Pick 6: NFL Week 1
Opening week of the NFL season is here. As you would expect, there a plenty of interesting matchups set in place for the week 1. From a playoff rematch in Philly on Thursday to Jon Gruden's return to coaching late on Monday night, this week should be packed with good football. But even in a great week of football, not every game is worthy of a spotlight. So, let's pick 6. Starting with the season opener.
Falcons vs Eagles
The NFL is starting off the season right with this Divisional Round rematch. There were some great games in the 2017 postseason, but few were greater than the one between these two. One would have expected an offensive shootout, even with Carson Wentz injured. That's not what we got. We got a 10-15 defensive war that came right down to the wire. We could get more of the same. We could get the shootout we expected the first time. We could get neither. I'm really not quite sure, but I do expect a good game.
Although I don't think it will be a blowout, the Eagles seem to be the clear favorite. They are the Champs after all. The Falcons are no easy opponent, but do we really think they can take down the Eagles at home? Both these teams are, more or less, the same as they were 8 months ago. Foles is even starting this time around as well. I can't see what Atlanta has done to improve. They are still very much a contending team, and I believe they can keep it close. However, I can't see them turning tides in the rematch.
Eagles win 16-24
49ers vs Vikings
Jimmy Garoppolo has proven a lot with very little playing time. In New England in 2016, he only started two games, one of which he didn't play the 2nd half, but he was great in that small sample size. He completed 68% of his passes with 502 yards, 4 TD's, and 0 INT's. That was enough for San Francisco to trade for him the following year, and he continued to shine. He started five games there, won all of them, and posted a QB rating of 96.2. And may I remind you, the 49ers were awful before he took over. They were 1-10 before that point. Yet Garoppolo found a way. He has bursted onto the scene, still without a loss to his name. This performance thus far earned him the biggest contract in the game for a short time before it was surpassed by Aaron Rodgers.
However, Jimmy hasn't played against Minnesota's defense. This is a whole new ballgame. To come into that new, loud Vikings stadium against the league's top D and win in week 1 would be miraculous. Even just to score double digits, considering the supporting cast he has, would be an accomplishment. But somehow this kid will probably defy expectations again, and perform better than he should.
Unfortunately for San Fran, even a great day for Jimmy won't always be enough. Everyone talks about the Vikings' defense, but their offense is more than capable. You can't really say that about the 49ers' defense. This should be a nice game for Kirk Cousins to ease in to his new team. They shouldn't have trouble scoring early, and the 49ers could be playing catch-up all day. That's not where you want to be against this team.
Vikings win 16-26
Texans vs Patriots
Last September, we watched these two engage in a spectacular 33-36 shootout. Watson was electric through the air and on the ground, but two picks did loom over the performance. Brady was nearly flawless. We should expect a similar type of game, although the same quality will be hard to repeat.
I do think the Texans stand a better chance this time around. Of course we don't know if Watson will be the same player as last season after his injury, but there are some other things in there favor. The Patriots lost arguably their best secondary member, Malcolm Butler, while the Texans added Tyrann Mathieu. New England also lost their LT, Nate Solder. These additions and subtractions in the passing game could sway the odds in Houston's favor. It's also not uncharacteristic of New England to struggle early in the year. Beating the Patriots at home sure isn't easy, but I think Houston could shock the league and pull an upset.
Texans win 31-27
Chiefs vs Chargers
These are two teams I'm really interested in this season. The Chiefs are riding on the arm of Patrick Mahomes. If he is the real deal, he has plenty of tools to make this an explosive offense. If he isn't, the Chiefs are pretty well doomed for the near future. The Chargers are a team that I believe will surprise a lot of people. There are few defenses better than theirs, and Rivers is still a very good passer. This team started out poorly in 2017, losing their first four, but they only lost 3 more the rest of the year. They just barely missed a playoff berth. If they can find their groove sooner, it could be a great year.
Although I do like the Chiefs this year, it could be a rocky start. Mahomes has yet to start a game, and getting his first on the road against a tough division rival defense isn't ideal. I think we'll see a couple big plays from them, but not consistent production. This a favorable matchup for the Chargers, but I don't fully trust them to avoid a slow start like last year. I think both teams will under perform, but the more experienced QB will come out on top.
Chargers win 17-24
Bears vs Packers
The oldest rivalry in football hasn't been all that competitive for quite some time now, but I think we'll start to see the gap shrink. I believe the Bears are taking steps in the right direction, while the Packers are standing in place. Now don't get me wrong, I still believe the Packers are a better team, but expect these games to be much less one-sided.
The Bears ferocious front seven should give Rodgers a hard time. Khalil Mack's action will probably be limited, but just his presence makes this defense so much better. If nothing else he'll be an effective decoy. The Bears offense is still a big question mark. I like the direction their going with Matt Nagy, but I don't know what to expect right from the get go. Nagy's playbook is supposed to be very complex, and getting all the ins and outs down might take some time. We also don't know exactly what they have in Trubisky.
This will be a big test for Chicago. Just a close, competitive game in Lambeau would be a sign of good things to come. I think that's what they'll get.
Packers win 19-23
Rams vs Raiders
Fewer teams drew more attention this off-season than the Rams and the Raiders. The Rams made headlines by acquiring Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, and Marcus Williams. This bolsters a defense that was already very good. The Raiders biggest moves were bringing Jon Gruden out of coaching retirement with a massive contract, and trading Khalil Mack for a pair of 1st-round picks. These moves are an attempt the lead to a bright future, and not waste their years with Derek Carr.
This is the one game out of the six that I don't believe will be a great game. I believe this game will highlight the differences between the two teams. The Rams made fairly inexpensive yet aggressive moves to make them an instant favorite to win it all. The Raiders made expensive, aggressive moves to set up a future. I seriously question the direction the Raiders are going. They traded a top tier player for draft picks, and their coach hasn't held a clipboard in over a decade. It could work out, but it's risky and I don't think they are better now than they were a year ago.
I don't think this will be a good game. In fact, I think this will be an awful game. But I do think it will be a demonstration of these two teams, and the polar opposite directions they may be headed.
Rams win 38-14
