NFL Week 1 Predictions and Predilections

The preseason is over, thank goodness. There is perhaps no worse spectacle in sport than that 4^th preseason game. The games from here on in count. Seeing as how they do count they are worthy of predictions.

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Predictions

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos

(Monday Night 10:20 PM).

I’ll be up late watching this one especially because I know 3 of the 4 factors that go into this game. I know what the Denver defense will do, I know what the Chargers offense will try to do, and I know what the Chargers defense brings to the table. I have no idea what Denver’s offense will do with Vance Joseph in charge. Somehow some way I think this comes down to a Broncos game winning FG in a relatively low scoring FG driven affair. Broncos 20 Chargers 15.

Oakland Raiders at the Tennessee Titans.

(Sunday 1pm)

According to the odds makers this is actually the closest game of the week with the Titans installed as a 1-point favorite. I think plenty of Oakland fans will be over reacting come Monday morning because while I really enjoy the Raiders pass rush I’m not sure how often they will get to use. The Titans will probably pound the rock and when they do throw, it’ll be out of two tight sets with Delanie Walker and Jonnu Smith helping pave the way for Murray and Henry. The key to this game is the Titans holding the ball on offensive drives if they keep the Raiders passing attack out of sink they walk away winners. On the flip side , no way does Tennessee keep close if this turns into a shootout. To me this is a double-digit win for whoever wins it even though I consider both teams about 50/50 to win this. So I’m going with the Titans in 27-13 walk away.

Put the W in the column already

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

(Sunday 1pm)

Big Ben is starting his 186^th career game while throwing to a five-time Pro Bowler in Antonio Brown ; Deshone Kizer is making his first NFL start while throwing to a #1 WR (Corey Coleman) with 33 career receptions. Oh and Bell is back too? Most interesting part of this game is seeing if recently released Joe Haden gets to pick off Kizer and how bad Brown makes his replacement look. Steelers roll 45-6.

Not so Fast (Upset Alert)

NY Giants at Dallas Cowboys

(Sunday 8:30 pm)

The oddsmakers installed the Cowboys as 5.5 point favorites and the line quickly crashed to 3.5. There is good reason for that: the Cowboys did go the playoffs last year and they may have Dak Prescott back, but they are missing quite a few defensive pieces along with a certain running back. Eli Manning gets a big win on the road to open the season Giants 28-17.

Other Games

Jacksonville at Houston (Sunday 1pm). I don’t care who is quarterbacking for Houston this week, Blake Bortles and his YIPS are under center and J.J. Watt is on the field. Texans 23-10.

Philadelphia at Washington (Sunday 1pm). Two teams with high ambitions for the season that I think ultimately end up disappointing. Washington wins in a sloppy but offense driven matchup 32-28.

Arizona at Detroit (Sunday 1pm). I don’t think Arizona’s Carson Palmer will be lasting the season, but it’s week 1 that and the Cardinal defense should be enough to upend a still single mode Detroit in a 24-21 squeaker.

Baltimore at Cincinnati (Sunday 1pm). Not a great opening werk matchup for the Ravens, they have also not had Flacco in the preseason. I predict heavy rust Bengals 24-17.

Atlanta at Chicago (Sunday 1pm). Best thing for Mike Glennon: viewership outside of Chicago and Atlanta for this game should be low. He’s about to get taken to school by Matt Ryan. Of course he’s also not throwing to Julio Jones either. Atlanta 30-14.

Indianapolis Colts at LA Rams (Sunday 4 pm). I see your Jared Goff and I raise you one Scott Tolzien. I’m not a huge believer in Goff but I know what Tolzien is and is not capable of , he’s not capable of a road win. Rams open their new house with a victory 19-16.

Seattle at Green Bay (Sunday 4:25 pm). I hate calling this game, I could see it going either way. That being the case I’m going with the Pack at home in a 22-21 dogfight.

Carolina at San Francisco (Sunday 4:25pm). Carolina on a long road trip, upset special…no way. The 49ers will be better than last season (it would be hard to be worse) but so will the Panthers. Panthers eviscerate the 49ers 24-10.

New Orleans at Minnesota (Monday). I love the Monday “Double stack” and wish they would do it all season long.. Saints come into Minnesota and show the Vikings what an aerial attack looks like when its handled by a QB who is anything but mediocre. Saints walk away 34-13.

Worst game of the week

Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Ok so I lied to you when I said the preseason is over. The Jets and Bills (Sunday 1pm) have decided they both need a fifth game. The Jets are going with Josh McCown at QB because they just now discovered apparently that neither Hackenburg nor Petty; word is Tyrod Taylor is going to play but Nate Peterman potentially starting for the Bills has been discussed. The Bills new receiving corps features dinged up Jordan Matthews next to rookie Zay Jones while the Jet’s are throwing to street free agents and several potential future CFL All-Stars. If you have young children in the house please keep them away from this game as this should be adults only viewing. Expect defensive mastermind Todd Bowles to outfox Bill’s OC Rick Dennison and overload against the run is an ugly 12-5 Jet’s Victory.

Bucs Game at the Dolphins

Normally I shall cover the Bucs game at the bottom of this article and the “Grand Finale” but instead I shall wish all a STAY SAFE DURING IRMA!