Tag: predictions

Week 11 Picks

The Cowboys head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in one of the most anticipated and star-studded matchups of the season this Sunday. (h/t dallascowboys.com)

The 2021 season continues to roll on at a lightning-fast pace. It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway done already. There’s still plenty of ball left to be played, and this week promises to be a good one. I had a solid Week 10, going 8-5-1, which brings my season total to 91-57-1. Having a tie in there is so strange. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Patriots 27-17 Falcons

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

Week 11 kicks off with a rematch of one of the best Super Bowls of the century, but the outlook of this game is obviously a lot different. What isn’t different is the fact that the Patriots are still good, as they enter this game as arguably the best team in the AFC. I’ve seen a lot of overreactions to the Pats lately, but I think it’s fair to overreact given how they’ve played. This shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them. The Falcons just got bulldozed by the Cowboys, and while teams usually bounce back after blowouts, I don’t see their offense doing much against this air-tight New England defense. Mac Jones and the offense should do more than enough against a bad Atlanta defense to get the job done fairly easily.

Bills 23-21 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This 2020 playoff rematch is one of the more intriguing matchups of the week. These are two of the hottest teams in the AFC, but neither team feels very hot. They’ve both stumbled as of late, but on their best days, they can both beat anyone else in football. So, what gives in a matchup like this? Honestly? I don’t know. This is a really, really even matchup. Both of these teams have great offenses and are backed by equally great defenses. Part of me wants to lean towards the Colts because they can actually run the football. But, the Bills being at home, and also having Josh Allen at QB, are just enough for me to pick them in a very close, defensive battle. If there’s anything I know, it’s that this will be a close one, and a very fun one to watch.

Ravens 24-16 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Both of these teams aren’t playing the most ideal football in the world as it stands, but I know they’re both itching to get back on track. Both teams also come in fairly well-rested, as Chicago had a bye last week and Baltimore played on Thursday. To put it plainly, I just don’t see a team as talented as the Ravens dropping back to back games against bad teams. Last week probably lit a fire under them, and I think they’ll bring that fire to the field on Sunday and do just enough to stop a pesky Bears team. It might not be the biggest margin of victory, but this team is simply too good to lay down and die for a second consecutive time. But, I won’t be surprised in the slightest if/when Justin Fields and company make things interesting in the fourth.

Browns 29-17 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Surely the Browns don’t lose this game, right? The Lions might be starting Tim Boyle in this game for crying out loud. There’s just no way Cleveland loses. Especially after last week’s embarrassment. This is a team that wants to show the league that they’re still capable. Beating up on the winless Lions is a perfect opportunity to do so. If they can’t do that, then it might be time to stick a fork in them.

Titans 28-10 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Oh look, it’s the best team in the AFC against the worst team in the AFC! Does anything else really need to be said? Whatever the spread is, take Tennessee and forget it. You’re welcome in advance for the free money.

Packers 27-16 Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

You guys know how I feel about the Vikings. I really like this team, especially offensively, and I think they have what it takes to compete with anyone. But, this might be too tall of a task for them. Not only does Aaron Rodgers historically own this franchise, but the Packers defense is easily the best in football right now, and I can see Kirk Cousins having his monthly stinker in a matchup this tough. I think this is going to be a long day at the office for Minnesota on both sides of the ball, and another great win for the best team in football.

Dolphins 19-14 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Yuck. Don’t want anything to do with this game. At least the Dolphins have shown in 3 straight weeks now that they’re a team capable of winning games. The Jets have shown that a few times, but with Joe Flacco starting at QB, I just don’t see that being the case this week. Miami’s defense is riding a high after last week, and it won’t take much to shut down this New York offense. As long as their offense does its job, this shouldn’t be too difficult for the Fins. Unfortunately, they almost never do.

Eagles 23-20 Saints

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

I know it sounds weird, but this is honestly my most anticipated game of the week. These are two teams that I feel very strange about for different reasons, and I think this game will answer a ton of questions about both of them. I feel like the Eagles are a lot better than they seem, and they’ve certainly been playing like it. Meanwhile, the Saints are treading water despite all of their injury woes, and have been arguably the unluckiest team in football. I just don’t know how to feel about either team. I’m rolling with the Birds because I like the way they’ve been playing, and momentum is on their side. Not to mention it’s the dome-playing Saints on the road in frigid Philly. It will be a very tough test for Jalen Hurts and his offense against a very stout Saints defense, but I see the Eagles making more plays down the stretch than the Trevor Siemian-led Saints offense to pull this one out in a very, very close game.

Panthers 24-20 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Storylines are everywhere. The biggest one is Cam Newton vs. Ron Rivera, which isn’t something that I was expecting to happen this season. Cam’s return to Carolina has been well-documented by now, and while this isn’t some sort of Brady-Belichick-like rubber match, it’s still intriguing. Both of these teams need wins to keep their season afloat, so this should be a hard-fought, close game throughout. I have to take the better team, which has to be the Panthers. They’re getting healthy offensively, and while I have no idea what I’m going to see out of Cam on Sunday, he seems to bring the energy with him wherever he goes, and I think it’s going to lift this offense enough to overcome a Washington defense that looks like it’s returning to form. Moreover, the Panthers defense is riding a high after last week’s shutdown of the Cardinals, and I think they’ll force Taylor Heinicke and the WFT offense into enough mistakes to put this game away late.

49ers 30-14 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The 49ers appear to be back, although just one game isn’t going to tell us this team’s trajectory for the rest of the season. What I do know is that the Jaguars shouldn’t be too much of a problem for them. They’re not much of a problem for anyone. They’ve been pesky in recent weeks, but I just don’t see that being the case in this game, at least not for its entirety. The Niners offense is playing efficient and physical football, and their defense is making plenty of plays. Against a rookie QB and bad roster, they should have a field day.

Bengals 31-21 Raiders

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

I can definitely see this game being a blowout, but I am done picking blowouts. Never again. The Bengals are coming off a much-needed bye, while the Raiders are sinking in the world’s fastest quicksand. This one doesn’t feel like it’s going to be competitive. It feels like Vegas has nothing to play for, despite being in the thick of the AFC playoff race. And while the Bengals are treading water in the AFC North, I think they know that they can beat anyone if they play their best ball. This will be an inspired bunch looking to make up for back to back embarrassing losses, and I expect them to put it to a reeling Raiders team that is simply lacking any signs of life.

Cowboys 30-27 Chiefs

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Well, this is it. Perhaps the most anticipated game of the season with more stars on the field than you can count. It’s going to be fun, no doubt, but our expectations need to be tempered. Everyone is riding the wave of the Chiefs after last week’s mightily impressive win in the desert, but this is still a team that has struggled all season long. The Cowboys, however, have barely struggled at all in 2021, and if last week was any indication, they took their one week of struggle very seriously. While I don’t think Dallas is going to roll in this game, I feel like they’re going to be comfortable for most of it. Patrick Mahomes seemingly has his mojo back, so perhaps he can pull off some magic to make things interesting late in the 4th quarter. But, the Cowboys have shown that they can win in the clutch as well. The better team will win this game.

Cardinals 28-17 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The health of Kyler Murray is the NFL’s biggest mystery, and nobody knows when he’ll be back. Could it be this week? Next week? Next month? We don’t have a clue. I put my faith in Arizona’s B-team last week, but they let me down in a big way. However, I believe in second chances. This is a pick that will remain whether Kyler can go or not. The Seahawks are playing absolutely abysmal football with no signs of life on either side of the football. At least I know what the Cardinals are capable of, whether they’re playing starters or backups. This isn’t a team that’s going to drop back to back games to bad teams.

Chargers 23-17 Steelers

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Sunday Night Football is full of questions and COVID issues. There are a plethora of Steelers players that are either out or in doubt for this game. Moreover, both of these teams are in a very weird spot right now. They both need a win desperately, and a loss will set them back in a huge way in this wild AFC playoff race. This is an easy pick for now, only because it’s likely that Mason Rudolph will start at QB once again for the Steelers. Last week inspired little-to-no confidence in Rudolph, so it’s easy to pick a Justin Herbert-led team to beat him. The Chargers haven’t inspired much confidence either, but surely they won’t lose to Mason Rudolph… right?

Buccaneers 27-20 Giants

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

One of the wonders of the world is why the Giants always cause Tom Brady so much trouble. This exact same matchup was on MNF last season, and New York very well could have won that game. Now, the Bucs are coming in off a poor loss to Washington, whereas the Giants are coming off a bye. All the makings are here for another upset. However, it’s just too hard to pick against Tom Brady. The status of both Gronk and AB are still in question, but even if they don’t play, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll have another poor performance. The Giants’ defense isn’t to be trifled with, but with Tampa being back home on primetime, it just feels impossible to pick against them. It’ll be close, but I just don’t see the Giants pulling off this upset.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 10 Picks

Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson both return to the field on Sunday as the Packers take on the Seahawks in a marquee NFC matchup. (h/t NFL.com)

The 2021 NFL season is officially halfway done. 9 weeks are behind us with 9 more in front of us. Things are starting to amp up across football, as division races and playoff pushes get crazier and continue to heat up. This is where the fun begins. I had another mediocre performance last week, going 7-7 to bring my season total to 83-52. I will do better! That being said, let’s get into this week’s picks:

Ravens 30-17 Dolphins

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

This game really has no excuse being close whatsoever. The Ravens have been playing well recently thanks to some clutch heroics from Lamar Jackson, and the Dolphins are one of the worst teams in football. The only reason I think this won’t be a complete blowout is Baltimore’s defense. It’s a unit that has struggled mightily this season, especially in the secondary. Maybe Miami has a chunk play or two in them down the field to put up some points. In any case, the outcome of this game is not in doubt whatsoever.

Cowboys 31-20 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Cowboys should be back to form this week, but this is a potentially treacherous situation for them. They laid a complete dud last week, whereas the Falcons went on the road and pulled off a huge upset of their rivals in New Orleans. But I just can’t pick the Falcons to win this game. I don’t think they’re as good as they might seem, and I think Dallas is still a great team despite their performance last week. It was the only game of the season that they didn’t show up. It shouldn’t happen again. As long as Dak Prescott is healthier, this offense should have no trouble mowing down a weak Atlanta defense.

Titans 24-23 Saints

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is a very intriguing matchup. Both of these teams have seemingly exceeded expectations this season, with the Saints just 1 game out of first place and the Titans holding the AFC’s 1 seed. Tennessee is coming off one of the best wins of the season, while New Orleans suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Falcons. I think these teams match up well with one another, especially defensively, so I see this one being close throughout. I do think the Saints have a better defense, but after seeing what the Titans did to the Rams offense last week, I have to roll with them. Even without Derrick Henry, this team finds ways to win, and I think they’ll get the job done over a Saints team that lacks an offensive identity.

