Tag: packers

Welcome back to meaningful football. The preseason is over, and it is finally time for the regular season to kick off. The NFL always does a great job of putting great matchups in Week 1, and this week is no different. There are plenty of high-profile games with great storylines that should be awesome to watch this weekend. I’m just happy that I can do that on my Sundays once again. Last year, I went 150-73-1 (I didn’t predict all 256 games due to starting late), which wasn’t bad at all, but I’m looking to do even better this year. Let’s start off strong:

Buccaneers 38-24 Cowboys

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The regular season begins with the defending champs and the biggest name in the sport taking on its biggest brand. Luckily for me, that brand is the Dallas Cowboys, and they are a significantly worse team than the Bucs are. This one should not be close. It’s not just the talent gap, but there seem to be so many questions right now with Dallas. We still don’t know how effective QB Dak Prescott will be coming off his ankle injury from last year, in addition to a shoulder problem that he has been nursing all throughout camp and the preseason. This team has COVID problems left and right that are keeping big names like Zack Martin and CeeDee Lamb on the sideline. Oh, and their defense is still putrid. Meanwhile, Tampa is reloaded and ready to fire on all cylinders with all 22 of last year’s Super Bowl champion starters returning. Tom Brady is the ageless wonder that never ceases, and the rest of this team is just stacked with athleticism and incredible talent. If their last game was any indication, there might not be any teams on the Buccaneers’ level. Simply put, this is the best team in football facing a very average to above average team with a lot of current dysfunction. The title defense will start out with a fairly easy win.

Eagles 28-27 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This has all the makings of a very entertaining football game, and it’s for a very simple reason: both of these teams are awful. These are easily 2 of the 3 worst teams in the NFC (along with Detroit), but unlike the Lions, these teams can be fun sometimes. The Falcons are the proverbial slow-motion car crash of the NFL, and the Eagles are turning a new page with Jalen Hurts as the starting QB. Personally, I’m most excited for the two first round newcomers in this game: TE Kyle Pitts for Atlanta and WR Devonta Smith for Philly. These were the two best pass-catchers in the SEC last year, and can be two potentially transformative talents in the NFL. Again, the teams they’re on are bad, but this will be fun. I don’t trust either of these defenses to do what it takes to win this game, but I’ll take anyone in a clutch moment over the Atlanta Falcons, so I’m rocking with the Eagles to win a very enjoyable game on Sunday.

Bills 25-20 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

On paper, this is one of the better matchups of Week 1. But if you know me by now, you know how I feel about the Steelers. I’m giving them a bit of credit in this game, but I don’t think a one-score final will be reflective of the game itself. Think of it as them getting a late score. Buffalo is simply a much better team. This is the first game of a ridiculously easy schedule for the Bills, and I think they’re going to come out of the blocks scorching on Sunday en route to a potential 1 seed in the AFC. I just know what I’m going to get out of them on a weekly basis: a high-powered passing attack and a defense that can make the necessary plays to win games. With Pittsburgh, there are simply too many questions. Ben is old, the offensive line is still awful, the WRs are decent but have fallen off a cliff, the list goes on and on. The run game should be vastly improved with the addition of Najee Harris, but that line is seemingly impossible to run behind. Yes, the Steelers defense is still plenty good, but it won’t be enough. Just last year I saw Josh Allen and co. dismantle them. I expect a very similar result on Sunday.

Vikings 31-20 Bengals

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Neither of these teams are very good, but there is one major difference between them. The Vikings are a bad team that still has plenty of talent due to being at the end of their “window”, whereas the Bengals are a bad team with some decent talent in the middle of a “rebuild” (if that’s what we’re calling those front office decisions). When it comes down to it, Minnesota’s offense will simply be way too much for Cincy’s defense to handle. Between Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen, the Bengals defense will not be having a fun time on Sunday. While I like the Bengals offense, and I’m extremely happy to see Joe Burrow back on the field, there’s just no way they’ll be good enough to make up for their defense’s shortcomings, even against a bad Vikings D. Cincinnati better hope Jamarr Chase is the second coming of Jesus, otherwise it will be sack city in the Bengals backfield all season long once again. Hence the quotes around the aforementioned rebuild.

