Thursday: Baltimore Ravens (+125 ML) at Kansas City Chiefs (-3) (-150 ML):
I expect a fantastic game to open the year. This is a rematch of last years AFC Championship
and that game was pretty much what we expected. 17-10. Two totally dominant defenses with good offenses. I expect something different this year. I actually think that both these offenses get better this year and we find a higher scoring game, nothing crazy but give me 24-23 Ravens.
Friday: Green Bay Packers (+115 ML) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) (-140 ML):
This should also be a very fun game. The packers are one of the most promising teams in the league with the quarterback and the head coach secured in Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur. Meanwhile the Eagles went to the superbowl in 2023 and then started last year 10-1. But they fell apart down the stretch because defenses started to figure out their extremely vanilla offense. But now with the addition of Kellen Moore (offensive coordinator), Saquon Barkley, and Jahan Dotson, the Eagles offense should take off again. Give me Philadelphia 34-27
Sunday: Pittsburgh Steelers (+135 ML) at Atlanta Falcons (-3) (-160 ML):
This game is FULL of expectations. Steelers added two new Qbs and a new offensive coordinator this year. Oh, that new offensive coordinator is the head coach that the Falcons fired a few months ago. There are two main unknowns in this game. The Steelers offense and the Falcons offense. Both have brand new OCs and QBs. The steelers have a much better defense and so I am going to give this game to Pittsburgh, but I would not be surprised if this Falcons offense does level up. In fact I expect it, but since we haven't seen it yet. I'm gonna bet on the Steelers. 20-17 Steelers
Arizona Cardinals (+240) at Buffalo Bills (-6.5) (-300):
I am genuinely so excited for this game. I think that the Arizona Cardinals will consistently have very fun games to watch. I believe that their offense can keep pace with just about anyone. I believe in Kyler, I believe in Marvin Harrison, and I believe in Trey McBride. The only issue is that their defense couldn't stop my old u15 flag football team from scoring. The Bills have a LOT of question marks. Allen was not good in the NFL before Diggs. He was turning the ball over at an alarming rate while not converting on those big plays that he is now. Well, here is your test Josh. Can you do it without Brian Daboll and Stefon Diggs. Achieve a top 5 offense and make it to the superbowl with Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman, and you ARE a great Josh Allen. Me personally, I like the Bills in this one, but in a very tight game. 35-34 Buffalo
Tennessee Titans (+165) at Chicago Bears (-4) (-200):
This one is also interesting. There are always so many story lines heading into Week 1 of the NFL season and the team with the most is probably the Chicago Bears. This team is 7-19 in its last 26 and Vegas has their win total at 9.5!! The Bears are an extremely young team with a ton of talent. This should be the year where they put it all together. But if its not, that's okay, 8 wins is still an improvement from a season ago. And there is still a lot of young talent. As for the Titans. No ONE talks about Tennessee. The Titans are also relying on a young QB to bring together a really solid receiving core in Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd, the worlds most reliable wide receiver 3. This will be a game full of overreactions. Either Will Levis is legit and the Titans will compete in the AFC South, or Caleb Williams is the savior of the Bears franchise. I'm excited. Give me DA BEARS in a rout! 28-13
New England Patriots (+310) at Cincinnati Bengals (-400) (-7.5):
I don't think there is much to talk about in this game. As long as Burrow is healthy, which he is. The Bengals are one of the top dawgs in the AFC. The Patriots are not going to go into Paycor with Jacoby Brissett and upset the Bengals. Ja'marr Chase may not play, but even if he does not, I do not think its scary. Score prediction is assuming Chase plays. Bengals 27-10.
Houston Texans (-3) (-160) at Indianapolis Colts (+130):
This week one game could decide the division 18 weeks from now. I think everyone is really excited to see the two Quarterbacks this game. Everyone is buzzing about what they saw in 3 games last year from Anthony Richardson. And on the other hand C.J. Stroud just had the greatest rookie quarterback season ever and the NFL world is desperate to see how he follows that up, especially with the improvements made in Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon. This should be a VERY fun game. I just believe in Stroud more than AR, so Houston 24-20.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+145) at Miami Dolphins (-175) (-3.5):
I think that both of these teams finish with very similar records. I expect a level up season from Trevor and I think that sacksonville is back. Arik Armstead, Mason Smith, Josh Allen, and Travon Walker is a very scary front 4. All that said. For some reason, the early season dolphins are unstoppable. I'm not sure if its the weather or if its just that other teams forget just how fast they really are. But I expect more of the same in this game. Miami's biggest strength lies perfectly in line with Jacksonville's most glaring weakness, their secondary. I expect 350+ for Tua and for Tyreek and Waddle to both go for over 100. I think they end up just being too much for the Jacksonville offense to keep pace. Miami 34-27.
