Ah! The football season has finally arrived. Maybe someone should tell that to the Patriots after last night's 42-27 debacle? With the season underway this weekend, it is time to get back into the prognosticating business. Let's take a look at some of this week's key games!
Jets @ Bills (-8.5) - A battle between two of the NFL's worst teams, and two teams that are clearly rebuilding. The Jets have no idea who their quarterback will be, even though they have settled on journeyman Josh "2-20 as a starter" McCown. The Bills are stuck with Tyrod "interception" Taylor, who was battling his own injuries of late. It says a lot when the Bills probably would be better off with back-up quarterback Nate Peterman who lit it up in training camp. In fact it says a lot more that the Jets would be better off with Bryce Petty, who is the third quarterback on their depth chart. The battle between Bills running back LeSean McCoy and the Jets front seven will be the key to the game. If the Jets can slow down McCoy and generate some push up front, they can keep this close. Yes, the Jets are bad, but I think they'll be competitive. BILLS 24, JETS 20.
Falcons (-6.5) @ Bears - Will the Super Bowl hangover carry over into a tricky Week 1 game at the Bears? That is the question the Falcons face this Sunday. Atlanta should have won that Super Bowl, we get it, but they did everything they could to blow a 25-point lead. The Falcons return much the same team from last year. The key is to jump out early and often on a rebuilding Bears team. The Bears are pinning their hopes that quarterback Mike Glennon can hold the fort with a bad supporting cast. It won't be long before rookie Mitchell Trubisky becomes the starter however. Like the Falcons here. FALCONS 31, BEARS 21.
Ravens @ Bengals (-3) - These two teams meet in Week 1 and Week 17 this year and I promise you both games could wind up determining a wild card slot this season out of the AFC North. The Ravens were banged up this summer, but are getting healthy. Joe Flacco returns from a summer long back injury, while receiver Breshard Perriman and running back Danny Woodhead also return for the opener. The only issue is that Flacco didn't have any preseason work, and it is anyone's guess how
sharp he will be for the opener in Cincinnati.
The Bengals took some hits. They will not have linebacker Vontaze Burfict and corner/special teamer Adam "Pacman" Jones due to suspensions, but I think the Bengals can manage without them. The question for Cincy is their O-line, which lost two key pieces in free agency this offseason. Still this game will come down to who can score on the fast track of Paul Brown Stadium, and I love Andy Dalton and A.J. Green in this situation. It's going to be hot and sticky as well, which plays into the Bengals favor. BENGALS 27, RAVENS 24.
Raiders @ Titans (-2.5) - One day this might be the battle to end all battles in the AFC. In one corner you got the young Raiders will all of their talent on the offensive side of the ball, and on the other you got Marcus Mariota and the Titans. Derek Carr vs. Marcus Mariota. Ok, it may not sound like Manning vs. Brady, but who knows one day it might be. These two teams met last year in Week 3, and the Raiders came away with a 17-10 win on the road, so they are used to having to wear the black jerseys in the Tennessee heat. Look for another good matchup, but Oakland is better coached and more talented than Tennessee. RAIDERS 27, TITANS 16.
Eagles (-1.5) @ Redskins - Don't look now, but the winner of this game could be in line for a very big start to the season. Speaking of big, this is a big year for Kirk Cousins, who once again is being asked to bet on himself for a major contract. He's going to have to do that with a flurry of new weapons at wide receiver with Desean Jackson now a member of the Buccaneers. As for Philly, the additions of LaGarret Blount and Alshon Jeffery make this offense very formidable. This will be a fun one, but I'll take the home team. 'SKINS 26, EAGLES 24.
Seahawks @ Packers (-3) - The last time these two teams met the Packers rolled over the Seahawks 38-10 last season. The Sehawks are trying to get back to their Legion of Boom days, but that might be difficult in Green Bay against Aaron Rodgers and the high flying Packers who added tight end Martellious Bennett in the offseason. Look for a big day from Rodgers, and a solid day from Russell Wilson. Packers pull away late: PACKERS 31, SEAHAWKS 16.
Giants @ Cowboys (-4.5) - The game of the weekend. The Giants and Cowboys hate each other so much that the NFL decided to delay Ezekiel Elliott's suspension until next week. Why? Because the NFL needs the ratings. Elliott's suspension begins Week 2 and will last through Week 7, but it could be stopped by an injunction. More on that next week.
