Week 1 Game Picks

Throughout the season we will be doing weekly game picks and keeping a running tab of our records. We missed the Seattle vs Packer’s prediction, but we will be encompassing Thursday night games in future predictions.

Josh Fyffe (0-0)

Jack Machulski (0-0)

Week 1 Predictions

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

Jack’s Pick: Ravens - Ravens make a big statement with a win over the Bengals and they show who's boss in the AFC North.  

Josh’s Pick: Ravens – In a close game, the Ravens edge out a win due to a great defensive performance. Both offenses show growing pains, but I would trust Flacco over Dalton, especially since the game is being played in Baltimore. 

Bufallo Bills @ Chicago Bears
Jack's Pick: Bears - Cutler and the rest of the Bears offense proves to be too much for the Bills defense.
Josh's Pick: Bears- The Bears offense proves to be too much for the Byrd-less/Alonso-less Bills. EJ Manuel puts together a promising first outing, but can't quite match the quintet of Cutler, Marshall, Jeffery, (Martellus) Bennett, and Forte. 

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburg Steelers

Jack’s Pick: Steelers - Steelers easily take this one while Jon Gruden sobs about Manziel not playing. 

Josh’s Pick: Steelers – Playmakers in the Steelers’ linebacking core overwhelm Hoyer, and the lack of depth at WR is blatantly apparent, as the Browns offense is stagnant all day. Big Ben doesn’t perform perfectly against the Browns defense, but ultimately does enough to outplay the Browns offense.

Washington Redskins @ Houston Texans

Jacks Pick: Texans - Texans ride their defense to start them off with a W against RGIII.
Josh's Picks: Redskins – The addition of Desean Jackson and Andre Roberts are apparent as running holes open up for Alfred Morris in the box. Lack of quality quarterback play hurts the Texans, as they can’t take advantage of the subpar defense, and the Redskins glide to a two score victory.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Philadelphia Eagles

Jack’s Pick: Eagles - Eagles easily take this one over the Jaguars. Chip Kelly's offense is too much for Gus Bradley's D. 

Josh’s Pick: Eagles  - Jacksonville shows some potential in the opener, but the talent and coaching scheme of the Eagles dials up a win in week one.

Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Cheifs

Jack’s Pick: Titans - Titans grab the win in a sort of coming out party for Jake Locker. 

Josh’s Pick: Chiefs – The Titans quietly improved this offseason, only losing Alteruran Verner and Chris Johnson, but Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith perform up to level to secure the win in a closer game than some might expect.

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

Jack’s Pick: Patriots - Tannehill and the Dolphins put up a good fight but ultimately fall to Brady.

Josh’s Pick: Patriots – The Patriots defense overwhelms Tannehill and Miami’s run game proves to be as inconsistent as a year ago. Tom Brady spreads the ball around and uses unique mismatches the entire game to beat the tough Dolphins defense on the road.

Minnesota Vikings @ St. Louis Rams

Jack’s Pick: Vikings -  Rams pass rush is not enough to take down the Vikings and Adrian Peterson. 
Josh's Pick: Vikings – Cassel and the Vikings offensive line struggle against St. Louis’ front seven, but the ineptitude of the Rams’ offense gives the Vikes the win. If St. Louis comes up with a win, I believe it will be because of a productive day on the ground, led by Zac Stacy and Tre Mason.

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
Jack's Pick: Saints - Saints start their dominance of the NFC South with a win over Matt Ryan and the Falcons.
Josh's Pick: Saints – In a presumed offensive matchup, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan duke it out, but the Saints defense prevails and gets big plays from several defensive stars (Jarius Byrd, Cameron Jordan, Junior Gallete, and Kenny Vacarro).

Oakland Raiders @ New York Jets
Jack's Pick: Jets - Jets put up the W but when the Raiders and Jets face each other, no one wins. 
Josh's Pick: Jets – I don’t have a lot of confidence in Geno, but the Jets defense prevails against an overall shaky Oakland team.

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jack’s Picks: Buccaneers - Cam Newton is the entire team and with Newton not at 100% I don't see him taking down the Bucs.

Josh’s Picks: Buccaneers – The inexperience in Carolina’s wide receiver corps is evident, as the improving Tampa defense plays an efficient game. The Bucs offense plays nearly as inconsistent, but playmakers Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, and Doug Martin bail them out against a top notch Panthers defensive unit.

San Francisco 49ers @ Dallas Cowboys

Jack’s Pick: 49ers - Cowboys offense may be great and Niners D may be a bit depleted right now but Kaep and the Niners offense are going to have a field day. 

Josh’s Pick: 49ers – The 49ers offense looks better than anticipated against the laughable Cowboys defense. Tony Romo has some bright spots against the vaunted Niners defense, but in the end the talent on the 49ers prevails. For the Cowboys to win this game, Kaep needs to miss A LOT of throws.

Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos

Jack’s Pick: Colts - Andrew Luck works his magic and the colts somehow win this. 

Josh’s Pick: Broncos – In his first game since the Super Bowl embarrassment, Peyton Manning responds with a typical Manning game, torching the Colts spotty secondary and utilizing his numerous amount of offensive weapons. Luck shines as well, but the new additions on Denver’s defense show up to protect the victory.

New York Giants @ Detroit Lions

Jack’s Pick: Lions - Lions offense dominates through the air and Eli Manning continues to be terrible.

Josh’s Pick: Lions – Matthew Stafford explores his new weapons in Tate and Ebron and shows how dynamic the Lions offense can be this season. Eli has a misleading first game and performs well, but only because the Lions have no secondary.

San Diego Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals

Jack’s Pick: Chargers - Cardinals losses on D show as Rivers tears them apart. 

Josh’s Pick: Chargers - The losses of Daryl Washington, Darnell Dockett and Karlos Dansby make the front seven of the Cardinals drastically different than a season ago. Zona’s secondary impresses, but Phillip Rivers and Mike McCoy sustain the same offensive success as last season and put together a solid game plan to edge out a tough Monday night win. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of run plays from San Diego.