Colts 26-20 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

If last week is any indication, the Jaguars are going to be a competitive team in the back half of the season. If this team can beat the Bills, who knows what else they can do? That being said, I think this week will bring the Jags back down to Earth. The Colts have been playing great football recently, and are coming off extended rest after playing on TNF last week. Their young stars Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. are winning people fantasy games left and right, and as long as Carson Wentz plays with his head on his shoulders, this shouldn’t be too much trouble for Indy. We saw what Josh Allen did against this Jacksonville team last week, so maybe they can force Wentz into some mistakes to make this a bit interesting.

Patriots 20-17 Browns

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

In my opinion, this is the best game of the week. These are two bright, young teams that are getting in a groove as we head into the back half of the season. I can’t wait to watch this one. These teams match up extremely well with one another, as they have similar formulas, especially with their run-first offenses. So, I think the deciding factor in this game is going to be the defenses. And New England’s defense is definitely better than Cleveland’s. The Browns have a good defense, that was on display all game long last week in Cincinnati. But this Patriots unit is just too good all across the board, whereas the Browns secondary has been struggling all year long. I think the Pats can do enough to stifle Baker Mayfield to put their offense in a position to win the game. We all know the story by now with Bill Belichick and young QBs. I think the Browns have the offensive talent to pull this off, but you know I love defense, so I’ll roll with the Patriots.

Bills 23-13 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Last week was another reminder to never pick huge blowouts, especially if the Bills are involved. While this is a situation that permits picking a massive win, I simply will not do it. I have learned my lesson. Still, there’s no way the Bills lose this game. The Jets are cute, but not nearly as good as Buffalo, and I just don’t see how a team as talented as the Bills lays down and dies for a second straight week. The defense won’t be an issue, but Josh Allen better button up and start playing like his old self again if this team wants to return to its winning ways.

Steelers 28-10 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

If I felt like the Steelers were capable of putting up huge offensive numbers, I’d pick a much bigger win than this. But, that’s not the case (and I’m also done picking huge blowouts). Still, Pittsburgh is vastly better than Detroit, which needs no explanation. The only interesting thing in this game is seeing how dominant the Steelers defense will be against an offense as anemic as the Lions’. I’m sure people who have that unit in fantasy are licking their chops this week.

Buccaneers 45-17 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Ok. I’m a hypocrite. But I promise this one will not be close. Nobody knows that more than I do. Let’s just be practical here and use our common sense. The Buccaneers have one of the most star-studded and prolific passing offenses in football. Washington has the worst passing offense in the NFL, statistically speaking. Do you catch my drift? Moreover, this Bucs team is coming off a bye, which means Tom Brady will be well-rested coming off a tough loss 2 weeks ago to the Saints. Washington is a football team (no pun intended) without a pulse, and this will be an absolute stomping that they deserve every bit of. I’m honestly excited to watch us get blown out. At least I have Tom Brady in fantasy.

Cardinals 30-14 Panthers

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

What exactly are the Panthers doing? They weren’t in the worst position with P.J. Walker under center while Sam Darnold recovers from injury. But now, Cam Newton is back in town. And I can’t wrap my head around it. I’m not sure who’s getting the start on Sunday (probably Walker), but no matter it is, this should be easy for Arizona. Kyler Murray’s status for this game is still in question, as is DeAndre Hopkins’, but if last week taught us anything, it’s that this team will be just fine if either or both of them can’t go. The Cardinals’ depth does wonders for them, and against one of the league’s most lifeless teams, they shouldn’t have a problem.

Chargers 31-28 Vikings

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This should be a fun one. These are practically the exact same teams in opposite conferences, from a historic standpoint. Two franchises that have always been solid but can’t get out of their own way, so they’ve never found any true success. What gives when these two clash on the field on Sunday? Well, I’m not sure. I think this is honestly a really even matchup. Both of these offenses are prolific and put up huge numbers, whereas both defenses have been porous. Therefore, I have to roll with the better offenses, and the Chargers have proven their ability to win games with their offense infinitely more than the Vikings have. Just look at last week’s games for both of these teams. That will tell you all you need to know. In any case, this should be a fun game the whole way through and will likely come down to who actually gets out of their own way late. Not even a coinflip can decide that.

Eagles 24-20 Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

I don’t really care about records here. In fact, I rarely do. I pick games based on what I’ve seen on the field from both teams. So, no, I don’t care that the Broncos are 5-4. I recognize that last week was a great performance from them against a great team, but I also recognize flukes in the NFL, and I believe that was one of them. Meanwhile, I look at a team like the Eagles, who have at least been consistent throughout most of this season, and certainly have the talent to win games against teams at their level. I think this is a great matchup for them, as Denver’s defense isn’t exactly a strength. Since the injury to Miles Sanders, more and more people are getting involved in the Philly offense, and they’ve been better off for it. You never know who the guy is going to be on any given Sunday, but someone will show up. No matter who that is this week, I think the Eagles will be able to pull this one out.

Packers 27-17 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

What an intriguing matchup on paper. Both Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are returning to their respective teams to give their teams a much needed boost. The Seahawks have been unwatchable without Russ, and last week with Jordan Love wasn’t very pretty for the Packers. With the two star QBs back, I think this game will be entertaining if nothing else. But, the Seahawks still have a defense that allows the 2nd most yards in football, whereas the Packers defense continues to be lockdown week after week. That makes this pick an easy one. I expect a huge day for Rodgers in his return, and the entire offense should get back on track after last week’s disappointing performance.

Chiefs 30-27 Raiders

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Sunday Night Football brings us one of the wackiest yet intriguing matchups that we’ll get on primetime this season. Both of these teams are in precarious positions, with the Chiefs winning very unimpressively while the Raiders are… the Raiders. This is a pivotal game in the AFC West, so I imagine both teams will play harder than they did last week, which isn’t the highest bar in the world. I have no idea what separates these teams, and that makes this pick extremely difficult. Both of these defenses have been poor, and thanks to some off-the-field problems for Vegas, both offenses are now sputtering. At the very least, we can say this is an even matchup. In a game like this, I usually take the better QB, which is certainly Patrick Mahomes, although he hasn’t been playing like it. I don’t have the most confidence in him or the Chiefs to get this done, but I have to pick a winner here, so what the hell.

Rams 31-17 49ers

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

If the 49ers decided to actually play like a real NFL team in recent weeks, this could have been a hell of a game. Instead, they have fallen apart, and now get a Rams team that should be furious coming off of a huge loss last week in primetime. LA should be ready to show the world that last week was a fluke, and they get a great opportunity to do so in another standalone game. I think this game will be close for a while, given the nature of primetime and division games, but the 49ers inspire little to no confidence to keep things close. The Rams potent offense should do more than enough to pull away late and get their season back on track.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 9 Picks

Former Packers 1st round pick Jordan Love is being thrown into the fire in his first career start on Sunday, taking on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. (h/t Getty Images)

We are officially at the midway point of the season. With 18 weeks, Week 9 is a definitive median, and with almost half the season behind us, there’s still plenty of questions that need to answer themselves. This season is only getting wilder and more confusing, and the second half should be a ton of fun. I had my worst week ever last week, going 6-9; I can’t remember ever having a week with a losing record (thanks, backup QBs). My season total now sits at 76-45. Hopefully this week brings better results. Let’s get into the picks:

Colts 30-20 Jets

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

This isn’t exactly the best primetime game ever, but if the Jets play like they did last week, then this could be fun. Mike White looked awesome as the starting QB, throwing for over 400 yards, and he’ll get another chance to prove himself on national TV. Unfortunately, I don’t see him replicating that performance. The Colts have been solid lately, and although they lost a heartbreaker last week, I think they’ll be fired up to get back on track. Carson Wentz, despite last week’s mistakes, has been very good, and this defense isn’t going to play that poorly again, especially against an anemic offense like New York has.

Bengals 24-20 Browns

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Browns are back to being one of the biggest messes in the NFL thanks to some off the field drama involving Odell Beckham Jr. (and his dad apparently). The former star WR didn’t get traded before the deadline, but it surely looks like his time in Cleveland is up. Moreover, this team looked like a mess on the field last week, and I’m not sure what it’ll take to get them back on track. The Bengals are hoping to avoid losing back to back games and fall further back in the division race, and I think that fire under them will push them over the top in a game like this. I just don’t see the Browns fixing their problems before Sunday.

Cowboys 28-13 Broncos

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

No matter who starts at QB for Dallas on Sunday (it will likely be Dak Prescott), it should be smooth sailing all game long. The Broncos have been terrible on both sides of the ball since the calendar flipped to September. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been playing like one of the NFL’s best teams, even when Cooper Rush is under center. There’s no need to overthink this one. If Dak plays, then this one could get really ugly. I expect to see another huge day out of the Dallas offense, and their defense should make some more big plays as well.

Dolphins 17-10 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Is this going to be the worst game of the year? It certainly has the potential. These are arguably the two worst teams in football, but someone has to win. I’ll take the less horrible team, which has to be the Dolphins. They may be terrible, but they haven’t looked as lifeless as the Texans have. They’re certainly capable of winning a game like this simply because they have talent on the field, which is more than Houston can say. All I know about this one is that I have no interest in watching a single second of it.

Saints 26-17 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This could be fun. The Saints are 5-2 and on fire coming off 3 straight wins including last week’s upset of the Buccaneers. Even after losing Jameis Winston to an ACL tear, I have confidence in this team to win with backup QB Trevor Siemian. The Saints have shown us time and time again that they can win plenty of games with backup QBs. This will be much less of a challenge than last week for him. The Falcons looked like they were picking up some sort of steam, but they laid one of their biggest duds of the season last week against Carolina. While I don’t think they’ll look that lifeless again this week against their biggest rival, I certainly don’t trust them a whole lot against a defense as great as New Orleans’ is. As long as Siemian remains efficient and this offense does its job, this should be smooth sailing for the Saints.

Raiders 28-19 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Raiders continue to deal with more insanity off the field than any other team on Earth, but I don’t think that will affect them too much in a game this easy. The Giants have been a scrappy team this season, but they never seem to be able to actually pull any upsets (barring their Week 4 win in NOLA). The Raiders are coming off a bye and even without Henry Ruggs III, their offense should be able to do just fine against this stout New York defense. Even if they’re stifled a bit, we all know the Giants offense isn’t good enough to win them any games.

Patriots 24-14 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

These two teams couldn’t be heading in more different directions. The Patriots are playing some great football lately and finally figuring themselves out offensively, leading to some efficient performances backed by a great defense. The Panthers meanwhile, are falling apart at the seams on both sides of the ball. They don’t have a pulse offensively without Christian McCaffrey, who might be coming back this week, but even if he does, I don’t think they have what it takes to beat a defense this solid. New England is shutting down the likes of Justin Herbert. I don’t think they’ll have many problems with Sam Darnold.

Bills 40-6 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I know, I know. Every time I predict one of these massive blowouts it always comes back to bite me. But I am so sure of this one. I promise you guys. The Jaguars couldn’t even move the ball on the Seahawks. The Seahawks! Why should I even have them scoring points against the best statistical defense in football? I’ve never been more confident in a blowout in my life. In fact, I genuinely believe this will be a shutout. I just don’t have the cajones to pick it.

