NFL Week 1 picks: Browns upset Bengals, Chiefs keep Rolling
The time has finally come, NFL Week 1 is upon us. It has been a long offseason, but it’s over now. Here are my picks for every opening week game!
Chiefs defeat Lions 31-27
The defending champs host the NFC North favorite on Thursday Night to kick off the season. The Lions have big expectations and have put together the best team they have assembled in 10-plus years. I believe in this Lions team this year, but Week One won’t go their way. Patrick Mahomes is a different beast, especially at home, and should pick apart that Lions’ secondary. Detroit’s high-powered offense should keep it close, but the Chiefs will get the win at the end in an all-time great opening game…
UPSET ALERT: Browns Defeat Bengals 27-24
There’s always one upset in Week One of the season, and this is my pick. The Bengals should win the AFC North but have struggled in Week One games the past couple of years. This Cleveland team will shock a ton of people this year as Deshaun Watson is hungry for some revenge, and Nick Chubb is ready to take over as the full-time, three-down RB. Burrow struggled last year in Week One and usually takes a couple of games to warm up. He is also coming off an injury, and may not be 100% for this game. Cincy will have a better season, but give me Cleveland to upset the Bengals in Week One…
Ravens Defeat Texans 31-17
Pretty easy pick here, as Baltimore is the overall better team throughout. Stroud played well for most of the preseason, but playing a physical Ravens team Week One won’t go well for the number two overall pick. This is a great Week One game for Baltimore because it will be a nice warm-up for new OC Todd Monken. This will be a figure-out type game for the Ravens’ offense, but I still expect them to score over 30 against the poor Texans’ defense. The Ravens should easily win this game and start their 2023 season off on a high note.
Vikings Defeat Bucs 24-17
Be careful, this game is going to be a lot closer than people think. Though many will pick Minnesota without blinking, we have to remember that it’s Week One and crazier things have happened. Tampa Bay is projected to be one of the worst teams in the league, but don’t be surprised if they are a scrappy and annoying six-win team. Minnesota won a lot of games last year that they shouldn’t of, so the luck could run out for a team that got worse from last year. I expect the Vikings to win this game, but this could potentially be an upset alert…
Panthers Defeat Falcons 26-23
Bryce Young will make his highly anticipated NFL debut at a stadium that he won a lot of games in at Alabama. The Panthers have high hopes this year with Young in his rookie campaign, but so do the Falcons. Atlanta spent a ton of money in free agency and drafted a generational running back in the top 10. Unfortunately, I don’t see that translating into a Week One, as the Panthers will grab the dub on the road. This Panthers’ defense is one of the more underrated units in the league and will overwhelm Desmond Ridder. Bryce and the Panthers’ offense will do just enough to squeak by with a win, but this game could go either way.
Commanders defeat Cardinals 27-17
The most boring game of the week between an average team and a tanking team will see the Commanders come out on top. Though they won’t openly admit it, the Cardinals are tanking for Caleb Williams and will lose every game they possibly can. This should be an easy Week One test for Sam Howell and the Commanders, as the young QB should gain a ton of confidence picking apart this atrocious Cardinals’ defense…
Jags defeat Colts 34-24
The AFC South favorite starts the season with an easy win on the road in Indy. Jonathan Taylor will not be playing in this game, and Richardson will be running for his life all day long. Calvin Ridley will bring a whole nother element to this Jags’ offense, and Lawrence will be happy to finally have that alpha WR1. Though Indy will keep it close for some of the game, Jacksonville will pull away at the end and capture a win at home…
49ers Defeat Steelers 30-24
The most entertaining game of the 12:00 slate will see two second-year QBS go at it. Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy both have high expectations heading into this year, as both are expected to lead their teams to the playoffs and maybe even further. Acriuse Field is always a tough place to play, especially when those terrible towels are swinging, but give me the best roster in the NFL to pull out a close win on the road. I just don’t see a world where Pickett is able to decode that All-Time great 49ers defense, and that will lead to a nice 1-0 SF start…
Titans defeat Saints 20-17
This game is going to be a defensive battle till the end, but give me the Titans to win in a nail-biter. Tennessee has been an awful Week One team the past couple of years, but I don’t see them losing to a Saints team that will be without Kamara. Expect Derrick Henry and the Titans defense to control the game and Tannehill to make just enough plays to win. This game could go either way, as the Saints are at home and the Superdome will be rocking for the debut of Carr. But the Titans have a history of winning games they shouldn’t, and Mike Vrabel will easily be able to out coach Dennis Allen.
