NFL Week 1 Predictions

NFL Week 1 Predictions

Cam Newton is poised to have a huge campaign with Kelvin Benjamin out for the year (Getty Images)

Washington @ Miami – 1PM - CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Redskins – Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson

     Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, Jarvis Landry, Lamar Miller, Defense

Prediction - 21-13 Dolphins. The Redskins may have given Kirk Cousins the starting job, so that RGIII wouldn’t be mauled during the 1^st game of the season. If Haloti Ngata can break Griffins MCL, imagine what Suh would do. Cousins might not make it through the entire game, seriously.

New Orleans @ Arizona – 4:05 – FOX

Fantasy Starters

     Saints – Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Brandin Cooks

     Cardinals – Carson Palmer, Andre Ellington, John Brown, Defense

Prediction - 20-17 Arizona. I like the Saints but I like the Cardinals even more. They have arguably the best head coach in the NFL, and bring Carson Palmer back. The D will miss Todd Bowles and Antonio Cromartie but they will still make plays. Brandin Cooks goes for 100 yard and a TD.

Green Bay @ Chicago – 4:05 – FOX

Fantasy Starters

     Packers – Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, Defense

     Bears – Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery

Prediction – 31-14 Green Bay. A-Rod will get the job done without Jordy Nelson. There is no way you can get me to pick the Bears in this game. No way at all.

Minnesota @ San Francisco – Monday 9/14 – 10:20 – ESPN

Fantasy Starters

     Vikings – Adrian Peterson, Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Rudolph, Defense

     49ers – Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin

Prediction – 27-17 Minnesota. The Vikings’ defense is better than the 49ers’. Minnesota also has the best RB in the NFL, who is ready to take his anger out on every opponent this season. The Vikings O-line has lost 2 starters in a month, but nothing will stop AP from making his mark.

Kansas City @ Houston – 1:00 – CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Chiefs – Jamal Charles, Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin

     Texans – Nuke Hopkins, Defense

Prediction – 21-20 Kansas City. If the Chiefs can block JJ Watt and Clowney for at least half the game, they have the best chance to win. And as hard as this is to admit, Alex Smith is more clutch than Brian Hoyer.

Detroit @ San Diego – 4:05 – FOX

Fantasy Starters

     Lions – Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Defense

     Chargers – Danny Woodhead, Philip Rivers

Prediction – 31-17 Lions. Detroit has a top 5 defense in the NFL this year.  And by possessing two dominant receivers, the Lions don’t have to play clock control. San Diego is a feisty team but they don’t have the weapons that Detroit has.

New York @ Dallas – 8:00 – NBC

Fantasy Starters

     Giants – Odell Beckham, Eli Manning

     Cowboys – Dez Bryant, Tony Romo, Jason Witten

Prediction – 33-28 Cowboys. Analysis – The Cowboys are better in the trenches that the Giants. Everyone is looking for this to be a high scoring game and it should be.

Cleveland @ New York Jets – 1:00 – CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Browns – Isaiah Crowell

     Jets – Brandon Marshall

Prediction – 17-13 Browns. This will be a very low scoring contest. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Josh McCown? I don’t know who in their right mind would watch this game intentionally. Browns and Jets fans included…

Philadelphia @ Atlanta – Monday 9/14 – 7:10 – ESPN

Fantasy Starters

     Eagles – Sam Bradford, Demarco Murray, Darren Sproles, Nelson Agholor

     Falcons – Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Tevin Coleman

Prediction – 35-30 Eagles. Matt Ryan will not back down from this challenge and should be ready to keep up with the Eagles. But when it comes down to it, Philly just has too much for the Falcons to handle.

Tennessee @ Tampa Bay – 4:25 – CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Titans – Marcus Mariota, Delanie Walker, Kendall Wright

     Buccaneers – Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans

Prediction – 28-13 Titans. The Bucs O-line will get dominated by Tennessee’s front 7. With that said, it’s hard to see the Bucs offense be productive without a run game. Marcus Mariota is the complete opposite of what I thought he was coming out of college: a future superstar. If he can improve his arm strength over the next 2 years, we are looking at the next Aaron Rodgers.

Cincinnati @ Oakland – 4:25 – CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Bengals – Jeremy Hill, AJ Green

     Raiders – Amari Cooper, Marcel Reece

Prediction – 27-24 Raiders. Oakland will keep this game closer than you think. And although I don’t trust Andy Dalton, the Bengals shouldn’t lose their opener.

Carolina @ Jacksonville– 1:00 – FOX

Fantasy Starters

     Panthers – Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, Defense

     Jaguars – Allen Robinson

Prediction – 31-20 Panthers. I know the Jags are expecting a fight but I seriously doubt they fully realize what they are up against. Carolina’s D should stifle Jacksonville’s offense. And with Cam Newton healthy for probably the only game of the year, you can expect fireworks.

Seattle @ St. Louis – 1:00 – FOX

Fantasy Starters

     Seahawks – Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham, Defense

     Rams - Defense

Prediction –20-13 Seahawks. With Tre Mason not at 100% and Todd Gurley not playing, St. Louis will find it hard to move the ball on Seattle. The Seahawks are very motivated after losing what should have been their 2^nd Super Bowl in a row.

Indianapolis @ Buffalo – 1:00 – CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Colts – Andrew Luck, Andre Johnson, Dwayne Allen

     Bills – Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins

Prediction – 24-23 Bills. Tyrod Taylor passes for 200 and runs for 100. Rex Ryan is going to throw the kitchen sink at Andrew Luck.

Baltimore @ Denver – 4:25 – CBS

Fantasy Starters

     Ravens – Steve Smith Sr., Justin Forsett

     Broncos – Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders

Prediction – 24-16 Broncos. – I don’t think the Denver is going to run the ball as well as they would like to. The Ravens offense doesn’t have any trustworthy receiving option outside of Steve Smith. I’m going with Denver because it’s the logical choice