Ravens 28-27 Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

I honestly think this will be the most fun game of the week. I don’t want to keep propping up the Vikings, but against a Ravens defense this bad, I have to. I don’t think the bye week magically fixed this porous Baltimore secondary, so the Vikes’ offensive weapons should be able to put up their usual numbers in this one. However, I don’t think it’ll be enough to overcome Lamar Jackson on the other side of the football. I think the Ravens realize how important every game is becoming with the Ravens and Bengals right on their heels in the division, and I don’t think they’ll drop this one. Their offense should do enough to carry them to victory. If their defense plays even a smidge above their usual par, then this shouldn’t be too much trouble.

Chargers 26-19 Eagles

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

The Chargers have no business playing a team like the Eagles close. That’s exactly why I think this will be a close game. LA has been fairly disappointing in recent weeks, and against a Philly team coming off a blowout win, albeit against the Lions, I think this one could be tight. Even if it isn’t close throughout the course of the game, you know the Eagles will do enough late to make thins interesting. I don’t see any way the Chargers end up losing this game, sheerly based off their superior talent on both sides of the ball, but they better hope that talent plays like they were earlier this season. They need to pick things up ASAP, and this should be a great opportunity for them to do so.

Packers 27-24 Chiefs

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Man. We’re really never getting a State Farm Bowl are we? Once again, the Packers and Chiefs are playing each other, but Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are not. Rodgers, thanks to either lying about his vaccination status or just sheer bad luck, will miss this game with COVID-19, so it’ll be the former first rounder Jordan Love under center for his first start and meaningful snaps of his professional career. And still, the Packers will win this game. I’m taking two factors into account here. The first one is that the Chiefs aren’t very good. They’re not good at all to be honest. Their defense has been arguably the worst in football, which is well documented at this point, and their offense is a fraction of what it once was. The second is that this seems to be the year of the backup QB. The Packers drafted Love in the first round for a reason. He surely has what it takes to play in this league, right? And in a year that backup QBs have looked like world beaters, what’s to stop him from tearing up a terrible defense? Unlike last week, Green Bay will have all of their offensive weapons at their disposal. So, all Love has to do is feed Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, and the defense should do the rest, shutting down a sorry KC offense.

Cardinals 23-20 49ers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The first time these teams met, it was Trey Lance’s first start for the 49ers, and it was honestly a lot closer than I expected. With Jimmy Garoppolo under center, I think it’ll be even closer. Sometimes in these division matchups, teams just play you really close and you can’t explain it. That’s what San Francisco does to Arizona, apparently. That being said, I see the same outcome as last time. The Cardinals are just the better team, and I don’t think they’ll be too keen on dropping back-to-back games after starting the season 7-0. Kyler and company should do enough to get the job done against a solid Niners team.

Rams 31-20 Titans

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

This game had so much promise. Up until this past Monday, I was looking forward to this one more than almost any other game this season. But, without Derrick Henry on the field for the Titans, I don’t see it being very close. The Rams are arguably the best team in the league, and they just got better with the acquisition of Von Miller. A Titans team without their best player (by a longshot) shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. Their defense still isn’t all that, so it should be another field day for Matt Stafford and the Rams offense. I think this game will teach us a lot about what the Titans are going to be without Henry. It’s going to be their toughest test of the season, so how will they overcome? I think Mike Vrabel is a great coach that has what it takes to keep his team on a winning path, but only time will tell how the next couple of months go in Tennessee.

Steelers 24-10 Bears

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This looks like another Monday night snoozefest on paper, and to be fair, it probably will be. But, I don’t think it’ll be completely unwatchable. The Steelers are playing some good football as of late, and this Bears team shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them. I’m honestly dreading seeing this Chicago offensive line deal with the Pittsburgh defensive front for 60 minutes. It’s going to be another ugly showing for Justin Fields and the Bears offense simply because the Steelers defense is going to be all over them. So, Big Ben and the offense won’t have to do too much to get what should be a seamless win in primetime.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 8 Picks

Kyler Murray’s Cardinals take on Aaron Rodgers’ Packers in a Thursday night matchup for the ages in Week 8. (h/t Heavy & Getty Images)

Another stacked weekend of NFL football is upon us, and as we head to the midpoint of the season, we’re still just getting started. I went 9-4 in Week 7, bringing my season total to 70-36. I’m pleased with my performance, but I think I’ll do a lot better this week. Let’s get into the picks:

Cardinals 34-17 Packers

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

Thursday Night Football this week was supposed to be legendary. The 7-0 Cardinals hosting the 6-1 Packers, Kyler Murray vs. Aaron Rodgers, two franchises who always produce classics, the list goes on and on. But, we’ve been robbed. Star WR Davante Adams tested positive for COVID, so he’ll be out for this game. That means the Packers offense will be derailed greatly. With Adams, they’re as lethal as anyone. But he’s their only real threat, so I don’t see much offensive production out of Green Bay in this game. Moreover, the Cardinals defense has been playing spectacularly as of late, so against a hobbled offense, they should be able to keep things in check. And with Kyler Murray and all those weapons on the other side, I think the Cards will breeze by in this one. It’s just a shame, because this had the potential to be one of the games of the season. Maybe you should be smarter after over 18 months of a global pandemic.

Falcons 26-23 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

These two teams are trending in very different directions. The Falcons are genuinely the better team right now, and they definitely have it in them to continue this mini win streak. The Panthers are simply lost as their defense has fallen from grace and Sam Darnold is back to seeing ghosts. I don’t think this team can win a game for as long as Christian McCaffrey is out. I expect to see another big game from the Falcons offense, and I’m excited to see if Kyle Pitts continues playing like a monster.

Bills 31-13 Dolphins

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

No need to overthink this. Not only is this one of the NFL’s best teams against one of its worst, but it’s one of the biggest mismatches in recent memory. Josh Allen has never lost to the Dolphins, and every time they play, he and the rest of the Bills all go crazy. They don’t even play the Dolphins remotely close. And coming off a bye? With a rough loss the week before? Buffalo is going to go nuts in this game. The margin of victory will likely be bigger than what I’ve predicted, but I’m trying to be nice here. Just take the Bills ATS and enjoy your free money.

49ers 21-17 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

These two historic franchises could not be more down bad heading into this game. Neither of these teams are doing anything right at the moment, and it’s honestly sad to see. The Bears are one of the most embarrassing teams in football with a pathetic offense and a defense that’s falling off a cliff. Meanwhile, the 49ers offense can’t find its pulse, and their secondary might as well stay on the sideline. So, what gives in a matchup like this? To me, it comes down to a single matchup: the Niners front 7 vs. the Bears offensive line. Chicago’s OL is the worst in football by a very good margin, and San Francisco’s defensive line is still plenty talented, and I think they’ll disrupt Justin Fields enough to separate themselves for a win. You still can’t help but feel bad for the rookie.

Browns 24-20 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is interesting. The Browns are treading water right now with all of their injuries, although they should be getting Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb back for this game. Both teams are coming off extended rest, as the Browns played last Thursday, and the Steelers had a bye week. I think both squads match up really well with one another, especially with Pittsburgh’s recent offensive developments. They’re slowly but surely figuring out that side of the ball, and their defense is still lockdown. But I’m sticking with Cleveland because of how dominant their run game is. We saw it on full display last week against Denver with a 3rd string RB, so with Chubb back, it should be all that and more. I think the Steelers offense can do big things against a weak Browns secondary, but I just don’t know if it’ll be enough to win. It should be a fun, physical, classic AFC North battle, and I’ll take what I think is the better team.

Eagles 27-17 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Lions are the kings of playing up to their competition, so what happens in a game against another terrible team? Well, maybe not a close game. The Eagles are the kings of the statpad, but against a very bad Lions defense, I think their offense can put in good work all game long. The loss of Miles Sanders shouldn’t hurt too much, as Kenneth Gainwell has proven himself as an effective runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield. Moreover, Detroit’s defense is just terrible, and I think a mobile QB like Jalen Hurts will be too much to handle. This could be close for a bit, but the Eagles are definitely the better team and should be able to pull away late.

Colts 28-24 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This should be a fun one. This is an imperative AFC South matchup, and while it doesn’t feel like it, it’s also the 2nd game between these teams this season. The Titans easily dispatched of the Colts in their first meeting, but this is a different Indianapolis team now. They’ve figured themselves out, and they’re playing their best football. Tennessee isn’t showing any signs of slowing down either, after back-to-back wins against AFC giants. This is a very even matchup, and it’s almost impossible to pick. I’m rocking with the Colts for a few reasons. For starters, they are at home, and that can’t be understated, even if home teams have a losing record this season in the NFL. They’re also getting better QB play, as Carson Wentz has elevated this offense whereas Ryan Tannehill’s only job is to hand the ball off to Derrick Henry. Indy’s ability to beat you with both the run and the pass is simply too lethal, and while Tennessee’s defense is seemingly improving, I’m picking the more balanced team.

Bengals 31-10 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is going to be ugly. One of the NFL’s best teams against arguably its worst. A bit of a mismatch here. The Jets are not only terrible, but they’ll also be starting their backup QB Mike White in this game. If a 1980s offense like the Patriots can put up 54 against this team, then the explosive Bengals offense might break records in this game. Just bet it and forget it.

Rams 30-6 Texans

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This is going to be ugly. One of the NFL’s best teams against arguably its worst. A bit of a mismatch here. Woah, deja vu anyone? Yes, the Rams played the Lions close a week ago, but they seemingly do that against garbage teams every year for some reason. Now that they got that relative dud out of the way, they’re well on their way to a romp of a disgracefully bad Texans team. I genuinely doubt Houston reaches double digits in this game. That’d be the shock of the week.

Chargers 27-24 Patriots

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is honestly one of the more under-the-radar games of the week, and maybe even the season. This is a really enticing matchup to me. The Chargers are obviously one of the league’s best teams, and their balance has won them so many games. But, the last time we saw them, their defense was carved up by the Browns. Now, they get a Patriots team that just dropped a 50 burger, albeit against the Jets. New England is slowly figuring out their offensive rhythm, and their defense is still very solid. This is a very even matchup, but I think the Chargers simply have too much talent to lose this game. When it comes down to it, I trust Justin Herbert a lot more than Mac Jones to lead his team to victory, but that says more about Justin than Mac. This should be a fun QB matchup, and a great game in general.

Jaguars 24-16 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This game can go one of only two ways. It will either be the most unwatchable game of the season, or the most hilarious dumpster fire that you can’t take your eyes off of. Either way, the quality of football in Seattle on Sunday afternoon won’t be very good. The last time we saw the Jags, they picked up their first win, and honestly played pretty good football in doing so. Coming off a bye, why can’t they do it again? It is another very long road trip, but they’re luckily playing one of the most lifeless teams in football. The Seahawks aren’t worth a damn without Russell Wilson, and neither side of the ball has a pulse. I think the Jaguars have enough fight in them to pull off the road “upset”. I’d genuinely be more shocked if Geno Smith leads his team to victory than if Jacksonville were to win this game.