Carolina Panthers (+180) at New Orleans Saints (-225) (-4):
I absolutely love new panthers head coach Dave Canales. He has revived the careers of Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith. So I believe in the step forward for Bryce Young and this Panthers offense. It just downright sucks that their first opponent is Dennis Allen and the Saints. Their offense is uninspiring being led by Derek Carr, but that defense is once again for real. Tyrann Mathieu, Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore. That is not gonna be fun for Young, Johnson, and Hubbard. This team is simply still rebuilding. Not to mention, this game is in the Super dome.
NOLA 20-9
Minnesota Vikings (-120) (-1.5) at New York Giants (EVEN):
America's Game of the Week!! Ha ha, just kidding. The only reason to tune into this game is if you bet on it or you wanted to watch Malik Nabers. I am in the latter group. I will definitely take a peek at this game to see how the talent that is Nabers plays at the NFL level, especially with Daniel Jones as his QB. I'm excited for Nabers. That's it. Two bad defenses with bad Qbs. Sorry Giants and Vikings fans, but one of you will start 1-0 and have hope. So that is exciting. Unless.... Tie 17-17
Las Vegas Raiders (+135) at Los Angeles Chargers (-160) (-3)
Well this game actually does have some question marks that I'm excited to see answered. The first being how much of an upgrade Gardner Minshew is. Because right now, I am in the boat that it is a huge upgrade. I think Minshew is a competent NFL QB. He will be able to get the ball to Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams as well as brand new, shiny, exciting rookie TE Brock Bowers. Then for the chargers. They are just a question mark team. Will Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert be enough to will this team to the playoffs, or will their lack of big playmakers be their downfall.
Denver Broncos (+200) at Seattle Seahawks (-6) (-250):
The most interesting game of the week. I'm kidding. Only Broncos, Hawks and Ducks fans are interested in this game. The Seahawks aren't a great team and the Broncos are relying on a bunch of unproven talent. People want to see Bo Nix. That's what this game is gonna be about. If Nix is great then I think the Broncos win, but again its all unproven, so until I'm shown otherwise, I bet on what is known. Seahawks 23-20
Dallas Cowboys (+120) at Cleveland Browns (-2.5) (-145):
The odds on this game surprise me a lot. The browns obviously have an elite defense, but they do not have Nick Chubb and their only real offensive addition is Jerry Jeudy, who is somehow still an unproven talent headed into his 5th year. I think the Browns defense is good enough to win any game, but also this Cowboys team is very complete. They have some absolute studs on defense and obviously that offense is prolific through the air. Dak's 17 game pace over the last 5 seasons is 4500 yards and 34 touchdowns! That is a serious air raid. I don't like the team much but give me the Cowboys in this one. 23-17
Washington Commanders (+140) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-165) (-3)
Here is an upset I feel very good about. The Buccaneers have absolutely nothing I love. I believe their offense last year was good because of Dave Canales. And I believe that this Commanders team really has a good offense. I believe in Jayden Daniels and I love Luke McCaffrey. This commanders team is similar to Arizona in the fact that I like the offense, but the defense is just awful. So they will steal some games from teams that don't have offenses that will really run over their defense. Commanders! 27-23
Sunday Night! Los Angeles Rams (+155) at Detroit Lions (-190) (-3.5)
Here is another upset pick. I believe this Rams offense finishes the year in the top 5. I am so unbelievably excited for this game. I like defensive games, but who doesn't love a good ole Rams vs Chiefs 54-51 2018 Monday Night game. I see a huge shootout here. These two offenses are amazing. And both have mediocre defenses. I think when it comes down the stretch though it will be about the passing attacks in the 4th quarter and even at Ford Field, I like the Rams in that battle. LA 38-34
Monday Night: New York Jets (+165) at San Francisco 49ers (-200) (-4)
Man I hope this game is a lot of fun. I hope Rodgers is amazing and Garrett Wilson makes that jump into that truly elite tier. I hope that the Jets defense maintains what they did last year and Breece is still lightning in a bottle. In fact I believe in the Jets. The only issue is that they play the best team in the NFL. The 49ers. I think that San Fran is just simply too good. They should be favored in every game this year, home or away. They have the most complete roster. They got Hufanga back this year. They are back and ready to finally reach the top of the football world. San Fran adds this notch on their way to the Super Bowl, 49ers 31-24
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