49ers 27-10 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is the biggest mismatch of Week 1. This is one of the conference’s best teams against one of its worst. I’m very, very excited to see the 49ers at full strength again, just 2 years removed from a Super Bowl appearance. It doesn’t matter who is starting at QB for the Niners (especially in this game), they will still be an absolute force in the NFC. The Lions, however, are the exact opposite. This could very easily be the worst team in the conference, and they did almost nothing to get better. While I loved the Penei Sewell pick in the first round for them, that’s where the list of good things ends for them. I don’t like the Dan Campbell hire at head coach, and I don’t like Jared Goff as the starting QB. But, whatever it takes to get this team better picks to work towards a better future, right? San Fran is currently a 7.5 point favorite in this game. That might be the freest money you’ll see all season long.

Cardinals 33-30 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This game is much like the Eagles-Falcons game, but on steroids and with much better talent. These are two good teams that should have both made the playoffs last season, with the Cardinals just missing out in the last week of the season. There is offensive firepower as far as the eye can see, with names like Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, the list goes on and on. But a more common thread in this game that I find more important is how little I trust these defenses. There’s no doubt that Arizona has some great pieces, and their defense is far better than Tennessee’s nonexistent one, but for some reason, they never seem to play up to their talent. That’s why this game is going to be a must-see shootout. Again, simply because the Cardinals have the better defense, I’ll take them in this game, but I can easily see it going to the Titans with their equal, if not superior offensive talent. Whatever the over in this game is, take it.

Seahawks 24-20 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This matchup really piques my interest, but not as much as it could have. The Colts were a pretty good team last year, and with the addition of Carson Wentz, I thought this could be one of the most interesting teams in football this season. However, it’s been a turbulent camp, and between injuries and COVID issues, I’m not sure what to make of them. I know I was very, VERY harsh on Indy in my season preview, but I did acknowledge that, and Wentz has been able to come back and should be playing in this game. With that being said, that aforementioned uncertainty is making it too difficult to rock with the Colts on Sunday. Moreover, Seattle is a pretty good team themselves. Even against a stout Colts D, I trust Russell Wilson and that offense enough to make the plays to come away with a win. My problem with the Seahawks is that every season seems to be Groundhog Day with them. Russ will start out the year en fuego, the defense will be suspect, and eventually both of those things will catch up to each other en route to an early postseason exit. The window is closing on this team FAST, and they better hope they figure it out. At the very least, they better hope they win this game.

Washington 27-24 Chargers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Here we go. For the first time in my life as a WFT fan, there are actual expectations with this team. Luckily for me, I share those exact same expectations. This is the year for this team to take a leap and be a potential contender in the NFC. It all starts this Sunday, and for me, it all starts with the QB play of Ryan Fitzpatrick. While it seems as though this team will be as good as he is, last season showed us that this defense can carry us to plenty of wins. But it will be up to him to take this team to that next level. This first game will be no joke, as a very good Chargers team rolls into town. Last season, Justin Herbert showed everyone that he’s the real deal, just as I had been preaching incessantly. Now, he has a new, actually competent HC, a revamped OL, and a healthy defense behind him. LA has all the makings of a playoff team, just as Washington does. I think this is the most underrated game of the week, and could be an absolute doozy. Between these teams having last year’s OROY and DROY, being two of the up-and-coming teams in their respective conferences, among several other things, the storylines in this game don’t stop. I’m rocking with Washington for one reason only: the defense. This is the best defensive front and likely the best defense in all of football, and I think when it comes down to it, they’ll do what it takes to either make a play or force Herbert into a mistake to help this team win. In any case, I think this will be one of the more fun games of Week 1, and I can’t wait to watch it.

Panthers 24-13 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Aside from this game being the Sam Darnold Bowl, there’s not a lot to look forward to here. The Jets, despite having somewhat of a “future” after bringing in HC Robert Saleh and QB Zach Wilson, are still an unwatchable product and one of the worst teams in football. I still don’t believe in Wilson at all, and I still think the decision to take him 2nd overall in April’s draft was inexplicable at best. Carolina, on the other hand, has plenty to look forward to. Bringing in Darnold was a great move in my opinion, and I’m excited to see how he fits in with a bunch of great offensive weapons. I’m also interested to see how year 2 of the Matt Rhule experience pans out. This was a decent team that was in many of their games last season. If they can get over that tiny hump, they’ll win a lot of games. Not many will be easier than this one.

