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NFL Week 1 2020: Picks and predictions

By Matt Verderame

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 is surrounded by wide receiver Mike Williams #81 and tight end Virgil Green #88 of the Los Angeles Chargers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 is surrounded by wide receiver Mike Williams #81 and tight end Virgil Green #88 of the Los Angeles Chargers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are enticing here. Joe Burrow in his first game, with a litany of weapons. Los Angeles is without Derwin James for the season, and Tyrod Taylor won’t exploit Cincinnati’s lackluster defense like better quarterbacks will. Still, the Chargers are significantly more talented.

Pick: Los Angeles 24, Cincinnati 23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)

Best game of the week. It’s the opener, but this is big for the Saints and Buccaneers. The winner is up early and has at least a split of the head-to-head tiebreaker. The difference her should be the contrast between how long these teams have been together. Continuity will be huge in the NFL this season.

Pick: New Orleans 35, Tampa Bay 31

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-7)

The Cardinals are much improved, but the 49ers are home and defending NFC champions. The mismatch here is San Francisco’s defensive line against Arizona’s front wall. Kyler Murray is extremely mobile, and he’ll need all his athletic talents to keep plays alive.

Pick: San Francisco 30, Arizona 28

Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams

It’s fair to wonder why the Cowboys, who finished 8-8 in a worse division last year, are road favorites over a Rams team which went 9-7. However, Los Angeles appears trending down, while Dallas had the league’s top-rated offense and added rookie receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Pick: Dallas 33, Los Angeles 24

Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) at New York Giants

The Joe Judge era begins in New York. Tough assignment, getting a charged-up defense and the return of Ben Roehtlisberger on Monday Night Football. The Giants are going to score some points this year, but this is a brutal matchup against an AFC contender.

Pick: Pittsburgh 28, New York 13

Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (-1.5)

The Broncos are at home, so they get the nod. This could go either way, and if Ryan Tannehill has time, Tennessee could be a problem here. However, Denver in the altitude is always tough, with or without fans.

Pick: Denver 23, Tennessee 20

Last season: 145-96-1 (SU)

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