NFL Week 1 2022: Picks and predictions for every game
The 2022 NFL regular season is here, and we’re rolling through our Week 1 picks, starting with the defending champs and the Super Bowl favorites.
As always, all odds are courtesy of WynnBet.
0-0. 51. 16. NBC. Thursday, Sept. 8. BUF -2.5. 8:20 p.m. ET. 0-0
Emotional night in Los Angeles. Super Bowl banner, homecoming for heroes. Is it enough to get past the Bills, who might have the best roster in football? Perhaps not.
Pick: Buffalo 31, Los Angeles 29
0-0. Sunday, Sept. 11. 0-0. 1 p.m. ET. 15. FOX. 44. NO -5.5
This is an underrated rivalry, and one the Saints will enjoy this season. New Orleans is quite underrated, and the Falcons might have the worst roster in the league. How many players can you name on Atlanta? No way it’s more than 10.
Pick: New Orleans 24, Atlanta 15
FOX. 0-0. SF -7. 57. 1 p.m. ET. 0-0. 42. Sunday, Sept. 11
We finally get the Trey Lance era in San Francisco, and it begins against his classmate in Bears quarterback Justin Fields. The Niners are a Super Bowl contender if Lance plays well, while Chicago is trying to begin a rebuild.
Pick: San Francisco 23, Chicago 14
CBS. Sunday, Sept. 11. 0-0. CIN -6.5. 1 p.m. ET. 0-0. 56. 55
The Bengals have been talked about as a popular regression candidate. You won’t hear that in this space. Cincinnati is loaded and while Pittsburgh’s defense is a real test, its offense remains a questionable outfit.
Pick: Cincinnati 23, Pittsburgh 19
Sunday, Sept. 11. 50. 0-0. FOX. 0-0. PHI -4. 1 p.m. ET. 54
We go with the upset here. The Lions aren’t as good as Philadelphia, but Detroit has real talent for the first time in years, while the Eagles are on the road and still hoping to see Jalen Hurts take the step from good to star. He might, but this is only Week 1.
Pick: Detroit 20, Philadelphia 19
47. CBS. 1 p.m. ET. 59. MIA -3.5. 0-0. Sunday, Sept. 11. 0-0
The Dolphins have always given the Patriots a tough time, and swept them last year. Now, it feels like Miami is ascending while New England is sinking. The Dolphins have plenty to prove, but they should get off to a good start.
Pick: Miami 24, New England 20
0-0. CBS. 0-0. 1 p.m. ET. 26. Sunday, Sept. 11. 30. BAL -7
Lock of the week. The Ravens are an excellent team that was besieged by injuries in 2021. Healthy once again, they take on a Jets squad which has a backup quarterback, a shaky defense and an offense waiting for Zach Wilson to return.
Pick: Baltimore 34, New York 14
FOX. 0-0. WSH -2.5. 1 p.m. ET. 58. 0-0. 52. Sunday, Sept. 11
Quietly, a fascinating game. Jacksonville now has a real coach, and Washington is hoping Carson Wentz proves an upgrade. Both teams could be sneaky playoff contenders, and both could finish 6-11.
Pick: Jacksonville 27, Washington 17
0-0. Sunday, Sept. 11. 87. CAR -2.5. 1 p.m. ET. 53. CBS. 0-0
The Baker Mayfield Revenge Game. This might not be a great Carolina team, but this is the ultimate bad spot for Cleveland. Mayfield is furious, the Browns are starting Jacoby Brissett, it’s a road game and the Panthers are finally healthy for once.
Pick: Carolina 24, Cleveland 21
46. CBS. 0-0. 10. IND -7. 0-0. Sunday, Sept. 11. 1 p.m. ET
The Texans are essentially waiting for next year, while the Colts are rebooting with Matt Ryan under center. Indianapolis isn’t a high-flying team, but it should score plenty against what appears to be a poor Houston defense.
Pick: Indianapolis 30, Houston 17