Jason Ross’ Week 1 NFL Picks & Predictions
Sep 9, 2021, 2:53 PM | Updated: 2:53 pm
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Another year of the NFL season is here and who doesn’t like to make picks?
I will give it a try and keep track to see how I do. Here are my picks for Week 1.
Lock of the week
Rams over the Bears. I really like the Rams talent and with their home opener in front of the Sunday night crowd, this should be a matchup problem for Chicago.
Lock it up.
Upset of the week
Colts over the Seahawks. Not a huge upset but Indianapolis is a 3 point underdog in this one. I see this year being a down year for the 12 win Seahawks from 2020.
Games I feel good about
49ers over Lions. This should be another matchup discrepancy game. San Francisco is loaded with talent. Detroit is going through a new coach and new quarterback and just doesn’t have the same amount of talent as the 49ers.
Buccaneers over Cowboys. The first game of the NFL season is on Thursday night when the Champs begin defense of their crown. They didn’t win the division last year but this year Tampa will be looked at as one of the best teams and they should show that in week 1.
Broncos over Giants. Yes, I said it. I have been having irrational feelings about Denver in 2021. I think they go on the road this weekend and start (1-0) something they haven’t been able to do under Vic Fangio.
Bills over the Steelers. Buffalo is my team to win the Super Bowl and I don’t think they will go undefeated. Pittsburgh is always well coached and does have good talent but Buffalo has more and my MVP pick Josh Allen, so go Bills.
Good Matchups That Could Go Either Way
Titans over the Cardinals. Tennessee has been consistently good the past couple of seasons. With the addition of Julio Jones the Titans should be good again. Close call here, but the lean is to Tennessee.
Chiefs over the Browns. Cleveland played Kansas City very well last year. I like the Browns again this year, I like them a lot. It is tough to pick against Mahomes, so I won’t do it here but would not be surprised if Cleveland got them this week.
Patriots over the Dolphins. This is a good AFC East division battle and a couple of young quarterbacks take the stage for this one. Mac Jones will find a way with some new weapons and the defense has so many guys back from 2019. Patriots in a close one.
Saints over the Packers. Another close one that is a home game for New Orleans but they will play this in Jacksonville because of hurricane Ida. Jameis Winston won the job and should thrive under Sean Payton. This one might even go overtime, but give me the Saints.
Raiders over Ravens. The Las Vegas Raiders had a good offense in 2020 but a brutal defense. Not sure how much better they are on that side of the ball but the Ravens have been crushed by injuries before the season has even begun. The Raiders will have fans for the first time and that environment should be wild. Raiders on a late field goal.
The Final Five, That Someone Has To Win, Unless They Tie
Falcons over the Eagles– New coaches for both teams but more experience and talent with Atlanta.
Vikings over the Bengals – Cincinnati is getting better but it is at a slower pace. Vikings prevail.
Washington over the Chargers – The defense of Washington and the travel wear out the Chargers.
Panthers over the Jets – Rookie QB and rookie head coach for the Jets too much to overcome, Panthers win.
Texans over the Jaguars – this game has tie potential but Houston will find a way behind the professional game played by Tyrod Taylor.