With Elliot in the backfield, it will make things a little easier for Dak Prescott, who had one of the worst games of his rookie year against Big Blue last season. The Giants defense is expected to be the best in the NFL this season. (We shall see). Offensively, the addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall gives Eli Manning a new target, and a shoulder for Odell Beckham to pout on. This will be fun, and close. Just hope the walls in the locker room hold up better than they did in Green Bay when Odell put his fist through it. COWBOYS 30, GIANTS 27.
Jets @ Bills (-8.5) - A battle between two of the NFL's worst teams, and two teams that are clearly rebuilding. The Jets have no idea who their quarterback will be, even though they have settled on journeyman Josh "2-20 as a starter" McCown. The Bills are stuck with Tyrod "interception" Taylor, who was battling his own injuries of late. It says a lot when the Bills probably would be better off with back-up quarterback Nate Peterman who lit it up in training camp. In fact it says a lot more that the Jets would be better off with Bryce Petty, who is the third quarterback on their depth chart. The battle between Bills running back LeSean McCoy and the Jets front seven will be the key to the game. If the Jets can slow down McCoy and generate some push up front, they can keep this close. Yes, the Jets are bad, but I think they'll be competitive. BILLS 24, JETS 20. Falcons (-6.5) @ Bears - Will the Super Bowl hangover carry over into a tricky Week 1 game at the Bears? That is the question the Falcons face this Sunday. Atlanta should have won that Super Bowl, we get it, but they did everything they could to blow a 25-point lead. The Falcons return much the same team from last year. The key is to jump out early and often on a rebuilding Bears team. The Bears are pinning their hopes that quarterback Mike Glennon can hold the fort with a bad supporting cast. It won't be long before rookie Mitchell Trubisky becomes the starter however. Like the Falcons here. FALCONS 31, BEARS 21.
sharp he will be for the opener in Cincinnati.
The Bengals took some hits. They will not have linebacker Vontaze Burfict and corner/special teamer Adam "Pacman" Jones due to suspensions, but I think the Bengals can manage without them. The question for Cincy is their O-line, which lost two key pieces in free agency this offseason. Still this game will come down to who can score on the fast track of Paul Brown Stadium, and I love Andy Dalton and A.J. Green in this situation. It's going to be hot and sticky as well, which plays into the Bengals favor. BENGALS 27, RAVENS 24.
Raiders @ Titans (-2.5) - One day this might be the battle to end all battles in the AFC. In one corner you got the young Raiders will all of their talent on the offensive side of the ball, and on the other you got Marcus Mariota and the Titans. Derek Carr vs. Marcus Mariota. Ok, it may not sound like Manning vs. Brady, but who knows one day it might be. These two teams met last year in Week 3, and the Raiders came away with a 17-10 win on the road, so they are used to having to wear the black jerseys in the Tennessee heat. Look for another good matchup, but Oakland is better coached and more talented than Tennessee. RAIDERS 27, TITANS 16. Eagles (-1.5) @ Redskins - Don't look now, but the winner of this game could be in line for a very big start to the season. Speaking of big, this is a big year for Kirk Cousins, who once again is being asked to bet on himself for a major contract. He's going to have to do that with a flurry of new weapons at wide receiver with Desean Jackson now a member of the Buccaneers. As for Philly, the additions of LaGarret Blount and Alshon Jeffery make this offense very formidable. This will be a fun one, but I'll take the home team. 'SKINS 26, EAGLES 24.
Seahawks @ Packers (-3) - The last time these two teams met the Packers rolled over the Seahawks 38-10 last season. The Sehawks are trying to get back to their Legion of Boom days, but that might be difficult in Green Bay against Aaron Rodgers and the high flying Packers who added tight end Martellious Bennett in the offseason. Look for a big day from Rodgers, and a solid day from Russell Wilson. Packers pull away late: PACKERS 31, SEAHAWKS 16.
Giants @ Cowboys (-4.5) - The game of the weekend. The Giants and Cowboys hate each other so much that the NFL decided to delay Ezekiel Elliott's suspension until next week. Why? Because the NFL needs the ratings. Elliott's suspension begins Week 2 and will last through Week 7, but it could be stopped by an injunction. More on that next week.With Elliot in the backfield, it will make things a little easier for Dak Prescott, who had one of the worst games of his rookie year against Big Blue last season. The Giants defense is expected to be the best in the NFL this season. (We shall see). Offensively, the addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall gives Eli Manning a new target, and a shoulder for Odell Beckham to pout on. This will be fun, and close. Just hope the walls in the locker room hold up better than they did in Green Bay when Odell put his fist through it. COWBOYS 30, GIANTS 27.
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