Washington 26-24 Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

I’d like to clarify something. Picking Washington to win this game isn’t a vote of confidence. It’s me trying to be realistic. I don’t have faith in this team to do anything correctly, but they really should be able to pull this off. Denver has been falling apart over the last month or so, and neither side of the ball can get anything going. Their offense has been extremely lethargic as of late under Teddy Bridgewater, and their defense has been porous. The latter will only get worse with Von Miller’s injury. Washington clearly has enough in them offensively to put up stats, so if they can translate that into points in this game, it should be enough to win. The defense will remain a problem, but if they can’t stop an offense this bad, then they absolutely deserve to lose.

Buccaneers 28-17 Saints

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The Saints are the only team that has had the answers against the Buccaneers since Tom Brady has gotten there (in the regular season, that is). New Orleans beat Tampa Bay convincingly in both regular season games last year before being shut down by them in the playoffs. Now, Tampa is playing the hottest football on earth, and they will not be slowed down. The Saints still have a ton of defensive strength, but their offense won’t be able to keep up with the firepower that the Bucs have. Moreover, Tampa’s defense is only getting better, and the Saints could barely score on a very, very bad Seahawks defense a week ago. This could be close for a short while, simply because this is a divisional game, but I’d be shocked if it ends close. The Bucs are the kings of pulling away late.

Cowboys 31-28 Vikings

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

I cannot wait to watch this game. You guys know by now how high I am on both of these teams, so the fact that they get to duke it out on Sunday Night Football is a dream come true for me. Both of these offenses are so high powered, and both defenses have been playing much better than expected. I honestly think this is a very even matchup on paper, but I have to pick the Cowboys. They’ve simply shown more offensively, boasting a balanced attack that gets more impressive by the week. Dak Prescott is dealing with a calf injury coming into this game, but I think the team around him is plenty talented to make up for it if it does end up affecting him. Their defense has also been their closer all season long, and I don’t see why that has to change. The Vikings have plenty of talent of their own on both sides of the ball to stick around from start to finish, but I don’t think they have what it takes to be the better team in the clutch. Seemingly all of their games come down to the wire, and whether or not they come out on top is essentially a coinflip. I won’t leave my pick to chance on this one.

Chiefs 27-16 Giants

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

The Chiefs need this bounce-back game like oxygen. It couldn’t be coming at a better time for them. Yes, the Giants are coming off of a dominant win, but that was against the Panthers, who have a significantly worse offense than this Kansas City team. While the Chiefs struggled on that side of the ball last week, I don’t see that happening in back to back weeks. I do think New York’s defense is nice and more than capable of making enough plays to make this game interesting, but their offense doesn’t seem to keep up with the Chiefs. It won’t necessarily be a blowout, but the better team will emerge victorious when it matters most. At least, the Chiefs better hope they do. Imagine the headlines if they lose this game.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 7 Picks

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs travel to Nashville to take on Derrick Henry in an exciting, pivotal AFC matchup on Sunday. (h/t James Kenney, Associated Press)

The smallest week of the season thus far in terms of number of games is upon us. Even with 3 less games on, this Week 7 still has promise. There aren’t the best matchups on paper, but I have hope that we can get some good games this week. I went 11-3 last week, bringing my season total to 61-32. We are improving quite nicely. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Broncos 24-20 Browns

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

The Browns are in a very unfortunate situation right now. There are injuries everywhere in Cleveland, and with Baker Mayfield’s shoulder injuries continuing, it will be Case Keenum under center tonight. He’s obviously an experienced and very good backup, but with all the other injuries on the offense, especially the absence of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, he won’t have much help. Denver is begging for a bounce back victory, and I think this is a perfect opportunity for them to get it. I just don’t see how the Browns can win this game with so many problems.

Packers 33-16 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is a massacre waiting to happen. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t exactly had a flashy, statsheet-stuffing game this season, but he’ll get one here. Washington has arguably the worst defense in football, and nobody defends the pass worse. Rodgers and Davante Adams should have an absolute field day. Moreover, Green Bay’s defense is playing well enough against poor offenses to limit their scoring. Washington can’t find their rhythm offensively, so I don’t expect to see many points put up by them. This is simply going to be a blowout. Start every Packer you have in fantasy.

Chiefs 34-28 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is probably the most fun matchup of the week. These are two of the most high-powered offenses in football, both with lackluster defenses behind them. Expect to see a lot of points in Nashville on Sunday. The key to beating Tennessee is keeping Derrick Henry relatively in check, and while I don’t think Kansas City has what it takes to do so, I trust Patrick Mahomes more than anyone to overcome that. Henry should have another awesome performance in this game, but nobody wins more track meets than the Chiefs. Plus, their defense looked better last week, and perhaps they’re trending in the right direction. This game will be an excellent benchmark for them to see where they’re at as we head to the midway point of the season.

Falcons 27-20 Dolphins

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

I don’t want to watch a second of this game. This is going to be an eyesore. These are two of the worst teams in football, but at least the Falcons didn’t lose to the Jaguars. They have beaten most of the terrible teams they’ve played this season, with the exception of Washington, so I have no doubt that they can handle a badly reeling team like the Dolphins. Miami has too many offensive problems, and their defense is still putrid. Atlanta, coming off a bye, should have their way on offense, and that should be enough to get the job done.

Patriots 23-14 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

If you love boring football, this game is for you! The first time these teams played, it was a Zach Wilson turnover fest and a breeze of a win for the Patriots. I don’t see this one being much different. Wilson is only getting better, but he’s still a walking INT. New England’s defense has been struggling recently, but this will be an excellent chance to get back on track. Moreover, Mac Jones and the offense are improving every week, and they should be able to pick apart the Jets defense. This should be an easy one for the Pats.

Panthers 26-19 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Panthers are dying to end their skid, and this is a perfect opportunity to do so. There might not be any teams playing worse football than the Giants right now, and they are still remarkably beat up. Carolina is at their lowest point on both sides of the ball, but they’re not nearly as low as New York. Even without Christian McCaffrey, the offense should put up a nice performance. And their defense should return to form, especially with CB Stefon Gilmore finally debuting. The Giants might keep this close, but I don’t see them winning this one.

Bengals 26-23 Ravens

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Why not? You know I love the way the Bengals are playing right now. Both sides of the ball are clicking, and they’re finally realizing their potential. The Ravens are the best team in the AFC right now, and are coming off a massive win, but I still don’t know how I feel about their defense. Cincy has what it takes both passing and running the football, and I really think they have a great shot at pulling this upset. The key is their defense keeping Lamar Jackson in check, and based on their play in recent weeks, I think they can do just that. This would be a hell of a win to shake up the AFC, and while I’m not sure how likely it is, I’m trusting my gut and picking the underdogs.

Raiders 29-19 Eagles

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

The Raiders are back to rolling offensively, and they might have their most explosive performance yet on Sunday. Philly’s pass defense has been dreadful this season, and I don’t see them slowing down this Vegas team at all. Moreover, the Eagles offense isn’t the best in the world, and while the Raiders defense hasn’t been playing very well, it doesn’t take much to stop Jalen Hurts. I expect to see another big game for Derek Carr and his plethora of weapons en route to a fairly easy win.

Rams 27-23 Lions

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

Vegas sees this as a blowout, but I’m honestly not so sure. This is the Matt Stafford revenge game, and I feel like the emotions of that might keep this close for a bit. Combine that with the general scrappiness of the Lions thus far in 2021, and you get what should be a tight game. Yes, the Rams are an infinitely better football team, but I’ve seen this story far too many times with so many elite teams. I have no doubt that they’ll win, and I recognize that they’ll probably blow Detroit out, but I have a strange feeling. It’s either that, or seeing a 15-point spread gave me too much anxiety.

Cardinals 38-13 Texans

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

No need to overthink this one at all. In a very rare scenario, my #1 team is facing my #32 team. This is going to be a wash. I think I might be predicting this one to be way closer than it’ll actually be. The spread in this game is a whopping 17.5 points. My advice for any potential Cardinals bettors? Bet it and forget it.

Buccaneers 26-20 Bears

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

I don’t see this being too difficult for the Bucs, but the Bears have a tendency to make things interesting. They’ve been very competitive under Justin Fields, and their defense has been playing very well as of late. Still, it will be too much to overcome a team like Tampa. They have one of the hottest offenses in the game, and while their defense hasn’t played up to par, they’re slowly starting to get back on track. I don’t think it’ll be a record-breaking day for Tom Brady, but I expect to see some more big numbers in what should be a decently-challenging game.

49ers 27-26 Colts

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Sunday Night Football might actually be a lot more entertaining than it seems on paper. For one, the Colts offense has been on fire recently, and Carson Wentz is looking like a real QB again. Also, Jonathan Taylor has been one of the most fun RBs to watch this season, and he’s somehow still only getting better. On the flip side, you have a 49ers team coming off a bye and likely getting Jimmy Garoppolo back. Their offense is likely to get its groove back with Jimmy G back under center, and it could make for a very entertaining offensive game in primetime. I’m sticking with San Francisco because I trust their defense more, and I’ve seen a lot more out of them than Indy’s so far this year, but it wouldn’t shock me if this goes the other way. In any case, I’m expecting to see a very fun game on Sunday night.

Saints 31-20 Seahawks

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

Like its primetime counterpart on the night before, I think this could be a sneaky good game. It would have been a lot more entertaining with Russell Wilson under center for the Seahawks, but Geno Smith showed that he can compete last week. This might be too much for the Seattle defense to handle, though. The Saints offense has been a roller coaster, but they are consistently good against bad defenses. Seattle has the worst total defense in the league, so I’m expecting to see another big game out of Jameis Winston and company like we saw before their bye week. New Orleans’ defense is also looking better after being torn up by the Giants, and I don’t think they’ll struggle too much against the Seahawks of all teams.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 5 Picks

Week 5 may not look as appetizing as so many weeks have been so far this season, but if the NFL in 2021 has taught us anything, it’s that great games can come from anywhere. Let’s pick this week’s contests.

Josh Allen and the Bills will be looking to avenge their AFC Championship Game loss from last January as they return to Kansas City for a primetime showdown with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. (h/t Timothy T. Ludwig and Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

This week doesn’t have the best matchups on paper, but if there’s anything that this season has proven to us, is that any game can turn into an instant classic. And still, there are some great games waiting to kick off that I’m very excited to see, as always. The 2021 season is still scratching the surface of its unpredictability. I had another bad week in Week 4, going 9-7 to bring my season total to 37-26. I’m trying to do better, and hopefully this week gets me back on track. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Rams 31-20 Seahawks

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

Thursday night’s matchup might seem like a great one on paper, but if you know me, you know I have a ton of problems with Seattle. Their offense hasn’t been playing its best ball, and their defense is still as bad as ever. It should be a nice bounce-back opportunity for LA, as this will be a much easier matchup for their offense to put up its usual numbers. Also, their defense should be able to shine by limiting an already thin Seahawks offense. Divisional games can always be close, but I think this is just a mismatch.

