WEEK 3 RECORD AT STRAIGHT PICK-EM (10-6)

SEASON RECORD: (33-15)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD: (2-2)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD: (3-0)

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RECORD (0-1)

NFL WEEK 4 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-1)

Seattle comes in winning two games in a row as they beat up the Saints on the road last Sunday putting 44 points. The Cardinals suffered their first loss of the season from division rival San Francisco in a close one. The Seahawks only loss came from the 49ers in week 1. The Cardinals versus Seahawks are always close affairs. Both teams have solid defenses. I like Seattle’s offense better than the Cardinals right now. Sam Darnold has given the Seahawks some jolt the last two weeks. Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr.’s hook up has been silence of the lambs, not the thriller like it was last season. The Seahawks will not be able to drop 44 points on this Cards defense, but Darnold will generate just enough points to get by and secure a road victory versus a division rival which is huge to do early on.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

THE SUNDAY TILT

IRELAND SUNDAY MORNING

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-1)

Our first international game of the season happens as Ireland hosts a pretty good match up between the Vikings and Steelers. The Vikings put up the most points of the season with Carson Wentz behind center filling in for the injured rookie JJ McCarthy versus the Bengals last weekend. The Steelers improved to 2-1 with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback as they beat the Patriots. The Vikings get one of their weapons back in the return of Jordan Addison who comes off the suspension list. Addison gives Wentz another play maker on the field like he does not have enough. The Steelers defense has struggled so far this season. You could say they played their best game last week. The Vikings will be able to generate points. I don’t see Rodgers and that Steelers offense matching up with the Vikings strong defensive unit. Anything can happen over the pond with the time change. I like the Vikings in this one. Even though Rodgers could have signed in Minnesota during the off-season. Vikings instead chose their young rookie QB McCarthy. It is kind of a revenge game for Rodgers. I think the Vikings defense will tame the disgruntled old man by the sea.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2)

The New England Patriots are many pieces away from building their next Evil Empire Death Star. The Patriots’ Mike Vrabel era has started off good because they’ve been in every game. They may only have one win but they growing, learning and will eventually string together some victories. The Panthers want the same thing the Patriots do. This Panthers team looked and played better in the second half of last year. Bryce Young looked like a number one pick finally. The Panthers played their best game of the season last week blanking the Falcons in a beat down 30-0 at home. Bryce Young on the road has not been good at finding ways to win football games. Young in his first 15 starts on the road in his career is 1-14.

Young is in the same boat of these quarterbacks in their first 15 starts of their career on the road with the same records: Steve DeBerg, Dan Pastorini, and one of the greatest Jaguars of all-time Blake Bortles. This game will be close but the Panthers will fall short. Look for Drake Maye to have a big game in the passing department and light up the Panthers secondary to even things up for the Patriots at 2-2 for the season.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-0) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-0)

Two former Oklahoma State Quarterbacks square off once again. Baker Mayfield is 2-1 versus Jalen Hurts in his career. Hurts in his career versus the Buccaneers is 1-4. In 2024 the Buccaneers destroyed the Eagles 32-9 in the NFC wild card game. The Eagles are 1-3 in Tampa Bay under the leadership of their head coach, Nick Sirianni. Mayfield seems to find a way in every win this season to win it at the end of regulation. The Eagles had a lucky block kick that sealed a come from behind victory versus the Rams last Sunday. I think Eagles will be affected by the Florida heat as Mayfield may not need to win this one in the last minute. It’s a close game & Tampa pulls off the victory at home.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-0)

The Saints were bombarded by the Seahawks at home last weekend. The Bills battled it out with the division rival Dolphins and prevailed at the end with a 10 point victory at home on Thursday night. The Saints are desperate for a victory. The Saints starting quarterback Spencer Rattler now is 0-9 as a starting QB dating back to last year. The Bills have been very solid at home as they have a 13 game winning streak at Highmark stadium dating back to last season. Seattle dropped 44 points on the Saints last week. The Bills will get 30 or more points off the Saints defense in this one. The Bills defense should be able to force a few turnovers in this one and keep the Saints offense in check most of the game to stay undefeated for the season.

