NFL Week 1 picks against the spread
By Nick Villano
New York Jets @ Detroit Lions (-6.5)
The season’s first Monday Night matchup has the New York Jets debuting rookie Sam Darnold on the biggest stage possible. The Lions, on the other hand, give Matt Patricia the keys to the team after his performance in the Super Bowl.
The Jets were awful last season, but many think they could bounce back huge this season. With Darnold looking great in the preseason, fans are salivating at the thought they could have a quarterback to build around. The team is still weak at many positions, but having the young, hungry quarterback makes it all okay.
Meanwhile, the Lions have been a tweener team for years now. Matthew Stafford is always in the top 10 of quarterbacks, but never one of the best. They have a ton of talent at the skill positions, but nothing even turns into on-the-field consistent production. It seems like something is always left on the table with the Lions.
Still, the Jets are not good enough to win on this stage at this time. There’s weaknesses on offense they can’t overcome. The Lions will win by at least a touchdown.
Detroit 24, New York 13
Next: NFL uniform power rankings
Los Angeles Rams (-4.5) @ Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders literally just traded their best player away. The team gave Khalil Mack for literally nothing that can help this team this year. That’s why the team is giving more than a field goal at home. In Jon Gruden’s return to the Black Hole, he may not get the warmest of welcomes.
On the other sideline is the darling team of the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams have a fantasy superstar in Todd Gurley, a genius coach in Sean McVay, a defense to die for and wide receivers most teams would trade big pieces to replicate.
This seems like an easy choice. That’s because it is. Sorry to be blunt on the last game of the picks, but the Raiders will likely get smoked this game. Even if the Rams hype isn’t real, this Raiders team could be looking at a long season.
Los Angeles 37, Oakland 14