Falcons 30-23 Jets

Sunday, 9:30 AM EST, NFL Network

Why the NFL would deliberately send this game to England to try and grow our game is beyond me. The one silver lining to this matchup is that it feels like points will be put up, so maybe our friends across the pond won’t be too bored. The Jets may be trending upwards after picking up a win last week, but I just don’t have faith in them to carry that momentum anywhere. This is a favorable matchup considering how terrible the Falcons defense is, but I think Atlanta has more playmakers on offense, and that will be the difference in this game. It’s not a unit that has been clicking, but they put up a solid performance against Washington last week, and I’m expecting to see more of the same on Sunday morning.

Packers 23-21 Bengals

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is actually a really good matchup. It feels like everyone is now getting a sense of how good the Bengals have been, but this will be their toughest test yet. The Packers are back to playing their style of football, and their defense has honestly been better than their offense. They’ll have their hands full with a Cincy offense that is filled with plenty of talented pass-catchers. That’s why I think Green Bay’s offense will be the deciding factor in this game. The Bengals defense isn’t as bad as it has been in the past, but this is still Aaron Rodgers we’re talking about. When his number is called upon, all he does is deliver, and I think that will be the difference on Sunday. But, if there’s anyone who can prove me wrong in a situation like this, it’s Joe Burrow.

Vikings 27-16 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

As I said yesterday, I’m done putting any faith in the Lions. You guys also know by now that I’m pretty fond of the Vikings, even with their scoreboard struggles this season. This should be a fairly easy one for Minnesota to get back in the win column. Detroit’s offensive prowess isn’t much of a threat, and their defense has been nothing short of Swiss cheese this season. I’m sure the Vikings offense is itching to put up big numbers after being stifled last week against the Browns. I expect an offensive performance similar to the ones we saw earlier in the season out of Kirk Cousins and the Vikes, and yet another loss for the kneecap warriors in Motown.

Broncos 23-17 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

It’s hard to make this pick on the Thursday before the game, since it’s uncertain whether or not Teddy Bridgewater will clear concussion protocol and play in this game. But, all signs are pointing towards him being available, so I’ll pick it with that in mind. The Broncos are just a better overall team than the Steelers are, and it’s reflected perfectly in both teams’ performances so far this season. Even against a good Pittsburgh defense, I see Denver doing just enough with the football in their hands to separate themselves late in this game. Moreover, the Steelers don’t do nearly enough on offense to inspire any confidence against a very stout Broncos D. I expect this one to be close, but I’m sticking with my gut and picking the better team to come out on top.

Buccaneers 28-17 Dolphins

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I’m sure the Bucs are happy to have escaped the cold and rainy northeast to come back to the Sunshine State for this game. And I genuinely think it will affect their offensive performance. How could it not? Tom Brady should be back to his Brady ways, especially against a defense that hasn’t fit the bill at all this season. It should be a field day through the air for Tampa. And despite their seemingly never-ending defensive injuries, the Dolphins aren’t a very scary offensive opponent, so the Buccaneers should be just fine on that side of the ball as well. I don’t think this one will be close at all.

Saints 31-27 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Oh brother, this one should be fun. As it seems, neither of these defenses could stop a small child with their hands tied behind their back from picking up yards, so I expect to see a lot of points on Sunday in Landover. Both of these offenses have plenty of talent to light up the scoreboard, so the difference in this game will be the playmaking ability, or perhaps lack thereof, of the defenses. Washington has the 4th worst total defense in football, while New Orleans is 7th. Not much separation there. But, while it seems like Washington has the talent on that side of the ball to make a difference, they haven’t done so at all this year. This team hasn’t forced a turnover since September 12th, and they refuse to get off the field. While the Saints defense inspires little to no confidence, I’ve seen them put up 2 pretty good performances this season, so I’ll ride with them. Washington has to show me that they can play up to their talent before I trust that defense in any regard. If they can’t stop Jameis Winston, there will be hell to pay.

Panthers 26-20 Eagles

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This one could be fun. The biggest contingency for that will be the play of the Panthers defense. That unit entered last week as the best in football, statistically, but they got shelled by the Cowboys from start to finish, much like the Eagles did on the previous Monday. So, which Carolina defense will we get on Sunday? I think it will be somewhere in the middle, as the Eagles don’t pose nearly as much of an offensive threat, but they can still put up their numbers. In any case, Philly’s defense is just dreadful, so the Panthers should be easily able to put up plenty of points, with or without Christian McCaffrey in the lineup. This is still a very solid unit, and Sam Darnold should have a nice bounce-back game.

Titans 25-24 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Yuck. I don’t even want to think about this game. The team that just lost to the Jets vs. the team whose coach spent his weekend getting twerked on. Do I have to? Fine. Give me the team with a pulse. I know it might seem like neither of those teams fit that description at this point, which is fair, but the Titans have too much talent to drop another game in this vein. It would be the most embarrassing thing to happen to this franchise since… ever. Plus, the Jaguars could very well come into this game and play terrible football considering all of the off-the-field distractions of this week. There is just no excuse for Tennessee to drop this.

Patriots 29-12 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

As it stands, the Texans are the punching bag of the NFL, and I don’t see this week going any differently. It’s still Davis Mills under center in Houston, and if you’ve paid any attention to him, you’d know that’s not a good thing. Plus the Patriots played arguably their best game of the year last Sunday despite losing, and I’m sure they’ll be itching to go out and get that win that evaded them. There’s arguably no better opponent to let out your hostility against and pick up an easy W against than Houston. As I said: punching bag.

Raiders 27-21 Bears

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is an interesting one. Justin Fields will be making his first start as the real starter in Chicago, and it’ll be against a Raiders team that might be a bit lost right now. They just suffered their first loss on Monday night in LA, and their defense struggled mightily. Fields didn’t have a standout game by any means against a weak Detroit defense last week, but he didn’t need to. Between that and the tough defenses they’ve faced this season, he hasn’t had the chance to show what he can do. Now, he’ll be without David Montgomery, so he’ll have to carry the load with his arm in this game against a very poor secondary. Will he light up Las Vegas? Or will it be more struggles? I honestly think it’s too hard to tell, especially when you consider how the Bears coaching staff is treating him. With that in mind, I’ll stick with the better offense that I know can put up points, especially at home. Also, the Bears defense hasn’t been very good, so I expect Derek Carr and the Raiders offense to return to form and put up some more big numbers. But, if this season has proven anything, it’s that anything can happen.

Chargers 23-20 Browns

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This right here is my game of the week. The moment I saw this game on the schedule, my eyes lit up. There is just so much I’m excited to see. Justin Herbert and the Chargers are finally starting to realize their potential, and now they get to face a Cleveland team that is extremely solid overall with a defense that’s playing lights out football. It’s just such a great matchup. For me, there is one major matchup that differentiates these teams: the Browns offense vs. LA’s defense. The Bolts have been great defensively in every game they’ve played this season, limiting every single opponent to their lowest scoring output. The Browns struggled last week with a decent Vikings defense, so what happens when they face an elite unit like this one? If the Chargers take away the run, can Baker Mayfield win this game with his arm? I don’t think so. Moreover, I simply trust Justin Herbert to win this game more. He’ll be facing a relentless pass rush, but his offensive line has been sensational this season, so it eases those worries. I just think the Chargers have the upper hand in the crucial matchups within this game, and I also think they’re the better team. But this should be a great game, and I’m very excited to see it.

Cowboys 28-24 Giants

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

There truly is nothing in this world like an NFC East game on national television. They seemingly always deliver. For that reason, among a few others, I think this will actually be a great game. Both of these teams have a ton of momentum, as the Cowboys have won 3 in a row behind great offensive play and even better defense, while the Giants are coming off of an offensive explosion last week in New Orleans. I don’t have much faith in New York to keep putting up huge numbers, especially against a secondary that has been as good as Dallas’, but as I said earlier, divisional games always play out differently. It won’t be another insane game for the Giants, but I think they’ll do enough to stick around and make things interesting. Still, there’s no way I can pick against Dallas here. They’ve been too good as of late, and they’ve given me too much to like. Plus, New York’s defense isn’t built to slow down this offense in any regard. My mind is telling me this will be a blowout, but I just have a feeling that this one could come down to the wire. In any case, the outcome is not in doubt.

Cardinals 30-20 49ers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

All signs are pointing towards this being Trey Lance’s first start at QB for the 49ers, and if that’s the case, I’m honestly worried for him. This is not an ideal circumstance to make your first start. The Cardinals are the NFL’s lone undefeated team, and they are playing incredible football on both offense and defense. They just dismantled the Rams, a team that was the consensus best team in football after 3 weeks. Now, the seemingly unready rookie has to be thrown into the fire and try to win this game. Don’t get me wrong, I really like Trey Lance, and I have very high hopes for his future, but this might be a rough one. San Francisco is dealing with a plethora of offensive injuries, and against a secondary as tight as Arizona’s, I’m not sure how effective he’ll be. No matter what, he won’t outplay Kyler Murray, who should continue his MVP form against a defense that isn’t playing terribly, but is simply letting up too many points. Perhaps the rookie proves me wrong on Sunday, but I just don’t see it.

Bills 34-27 Chiefs

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Sunday night’s matchup is a rematch of last year’s AFC title game, but the situation with these teams seems a lot different. The Bills are the better team as of right now, as they have ripped off a 3-game winning streak filled with explosive offense and suffocating defense, albeit against weak opponents. Meanwhile, Kansas City has been faced with real struggle for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, largely because their defense can’t stop a nosebleed. The offense is doing it usual thing, putting up the 2nd most yards and points per game in the league, but on the flip side, the defense is giving up the 2nd most yards (437.8) and points (31.3) per game. No matter how good your offense is, it’s nearly impossible to overcome that bad of defensive play. Meanwhile, the Bills have the #1 total and scoring defense. So, again, despite the Chiefs offense looking like themselves, this is no walk in the park. I will always Patrick Mahomes to do his thing and wow us with his playmaking, but Buffalo has just been better on both sides of the ball, and they have all the right things going for them right now. This pick isn’t just an indictment on KC’s defensive struggles, but it also speaks to how good I think the Bills are. I think they’ll prove it to you all as well on Sunday night.

Ravens 27-17 Colts

Monday, 8:15 EST, ESPN

The Ravens have been overcoming their backfield injuries by becoming a prolific passing offense, as Lamar Jackson has been effortlessly airing it out over his last 2 games. Because of that, Baltimore has become less reliant on Jackson as a runner, which opens up the offense that much more. That was on full display last week as they ripped apart a Broncos defense that was the best statistical pass defense in football going into the game. So, this game should be another day at the office for them. Indy did pick up their first win last week, but it was against a Miami team that isn’t very good, and virtually handed them the game. I expect to see another big game for Lamar through the air, and I think it should be awesome once again. Then again, when isn’t he awesome to watch?

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 4 Picks

Week 4 promises to continue to bring the scorching heat of the 2021 season. Let’s pick this week’s games, including some absolute doozies.

