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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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Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after the catch as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) defends during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after the catch as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) defends during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) at New York Jets

New York is a home underdog, a rare spot for a team that went 10-6 last year. Cincinnati is without tight end Tyler Eifort and lost both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones from the receiving corps. The Jets should find a way to exploit the Bengals’ questionable secondary and pull the upset.

Pick: New York 24, Cincinnati 20

Oakland Raiders at New Orleans Saints (-1)

No team is coming into the season with more hype than Oakland. The Raiders added a bevy of free agents and combined with the maturation of Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack, a playoff berth could be in the offing. Still, New Orleans has a high-powered attack and at home, could prove to be too much.

Pick: New Orleans 30, Oakland 27

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-7)

Kansas City is coming into the 2016 season without Justin Houston and perhaps Jamaal Charles. Still, the Chiefs are deep across the board and should handle a middling San Diego roster. Philip Rivers might throw for 300 yards, but it’s unlikely to be enough without a good defense or offensive line.

Pick: Kansas City 27, San Diego 17

Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens (-3)

This is a very intriguing game. Baltimore is trying to rebound from an injury-ravaged season while Buffalo is hoping to move on from a brutal offseason. Both of these teams should be in the wild card conversation come December, and this could end up being a huge contest with tiebreaker implications.

Pick: Baltimore 22, Buffalo 16

Chicago Bears at Houston Texans (-5.5)

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but J.J. Watt is back. The Texans are trying to build upon a division title with a new quarterback in Brock Osweiler. Their first test is Chicago, which has looked absolutely rancid in the preseason. If the Bears can get their act together, though, they have dangerous weapons.

Pick: Houston 24, Chicago 20

Green Bay Packers (-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Green Bay 34, Jacksonville 23

The Jaguars are a trendy pick to do some damage and maybe win the AFC South. Still, the defense has a ton of new faces and will need to blend. Green Bay has the scariest offense in football with Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, Jared Cook, Eddie Lacy and the return of Jordy Nelson. This is a bad matchup for Jacksonville.

Next: Late games and primetime...

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