OUR PICK: BILLS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-1)

The epic Spaceballs 2 movie awakens in 2027. The Browns are looking for revenge for their Schwartz. The Browns defensive coach Jim Schwartz used to be the Lions head coach many many years ago in a galaxy far far away. Schwartz has did this done that versus the Lions after they fired him. It’s always fun to dig up the great memories. Schwartz has the Browns defense humming so far. They have held running backs to a dismal 2.3 yards per game. They have allowed the fewest yards per game so far which is 204.3 overall. How do you stop the Lions two headed monster at running back with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs? Plus the Lions aerial attack? The Lions were humiliated by the Packers in week 1 & since then they’ve won two straight. The Browns beat the Packers last week for their first victory of the season. The Lions knocked off the Ravens last week scoring 38 on Baltimore. The Browns took a beat down by the Ravens in week 2. Browns defense may be the best. The Lions offense may be the best. The Lions defense sacked Lamar Jackson 7 times last week. Sorry Browns, but your QB is Joe Flacco and that Cleveland offense has been on life support all year. Lions know how to put down a doggie.

OUR PICK: LIONS

LA CHARGERS (3-0) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (0-3)

The Giants have officially benched Russell Wilson and now hand the keys to the quarterback position to the rookie, Jaxson Dart. The Giants are 0-3, as the coaching staff looks for anything to save their jobs. Dart was a first round pick from this year’s draft 25th overall by the Giants. Meanwhile the Chargers mowed down each divisional opponent so far this season to start 3-0 out of the gates. Justin Herbert is playing well and the Chargers defense is getting the job done so far this season. The head coach of the Giants, Brian Daboll, compares Dart’s skill set to the great Josh Allen who he used to coach in Buffalo. The Giants are looking for a spark. Since 1967, QB’s making their first ever start versus the Chargers have a record of 3-17. However 2-2 since 2019. I like the move by the Giants as Wilson is a bum. He should retire. I don’t see Dart beating the Chargers whose defense are in the top ten in the league at allowing the lowest amount of passing yards. Chargers escape New York still perfect.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)

Is it time for the Falcons to beam up their Captain Kirk Cousins to the USS Falcon Enterprises? The humiliation of being a Falcon fan losing to the Panthers 30-0 not scoring any points off a bottom feeder of the league. Now the Commanders come marching into town with a veteran quarterback that suited up for the Falcons in 2022, Marcus Mariota. In 2022 Mariota went 5-8 as the starting QB for the Falcons and was replaced by an ineffective twerp named Desmond Ridder who is probably washing cars these days. Last week Mariota filled in for the injured Jayden Daniels and Washington walked all over the Raiders defense and some more scoring over 40 points. The Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix is averaging under 6 yards each pass. All the Commanders have to do is stop the Falcons running game in this one. GAME OVER!! I think the Falcons will have a better showing overall and keep this a gamer. Mariota gets his revenge.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-3)

Somebody has to win their first game unless this AFC south match up ends up in a dead end tie.

Do you think the Titans fan base miss their old head coach Mike Vrabel? Brian Callahan so far in two seasons as the HC for Tennessee has a dismal record of 3-17 which is the worst in the Superbowl era. Titans are dealing with a rookie QB and his growing pains along with a bad offensive line. Houston does have a problem with their O-line as the Texans have not scored 20 points in any game so far. How do you sort this pile of heap of a match up out? The Titans average 17 points per contest. The Texans defense allows 17 points per contest. The Texans defense has tallied up 9 sacks while the Titans have allowed 17. Stats do not even help the cause here. The Texans defense is the best unit on the field in this game. They will get the turnovers they need to help the Texans offense get into the 20 points range for the first time this season. I like Nick Chubb having his best game so far in a Texans uniform to help Houston notch their first victory of the season in a stressful game for both sides.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)

America’s team and the big cheese were disappointments last week. Green Bay looked like Superbowl contenders as the Cowboys looked exactly like the Cowboys of present. Dallas can’t stop anybody. Green Bay defense can halt the Dallas offense. I like a rebound from the Packers here firing on all cylinders in this one. The Cowboys are weakened without their star receiver CeeDee Lamb who’s out for a few weeks with an injury he suffered from the Bears. In all, Jordan Love will have a big day forgetting what the Browns defense did to him to light up a bad Dallas defense.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-0) AT LA RAMS (2-1)