Tom Brady returns to New England to take on his former team and head coach in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season this Sunday night. (h/t NFL.com)

The 2021 NFL season is continuing to chug along at a rapid pace, and we’re already almost a quarter of a way done with the regular season. Even in the longest season in league history, things seem like they’re moving too fast. In any case, this week is no different than those that have come before it, because we’ve got some more great games on tap in Week 4, and I can’t wait for them to get going. I went 10-6 in Week 3, bringing my season total to 29-19. I would like to be doing much better, and luckily I have a very long season ahead of me to improve. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Bengals 27-16 Jaguars

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NFL Network

Thursday night’s jungle cat fight might not seem like much on paper, but I think this game has some potential to be somewhat good. It will at least be interesting. The #1 storyline is obviously the battle between the last two first overall picks: Joe Burrow vs. Trevor Lawrence. There is a difference, as Burrow seems to be doing very well coming off of last year’s injury whereas Lawrence has been struggling mightily to start his young career. These teams are also in very different positions, as the Jaguars are still trying to find their identity under Urban Meyer, while the Bengals look surprisingly good. This one should be easy for the team wearing orange. I’m hoping to see a good game, but you rarely get that with Jacksonville.

Washington 24-23 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

How am I supposed to pick this game? Both of these teams have had identical seasons up until now: 1-2 to start the year with each team getting their lone win on a game-winning field goal against the Giants. It’s almost eerie. Neither team is doing anything particularly well to start the year either. So, what gives in a matchup like this? I honestly don’t know. I’m sticking with Washington because I like their talent across the board more, especially defensively, but that defense better start playing up to that talent level. I’m holding out hope that it happens, but I’m not counting on anything. If they do, this should be a fairly easy one. If not, it will easily be another loss.

Bills 34-13 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This one might be the ugliest game of the week. The Bills are playing red hot football, and the Texans are… the Texans. I will always give the NFL credit for its parity, but at a time like this, this is as big of a mismatch as there can be. Vegas seems to agree with me considering the 16-17 point spread. It will be the rookie QB Davis Mills once again for Houston, and against a team playing its best ball, it will be a rough, rough day. I expect another huge performance from Josh Allen and the Bills offense. Anything less will honestly be a disappointment.

Lions 23-20 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Against all odds, someone has to win this game (yes, I know I used that line last week). At this point, the Lions deserve a win much, much more than the Bears do. Chicago’s dreadful, almost nonexistent gameplan last week nearly got Justin Fields killed in Cleveland, and the coaching staff doesn’t deserve anything good because of it. The Bears haven’t even named their starting QB for this game yet, so it could be Fields, Andy Dalton, or even Nick Foles. So, at this point, I simply cannot pick them. Moreover, the Lions have been a very scrappy team that is seemingly never out of a game, and for all of their heartbreak and struggle, they deserve a W. I hope they get it in this game.

Cowboys 28-23 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is one of the more fun matchups of the week on paper. One of the NFL’s surprising undefeated teams heading to Arlington to take on the red hot Cowboys. As I said yesterday, Carolina’s injury problems are a definite cause for concern. Being without RB Christian McCaffrey is going to limit this offense, as Chuba Hubbard isn’t exactly at that level. While I love their defensive front, the Cowboys offensive line has been playing good football so far, and I think Dallas will still be able to run the ball effectively. Even if that aspect of the game is taken away, I still trust Dak Prescott and that stacked WR core to get the job done airing out the football. The Panthers don’t exactly have the same talent at that position, especially with D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson dealing with injuries. I’m not sure why I think this game will be close, but in any case, I’m confident in the Cowboys emerging victorious.

Dolphins 20-17 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Both of these teams are in pretty crummy positions, but at least they have the benefit of being able to play one another on Sunday. Someone has to pick up a win and get their season back on track, even if that track isn’t a lasting one. Simply put, the Dolphins have shown me a lot more than the Colts have in order to give me confidence to pick them. They came all the way back last week against the Raiders and were very close to at least coming away with a tie. The Colts haven’t been competitive in any of their games this season, and against a pretty good Miami defense, this isn’t a situation that seems like it’ll get any better. Neither of these teams can afford a loss, and Miami seems much more situated to come away with a big win. Plus, Jacoby Brissett might be looking for a little personal revenge going up against his old team. I think he’ll have a nice game, and the Dolphins will get back to .500.

Browns 30-28 Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is honestly my most anticipated game of Week 4. These are two teams that I am higher on than anyone else I know, and I cannot wait to see them duke it out. On paper, the Browns seem like the much better team, but as I said yesterday, the Vikings could easily be 3-0, and people would be viewing them a lot differently. These are two red hot offenses, and it comes down to which defense can step up when it matters most. Both of these defenses are better up front than they are in the second level, but at the same time, both of these run games are so diverse and hard to stop that it’s almost impossible to predict who comes out on top. Minnesota likely has the more explosive passing offense, so why not them? My answer lies in what I saw out of the Browns defensive line last week. This is a unit that is hungry for the football, and if they can get after Kirk Cousins like they did last week with Justin Fields, then that will be the difference in this game. I don’t want to put all of my eggs in that basket, but that’s why I’m sticking with Cleveland.

Saints 24-16 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This game will likely be a complete snoozefest, but I have no doubts about the outcome of it. The Giants are a tire fire that has nothing going for them on either side of the ball. The Saints might be inconsistent, but they have shown great promise on offense and even greater promise on defense. If the defense plays just as good as they did last week in Foxboro, then it should be an easy day at the office for the offense to simply hold onto the football and put together a few scoring drives and come out on top. This New York team is far too incompetent on both sides of the ball to do anything about that.

Titans 31-10 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Titans are playing some pretty good football right now, and even if they have some problems, this is nothing short of a bye week. The Jets are in the midst of one of the worst stretches of football I have ever seen, and I fully expect them to get ran over once again. Derrick Henry could run for 200 yards in this game with his eyes closed and his arms tied behind his back. If you have any Titans on your fantasy team, start them. It is going to be a field day for the team in navy. And it is going to somehow get even uglier for the Jets.

Chiefs 31-20 Eagles

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Chiefs are visibly struggling right now, so it’s good that they get an easy bounce back game against a team like the Eagles. Philly can’t stop a nosebleed on defense, and against a KC offense itching for its next massive play, we could see some fireworks from Patrick Mahomes and company. While I have no faith in the Chiefs defense, the Eagles don’t exactly pose much of an offensive threat. All of their best work last week came in garbage time when they were playing catch-up. I expect a repeat performance of that this week. It might not be as much of a struggle early for Jalen Hurts and the Birds, but it will certainly be another uphill battle late.

Rams 27-24 Cardinals

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This is easily the best game of the week on paper. Two 3-0 division rivals playing some of the hottest football in the league battling in the City of Angels for the right to sit atop the NFC West and keep their unbeaten streak going. It almost feels like Hollywood. This is the toughest test thus far for Arizona, and it’s not very close. On the other hand, the Rams just passed the test of all tests, and I think that’s the defining factor in picking this game. The Rams have nothing left to prove. They’ve just proven that they’re the NFL’s best team. The only thing they have to lose in this game is that crown. I’m not sure if the Cardinals have it in them to do what LA was able to do last week. Yes, their offense is a fireworks machine, but the Rams defense has done a great job of limiting big plays and keeping things in front of them. I think they will keep Kyler Murray and company in check, and their offense will do the rest. It will be a great game, but it’s hard to see the Rams losing.

49ers 30-20 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

The Seahawks clearly have a lot of problems that they’re trying to figure out. Unfortunately for them, this isn’t a game that they’ll get to do much of that in. Even in a loss last week, the 49ers finished the game looking very strong. They can’t afford to start as slow as they did again, but I doubt that will happen against a Seahawks offense that had a very hard time putting up points last week. Moreover, San Francisco’s defense is still the best unit in any game they play, and those Seattle struggles on offense will only continue in this one. The Seahawks just seem like a mess right now, and this is too difficult of a matchup for them to get back on track. I think this will be easy for the Niners, and I think the questions will only get louder and more frequent in Seattle.

Broncos 24-22 Ravens

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

This is one of the better games of the week as the undefeated Broncos host a Ravens team coming off a couple of emotional victories. All the makings are here for a very good football game. To me, this game comes down to one major matchup: the Broncos secondary vs. the Ravens WRs. Denver’s DBs have been sensational to start the season, albeit against rather weak opposition. Receivers have never been the Ravens’ specialty in the Lamar Jackson era, and last week proved that you can never count on them to help you win. So, this game will likely come down to Lamar having to beat the Broncos’ great defense on his own. Against most teams, I’d have faith in him to carry Baltimore to victory, but this Broncos defense is just too solid. Moreover, their offense is efficient and very careful with the football, and I think they will make the most of their opportunities and put Denver in a perfect position to win. Although I wouldn’t put it past Justin Tucker to nail another ridiculously long game-winning field goal in the high altitude.

Packers 31-16 Steelers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Like so many matchups we’ve seen this season, this game simply doesn’t hold the same weight it once did. These are two of the most iconic franchises in all of sports led by two legendary QBs. It was just over a decade ago that these teams played in a very entertaining Super Bowl, and their matchups since have always delivered. However, in 2021, this is a blowout waiting to happen. I honestly might be giving the Steelers too much credit here. Will they really score 16 points? That might be punching above their weight class. In any case, the rejuvenated Packers are playing with their tails on fire, and Aaron Rodgers is lighting teams up left and right. A Steelers defense dealing with some rough injuries will be his latest victim. Don’t be surprised if this one gets ugly early.

Buccaneers 26-17 Patriots

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The prodigal son is coming home. You know the story by now. Tom Brady, the GOAT, the man who has shattered all of his expectations and storylines is returning to Foxboro to take on the team that he led to unprecedented success. And, for the first time, he’ll be going against his old coach, Bill Belichick, the man who was the Palpatine to his Vader for 20 years and 6 championships. Yet, for some reason, this game feels like it’s falling flat. And it’s because the Patriots aren’t very good. Their games this year have felt so… boring. That’s the best way to describe it. They are simply a boring football team that is frankly incapable of beating teams that are as good as them or better. And the Bucs are much, much better. Their offense has been scorching hot through 3 games, and Brady looks as good as he ever has throwing the football. They are definitely having some defensive issues, but they are sure to look good against an anemic offense like New England’s. I honestly don’t think this one should be close at all. The only reason it might be is if Belichick busts out the secret formula to stopping Tom that only he knows. And at this point, I doubt that exists. The whole world will be watching, but I don’t anticipate a very good football game on Sunday night.

