Week 1: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis) OPENING WEEK EDITION

The New England Patriots raise banner number five at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA Thursday night as they kick off the 2017 NFL season on TNF versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

2017 NFL SEASON
Week 1: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis)

Kansas City Chiefs (+9) @ New England Patriots (48.5): Patriots 30-20

Thursday, 8:30 PM, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (Weather: Clear, low 60s)

Reasons:  The Patriots started 2017 with their 5th Super Bowl title, the greatest comeback in the championship game's history, and continued the year with arguably the greatest off season any NFL team has enjoyed, let alone a returning champion. The Kansas City Chiefs are no slouches themselves, but losing Spencer Ware could hurt considerably, especially with a (suddenly hyped) rookie in the wake. The Patriots suffered their own devastating injury to leading receiver Julian Edleman, but have enough to weapons returning and from their bountiful off-season to weather any storms. The name of the game will be the same ol' story - a still formidable Chiefs defense trying with all their might to rush the ageless Tom Brady and fend off the perennially best offense in the NFL at home on banner night. 

Stay tuned for the remaining games Sunday! 

New York Jets (+9.5) @ Buffalo Bills (40): Bills 20-13
Sunday, 1:00 PM, New Era Field, Buffalo, NY (Weather: Clear, low 60s)

Reasons: What a terrible game. The Bills will start quarterback Tyrod Taylor after a concussion scare, otherwise the Bills would've started rookie Nathan Peterson, giving the Jets a chance. The Jets want no part of any wins this season. Buffalo wins one of the likely ugliest games of the 2017 season Week 1 and will be in first place in the AFC East for at least a week.

Atlanta Falcons (-7) @ Chicago Bears (49): Falcons 30-17
Sunday, 1:00 PM, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL (Weather: Clear, low 60s)

Reasons: The Falcons are probably dying to get back on the field after the most embarrassing Super Bowl defeat in history and what better team to beat up on than the hapless Bears. Chicago will gain some ground yards, but the Falcons should be able to get to Mike Glennon, who doesn't have many weapons anyway. Matt Ryan should be able to pick apart the Bears if he stays away from Quintin Demps; expect the Falcons to roll on the road with no weather issues.

Baltimore Ravens (+3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (48.5): Bengals 24-21
Sunday, 1:00 PM, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH (Weather: Clear, high 50s)

Reasons: The Bengals begin 2017 with their star linebacker Vontaze Burfict suspended for being a dirty player and their most promising player being a rookie best known for his issues punching women in college. 2017 promises to be like every other year for the Bengals. That means they win a bunch of games, but have the character of a rabid dog, so no one expects anything of substance from them. Fortunately for Cincinnati the Ravens roll into town with a hobbled Joe Flacco and no real weapons at wide out for the first time in several years. This is one of the few games worth watching in the early afternoon.

The Cleveland Browns still suck.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+8.5) @ Cleveland Browns (47): Steelers 28-17
Sunday, 1:00 PM, First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, OH (Weather: Clear, high 50s)

Reasons: The Steelers barely have to travel far to make short work of the worst team in the NFL Week 1, as their improving defense takes on rookie DeShone Kizer, Cleveland's 26th starting quarterback since the Browns became a football team again in 1999. Consider: 26 quarterbacks in 18 years. By comparison, Pittsburgh has had six starting quarterbacks in the same time frame, and that's if you count Charlie Batch as a starter during Roethlisberger's myriad injuries. Three of those quarterbacks also started during the Age of Kordell Stewart Denial. I could keeping picking, but I digress.

Arizona Cardinals (-1.5) @ Detroit Lions (48): Cardinals 24-21
Sunday, 1:00 PM, Ford Field, Detroit, MI (Weather: Indoors)

Reasons: One of the few great games of the early afternoon on paper, the Cardinals make the dreaded "cross-country" trip for the early game, and Detroit is just talented enough for that to make some difference. Fortunately for the Cardinals it's only Week 1. This game could turn into a defensive battle. The Cardinals will be on the road with limited weapons and an aging quarterback against a solid defense, while the Lions are facing one of the best defenses in the league, especially against the pass, Detroit's one advantage otherwise.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+5) @ Houston Texans (40): Texans 21-17
Sunday, 1:00 PM, NGR Stadium, Houston, TX (Weather: Indoors)

Reasons: It's the moment we've all been waiting for: Leonard Fournette's debut. Let's see how easy the game really is for the former LSU star once he faces a dominant Texans defense, anchored by a healthy JJ Watt and the backing of the spirit of millions of Houstonians. Texans fans have been through hell, but are inching back towards normal, in part due to the $30+ million raised by Watt. What better way to start the NFL season then at home against the Jaguars! Jacksonville isn't a total joke, but their quarterback is, and the Texans front seven isn't. It's possible the stress of Hurricane Harvey lingers, but even if that's the case it's probably not enough to lose to Blake Bortles. Leonard Fournette will learn a valuable lesson Week 1, even if just in the context of difficulty.

The league's most insufferable defensive superstar has become a national hero after raising more than $25 million for the Houston area after Hurricane Harvey 

Oakland Raiders (+2.5) @ Tennessee Titans (50.5): Titans 27-24
Sunday, 1:00 PM, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN (Weather: Clear, low 60s)

Reasons: Two future faces of the NFL play each other Week 1 Sunday as Derek Carr faces Marcus Mariota, but for me it's more about a guy whose face we haven't seen in a year, Marshawn Lynch. Beast Mode returns to the gridiron after a year of retirement, but before you ask the most misunderstood man in the league why, just appreciate his presence. He'll be needed Sunday because the Titans secondary will keep Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree grounded, especially after signing  John Cyprien and drafting Adoree Jackson. This Titans squad runs with plenty of clout themselves, so expect a physical game and a tough first test for both teams.