The surprising Colts ran all over the Titans last weekend. The Rams had a potential game winning field goal that would have walked off the Eagles but it was blocked and they suffered their first loss of the season. Jonathan Taylor right now leads the NFL in rushing yards. The Colts have protected Daniel Jones as he has only been sacked twice so far this season. The Rams can get to the quarterback as they are tied with the Broncos for most sacks in the league. The Rams, like the Colts, have a well-balanced offense that can run well & Matthew Stafford you know can get hot on any given Sunday and slice and dice the defense. Are the Colts for real? Only good team the Colts beat was the Broncos on a walk off field goal. It was a penalty after a missed field goal that set up the walk off kick for the Colts. The Rams on the road is a huge test. This game could be epic or a stinker. I think it will be a good game and a close affair. I like the Rams at the end to pull it off. I have been riding the Colts all season. I think the Rams defense will make one or two plays that will end the Colts’ nice start out of the gates of this NFL season.

OUR PICK: RAMS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-0)

The 49ers are perfect for the season, but like last year the injuries are piling up.

The 49ers lost their defensive stud Nick Bosa who tore his ACL last week versus the Cardinals. The Jaguars are off to a good start this season. The Jaguars defense has played well so far. They have created turnovers in all three games. The 49ers went 2-0 with Mac Jones behind center, a guy who played for the Jaguars last year. The 49ers welcome back their starting QB Brock Purdy. The Jaguars offense so far this season has had too many drop balls. The Jaguars are protecting Trevor Lawrence which is a good thing. The Jaguars have lost seven straight games following a win. I think they overcome those odds. With a lack of pass rush by the 49ers, Lawrence has a nice solid day at the office. The 49ers have played in too many close games and have won all of them. These games have been low scoring. I think the Jaguars offense will score points off this 49ers banged up defense. Purdy will be rusty and not be able to match the Jaguars this weekend.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-2)

It’s shocking the Ravens and Chiefs only have one win at this point of the season. The Ravens defense has been horrific so far as they are dead last in the NFL. The Chiefs offense has not been crisp like we are used to seeing.

The Meathead Travis Kelce Swift has been very bad this season in his play. He has made two bone-headed mistakes in both losses this season. The Ravens offense has tallied up 111 points which is the most points by a losing team in the first three weeks of the season. I think Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense will look better than they had all season playing a bad Ravens defense. I don’t think Mahomes can match scores with the red hot Ravens offense. That Ravens D will make a play, probably something that involves Kelce that will seal the deal for Baltimore on the road.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-2)

The Raiders suffered a beat down versus the Commanders last weekend losing big to Washington’s back up QB. The Raiders defense was the strength of the team until that point when they gave up over 40 points to Washington. The Bears offense looked amazing last weekend versus a bad Dallas Defense. The Bears defense rebounded after giving up 52 points to the Lions in week two by creating some turnover versus the Cowboys. Can Caleb Williams and that Ben Johnson offense repeat this week off this Raiders defense that was scorched? Williams finally was protected and was not sacked. I don’t like how Geno Smith has been playing so far in a Raiders uniform. He looked good in week 1 in the win over the Patriots in New England. I think the Bears defense can continue the trend and create a few turnovers off this Raiders offense. I hate jumping on the Bears bandwagon so quickly because they usually disappoint you. I think the Raiders are a team in the Bears wheelhouse. It’s a team where Ben Johnson’s offense being run by the Bears personnel will look good for another week at least.

OUR PICK: BEARS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)

This is when the Dallas Cowboys owner will have egg on his face in the return of Micah Parsons wearing a Packers uniform. The Packers suffered their first loss of the season to the Browns as their offense went dormant on their first road game of the year. The Cowboys suffered a loss to the Bears and lost one of their top play makers in that contest, Cee Dee Lamb. The Cowboys defense is a perfect recipe for the Packers offense to get back on track. Watch Parsons light up the Cowboys O-line and sack Dak Prescott at least once. He will make a big play in his return and a statement at the same time to Jones. I think Packers will win big on the road in this one.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK JETS (0-3) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-3)

Who’s going to win this toilet bowl match up? Justin Fields is expected back behind center for the Jets. Fields suffered a concussion in week 2 versus the Bills. The Jets play better with Fields over Tyrod Taylor. The Dolphins played their best game in Buffalo, but in the end lost by ten points. Both these teams have not been able to create one single turnover so far this season. The Jets need to establish the running game, which they can off this bad Dolphins defense. The Dolphins have feasted on bad teams the last few years. My gut feeling is Tua Tagovailoa will have his best game of the season. He seems like he is heating up and getting better each week. Watch him have a clean game. Dolphins would shock me more being 0-4 than the Jets being 0-4 with a new head coach trying to establish roots in his new gig. Dolphins win a close one.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (1-2)