Chargers 30-27 Raiders

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This is such a fascinating game. The 3-0 Raiders traveling up to LA to take on a resurgent Chargers team coming off a massive win against the Chiefs last week. Derek Carr and his MVP-level play vs. Justin Herbert and his innate ability to rack up yards. Two prolific passing offenses with exciting, young defenses. I love this rivalry. And I think this is going to be another awesome installment. As I said yesterday, the Raiders’ inability to close out games is a big concern to me. The Chargers showed us last week that they will grab any and all opportunities to win football games, and I feel like Vegas’ defense isn’t strong enough to stop them from doing so once again. Not only do I feel like LA’s offense will have a generally good day, but in the clutch, I just don’t see them being stopped. Granted, the Raiders have arguably been the most clutch offensive team in the NFL so far this season, but they haven’t shown it to me on the other side of the ball like the Chargers have. It will be a fireworks show for both teams, and I expect big numbers from both Justin Herbert and Derek Carr, but I definitely trust one team more than the other when it matters most. And somehow, that team is the Chargers.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 3 Picks

Week 3’s games are shaping up to be just as good, if not better than the first 2 weeks of the 2021 season. Let’s pick all of this week’s contests.

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers travel out west to take on Aaron Donald and the Rams in one of the most anticipated games of the season on Sunday afternoon. (h/t Bucs Wire)

The NFL schedule is continuing to bring the fire in Week 3 with some incredible matchups. The first 2 weeks of the year will be hard to live up to, but I have no doubt that this week’s games will be just as good, if not better than some of the premier matches we’ve already seen so far in 2021. I can’t wait to watch them. I went 11-5 in Week 2 to bring my season total to 19-13. It was a better week than Week 1, but we can still do much better. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Panthers 27-17 Texans

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NFL Network

Week 3 kicks off with a bit of a dud of a matchup on Thursday Night Football. There’s not a lot to say with this one. The Texans were already one of the worst teams in football, but now they have to turn to 3rd string QB Davis Mills, a rookie out of Stanford, to lead the team after Tyrod Taylor hurt his hamstring last week. This will be a tough opening test against a young Carolina defense that has been extremely solid. The Panthers offense has also done its thing, and the Texans defense will be easy pickings for them. No need to overthink this.

Bills 30-20 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Josh Allen hasn’t exactly regressed, but his inaccuracy problems from earlier in his career is certainly rearing its head through 2 games. Luckily for him, he gets a Washington defense this week that cannot stop anybody worth a damn. While WFT QB Taylor Heinicke looked very good last week, that was against the Giants. This is against a real team (that actually plays in the state of New York), and it is going to be much rougher sledding. Unless Washington’s defense returns to form, I don’t foresee this one being very close. It’s going to take another massive performance from Heinicke if the WFT want to stay in it.

Browns 28-24 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

It’s almost poetic that the Justin Fields debut is in the state where he made his claim to fame. Fields and the Bears travel to Cleveland for what should be a very good, but very difficult matchup with the Browns. I have faith in Justin, but this is quite a tall task in his first professional start. The only thing going his way is that the Browns defense hasn’t exactly been the greatest early in the season. There are still a lot of moving parts on that side of the ball, and it could open up some nice opportunities for the Bears offense, which has struggled mightily through two weeks. But, it won’t matter as long as the Browns offense is doing their thing. While they’re dealing with injuries galore at the WR position, their running game is good enough to win them any game. That will be the difference in my opinion. But, don’t be surprised if Fields is able to make this interesting.

Ravens 38-23 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This one should have the potential to get ugly. The only reason I have it this “close” is because I have seen the Ravens defense get shredded for 2 weeks in a row. Moreover, the Lions offense has looked somewhat nice. They have enough talent on that side of the football to at least put some points on the board. This one won’t be close, but it won’t be a complete wash. I’d also keep an eye on Lamar Jackson’s status for this game. He’s been dealing with an illness, and while all signs are pointing towards him playing, if he doesn’t, the Ravens could be in trouble. If he does, it should be an easy one.

Titans 24-23 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is about as imperative of a divisional game as you can have this early in the season. The Colts absolutely cannot afford a loss to drop to 0-3. Even in the weakest division in football, an 0-3 start to the season is virtually insurmountable. Unfortunately for them, they’re staring right down that barrel. Injuries to both of QB Carson Wentz’s ankles have his status in question for this game. Even if he plays, you have to question how effective he’ll be. In addition to the questions at QB, the Colts defense hasn’t played up to their potential thus far, and now they have to deal with a Titans offense that was on fire last week in Seattle. If Derrick Henry gets going on the ground even slightly, it could be curtains. I think this will be a close one from wire to wire, because I understand the intensity of divisional games, but I just like what I’m seeing from Tennessee a lot more than what Indy has shown me, so I’m sticking with them.

Chiefs 31-27 Chargers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

If there’s anything we’ve learned in the young career of Justin Herbert, it’s that he doesn’t back down from a challenge. Both of his games last year against the Chiefs showed that (although the second one was against mostly backups). That’s the only reason I think this one is going to be close. Last week was a rough loss for the Bolts, and getting the Chiefs this week only makes matters worse. This is still Kansas City, it’s still Patrick Mahomes, and the calendar still says September. They are going to be a fired up bunch after a wakeup call last week, and I think they should take care of business in this one. But I also expect Herbert and the Chargers to give it their all and keep things close for most, if not all of this game.

Patriots 20-17 Saints

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

In the past, this game would be a lot more high-profile than it is now. These teams obviously aren’t what they once were. However, the Patriots are a lot closer to their previous selves than the Saints are. New England is still winning games with their patented formula: being smart with the football, running it down your throat, and letting the defense do the rest. Mac Jones has been very solid at QB, and the rest of the team is doing its thing to propel this team to a 2-0 record. The Saints, on the other hand, appear to still be figuring themselves out. Their first two performances have been polar opposites of one another, and I just don’t know what to make of them. Trying to predict how Jameis Winston will perform at QB in any given week is harder than multivariable calculus. Against a very stout defense, and a generally more consistent team, I’ll easily take the Patriots.

Giants 26-24 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Against all odds, someone has to win this game. Will it be the team that refuses to improve and win games or the other team that refuses to improve and win games? In all seriousness, this is a very tough one to pick. Both of these teams are just so underwhelming and disappointing. The only thing differentiating them is that the Giants have actually come close to a win this season. That’s enough for me to stick with them. Their defense might get picked apart, but considering the Falcons only scored 6 on the Eagles in Week 1, I’m not sure what the likelihood of that is. I just think they have the better players on that side of the football to be able to make plays when necessary to win it. That being said, I’d be better off picking this game by flipping a coin.

Steelers 23-20 Bengals

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is likely Week 3’s most boring game on paper. On one hand, you have the injury-riddled, problem plagued Steelers, and on the other, you have the incompetent and lifeless Bengals. What an exciting matchup we have on our hands! The Steelers will win this game simply due to a talent gap, but they never make it easy for themselves, especially considering the injuries they have on the defensive side of the ball. Cincy’s offense isn’t performing up to their caliber thus far, but they certainly have the talent to put up points. With T.J. Watt’s status for this game in question, Joe Burrow might actually find himself with some time to throw and make some plays to give his team a chance to win it. The Bengals defense, however, will ensure that a win is out of reach.

Cardinals 40-19 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Nothing to see here. Just an insanely stacked team that is playing with their wings on fire against the worst team in football that is so dysfunctional that they might go on a fire sale before their bye week. The question in this game isn’t who will win, but rather, how much will Arizona win by? Vegas says a touchdown. I say it will be several.

Broncos 28-10 Jets

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is a similar matchup to the one above it, but the Broncos obviously don’t have the explosive ability that the Cardinals do. However, their offense is plenty good to put up points, and their defense has been lockdown thus far. This team has the highest yardage differential in football, and now they’re going up against one of the NFL’s worst offenses. Don’t be surprised if Zach Wilson lays another stinker in this one. What an ugly scene.

Raiders 27-14 Dolphins

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

Tua Tagovailoa will be out for this game with an injury to his ribs, so it will be Jacoby Brissett at QB for the Dolphins out west. It already wasn’t very promising with Tua under center, but somehow, we’ve stooped even lower. The Raiders have been one of the pleasant surprises of September, and considering how lethargic the Fins looked with Brissett last week, this one should be another wash. I don’t think it will be a shutout, but it won’t be close. I thought Miami’s defense was good enough to limit scoring, but that was not the case last week. Now they get the current most prolific passing offense in football. Even with a few injuries, Vegas has no excuse not to blow this team out.

Rams 29-27 Buccaneers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Game of the Week. Game of the Year potentially. This was my prediction for the NFC Championship Game, and it still is. These are my current top 2 teams in my power rankings. It’s only Week 3, but I can’t think of many bigger games than this. There are storylines everywhere, hype as far as the eye can see, and nerves settling in all across the board. It almost feels impossible to try and predict a game of this magnitude. Even Vegas seems to be flip-flopping on this game. For me, this game comes down to one factor: defense. Who has had the better defense so far this season? Easily Los Angeles. In both of their games, the Bucs defense has been shredded, especially through the air. Facing Matt Stafford and a plethora of offensive weapons in this game could make for another poor showing. Meanwhile, the Rams’ defense has done a great job in both of their games, albeit against worse offenses than this one. Just last year, this defense did enough to beat the exact same offense they’ll see on Sunday afternoon. So, based on precedent and what these teams are explicitly showing me, I have to rock with the Rams. But man, this one should be a doozy. I can’t wait to watch it.

Seahawks 31-30 Vikings

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Points, points, points. That will be the story of this game. Both of these offenses are stacked with talent across the board. Whatever the over is, take it. It’s not only that these offenses are so good, but the defenses are severely lacking in Seattle and Minnesota. It’s a situation that these teams aren’t necessarily accustomed to, but it has been the story for the last year or so. So, what separates these two almost identical teams in a game like this? My answer is whoever has the better QB. So, you tell me: would you rather have Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins? Easy answer. While Kirk has been very good so far this year, he’s not Russ. Wilson has been excellent, and I’ve seen him win his team too many shootouts for me to pick against him in a situation like this. The Vikings might be the unluckiest 0-3 team ever by the time this one is over.

49ers 27-20 Packers

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

It doesn’t get any better than a meeting between these two iconic franchises on Sunday Night Football. Well, maybe it does. Especially when you consider the fact that this Packers team still has a ton of questions. Yes, Aaron Rodgers and the offense returned to form last week, but that was against the Lions. This is one of the toughest tests they’ll face all season long, and whether or not they’ll be up to it is a question that is yet to be answered. I just don’t know what to expect from this team. The Niners aren’t without their questions either, as they are 2-0 with 2 wins over very bad teams that should have been a lot more convincing than they actually were. They let the Lions and Eagles back into their games late in the 4th quarter, and they will not get away with that against an offense as talented as Green Bay’s. However, I don’t think it will get to that point. San Francisco is simply too talented all around to drop this game. I don’t think it will be a poor performance from the Packers, but I just don’t think they have it in them to win this one.

