Year 13 of picking games.
Let’s see how long I can keep it going this year.
Falcons +3.5 at Vikings – Did I miss the memos? Who likes the Vikings this much? Better yet, who forgot Matt Ryan had MVP statistics last year and would have won it if his team made the playoffs? I don’t think Minnesota will be able to contain the Falcons from making big plays through the air indoors, and if you have to ask Kirk Cousins to bring you back in the 4th quarter to counter that, this game is going to look like alot of Viking games this year. Falcons 27, Vikings 23.
Rams -1.5 at Panthers – Carolina has been far and away the most popular home underdog and I just don’t see it. I think Cam Newton is a year away from getting his shoulder all the way back, and I firmly believe in Sean McVay’s ability to outwit Ron Rivera in game planning. Contenders like the Rams win games like these, and in Week 1 with something to prove, they win them big. Rams 30, Panthers 17.
Seahawks -9.5 vs. Bengals – This line can’t be high enough. The Bengals are my pick to be on the clock at season’s end, and this couldn’t be a worse environment to start off. I usually hate big lines like this in Week 1, but I sincerely have no idea how Cincinnati even competes in this game. Seahawks 27, Bengals 3.
Giants +7 at Cowboys – I just don’t see how this game isn’t close throughout. The Giants have everything to prove after an offseason of everyone questioning their motives, and Dallas has been a carousel of drama all summer. Dak Prescott is going to be a clean simple first test for alot of the young players on the Giants’ defense (who are going to get torched alot this year), and this will become the kind of game the Giants can steal with a few big plays. This first game will be the whole Giants season: if they get bowled over again this year, you can forget about seeing a winning season OR the kid at quarterback. Giants 23, Cowboys 21.
Buccaneers -1 vs. 49ers – I don’t like anything about either of these teams, and thus I don’t see why SF is getting respect on the road here. I would understand it if you really believed in Kyle Shanahan’s ability to dance around a bad head coach, but Arians is no pushover, and I just don’t see where else they match up more favorably than a +3 underdog. Take the home team and get out of there. Buccaneers 28, 49ers 20.
3rd and 13 