Thursday, Sept. 10
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs – 8:20 PM ET, NBC
The 2020 season kicks off with a rematch of the strangest playoff game we’ve seen in years. Houston roared off to a quick 24-0 start that evaporated in a flash, and that ignited the magical Super Bowl run for the Chiefs. This time around, the Texans waltz into Arrowhead without Deandre Hopkins to draw double teams, forcing Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks to beat the secondary. It’s likely that they could do it, but there aren’t many quarterbacks I trust more in a shootout than Patrick Mahomes.
Pick: Chiefs 35-27
Sunday, Sept. 13
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Football Team – 1:00 PM ET, FOX
It’s time to see how the changes in Washington shape their season. From the name change, to the hiring of Ron Rivera, to the firing of maligned Bruce Allen, to the drafting of Chase Young, the culture change is on in the nation’s capital. That said, they might have the worst offense in the NFL. Dwayne Haskins is pushing a boulder up a hill, with a talentless receiving core outside of Terry McLaurin and NO running backs to speak of. This could be a big day for the Eagles’ defense that is talented enough up front to get after a quarterback who is still learning how to play at the NFL level. I fear for Carson Wentz’ health, though. Behind a banged up offensive line against a pass rush with Young, Ryan Kerrigan, and Montez Sweat, he could be running for his life in this game.
Pick: Eagles 23-10
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens – 1:00 PM ET, CBS
The Ravens are hunting for blood. After recording their first 14 win season in franchise history, they were escorted off the stage by Derrick Henry and the Titans. That shouldn’t take away from the fact that they still have the reigning MVP at quarterback, and they got even better this offseason. So did the Browns. On paper, their offensive line should be better after signing Jack Conklin and drafting Jedrick Wills. They’ll be tested right out of the gate with Matt Judon and Calais Campbell. If the line holds up, it’s up to Baker Mayfield to find his targets.
Pick: Ravens 31-17
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots – 1:00 PM ET, CBS
The Tom Brady magical era is finally over in New England. Cam Newton will make his Patriots debut on Sunday against the new look Dolphins. One of the funniest stats I’ve ever seen is Ryan Fitzpatrick lead the Dolphins in rushing last year with a little over 200 yards. WHAT?! That had no choice but to change, and let’s see if it will with some investments on the offensive line and acquisitions of Jordan Howard and Matt Brieda. On paper, the Patriots’ roster is nothing to be scared of, but under principle I can’t put anything past Bill Belichick to come up with a successful gameplan.
Pick: Patriots 20-17
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings – 1:00 PM ET, FOX
An intriguing NFC North clash out the gate. The Packers swept the Vikings last year, thanks to their defense forcing turnovers and making life tough for Kirk Cousins. On paper, Minnesota looks like the better team. They replaced their losses with some newbies: Stefon Diggs out, rookie Justin Jefferson in; Xavier Rhodes out, rookie Jeff Gladney in; Everson Griffen out, Yannick Ngakoue in. It’s still a strong roster, and if they can shut down Aaron Jones and double Davante Adams, there’s not much going on with the Packers’ offense.
Pick: Vikings 24-21
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions – 1:00 PM ET, FOX
The second half of the NFC North clashes in Motown. How many games until Nick Foles inevitably becomes the starting quarterback? He SHOULD be the starter in this game after giving up a fourth round pick for him, but perhaps with no preseason it didn’t give Matt Nagy a chance to examine his signal callers. Still, Mitch Trubisky looks cooked in Chicago, and I take his six touchdowns against the Lions last year with a grain of salt. Everyone was throwing six touchdowns against the Lions last year. Okay maybe not six, but you get my point. Matthew Stafford’s back, by the way. So at least we get to see one quarterback in this game that is good at throwing a football.
Pick: Lions 26-15
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills – 1:00 PM ET, CBS
The AFC East is there for the taking for the Buffalo Bills. A franchise that has not won the division since 1995, they are clearly the most complete team. Josh Allen is as streaky as they come as a passer, but his scrambling ability bring excitement to the offense, and Stefon Diggs is a reliable target for the young quarterback. As for Allen’s counterpart, Sam Darnold needs to have a big year. I’m still not sure if he’s a legit franchise quarterback, but he’s shown signs of promise. He needs to have a big year not only to show he’s the guy there, but the Jets have one of the least talented defenses in the league, so expect some shootouts in Jets games.
Pick: Bills 30-17
Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons – 1:00 PM ET, FOX
There aren’t many coaches in the NFL that MUST have a winning season or else than Falcons’ Dan Quinn. After finishing 7-9 each of the last two seasons with a former MVP quarterback and a Hall of Fame receiver in his prime still lighting it up, the Falcons need to get off to a fast start this season, or Quinn might not make it to December. Their first task is to host Russell Wilson’s Seahawks…umm…that ain’t good. I could see this being the highest scoring game of the week, though, because neither team offer much of a pass rush, and we know both quarterbacks can rack up yards. I trust Russell Wilson more with the ball in his hands at the end than Matt Ryan right now.