Are you shocked more by Denver having a losing record at this point or the Bengals having a winning record this early? The Bengals fan base would give up the winning record at this point to have a losing record like they normally do at this point, but to have their star QB Joe Burrow behind center. Burrow is out which means Jake Browning will have to face the Broncos front seven who will be charging after the second string QB all game like the running of the bulls in Spain. Browning did not do well versus the Vikings defense last week as the Bengals were destroyed in all departments in their first loss of the year. Look for Bo Nix to heat up at the right moment for the Broncos versus a bad Bengals defense. I like the Broncos all night in this one.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

It’s a new year for the NFL which means it is a new year of trying these damn predictions weekly. We once again will give it a go. We will not pick by the helmets. We will try to pick each match up with plenty of football intel and by the gut feeling. Week one of the NFL is always a freak show and anything can go. I have some upsets. I have some off-the-wall picks. I’m hoping week one to come out with a winning record at least. Dive in & see what I have.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Eagles are the defending champs after their beat down of the Kansas City Chiefs back in the month of February. Can the Cowboys spoil the celebration of the Superbowl festivities in Eagles town? What is the impact from the trade recently for the Cowboys as they sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay? The Eagles have 10-11 of their starters on their offense returning from last year’s championship run. I think the Cowboys defense will be solid with X-Bears head coach Matt Eberflus running the defense. He’s a better defensive coach than a head coach. The Cowboys got a run stuffer, Kenny Clark, from the Packers for Parsons. They added a head case receiver, George Pickens, from the Steelers. A healthy Dak Prescott with Pickens could make their offense hum. The Cowboys will be better than last year’s team. No way they are stopping running back Saquon Barkley of the Eagles in week 1. The Boys will give the Eagles a battle, but they will not break their mojo from last season right here right now.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

FRIDAY NIGHT GAME

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT LA CHARGERS (IN BRAZIL)

Will Patrick Mahomes and the black Jake from State Farm be recruiting any Brazilian beach gals for one of their commercials? This game will be played in Brazil at a neutral site. Hopefully away from the bombs Donald Trump is dropping on cartels. Jim Harbaugh, like Pete Carol, escaped their college program after winning a National Championship just in time before all the shit hits the fan.

The Chiefs will look to get back on track from their embarrassing loss in that Superbowl. They improved their offensive line over the off-season. Which should give Patrick Mahomes more time and he still is master of the Houdini act finding a way out of the collapsing pocket. Harbaugh’s Chargers were 0-2 versus the Chiefs last year. The Chargers lost their best tackle, Rashawn Slater, to a season ending knee injury. That will weaken the Chargers running game. The Chargers did not beat great teams last year on a weaker schedule. I don’t see things changing in week 1.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

THE SUNDAY TILT

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

Baker Mayfield will be airing it out on a suspect Falcons defense, especially at the back end. The Falcons inserted Michael Penix behind center for three games as he replaced Kirk Cousins who went flat last season. Peniz completed 58% of his passes. He went 1-2 in three starts. He had 3 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions. He was okay!!

The Buccaneers defense is better this year. I do not see Penix able to match Mayfield score to score. I think Penix will need more starts to really get his footing down.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

Is the Cleveland Browns the perfect team for the Bengals to get out of the gates with a win? Both teams did not start off the season very well. The Browns will have Joe Flacco behind center. Joe Burrow and the Bengals did sweep the Browns last year in regular season. Flacco was a Colt then. I think the Browns will be able to generate points against a bad Bengal defense.

Myles Garrett has sacked Joe Cool the most out of any QB in the NFL. Garrett has gotten Joe 9 times. I like Cleveland’s defense being able to contain the Bengals offense in this one. I don’t think the Browns will win many games this season, but I think they will win this one. History tells you the Bengals can’t get off to a good start and this has been going on for years.

