Giants regressed last year in year two of Brian Daboll as head coach. Daboll, an offensive guy, has a better defense. The Vikings made things interesting even with the lost of Kirk Cousins for most of the season. The Vikings have weapons on offense with running back Aaron Jones and healthy Justin Jefferson who Darnold should be able to get the ball to. The Vikings were competitive with Joshua Dobbs last year. I think with Darnold they should be able to find a win on the road to open their season against a Giants roster with too many holes.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT LA CHARGERS

Does adding Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers head coach give the second fiddle in LA an opening day win? The Raiders have played solid football last season with Antonio Pierce, who was the interim head coach. andnow has the permanent gig. Normally I would bet on Justin Herbert over Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Herbert lost his security blanket in Keenan Allen. Other weapons of Herbert that are gone are Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekelor. Minshew almost had the Colts to the post-season last year after filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson. This game will feature some greats on the defenses such as Mad Maxx Crosby for the Raiders and then Chargers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. I think the Raiders right now have the horses to win this fight while Harbaugh’s team has some holes on their roster that he will have to address. I just don’t see the Chargers coming out like gangbusters. I can see them later in the season gelling together and picking up a few victories including a few upsets. I like Raiders shining bright in the LA sunshine in week one.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

DENVER BRONCOS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

I really think the Broncos and Sean Payton found their quarterback in Bo Nix who gets his first start in the NFL in Seattle. The Seahawks will start a new regime as Pete Carol has left the building. The Seahawks will go with the former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald. I expect this Seattle defense to be better. I expect the crowd noise to be a problem for Nix. I can see some rookie mistakes along the way. I feel BO will be special in this league as the season goes on. The Seattle offense will generate offense with the weapons they have. I like Geno Smith rebounding from a season ago. I don’t think we see Smith from two years ago, but he will be better than last year. He will make the throws to be able to beat the visiting Broncos and their new guy Bo Nix.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns defense was one of the elite units in the league. The Cowboys defense can get after the quarterback as well. I feel the Browns were more successful winning games without Deshaun Watson last year. The Cowboys struggled to beat winning teams but won against even opponents. On paper this looks like a match up that can go either way. No Nick Chubb at running back for the Browns leaves Watson with a massive target on his head. I feel Cee Dee Lamb will show why the Cowboys forked over all that money in an extension for him not that long ago as the ink has not dried. I like Dak Prescott for the Cowboys getting off to a great start behind center in a Cowboys win while Watson struggles for the Browns. Watch the Dawg Pound turn on their big guaranteed money quarterback.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Baker Mayfield played very well against team with losing records like the Commanders last year. The Commanders have a rookie QB who could be one of the next elite guys behind center in Jayden Daniels. The Buccaneers defense will bring the kitchen and the bathroom sink at Daniels. I feel the Buccaneers can force Daniels into some mistakes early on in this first ever start in the NFL for the rookie. I feel Mayfield can carve up the Commanders secondary. Daniels will start off slow but find his game late in this one. But it will be too late as the visiting Commanders will leave Florida with a loss.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

SUNDAY NIGHT

DETROIT LIONS AT LA RAMS

This did not take too long for a rematch of the playoff game between Rams and Lions in which Detroit won. Jared Goff heads back to LA to face his Rams once again. While Matthew Stafford tries to beat his X-team for the first time. I thought the Lions proved last year in the very first game of the season they can play with the big boys on prime time and win. The first game of regular season the Lions beat the Chiefs. Back in the post-season, the Rams in my opinion did nothing. Inside my mind says this rematch will be different. The Lions are hungry and they will stay hungry and play well and escape LA with a victory. Stafford will make some mistakes to cost the Rams a opening day loss.

OUR PICK: LIONS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

NEW YORK JETS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

I’m not believing in this pipe dream people are having that Aaron Rodgers will take this Jets team to the Superbowl. The 49ers will not have a Superbowl hangover either from their loss to the Chiefs. This is a tough game for the Jets to fly across the country to face this 49ers team. Lots of weapons for a talented Jets defensive team to deal with. Rodgers did not even finish a quarter last season as he was injured in game 1 and missed the entire season. Rodgers is another year older and I don’t care how you slice it or dice it. The 49ers are a solid defense. Rodgers may survive this game, but the Jets will not get the victory. Former Packer greats at quarterback usually die off in a Jets uniform. The 49ers will generate points while the Jets will struggle to get enough points to beat this 49ers team on the road.

OUR PICK: 49ERS