The NFL season gets in full tilt Sunday with several games that oddsmakers believe will be close.
It’s difficult to prognosticate these opening week games in the NFL. Week 1 doesn’t always indicate if a team will be good or bad, so even if a team will do well this season, it doesn’t mean week 1 will go its way.
Here’s our guide to week 1 of the NFL season.
Miami (-4) at Washington
Washington was a mess in the offseason. Its future quarterback Robert Griffin III is Kirk Cousins’ back up and we all saw what Cousins did last season. The former Michigan State product is 2-7 in his career with 18 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
He didn’t draw a good assignment in week 1 either, with a defensive line that features Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake. The Dolphins should be much improved on defense, and while we believe the Redskins also made improvements on the defensive side of the ball, this year will be about Ryan Tannehill’s maturation.
Tannehill has consistently gotten better through his career and this is the year that the rest of the NFL may take notice. The Dolphins should be better all around and this week’s opening game will be an opportunity for them to make a statement.
The betting public has jumped on the Dolphins, moving the line from 1.5 points to 4 points in favor of Miami. The Redskins will need more points than that in this one. — Go chalk with Miami
New Orleans at Arizona (-2.5)
New Orleans should have been much better last season. In a weak NFC South, the Saints just didn’t look like the Saints. So, New Orleans revamped their offense, and a unit that relied upon Jimmy Graham in the past, will have new weapons and possibly a new identity.
Look for the Saints to run the ball more with C.J. Spiller (who will likely serve that run/pass function similar to Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles in the past) and Mark Ingram.
The Cardinals also could argue they should have been much better last season. But we know what was missing from that team. The team couldn’t keep a quarterback healthy and by season’s end, the team didn’t resemble anything of what it was during its best performances.
With Carson Palmer healthy, it’s surprising the Cardinals are favored by less than a field goal at home. Arizona was a far better team last year than New Orleans, and it shouldn’t take a step back as long as Palmer stays healthy. The Saints don’t win on the road anyway, even when they are good, so give away the points, and go with the team in the desert. — Go chalk with Arizona
Kansas City at Houston (Pick)
This is an intriguing game on multiple fronts.
Kansas City finally has a wide receiver capable of making big plays with Jeremy Maclin. The defense should also be the calling card again, but will the offensive approach change with Jamaal Charles and Maclin at quarterback Alex Smith’s disposal?
Or are we destined for more dink-and-dunk from the Chiefs that will make this game a defensive struggle?
Then there’s the Texans, which lost Arian Foster to injury and let go of Andre Johnson as a starting wide receiver. Oh, and Brian Hoyer is the starting quarterback.
Can Houston score? We’re not sure, unless it will be with its defense, which should have one of the best fronts in the NFL.
J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork up front, with Jadeveon Clowney coming off the edge as an outside linebacker will likely cause headaches for every opposing team this season, especially for offensive-challenged Kansas City.
The line has moved 2.5 points since the opening number put the Texans as 2.5-point favorites. We trust the Chiefs’ offense more than Houston, so go with Kansas City on the road — Kansas City
Other NFL games
Seattle (-4.5) at St. Louis
Green Bay (-7) at Chicago (Opening line has moved 3.5 points in GB direction)
Cleveland at New York Jets (-3)
Carolina (-3) at Jacksonville
Indianapolis (-3) at Buffalo
Detroit at San Diego (-3)
Cincinnati (-3.5) at Oakland
Baltimore at Denver (-5) (Opening line has moved 1 point in Denver direction)
Tennessee at Tampa Bay (-3)
New York Giants at Dallas (-6) (Opening line has moved 1 point in Dallas direction)
Philadelphia (-3) at Atlanta (Opening line has moved 2 points in Philadelphia direction)
Minnesota (-3) at San Francisco (Opening line has moved 7.5 points in Minnesota direction)