OUR UPSET PICK: BROWNS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Dolphins have not been kind to teams with losing records. The Colts did have a losing record last year. So did the Dolphins. Both teams had a 8-9 record. This may not be an air-it-out style game going in the Dolphins’ favor where they win big. The Colts have a ton of talented players on this roster. The Dolphins have one of the best aerial games in the league. Good defense cancels the air show. What do we expect out of Daniel Jones being named the starting QB for the Colts? I think Jones will be good enough as he has a chip on his shoulder from the G-Men cutting ties with him last year. Jones ended up signing with the Vikings, and he watched Sam Darnold resurrect his career. Not sure Jones will have the same year as Darnold. I think he can exploit the Dolphins’ weak ass secondary and pull out a home opener win over the fins.

OUR PICK: COLTS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This match up is the story of two young QB’s heading in different directions. Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars came into the league blazing and now has gone dormant. Then Bryce Young looked like a bust for the Panthers after they drafted him number one overall. Then in the second half of last year, he was looking like a number one pick in complete control and dialing it up. Panthers played everyone tough when Young figured things out even losing to the Chiefs in overtime. The Jaguars have a new order with another new staff in place. Have they improved that bad Jaguar defense from last year? Is Lawrence ready after taking that huge hit versus the Texans that knocked him out of the game and season with a concussion. The Panthers added a top notch rookie receiver in the draft in Tetairoa McMillan to give Young another weapon. Even with new management I’m not sold on the Jags right now. I think Panthers will ride their late season success into this season.

OUR PICK: PANTHERS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

This match up has two teams that will improve this season with their new coach hires. Mike Vabrel will be the guy that resurrects the Death Star in New England. While Pete Caroll, the devil himself, will have this Raiders organization back in the post-season quicker than you think. This is a long trip for the Raiders, but being week one teams will be energized. Look for a defensive game between these two teams. Drake Maye is a young QB on the rise. Look for Geno Smith being back with Carroll & having the bigger game in this match up. It will be close. In the end the Raiders will get their first win under the devilish leadership. It will be close. The Patriots will be racking up some victories this season, but they are just short in this one.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Can Kellen Moore work the magic in New Orleans like he did in Philadelphia as the Eagles Offensive Coordinator? The Arizona Cardinals were making a run at winning the NFC West & then were derailed in the second half and finished with a 8-9 record. Moore will have to go with Spencer Rattler as his opening day starter. Rattler went 0-6 as the Saints QB last year. He threw only 4 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions. The Cardinals have improved their defense from a year ago. Kyler Murray looked better last season as their offense was well balanced with a pretty good running game. This Saints team has a roster filled with holes. An aging defense. Probably the worst QB room in the league which are all youngsters with no true veterans. I think the Saints will be one of the worst teams out of the gates. I think Arizona finds their first win rather easily.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT NEW YORK JETS

This is a revenge game for Aaron Rodgers going back to the Big Apple where he caused havoc with the Jets franchise. You could say that the new Jets quarterback has a chip on his shoulder after playing one season for the Steelers. Fields was 4-2 as the Steelers starter from week 1 & then was benched for Russell Wilson who came back from an injury. In the off-season, Fields was low balled by the Steelers offer so he took the better deal the Jets offered. Rodgers was a cancer for a Jets team that thought they only needed a QB to get back to post-season and beyond. The Jets sunk like the dinosaurs in the tar pits. Rodgers finds a new team in the off-season with the Steelers. I think Rodgers would thrive on any revenge game to rub salt on his former team’s wounds and stick it to them. I’m sure Fields would like to beat his former team. In big games, Fields is not very good in them. Rodgers has been there & done that. Fields will make a few too many mistakes where the Steelers defense will take advantage giving Rodgers a victory to keep his ego floating high.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Russell Wilson as the Giants starting quarterback will not be able to turn New York into a playoff team. The Commanders had an awesome year last season and Jayden Daniels was the real deal for them in his rookie year. Washington improved the offensive line for their franchise QB during the off-season. The Giants are pretty good at pressuring the quarterback. Daniels will make the moves on the fly to adjust. Wilson improved last year in a Steelers uniform from the two seasons in Denver. His presence & his play as an aging QB don’t give me any confidence to pick the Giants in this one. Giants fans are waiting on Jaxson Dart, their next franchise QB. Washington does enough in this one to notch their first victory.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT DENVER BRONCOS