Broncos Defeat Raiders 24-21
These two teams will be fighting for last place in the AFC West, so this Week One test is crucial for both sides. 2022 was rough for Russell Wilson, but he enters this year with a full offseason under his belt and Sean Payton by his side. The Broncos defense is one of the more underrated units in the league, and I expect them to shut down the Raiders offense for the most part. Adams, Jacobs, and Crosby will be fighting for their lives each and every game to lead this poor Las Vegas team to a win, but that won’t be the case in Week One…
Eagles Defeat Patriots 31-20
Five and a half years ago, the Eagles beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 52. Both teams have gone through complete roster overhauls since, but one thing hasn’t changed, the Eagles winning. This Patriots offense with no wide receiver threats, average O-Line, and an untrustworthy Mac Jones will get eaten alive by the hard-hitting Eagles defense. Jalen Hurts and the Philly offense will get the job done as well, controlling the clock and throwing deep shots to Skinny and Swol Batman. Bill Belichick will find a way to keep the game close, but the Eagles will start of their redemption season with a win…
Seahawks Defeat Rams 31-20
What a fall from grace it’s been for the Super Bowl 56 champions. Two years ago, they were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Now, they’ll be lucky to be over 500 with the mediocre roster they have. Aaron Donald is still dominant, but not what he used to be, Stafford is injury-prone, and Kupp is coming off a season-ending injury from last year. Besides those three, the Rams aren’t working with much. Seattle was one of the best stories in the league last year, qualifying for the playoffs when no one thought they had a chance. Heading into this year, the roster looks even better, as they filled their needs pretty well and added more playmakers to that already explosive offense. Geno Smith is my sleeper MVP pick, and he will start out his MVP campaign with a win at home in front of the 12…
Chargers Defeat Dolphins 30-27
One of the best games of opening weekend will take place in Inglewood, as Tua and Justin Herbert face off as number 5 and 6 draft picks. Expectations are sky-high for these teams in 2023, as they both have rosters capable of competing for a Super Bowl. Though Miami has the better all-around team, Justin Herbert is going to have a fire lit under him after last year’s disappointing playoff exit, and he’s going to come out guns blazing. Tua and Tyreek will keep the game extremely close for a while, and the game will be one you don’t want to miss. But give me the Chargers in a semi-upset to beat the Dolphins at home…
Bears Defeat Packers 21-17
The NFL’s oldest rivalry now has two new faces headlining it, as Justin Fields and Jordan Love will go toe to toe in Chicago. Expect this game to go by quickly, as both teams will be pounding their rushing attacks and using a ton of play-action. The Packers are the underdogs going into this game, and I would have to agree with the sports books. Though Jordan Love was impressive last year, with a small sample size, he is inexperienced and it will take him some time to settle in. Chicago should have a chip on their shoulders after being the worst team in the entire league last season, and it should lead to a Week One victory…
Cowboys defeat Giants 27-20
This game is going to be very important, especially when January rolls around. Head-to-head, division matchups are always crucial, but these two teams will likely be fighting for second place in the NFC East and the same playoff spot. The Giants return basically the same team from last year, with the addition of Darren Waller being their offseason splash. Dallas was busy this offseason, bringing in Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks to pair with Trevon Diggs and Ceedee Lamb. Adding those star players is great for both teams, but they wouldn’t be the reason these teams win or lose this game. Dak Prescott vs. Daniel Jones, the battle of the two most overpaid QBs in the league, in many people’s eyes. In the end, I trust Dak more than Danny, so the Cowboys get the win…
Jets Defeat Bills 31-28
There is no doubt in my mind that this is the game of the week. A potential AFC Championship Game Preview will take place at the Meadowlands as Josh Allen and the Bills will look to spoil the most highly anticipated QB debut since Brady joined the Bucs. Though they have been getting extensive media coverage, I don’t think people understand how good this Jets team is. Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams will lead one of the more feared defenses in the league, and Rodgers will have a great time with this incredibly deep Jets’ WR core. Though Breece Hall’s health and the O-Line are big question marks, the rest of the team is near perfect. Josh Allen and the Bills have been one of the best teams in the NFL for the past couple of seasons, and they will keep this game close. But the talent the Jets possess will be too much. This is not another Russell Wilson to Denver situation, this Jets team is for real!!
Buckle up, NFL football is back soon on a TV near you!!