Pick: Seahawks 35-28
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:00 PM ET, CBS
Here’s my fantasy football tip for 2020: if you have anyone that will play against the Jaguars, start him. This is going to be a loooooong season for a franchise in disarray. Remember when they went to the AFC Championship Game three years ago? They had a ferocious defense with talent at all three levels. Now everyone is gone, and the departed are happy to be out of there, so is there a deeper issue in Jacksonville? This could be an impressive first start as a Colt for Philip Rivers, as their offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL, and with a talent poor defense, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Colts flirt with a 40-burger.
Pick: Colts 38-17
Las Vegas Raiders @ Carolina Panthers – 1:00 PM ET, CBS
This is an interesting matchup of two franchises that are building a foundation for themselves. The Raiders already brought Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock out of broadcasting to run their organization, and the past two drafts have been ultra promising. As for the Panthers, they are starting over with a new head coach and quarterback, and in a tough NFC South with two contenders, it may take a while for the Panthers to become a powerhouse in the NFC again. That said, they have Christian McCaffrey coming off only the third 1,000 rushing/1,000 receiving season ever, and he is good enough to win games on his own, especially against a questionable defense like the Raiders. That said, I think the Raiders are the slightly better team.
Pick: Raiders 28-24
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals – 4:05 PM ET, CBS
Joe Burrow makes his NFL debut against a Chargers defense that is loaded, even with Derwin James out for the season. The rookie will be tested out the gate, but he will have help around him. AJ Green will make his return, Tyler Boyd is coming off his second straight 1,000 yard season, and fellow rookie Tee Higgins gives Burrow another big body on the outside to test Chris Harris and Casey Hayward. While the Philip Rivers era ended in Chargers land, the Tyrod Taylor era begins…at least for now until we see Justin Herbert take over. The only question is when?
Pick: Bengals 24-17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints – 4:25 PM ET, FOX
Here we go. After months of nonstop blabbering about the Buccaneers, their quest for their first postseason birth since 2007 begins with the rival Saints. It’s the first matchup ever of quarterbacks that are at least 40 years old, and it may be the last stand for one of them. I could see this being Drew Brees’ last year in New Orleans no matter what, and after the last three seasons ending in heartbreak, he feels due for a breakthrough, but could Tom Brady and company throw a wrench in their plans? This is a HUGE game in the first week of the season, and while I believe the Bucs will live up to the hype, I have the Saints nipping them.
Pick: Saints 33-28
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers – 4:25 PM ET, FOX
After letting the Lombardi Trophy slip through their fingers, the 49ers enter the season limping. Deebo Samuel is out for a while with a foot injury, Marquise Goodwin is gone, and rookie Brandon Aiyuk is questionable with a hamstring injury. With that in mind, the 49ers could be on upset alert. The Cardinals are a team that I don’t think will necessarily win a lot of games this season, but could be very fun to watch, especially with the acquisition of Deandre Hopkins to provide that contortionist act on the boundary. Jimmy Garoppolo, though, carved up the Cardinals last year, throwing eight touchdowns in both wins. Could he be that surgical again with a banged up receiving core?
Pick: 49ers 26-20
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams – 8:20 PM ET, NBC
Mike McCarthy is back on the sidelines after taking 2019 off. Let’s see if his year long sabbatical gave him a clear mind about how to coach the most talented team in the NFC East. There is NO excuses if the Cowboys don’t at the very least make the playoffs. Their quest begins in SoFi Stadium in LA, and even though the Rams may not scare many teams as badly as they used to, it’s not like Sean McVay suddenly forgot how to coach or Jared Goff forgot how to throw. Their defense is still really talented with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, and now they have former first rounders on the edge with Leonard Floyd and Dante Fowler as well. Coming off a career year, Dak Prescott is aiming to get paid in the 2021 offseason, and I think a strong performance in week 1 will make it more likely to get his money.
Pick: Cowboys 28-21
Monday, Sept. 14
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Giants – 7:10 PM ET, ESPN
In Game 1 of our annual Monday Night double header, Ben Roethlisberger and friends head to the Meadowlands to battle Daniel Jones’ G-men. The Steelers’ Hall-of-Fame quarterback is coming off major elbow surgery, and at 38 years old, it’s fair to question what arm strength he has left. Even if his arm may be slightly diminished, Pittsburgh may not need to have him sling it 50 times a game because their defense is legit. They led the league in takeaways and sacks last year, and they’re going up against the Giants who will need to win shootouts. Daniel Jones led the league in fumbles in 2019, so it will be interesting to see if he improved on that against a ferocious defense. Maybe give it to Saquon Barkley…like a lot.
Pick: Steelers 34-21
Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos – 10:20 PM ET, ESPN
Part 2 of MNF takes us to Mile High. The Broncos got a huge blow when Von Miller was announced that he would need surgery to repair his tendon, meaning he might miss the whole season. He’s not only tremendous at rushing the passer, but is great against the run, too. That doesn’t bode well with Derrick Henry coming to town. If they can’t stop Henry, the Titans can keep Drew Lock off the field with his weapons locked and loaded for action. Ryan Tannehill showed last year that has enough arm and mobility to make plays, and I trust him if this comes down to a shootout. Give me the Broncos, though, in a tight one.
Pick: Broncos 27-24
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