Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs
No Chris Jones and probably no Travis Kelce but KC is at home. Tooney might be out leaving Sky Moore as the top wideout option which wouldn’t be awesome. I still Pat Mahomes to find holes against a secondary that isn’t elite. The pass rush of Detroit could be a problem with two new tackles but we’ve see that issue mitigated before. Detroit’s passing weapons just aren’t threatening and I’m not sure the offensive line just pushes KC around.
Pick: Chiefs close

Panthers @ Atlanta
I think Carolina is going to have a rough time this season. The offensive line will have a rough go and the offense is pretty toothless. Atlanta knows they want to run the ball against a defensive front with no Brian Burns who could miss. The secondary could be in pretty good shape. I think this is a no-brainer with a rookie QB and iffy line on the road
Pick: Atlanta

Bengals @ Browns
The Brownies give Burrow issues and with one of the top roster in the NFL this shouldn’t be an exception. Burrow was banged up in the off season and his O-line will have Myles Garrett and the very good offensive front. Give me the home team in a tight one. Deasean Watson with a full offseason will be interesting to see.
Pick: Browns close

Jaguars @ Colts
I’m not sure Anthony Richardson will be a reliable threat in less than 20 games as a starter outside of high school. His passing needs much improvement and the skill talent might not be there. He’ll be fun to watch but I’m going with the more reliable offense and QB.
Pick: Jags close

Buccaneers @ Vikings
The Vikings defense should be better with Jordan Addison in the fold. Buccaneers with a potent offense should be able to move the ball on this secondary. The home team with Kirk and Jefferson coming off a career year is the clear favorite, but maybe the Bucs put a scare in them. The defense should still be dangerous.
Pick: Bucs close

Titans @ Saints
Carr’s debut comes at home which is a tough place to play. Mike Thomas should be back. The O-line should be ok and the defense could be one of the best groups on the league. If Carr gets pressure he’ll melt down but I think they’ll survive. The Titans were banged up last season and Hopkins is the long receiver that looks like a real threat to the #2 passing defense last season.
Pick: Saints

49ers @ Steelers
This game should be one of the best on the day. Pickett should have a nice group of receivers to work with and could move the ball against the 9ers. The home field advantage is awesome of course. I don’t know that Brock Purdy will just come out and crush and the Pitt D-line could be very disruptive. Give me the home upset.
Pick: Steelers

Cardinals @ Commanders
I don’t hate the Commanders this season despite a large push that they’re going to suck. I don’t think they have any superstars on the roster but I don’t think they have a glaring weakness on the roster. Sam Howell might be an awesome QB as well.
Pick: Commanders

Texans @ Ravens
The Texans roster will be an obvious upgrade from last season and some of the talent could really hit. Baltimore has questions still at receiver and with the pass rush, but they should struggle here.
Pick: Ravens big

Packers @ Bears
The Packer could just run the ball behind a top offensive line and rely on a solid defense. The receiving core is banged up and could be really poor. The Bears made nice upgrades around the roster and a better passing game could cause real problems.
Pick: Bears close

Raiders @ Broncos
Sean Payton better be able to cash the checks he’s be writing. He’s receiving a lot a buzz for reviving Russell Wilson but I don’t like the skill talent that’ll be healthy. This might be a spot that the Raiders rebuilding offense can grab a win.
Pick: Raiders close

Eagles @ Patriots
This should be a grindy game but I’m not sure Mac Jones and the receiving core of the Pat are that threatening.
Pick: Eagles

Dolphins @ Chargers
Miami’s roster is reloaded and ready to roll. The Chargers run a non-playoff team back for the most part. No home field advantage. This could be a fire fight.
Pick: Dolphins

Rams @ Seahawks
No Cooper Kupp, lots of young guys, on the road, how do the Rams win?
Pick: Seahawks

Cowboys @ Giants
There are many believers in the Giants but I’m not too sure that Daniel Jones, who dragged this team to the playoffs last season, can raise the ceiling of this team to anything but a fringe playoff squad. The Cowboys have one of the better rosters in the NFL if you believe in Dak Prescott and McCarthy to not make critical mistakes.
Pick: Cowboys

Bills @ Jets
Von Miller being healthy seems like a big problem for this offensive line. If the Jets can mitigate him though the damage might be minimized. Aaron Rodgers has real chemistry with his new squad and might get something going here offensively. The defense will have to do what everyone else does: contain Josh Allen and Stephan Digs and not much else. Let’s see if Aaron can grab a big win on his new squad.
Pick: Jets