Cowboys 28-17 Eagles

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

Nothing like a primetime NFC East game to get everybody hyped up! The one last week was great, so why can’t this one be? Well, you see, the Eagles are playing in this game. And they’re not a very good team. Additionally, the Cowboys are pretty good. It’s not like Washington and New York, who were 2 bad teams seeing who wanted to lose the game harder. This one is just a gap in talent, especially offensively. The Cowboys are seeming to find their groove on that side of the ball, although last week’s performance wasn’t as good as they would have liked it to be. Against a significantly worse defense this week, they should be just fine. I was much more impressed with Dallas’ defense last week, and I think that will also be a defining factor in this game. Jalen Hurts is good enough to make plays, but this one could be rough for him.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 2 Picks

Week 1 will be a tough act to follow, but the second week of the 2021 season promises to have some more great matchups. Let’s pick each of Week 2’s games.

Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, two of the best young QBs in the NFL, face off for the fourth time in as many years on Sunday Night Football in Week 2. (h/t New York Post, Getty Images)

After all the excitement of the opening week of the season, Week 2 may not be as thrilling, but there are definitely some games on the schedule this week that can be very promising. Any and all football is perfectly welcome at this point. And we can never truly know how good a game is until we see it played out. I’m excited to see all these games as the young season continues to get going. I went 8-8 in Week 1 to start out this season’s picks. It was a measly showing, but I have 17 weeks left to improve it. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Washington 24-17 Giants

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NFLN

Our first real Thursday Night Football is just what everyone wants to see: two struggling NFC East teams with two very questionable starting QBs. Watching Taylor Heinicke vs. Daniel Jones isn’t exactly how everyone wants to spend their night, but I think this game has some promise. Heinicke is being thrusted into starting action for the foreseeable future due to the injury to Washington QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and to his credit, he has always balled out when his number has been called. Everyone remembers his valiant efforts in last year’s Wild Card game against Tampa. This won’t be an easy test, but the Giants defense looked like a fraction of itself last week against Denver. I think Heinicke will be able to do his thing, and his stellar defense will be able to provide him all the help in the world. Washington is much happier facing Danny Dimes than Justin Herbert, and I expect a much better performance. This one might be ugly, but it also could be fun. All I’m hoping for is a W for the team in all-white.

Bengals 21-20 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The scary jungle animals meet the scary forest animals in a rather intriguing matchup on Sunday in Chi-town. The Bengals picked up a very nice win against the Vikings last week while the Bears looked lifeless in a blowout loss in LA on SNF. I think both teams will carry that momentum into this matchup. Cincy has to be feeling good about themselves, especially after seeing the play of QB Joe Burrow and WR Jamarr Chase last week. Meanwhile, Chicago just feels like a very uninspired group while Andy Dalton still starts at QB. I have a feeling this could be the week we see Justin Fields enter the picture as the Bears starter. If not, then perhaps a loss here will be the last straw for Dalton. While he starts, I can’t put my faith in this team to do anything, so I’ll stick with the team trending upwards.

Browns 38-16 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

No need to overthink this one, despite the counterintuitive records of these teams. The Browns are one of the best teams in football, and even though they lost last week, I think they proved that point. The Texans are still probably the worst team in the NFL despite a blowout win over the Jags. Both of those facts will be extremely apparent on the field in Cleveland on Sunday. Don’t be surprised if the difference on the scoreboard is bigger than what I’ve predicted. I’m being generous.

Rams 30-20 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This game has the potential to be a really great one. However, one thing I saw last week is holding back my expectations for that: the Colts defense. This is supposed to be the best part of the team, but against the Seahawks, they looked extremely vulnerable. The Rams have an even better passing attack than Seattle, so this could be another long game for the Indy D. Moreover, the Rams have a better defense than their divisional counterparts, so I think they’ll do a good job of containing Carson Wentz and the Colts offense. This could be a good game for a good bit, but the better team will make a statement and win this one, and that’s definitely the Rams.

Bills 23-21 Dolphins

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

There’s no way this doesn’t finish as a one-possession game. I do think the Bills are a much better team than the Dolphins, but Miami matches up oh so well. Their excellent defense was on full display last week in Foxboro, and they proved that they can be the difference in a football game. Moreover, Buffalo’s Week 1 performance showed us that a great defense can get the best of them. Granted, they did thoroughly outplay the Steelers, but they also did not score enough to put themselves in a position to win. I think they’ll be able to adjust this week and eek out a close one against their division rivals. Not to mention the vast difference in offensive talent in this game. The Bills may not have the better defense, but they definitely have the better QB in Josh Allen. I trust him to lead that potent offense to victory.

Patriots 24-13 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Aside from the rookie QB battle in this game, there’s nothing interesting to talk about here. The Jets are an abysmal team that physically hurts to watch. The Patriots played a great game last week, and despite losing, I have a lot of faith in this team. This is a much, much easier game for them, and I don’t see this one being remotely competitive. I’m looking for a big game for rookie QB Mac Jones and an overall bounce back from a very talented New England team.

49ers 29-23 Eagles

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

I think this game could be a ton of fun. The Eagles had one of the more dominant victories of Week 1, and the 49ers would have been in that conversation if it wasn’t for a late surge from the Lions. Even still, San Francisco proved how good they can truly be with a fully healthy roster. Philly absolutely dominated an albeit weak Falcons team, and QB Jalen Hurts looked like a bonafide stud. This game has all the makings for a great one based on last week’s precedent, but I still think the 49ers are too good all around to drop this one. It will also be a much more difficult test for the Eagles, who are still a rebuilding team. It’ll be close, but the superior team will come out on top.

Raiders 25-22 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Do you want to know the difference between both of these teams? The Steelers were completely outplayed last week in Buffalo, but still emerged victorious thanks to a lucky special teams play. The Raiders, on the other hand, played a very good game and deservedly won a tough OT battle against the Ravens on Monday night. The truth of Week 1 will prove itself once again in this game. Pittsburgh won’t get away with playing so poor offensively in every game, and Vegas’ defense is quite nice, so it could be another day of struggle on that side of the ball. While I think the Steelers defense is an elite unit that can win them any game, the Raiders have the pieces to make enough plays to put them over the top in this game. It will be a close, hard-fought battle throughout, but I simply think the Raiders are the better team, and I’m going to stick with them.

Saints 31-27 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Can the Saints possibly recreate the dominance and magic of last week? All signs point towards “yes” when you consider the difference between the Packers and the Panthers, but this will be a tough encore to put on. Divisional games are always tough, and Carolina looked like a very promising team against the Jets last week. This has the potential to be a game dominated by the offenses, and in that case, this one will come down to which defense can step up when it matters most. I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m fond of this young Panthers defense, but the Saints proved just how dominant they can be on that side of the ball last week, so I’ll put my faith in them. It wouldn’t surprise me too much if this game goes the other way, but I have to trust what I saw in Week 1.

Broncos 28-16 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I have no interest in talking about the team that plays in that one city in Florida, so I’ll keep this with the Broncos. I loved what I saw from this team against the Giants last week on both sides of the football. Going up against my current worst team in football on Sunday, I expect to see a lot more of the same. Again, the injury to WR Jerry Jeudy concerns me a bit, but I still trust this offense under Teddy Bridgewater. He’ll do his thing from under center, and the defense will do their thing to make life hell for a rookie QB. This one should not be close at all.

Cardinals 34-20 Vikings

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

Usually, in a matchup like this, I’d expect to see a LOT of points. While I’m still expecting a good amount of scoring, the Cardinals defense opened my eyes in a big way last week, and if they can even put up a fraction of that outing in this game, this will be another Arizona blowout. 6 sacks and a suffocating performance on all fronts combined with an incredible game from QB Kyler Murray and the offense made the Cards look like one of the NFL’s best teams in Week 1. Going up against a Vikings team that didn’t play their sharpest game in a loss to Cincy, I expect to see more of the same. And if we do, we might have to start talking about Arizona as a serious title contender.

Buccaneers 45-17 Falcons

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This has the chance to be one of the biggest blowouts of the season. The Falcons played perhaps the single worst game of any team in football last week, and that was against a rebuilding Eagles team. Against the defending champs? Expect an absolute mauling. Atlanta is too poor defensively and too incompetent offensively to even make things interesting. They gave the Bucs a fight in both of their games last year, but that was then, and this is now. Tampa is almost a 2 touchdown favorite, and it makes perfect sense. I’d eat that bet up all day.

Chargers 36-23 Cowboys

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is one of Week 2’s marquee matchups, and for good reason. These are two good teams with a lot of star power duking it out in Los Angeles on national TV. There is a rather big difference between these teams, however. The Chargers are infinitely more balanced and well-built than the Cowboys are. There’s no doubt that Dallas has one of the best offenses in the league, especially passing the football, but the lack of a solid run game is very concerning. LA, on the other hand, had a solid win over Washington thanks to elite offensive line play and consistent execution on both sides of the ball. I think that formula is good enough to win any game, and against a defense as bad as Dallas’, I expect another big game for QB Justin Herbert. Maybe the Cowboys will score more points than I’m predicting, but in any case, the Chargers will win this game.

Seahawks 35-21 Titans

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

If the Titans defense plays as bad as they did last week, Russell Wilson could set some records on Sunday. Tennessee couldn’t stop a nosebleed against the Cardinals in Week 1, while the Seahawks offense looked virtually unstoppable in a convincing win over the Colts. I also think Seattle’s defense is vastly improved, and while I don’t expect the Titans offense to look as poor as they did in their last outing, I don’t see it making a massive jump to put this team in a position to win the game. Russ will simply be doing too much to contain, and the Seahawks should win this game convincingly.

Chiefs 31-26 Ravens

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Week 2’s premier game features the ever-so intriguing matchup of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson for the fourth year in a row. Mahomes and the Chiefs have won each of the first 3 matchups, including last year’s masterclass on MNF. For whatever reason, no team has Lamar’s number like the Chiefs. And considering the current state of the Ravens, I don’t see that changing this Sunday night. Baltimore looked solid in Vegas on Monday night, but going up against Kansas City is arguably the tallest task there is in the NFL. Their ability to gash you on explosive plays or wear you down on long, time-consuming drives gives them an edge over almost anybody. Mahomes is simply too surgical (especially in September, as I mentioned last week), and this offense is just too talented to keep up with. The Chiefs defense is still a bit suspect, however, so I expect a big game from Lamar to keep his team in it for the majority of the game. But you just know this sets up perfectly for another vintage Mahomes moment in primetime.

Packers 33-21 Lions

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This honestly might be the wackiest matchup of the week based on Week 1’s events. Both of these teams were absolutely floundering in their respective games, with the only difference being the crazy late comeback attempt by the Lions against the 49ers. I’m putting my faith in the Packers to not lay another absolute stinker. There’s simply no way Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the team play such a poor game. If it happens, the storylines will be too much to handle, but again, I see it as a near impossibility. The Lions looked horrible for the most part against San Fran, and I expect them to look just as bad against Green Bay. At least the Packers have the luxury of having their bounce back game against Detroit.

Week 1 Picks

The NFL is back with a stacked Week 1 schedule. Here are my picks for all 16 games in what should be a thrilling slate.

The defending champion Buccaneers begin their title defense against the Cowboys in Thursday night’s season opener. (h/t Inside The Star)

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.