Jaguars 27-9 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

ZZZZZZZZZ……….. ZZZZZZZZZZZ…… oh sorry. Forgot I had to cover this one. These might be the NFL’s two worst teams duking it out to decide who is worse. That being said, this isn’t the worst game imaginable. The new era in Jacksonville has been well documented by me and plenty of others, but it’s not for no reason. Nobody can wait to watch how Trevor Lawrence plays, and for good reason. Everyone also wants to watch how Urban Meyer performs as an NFL HC, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. It hurts that this team lost RB Travis Etienne for the season, but James Robinson proved to us in 2020 that he’s more than capable of being the premier back in Jacksonville. This team has enough talent to get the job done in this game. Houston, on the other hand, is the worst team I have seen in a very long time, and they won’t have Deshaun Watson to ease the pain like last year. It’ll be Tyrod Taylor under center for the foreseeable future in H-Town, which doesn’t inspire much confidence. You have to at least hope that this team knows how to tank, because God knows they could use all the help in the world. And then some.

Chiefs 30-27 Browns

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

Yes. Just… yes. This is one of the best Week 1 matchups I could ever think of, not just for my brand, but for football as well. Not only was last year’s Divisional matchup between these two teams a classic, but this is my pick for this year’s AFC Championship Game. And you’re telling me we get a preview in Week 1? Sign me up. In my opinion, these are likely the AFC’s top 2 teams, but I’m much more excited to watch one than the other. I already know what I’m getting from Kansas City because I’ve seen it for 3 years now. Patrick Mahomes will be amazing, Tyreek Hill will be leaving defenders in the dust, and Travis Kelce will continue to be unguardable. Their defense isn’t the best, but it will not matter as long as #15 is slinging it on the other side of the football. The Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, are the team I’m most excited to watch in 2021 (outside of the WFT of course). I didn’t pick this team to go to the Super Bowl for no reason. I am absolutely enthralled by this roster, and there’s no better way to get a first look at them than putting them up against the gold standard in the AFC. I think Cleveland matches up with Kansas City better than anyone else in this conference, but two things are holding me back from picking them in this game: Arrowhead and the month of September. You already know those fans will be going crazy in the first full-capacity game in 2 years, and that environment could be the difference for a young QB like Baker Mayfield, who has never had to deal with it before. If this game was in Cleveland, I’d easily take the Browns. Moreover, Patrick Mahomes is the greatest September football player… ever? The Chiefs are 10-0 in Mahomes starts in the ninth month of the year, and he has a 32-0 TD-INT ratio in those games. Yes, you read that correctly: 32 touchdowns, ZERO interceptions. You simply aren’t slowing this team down early in the season. For those reasons, I’ll stick with old reliable in the red and yellow.

Patriots 27-20 Dolphins

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

How about some more storylines? Bill Belichick vs. Brian Flores! The up and coming team vs. the dynasty looking to get back on track! But the biggest one of them all: Mac vs. Tua. The Mac Jones era kicks off Sunday in Foxboro, and all of a sudden, the expectations are right back in New England. Mac was easily either the most or second most pro-ready QB in this class, but unlike Trevor Lawrence, he inherits a very good roster and a team that absolutely splashed in free agency. I personally believe in Mac, and I believe that the Patriots are going to be back. The Dolphins, on the other hand, still have a Tua problem. This is a very good roster from top to bottom, headlined by a stellar defense, but the former #5 overall pick still hasn’t delivered in his young career, and he could easily be fighting for his job this season. This will be a very tough first task for him. Moreover, Belichick has dominated young QBs for his entire head coaching career, and Tua Tagovailoa isn’t exactly the hardest guy to gameplan for. I think this will be a very physical, fun football game, but I find it hard to foresee a scenario with Miami coming out on top.

