This is the first of twenty-two entries that will be released on Wednesday's before every week of the NFL season going all the way to the big game.
Baltimore @ Kansas City(-3) O/U: 47
This rematch of last years AFC championship game is set up to be one for the ages. The Chiefs have revamped their wide receiver room adding Marquise Brown through free agency and Xavier Worthy through the draft, and even re-connected with Juju Smith-Schuster after he was cut from New England following the preseason. They also get a boost from the NFL deciding not to suspend Rashee Rice for his involvement in street racing down in Texas. Unfortunately for KC they lost a few key defenders in Willie Gay Jr, L'jarius Sneed, and Mike Edwards while only replacing them with homegrown talent, electing not to upgrade through free agency. As for Baltimore they had one of the more "splash" offseason moves in the league in signing Derrick Henry away from Tennessee. They addition of Henry is the health of their team as a whole after ranking in the top 10 of IR players in 2023. The championship game was decided last season by only seven points with the Chiefs coming out on top 17-10, this year I expect the Ravens to win the game and send the Chiefs to an 0-1 start for the second straight season. Expect the Ravens to exceed 200 rushing yards and dominate the time of possession while winning the game by two scores.
Green Bay @ Philadelphia(-2) O/U: 49
The first game to ever be played in south America is a great matchup between two of the top teams in the NFC. Jordan Love signed a new contract in Green Bay this offseason making him the highest paid player in NFL history for a brief moment, despite only having 18 career starts. Both teams added talent at the runningback position with the Pack adding Josh Jacobs and Philly adding Saquon Barkley The Packers are on the up in terms of expectations and prowess while the Eagles are in a slid. They finished the season 1-6 over their final 7 games barely squeaking into the playoffs and losing in the wildcard round to Baker Mayfield and the Bucs. I expect the Eagles to jump out ahead of the Packers early but for the game to be close at the end.
Arizona @ Buffalo(-6.5) O/U: 47
The Bills have been the NFLs darling the past few seasons but their window seems to be closing. The departure of Stephon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and many defensive players has h Bills looking like a shell of their former selves, while the Cardinals are healthy and ready to play spoiler this season. Arizona has added wide out Marvin Harrison Jr and bolstered their offensive line. Their defnse is still lackluster though and Josh Allen knows how to take advantage of that, I expect him to run wild this Sunday leading the Bills to a huge win by 15+ points.
New England @ Cincinnati(-8.5) O/U: 41
Joe Burrow has spent the offseason rehabbing his hand injury and changing his look, but will that actually help the Bengals this season? Well we won't find out the answer this week, the Patriots are in full rebuild mode and have no intentions of winning this game. They're starting Jacoby Brisset over the 3rd overall pick, Drake Maye. Jamarr Chase is also holding out over a contract dispute in Cincy, wanting to be the highest paid receiver in the league. I expect the Bengals to destroy the Pats and maybe even put up 50 points in the process.
Houston(-3) @ Indianapolis O/U:48.5
Last season the got to see the Stroud v Richardson matchup early in the season with the Colts coming out on top, but not before Richardson left the game with a head injury. This game was before the Texans caught stride but their second matchup was with Gardner Minshew at the helm. This matchup might be the game of the weekend when its all said and done, Houston traded for star wide out Stephon Diggs and their defense has only gotten better with Stingley and Anderson being one year older. Indy hasn't done much to bolster the team but have been healthy coming into the season, and knock on wood that Anthony Richardson will stay healthy and play a full 17 this year. I expect the Colts to pull an upset this weekend and drag the Texans while they are still installing their offense to include Diggs.
Jacksonville @ Miami(-3.5) O/U: 49
Last season didn't end well for either team last season with the Jags losing out on a playoffs spot after a 7-2 start and the Dolphins losing their division over the last 4 weeks to the Bills and having to travel to Kansas City in the wildcard round. Miami did however lock up Tua with a long-term contract and have Jaelan Phillips back ahead of schedule after that devastating achilles tear late last year. The Jags had to replace Calvin Ridley with rookie wide out Brian Thomas Jr, which might be an upgrade. Miami has the dominant offense in this matchup however and I expect the Dolphins to win handedly.
Tennessee @ Chicago(-3.5) O/U: 44.5
For whatever reason the Bears are favored in this game, meaning based off of history you can find some real value with the Titans. The history I mention has to do with the fact that the last 1st overall pick to win their debut was David Carr back in '02. Caleb Williams is very talented and the Bears Front Office has done a wonderful job surrounding him with talent but I just can't get past the history. Tennessee added aforementioned wide out Calvin Ridley and runningback Tony Pollard matching him up with rising star Tyjae Spears. I expect the Titans to win a close one with Caleb Williams having a chance to win at the end.
