At long last, the agonizing wait is over. It’s finally time to kick off Week 1 of the new NFL season. With the matchups set a long time ago and the starting lineups slowly but surely being finalized, just about the only thing left to do is pick the games.
But what a tricky proposition – with so many unknowns, Week 1 of an NFL season is often one of the hardest to predict. Still, we’ve compiled the stats and ideas you need to get your picks in order for week on. Get ready for the season by checking out our complete season preview, as well as our look at the experts’ predictions for the season, and read on for a complete breakdown of the Week 1 winners.
[sc:Football ]Complete NFL Week 1 Picks
Thursday, Sept. 4
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:30 PM ET)
Pick: Seattle (-5.5)
[sc:NFL240banner ]Make this pick because: As if the Seahawks aren’t good enough at home already – they went 9-1 SU, 6-4 ATS last season including the playoffs – the 12th Man will be extra pumped up to welcome home the defending Super Bowl champs. Plus, if anyone can shut down the Packers’ army of receivers, it’s the Legion of Boom.
Sunday, Sept. 7
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Atlanta (+3)
Make this pick because: The Saints just couldn’t cover the spread away from the Superdome last season; they went just 1-7 ATS. And the Falcons figure to be a much improved team now that star receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White are healthy.
Minnesota Vikings vs. St. Louis Rams (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Minnesota (+3.5)
Make this pick because: While the line on this game is not up yet, it will almost certainly be wise to back the Vikings, who are starting Matt Cassel, over the Rams, who are starting whoever it is they found to replace Sam Bradford. Bet on this game if you like, but don’t watch it: this will be ugly football.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Pittsburgh (-6.5)
Make this pick because: The Steelers own the Browns, especially at home. In this decade, Pittsburgh is 10-0 (-7-3 ATS) against Cleveland. Furthermore, the Steelers have won the last six by more than 10 points. And with Josh Gordon officially suspended, to whom will Brian Hoyer be passing the ball?
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Jacksonville (+10.5)
Make this pick because: Chip Kelly’s crew has yet to cover a game when it was favored by a touchdown or more, much less as a double-digit favorite. Meanwhile, Jacksonville covered four out of their last five road games last season, three of those four coming as double-digit underdogs.
Oakland Raiders vs. New York Jets (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: New York (-4.5)
Make this pick because: The Jets beat Oakland at home by 10 last season as three-point favorites. This season, Geno Smith looks set to improve with some legitimate weapons at the skill positions and he’ll be backed up by the same solid defense.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Baltimore (-2.5)
Make this pick because: The Ravens have yet to lose to Cincinnati while Andy Dalton has been the Bengals’ quarterback. They’re 3-0, and have won by three points or more in all three games.
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Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Chicago (-6)
Make this pick because: The Bears have so many weapons on offense and can put up points, especially at home. They hung 45 on the Cowboys last December.
The Bills don’t have nearly as many weapons, EJ Manuel has looked shaky in preseason, and the defense doesn’t figure to be as good without defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, Kiko Alonso and Jairus Byrd.
Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Houston (-2.5)
Make this pick because: Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt disrupt RGIII sufficiently, while Arian Foster is able to run on the ragged Redskins defense.
Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: Tennessee (+4.5)
Make this pick because: The Chiefs will be without their best and only reliable wideout in Dwayne Bowe, who’ll be suspended. The Titans, on the other hand, have some decent receiving options of their own, and they will take advantage of the Chiefs’ diminished secondary.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (1:00 PM ET)
Pick: New England (-4.5)
Make this pick because: The Patriots have won at Miami in five of the last seven years, all by a touchdown or more. New England is able to run the ball against the Dolphins, who allowed 125 rushing yards/game last season, while Darrelle Revis takes away Ryan Tannehill’s primary target.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:25 PM ET)
Pick: Carolina (-1)
Make this pick because: The Bucs are better this season, having brought in Josh McCown and a stable of young talent in the draft that should make a great team in 2015. Note: it is still 2014. For now, the Panthers have the edge in talent and experience, and while the game will feature at least one eye-popping Mike Evans play, Carolina will take it.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys (4:25 PM ET)
Pick: San Francisco (-5.5)
Make this pick because: The Niners were one of the best road teams in the NFL last season at 6-2 (6-1-1 ATS). Even without NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith, their defense is still solid. The same cannot be said about the Dallas D, which can and will give up points.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos (8:30 PM ET)
Pick: Indianapolis (+7)
Make this pick because: How many teams beat the 49ers at San Francisco (as 10.5 underdogs), the Seahawks (as three-point home underdogs) and the Broncos (as 6.5-point home underdogs) last season? Just one. The Colts. Because Andrew Luck thrives on the big stage.
Monday, Sept. 8
New York Giants vs. Detroit Lions (7:00 PM ET)
Pick: New York (+4)
Make this pick because: The Giants came on strong at the end of last season, going 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. The last win came at Detroit, where they won 23-20 as 9.5-point underdogs.
San Diego Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals (10:20 PM ET)
Pick: Cardinals (-3.5)
Make this pick because: The Cardinals’ secondary shuts down Philip Rivers’ passing game, while Carson Palmer’s receiving tandem of Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald tears the Chargers defense that allowed 259 passing yards/game (29th in NFL) last season to shreds.
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