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NFL Week 1: Picks and predictions

By Matt Verderame

Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The National Football League is back! After getting through an entire season and then a month of football that isn’t really football, our patience is being rewarded with actual contests.

It all starts tonight, with a rematch of Super Bowl 50.

Carolina Panthers (-3.5) at Denver Broncos

The Super Bowl 50 rematch should have a different outcome. Carolina is going to be highly motivated to get a small measure of revenge, and should be able to against Trevor Siemian. Denver’s defense is great, but the offense is brutal.

Pick: Carolina 20, Denver 10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-3)

If either of the defenses show up, it would be a shock. The Falcons and Buccaneers are going to be throwing deep early and often, with Julio Jones and Mike Evans lighting up the scoreboard. This game comes down to whether Jameis Winston or Matt Ryan makes the bigger play late.

Pick: Atlanta 31, Tampa Bay 27

Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans (EVEN)

Minnesota is in all sorts of flux under center, but it should have enough to take down Tennessee. The Titans have no answer for Adrian Peterson and will struggle to run the ball against a stout Vikings front. This game will be fairly close, but never in doubt.

Pick: Minnesota 23, Tennessee 17

Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5)

Do yourself a favor. If this game is on the television, throw your television out the window. Philadelphia will be starting Carson Wentz despite not being remotely ready, and the Browns are going with Robert Griffin, Joe Thomas, Joe Haden and 50 guys you haven’t heard of.

Pick: Philadelphia 17, Cleveland 16

Next: More early games...

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