Pittsburgh @ Atlanta(-3.5) O/U: 42
Atlanta had one of the better offseasons while Pittsburgh seemed to get worse by adding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to the mix. Atlanta also added two QBs Kirk Cousins from Minnesota and Michael Penix Jr (shockingly) through the draft. The Falcon have become clear favorites in the NFC south with the Steelers looking like they'll have another mediocre season. I expect this game to be ugly and close with the Falcon dominating the game.
Carolina @ New Orleans(-4) O/U: 41.5
Oh the Panthers, the worst team in the league with the worst ownership in the league, They added rookies Johnathon Brooks and Xavier Legette and wide receiver Diontae Johnson from Pittsburgh but will that be enough to even beat the lowly Saints? The answer is probably no but the Saints haven't done anything to get better over the past few seasons, so maybe this will turn ut to be a great game. I expect both teams to score less than 20 in a slugfest.
Minnesota(-1.5) @ New York(N) O/U: 41
Minnesota was supposed to be a fun scrappy team this season before rookie QB JJ McCarthy tore his meniscus, but now they have to roll out Sam Darnold in week 1. Unfortunately for the Giants they still have to roll out Daniel Jones and they lost Saquon Barkley to their rivals. The Vikings did add Aaron Jones in free agency and have a solid receiving core to help Darnold. I expect the Giants to win this game but not by much.
Denver @ Seattle(-6) O/U: 41.5Bak
Denver will have a rookie starting QB for the first time since John Elway and I don't know if that is a good thing. Seattle's defense is nothing to scoff at and Seattle as a whole is a good team, no matter how much you like Bo Nix you can't expect much from him in week 1. Geno Smith is still the starter in Seattle and he is a seasoned veteran ready to carve up Sean Payton's defense in Denver. I think the Seahawks will handle the Broncos and win by 10+ points.
Las Vegas @ Los Angeles(-3) O/U: 40
The Chargers could be in for a long season if Justin Herbert's foot keeps him sidelined, but he is set to play in Sundays game. They did lose and wide out of note this offseason and their number one option is either rookie Ladd McConkey or Quinten Johnston. Vegas has totally changed their team by adding and naming Gardner Minshew the starter. their defense has top 10 potential and their skill guys are primed for breakout seasons. I expect the raiders to win this game.
Dallas @ Cleveland(2.5) O/U: 41
Tom Brady will be calling this game for FOX and honestly i think hat takes away from the game itself, we have a great matchup between two teams with identity problems. The Cowboys have paid Ceedee Lamb and left Dak Prescott to finish out his contract, which is at the end of the season. Dak could command no less than $60 million if he hits free agency and we know Jerry Jones won't pay that. In Cleveland, they already paid their QB and then restructured his contract because Deshaun Watson isn't that good anymore. they also added Wide out Jerry Juedy from Denver, who I think is the best route runner in the league. This game also consists of two top 5 defenses, so I expect a high statistical game but the points to be very low.
Washington @ Tampa Bay(-3.5) O/U:42.5
Tampa shocked people last season getting to the divisional round and beathing the Eagles on the way there, but this team is solid and has to making to be god again this season. They paid Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans to keep them around and let their defense get better just by getting healthy. The Commies however changed everything up drafting Jayden Daniels 2nd overall and hiring Dan Quinn to be the head coach. I expect the Bucs to win this game but I also think Jayden will have over 100+ rushing yards in his debut.
Los Angeles @ Detroit(-4.5) O/U: 52
These to teams swapped QBs a few seasons ago and it might be the most even trade in the history of the NFL. Mathew Safford has won a superbowl for the Rams and Jared Goff was a play away from the Superbowl just last season. The Lions have a chance to make the playoffs in back to back seasons for the first time since the early 90's, and the Rams are going all in again minus Aaron Donald. I expect the Rams to pull off the upset as the expectations have become to high for Detroit.
New York @ San Francisco(-4.5) O/U: 43.5
Aaron Rodgers is back for New York after just 4 plays last season, but is that a good thing? The Jets have been in turmoil since Rodgers tore his achilles in the opener last season because they didn't have a backup plan. They had the talent and roster to compete at the highest level but fell flat every week because thy kept trotting out Zach Wilson as their QB. As for the 9ers, they are really good and are the favorites again in the NFC. I think the 49ers will sack Rodgers 3+ times and they win handedly while he Jets struggle to do anything on offense.
All lines provided by DraftKings
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