Week 1 NFL Picks | Will the Texans and Tyrod Taylor upset Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars?

Cowboys vs Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

Despite the Cowboys, in my view, being a clear Super Bowl contender, the Buccaneers have the clear edge on the Cowboys following a season marred with injury and poor quarterback plays. The Buccaneers should have no problem pulling a win from this game with ease.

Seahawks vs Colts

Pick: Seahawks

There is too much uncertainty surrounding the Colts right now, and Carson Wentz is coming off of foot surgery and the COVID reserve list. The Colts might give the Seahawks a little trouble on defense, but in the end the Seahawks are the stronger team and will be able to pull off the win.

Texans vs Jaguars

Pick: Texans

This game will be the drag of week one. It’s very likely that the Jaguars will have the better overall season, but Trevor Lawrence will need some breaking in first. However, Tyrod Taylor is nowhere near the ability of Deshaun Watson and the rest of the team is extremely weak around him. In the end, I think the Jaguars horrible season of 2020 will carry over to the beginning of 2021 and allow the Texans to get the win.

Eagles vs Falcons

Pick: Eagles

I am confident that any one of these teams, except for maybe the Lions, would be able to put 500 yards of offense all over this Falcons defense. Jalen Hurts should be glad that he has a relatively easy challenge on offense. The Falcons will be hurting from the loss of Julio Jones and are lacking a convincing running game. In short, the Eagles have a very easy victory ahead of them.

Chargers vs Washington

Pick: Chargers

Ryan Fitzpatrick will probably kick in at some point, but for now Justin Herbert should have no problems passing all over Washington to start his second NFL season. In fact, I’d look for the Chargers to be in the divisional round of the playoffs this year. Washington is a broken team facing an offense on the rise.

Steelers vs Bills

Pick: Bills

If I need a quarterback to beat up on one of the best defenses in the league, Josh Allen would easily be one of the first choices. That matched with the Steelers recent offensive woes should result in a relatively easy win for the BIlls as they cruise their way to the Super Bowl. That’s right, I feel very confident that this is the Bills’ year to make it to the big game.

49ers vs Lions

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers may have quite a lot of holes, but the Lions have absolutely nothing on their team at this point. They even lost their franchise quarterback and got a serviceable mid tier in his place, which will not be enough against a defense that has a lot of depth when it’s fully healthy.

Vikings vs Bengals

Pick: Bengals

I’m smelling a breakout season for the Bengals, and a strong start against Kirk Cousins and the Vikings is exactly what they need to hit the season running. Additionally, I think this is Kirk Cousins’ last year with the Vikings as they finally realize that Cousins is no longer worthy of the starting quarterback position.

Jets vs Panthers

Pick: Panthers

Zach Wilson might be my favorite rookie quarterback,but I don’t care; the Jets are still a heavily flawed team. Any team facing the Jets in week one is likely going to pick up a chip shot win and is going to start the season 1-0.

Cardinals vs Titans

Pick: Titans

This is by far one of the most intriguing games of week one, but I’d give the edge to the Titans. They’ve had the greater recent success and I know they’re capable of putting one over the still developing Cardinals. For now.

Browns vs Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

This game is also an extremely intriguing prospect. I will always trust Mahomes to farm wins for the Chiefs but with their recent postseason woes, I would look for warning signs that the Chiefs are going to fall apart no matter what Mahomes does.

Dolphins vs Patriots

Pick: Dolphins

The Patriots are a steaming hot mess and the Dolphins are a team that is steadily on the rise. This game should prove to be an easy victory for the Dolphins.

Broncos vs Giants

Pick: Giants

Much like an improved Andy Dalton, Teddy Bridgewater seems to be the product of his surrounding talent. Unfortunately, the Broncos are dangerously low on just that. The Giants should be able to start off a strong year by easily defeating the struggling Broncos.

Packers vs Saints

Pick: Packers

The kings of losing the NFC Championship are back.Their 13-3 season should get off to a strong start against the Saints, that seems to be crumbling before our eyes. 

Bears vs Rams

Pick: Rams

What better way to set Matthew Stafford up for success than to face him up against a team he’s seen dozens of times before. With the offensive inefficiency of the Bears and the defensive masterpiece of the Rams, there should be no question which team is favored here.

Ravens vs Raiders

Pick: Ravens

The Raiders could very well be close to getting a playoff spot, but for now the Ravens are far the better team offensively and defensively. However, I’d watch for the Ravens to struggle offensively with injuries to J.K. Dobbins, Rashod Bateman, Sammy Watkins, and Hollywood Brown.