Throwing the number one overall pick to the wolves in game 1. That’s what the Titans are doing starting their top pick, Cameron Ward, at QB versus the best defense in the NFL, the Denver Broncos. The Titans are hoping Ward will play like Jayden Daniels last year. The Broncos made the post-season last year. They had a pretty good solid rookie QB in Bo Nix who got better and better as the season went along. Nix and his head coach, Sean Payton, seem to have that relationship like the coach had back in his New Orleans days with Drew Brees. Nix and that Broncos offense will get better and should thrive out of the gates versus an average Titans defense. It is hard winning any football games in Denver. This is an easy one going Broncos.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The 49ers have won 7 out of the last 8 games they played versus their arch rival, Seattle. Seattle did win the last game back in November. The 49ers were banged up last year with a MASH list longer than Santa Claus’ naughty list. The 49ers still have a ton of talent of that roster and going into week one are healthy. The Seahawks have a new quarterback.

Sam Darnold had a career year last year in a Vikings uniform. He was awarded with a big contract by the Seahawks. Darnold struggled his last few games as a Viking and in that post-season game. Which Darnold are you going to get in Seattle? First round bust or another solid year behind center? Seattle will keep this game close no matter what with their solid defense that should carry over from last year. The 49ers have proven they can win in Seattle. I think Darnold will not play flawlessly in his first game in a Seattle uniform, and that will give the 49ers their first road victory.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

It seems like any game between any NFC North teams will be a close affair. How will the Lions do with their new offensive & defensive coordinators? Both coordinators now have head coaching jobs. The Packers are the youngest team in the NFL and added one of the best pass rushers in the game in a trade with Dallas which landed Micah Parsons. The Lions defense will be roaring to go as they are finally healthy unlike last year when they lost a few key guys like Aidan Hutchinson. Both teams have solid defenses. This game should be a shoot out. I’m going with the Lions because Jared Goff takes care of the football. Jordan Love for the Packers will make at least one mistake or more to cost the Packers an opening week victory.

OUR PICK: LIONS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT LA RAMS

How is Matthew Stafford back? That is the first question I have in this match up between the Rams and Texans. He was limited in preseason. Then second question is: Can CJ Stroud recover from his sophomore season slump? The Rams added Davante Adams to their receiving core. The Rams already have Puka Nacua. The Rams offense will be one of the best aerial attacks in the NFL. The Rams can also run the ball well. The Texans offensive line is another big question. Let’s face it. It’s their weakness. Look for the Rams D to exploit that and be in the face of Stroud all day long. The Texans won the weak AFC South. They did not win many games versus opponents with winning records. I like Rams at home.

OUR PICK: RAMS

SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT BUFFALO BILLS

The rematch of last year’s divisional round game between the Bills and Ravens. Which the Bills won in a close game. The Bills and Ravens did play in regular season last year, which Baltimore won. It was in Baltimore and the Ravens blew out the Bills in that regular season match up.

Two of the best quarterbacks in the league will duel it out. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, besides on the field battles they had, these two guys were in the running for the MVP award. Which Allen won. Both teams have solid rosters. Both teams improved their defense during the off-season. Can the Bills stop the Ravens running game? Can the Ravens defense contain Allen? I think this will be another close game. Both teams are eager to win this one because it could be a tie breaker for post-season seeding. I like the Bills able to make Jackson make mistakes, especially turning over the football. That and the Bills at home find a way to win a tight game in week 1 with the Mafia loving every moment. Going with the home team indeed.

OUR PICK: BILLS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS

We will finally see the debut of JJ McCarthy for the Vikings. McCarthy was drafted in the first round by the Vikings last year but was injured in preseason and missed the entire season. The Bears found their dream coach hiring the hottest offensive coordinator in the league, Ben Johnson, former Lions OC. It is the second year for Caleb Williams who was the number 1 overall pick last season. He did not play like it. What can we expect from both quarterbacks? Johnson turned Jared Goff into a top QB in Detroit. I expect Williams to play better than he did last year. Can the Vikings get the same results they did inserting Sam Darnold behind center last year? This will be a close game no matter who wins it. I like the Bears in this one because Johnson knows the Vikings defense very well playing them twice a year last year with the Lions. I think with the Viking receiver core banged up, it favors the Bears and prevents McCarthy from having a bigger game if he can have a big game in his first test in the NFL on the road.

OUR PICK: DA BEARS