NFL – Week One Picks 2020 Edition
With the NFL finally coming back after the long offseason it’ll be harder to judge this season. First and foremost, preseason might not count for anything but it is a good grasp of where individuals are with the playbook, injuries, and new talent. So much of this season will be guesswork, we’re still going to break down each week as much as we can.
Since opening night already happened here’s the rest of week one’s picks:
Sunday 1 pm
Eagles vs Football Team
If naming them the Washington Football team was a clear indication of this year’s team, it’s going to be an ugly season. First, why couldn’t they just temporarily call themselves the Washingtons as a placeholder? It’s not like they’re going to push a ton of merch across in a pandemic. With that being said, divisional games are tricky. Philly won the division last year while there’s not a lot Washington did to spark excitement. The ball is in their court, but Philly walks away victorious here.
MORE NFL: Miami Cutting Rosen Was Right Move
Dolphins vs Patriots
This game would be a no-brainer any other year. Too bad New England has had a lot more shakeup than in seasons past. The NFL might not be ready for this year’s Dolphins team. Not in a way they might win the Super Bowl, but sleep on them and they might surprise a few teams. With plenty of picks and free agents they might still be a year away, but they’re definitely looking to be a long-term success. Miami slightly edges out the Pats.
Packers vs Vikings
Vikings are that team that just can’t seem to get consistent play. They keep teetering on being a powerhouse team, then something breaks down and they’re a blown call away. Either that or in a game of contending, they become sloppy and make critical errors. The good news for them, Packers stock is falling. Yeah yeah .. Aaron Rodgers this and that, but what has he done for the Pack? They should be running the NFL with a QB that good, but they limp to the finish line every year. Vikings in a blowout.
Colts vs Jags
Every year it’s as if someone puts a quarter in the jukebox and plays Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ down in Jacksonville. They were one perfectly defended play away from the Super Bowl with Blake Bortles, and now they’re trading away talent reminiscent of the Miami Dolphins last season. Colts found an Andrew Luck replacement in Philip Rivers and he’s been a workhorse for years. This might be the year that gets them back on track. It’ll be a low scoring game, but the Colts win.
Bears vs Lions
Imagine being a fan of the Chicago Bears. You’ve watched your team struggle to find a quarterback to bring your team to the promised land. They finally signed a former Super Bowl MVP/Champ and they stick it out with the struggling vet. At this point are they even trying? Lions over Bears on a late field goal.
Raiders vs Panthers
It seems like it’s been forever since someone other than Cam Newton was under center for the Panthers. It’s going to be weird not seeing the #1 jersey back there. Flip over to the Raiders, Jon Gruden made some splashy moves, but so far has come up short. Still, he’s so sure he will turn the team around he claimed if he didn’t he’d give all the money back. It might be time to open up that checkbook Chucky. Panthers over Raiders.
Jets vs Bills
The NFL might finally get a shift in the AFC East after an almost two-decade drought. The Bills finally have a deep threat to Josh Allen and look poised to win the division. Adam Gase is still struggling to find his footing as a head coach and might have made some progress this offseason. Still, it’s the Bills division to lose and it won’t start with this game.
Browns vs Ravens
Cleveland Rocks are just a song for the Drew Carrey Show and have never been a thing with their football team. On paper, they should be competing deeper in the playoffs not ending with 6 wins. Baltimore was a team on a tear last year and there’s a good chance they got better in the offseason. Expect this week to be one of the NFL season’s ugliest games with the Ravens steamrolling.
Seahawks vs Falcons
Falcons need to come out of the gate strong. With a new sheriff in the town of the NFC South, it’s time for Matt Ryan to put his big boy pants on and put this team on his back. This late in his career he needs to find that next level that goes beyond the one that got him to the Super Bowl. Seattle needs to reassert them as a dominant force in the NFC. Falcons however set that mentality on the backburner walking away with the win.
4 pm Games
Chargers vs Bengals
We won’t get the Justin Herbert vs Joe Burrow we all wanted, but Tyrod will slide into his new role as a full-time starter for the Chargers. Burrow might have looked good in camp, but surely will go through some growing pains. Chargers have a solid enough defense to walk away with Tyrod’s first win of the season.
Cardinals vs 49ers
While everyone around the NFL is saying San Fran has the team to beat again, don’t sleep on Arizona too early. Kyler Murray hasn’t been shown any respect despite being the Offensive Rookie of the Year. To top it off, they went out and got him one heck of a weapon from the Texans in DeAndre Hopkins. As a fun, as this one might be to watch, SF gets the win.
Bucs vs Saints
Oh, how the NFL execs have to be salivating. Tom Brady and Drew Brees in the same division. How long has it been since we’ve seen two powerhouses in on division? Since the days of Jim Kelly and Dan Marino? Either way, this match up ought to be a coin toss to pick, but in the end, it comes down to Brady having his favorite target Rob Gronkowski to walk away with the W.
MORE NFL: Did the Bucs Give Brady His Best Weapons Ever?
Sunday Night Football
Cowboys vs Rams
Rams need to get back on top. Cowboys need to shake off Mr. 8-8 Jason Garrett. They’ve got the talent to be a force in the NFL and they added Mike McCarthy as their HC. The Rams on the other hand have a young talented coach on their sideline as well. Look for a chess match between these two. Whether it’s a defensive back and forth or an offensive one, this might just be a back and forth game. Rams emerge victoriously.
Monday Night Football Double Header
Steelers vs Giants
Pittsburgh is getting Big Ben back under center and looking to go back to smooth sailing. The Giants have been on shuffle the past few seasons with coaches, lineman, receivers, you name it. They’ve struggled with consistency but never nailed anything down. Pittsburgh has too much to offer and should win by double digits.
Titans vs Broncos
Can anyone stop Derrick Henry? That’s it, the whole analysis. Will you be able to stop #22. If not, he’s going to literally carry them to another playoff push. Denver came around last year and added some interesting pieces in the offseason so don’t count them out. Can Ryan Tannehill play clean enough football for Derrick Henry to do his work? Chances are he won’t and the Broncos get a slim margin win.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