Packers 33-20 Saints

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The New Orleans Saints are going through it. Between the Drew Brees retirement, the never-ending Michael Thomas injury saga, and the very strange QB battle, this has been a very uncertain start to a new era in the Big Easy. The absolute LAST thing this team needed was all of the complications that came with Hurricane Ida. The Saints haven’t been able to practice in NOLA, and now won’t be able to play there either, as this game will be played in Jacksonville. You can’t help but feel bad for them right now. In addition to all that, they have to start the year with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. I like Jameis Winston, but this is going to be a very difficult first start for him. New Orleans simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with Green Bay, and their defense has seemingly fallen of a cliff, especially in the secondary. The Packers are geared up and ready for their “Last Dance” with Rodgers, and this should be a fairly easy one for them. Nobody knows how this season is going to go for the Packers, but everything is pointing towards a win for them on Sunday. Again, everything that is going on with the Saints is very unfortunate, but it makes this game much easier for Green Bay.

Giants 23-17 Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

This game might seem extremely boring on paper, and while it probably will be boring, it’s not without some notable storylines. I’d say the biggest one is the QB situation in Denver. Drew Lock is no longer the starter, as Teddy Bridgewater was able to win the job in camp. I think this was the right move for the Broncos, and I think it makes them a much better football team, as Teddy is a much better QB for their system, and will make significantly less mistakes to keep them in more games. I like this Broncos roster, as they’ve drafted very well offensively, and their defense is still as solid as ever. The Giants are in a very similar situation, as they have a good roster themselves, but a surefire QB problem. We all know Daniel Jones is not the guy in any regard for this team, and this season is his very last chance. It helps that RB Saquon Barkley is back, and he now has Kenny Golladay to throw the football to. Just like last year, the Giants defense is very solid and should keep them in plenty of games. So, in a game that both teams match up almost exactly with one another, who do you lean with? I’ll rock with the home team. It’s a long trip out for the Broncos to the east coast, and while they have the luxury of a normal start time, I’ll stick with the Giants. However, I can easily see this swaying the other way. It will simply come down to whose defense exposes the other team’s QB when it matters most.

Rams 29-13 Bears

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

It disappoints me that our first Sunday Night Football game is going to be a complete dud. It doesn’t have to be this way, but the Bears refuse to start Justin Fields at QB. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. It’s generally the smarter move to start the veteran QB and let the rookie learn, but I think Fields easily gives the Bears a better chance to win than Andy Dalton, even right out of the gate. However, I don’t think it matters who starts this game for Chicago, because the Rams are simply a better team than they are. It’s the start of an exciting new era in LA, as Matt Stafford will make his long-awaited debut under center. After trading away a king’s ransom for Stafford, the Rams better hope he delivers. I believe in his ability to do that, and this is a desirable first game for him, as he has played the Bears plenty of times. Chicago’s defense isn’t one to be meddled with, but with Andy Dalton leading the charge on the other side of the football, it won’t matter. They won’t have any offensive prowess on Sunday night in the City of Angels. LA wins big, and fuel gets added to the fiery debates about Justin Fields moving forward.

Ravens 34-24 Raiders

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

Week 1’s finale is a fairly interesting matchup in Vegas. I mean, the Raiders make everything interesting, don’t they? This wasn’t a bad team in 2020, but they just slipped and slipped in the second half of the season to finish at .500 and nowhere near the playoffs. Things don’t seem to be very different this year, as they haven’t done much to get any better. Vegas still has a plethora of talent and athleticism on both sides of the football, but for some reason, it has never translated to any success under Jon Gruden. The Ravens, however, are all about success, and they are bound for plenty more of it this season. This is one of the league’s best teams, and despite losing J.K. Dobbins for the season, I have no doubt in this team’s ability to tear through the regular season. Lamar Jackson is still a transcendent talent at the QB position, they were able to bolster the passing attack in the offseason, and their defense is still absurd. Their depth and talent across the board will be enough to win them the majority of their games, and it will show in a big way on Monday night in the desert. I just don’t see the Raiders containing Baltimore at all offensively, and the Ravens D will do enough to shut the door and seal the win.