Philadelphia Eagles (-1) @ Washington Football Team (47.5): Eagles 24-21
Sunday, 1:00 PM, FedEx Field, Landover, MD (Weather: Clear, low 60s)

Reasons: It's funny the WFC runs a three wide receiver set, yet they barely have two threats at wide receiver. Washington signed Terrelle Pryor to a one year contract, but after letting Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson go, the WTC will rely heavily upon him and a hobbled Jamison Crowder to overcome a weak running game. Speaking of hobbled, the WTC will need Jordan Reed's availability to match his ability if they're going to beat the Eagles. Philadelphia and quarterback Carson Wentz have a few new toys on offensive (LeGarrette Blount; Alshon Jeffery) and the Eagles defense is stout enough to snatch the chip off Kirk Cousins shoulder and eat it.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) @ Los Angeles Rams (41.5): Rams 20-17
Sunday, 4:05 PM, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Weather: Stormy, 70s)

Reasons: If it weren't for the Bills/Jets game this would be the worst game of Week 1. The Rams are a talented young team without much experience and the Colts are like a ship without its captain. Hopefully a bunch a celebrities show up to the game and the broadcasters divide their time equally between pointing them out and speculating on Andrew Luck's return.

 The city that cared marginally about the one team it had off-and-on for years now has two other NFL teams to not care at all about.

Seattle Seahawks (+3) @ Green Bay Packers (51): Packers 24-23
Sunday, 4:20 PM, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI (Weather: Clear, high 50s)

Reasons: We're getting a potential preview of the NFC Championship game in Week 1 as the league's best quarterback takes on the league's best defense. Jordy Nelson is healthy and Davante Adams seems to have figured it out, meaning Aaron Rodgers will have all three of his wide outs (Randall Cobb) healthy and primed, with recently signed tight end Marcellus Bennett waiting in the flat. The problem is, Bennett's twin brother Micheal is on the other side of the ball, hunting down one Aaron Rodgers, and he just got some more help in Sheldon Richardson. Huh?! As if this Seahawks unit needed more help on a defensive unit stacked with All-Pros. With Russell Wilson healthy the sky is the limit, although they get one of their toughest tests of the season right out of the gate.

Carolina Panthers (-5.5) @ San Francisco 49ers (48): Panthers 27-17
Sunday, 4:25 PM, Levis Stadium, Santa Clara, CA (Weather: Clear low 70s)

Reasons: The Panthers are traveling across the entire country and they're still nearly 6-point favorites on the road. That should tell you something about how terrible the 49ers are. Carolina's defense isn't what it was a few years ago, but it will still manage to stifle this weak 49ers offense. The real intrigue will be health of Cam Newton's surgically-repaired shoulder .

New York Giants (+4) @ Dallas Cowboys (48): Cowboys 31-28
Sunday, 8:30 PM, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX (Weather: Indoors)

Reasons: The fireworks on the field during the Sunday Night Game of the Week might only be outmatched by the fireworks surrounding it. The Ezekiel Elliot situation has everyone anxious and confused (spare me the legal justifications) and the Giants most electric player, for better and worse, is doubtful to even play. Whether Odell Beckham Jr. plays or not the game will be plenty entertaining, highlighted by the Dez Bryant/Janoris Jenkins match up. Will Dak Prescott hit the sophomore slump? Will the off-the-field-distractions overwhelm Dallas? Will OBJ create major distractions without even stepping foot onto the field? Will Jerry Jones announce his lawsuit against the NFL at halftime via descending midfield microphone as if he's announcing a boxing match? This game has it all.

For the second consecutive season the NFL botched an investigation resulting in the lengthy suspension of a superstar to start the season...or maybe not.

New Orleans Saints (+3.5) @ Minnesota Vikings (48): Vikings 24-21
Monday, 7:10 PM, US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN (Weather: Cloudy, low 60s)

Reasons: Adrian Peterson steps onto the field at US Bank Field in Minneapolis as a Saint. That might sound normal to a Vikings fan without a tv or the internet, but to those of us who know Peterson was traded to the New Orleans Saints, the situation is weird...and awesome. You can't make this stuff up. Peterson will be looking to show the Vikings they made a huge mistake, but the second Adrian sees Dalvin Cook blow by him on the sidelines he'll understand. The days of Drew Brees breaking records are waning, but there's still enough gas in the tank to score plenty of points. That won't be easy against this Vikings defense, however, as Minnesota gave up the 6th fewest in 2016. In fact, I'd be surprised if Brees accomplishes much on Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) @ Denver Broncos (43.5): Broncos 24-21
Monday, 10:20 PM, Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO (Weather: Possible storms, 60s)

Reasons: The Chargers are one talented team, but relatively young. That poses a big problem against such a formidable veteran defense, and is really the only reason Denver stands a chance. Still, youth could overcome altitude, and when Denver has resorted to resigning Brock Osweiler you know the quarterback situation in Denver is shaky at best. It takes a quarterback to win in this league, but having stellar defense doesn't hurt.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphin: Good luck, Tampa Bay and Miami. God speed. 
POSTPONED (Weather: Hurricane)



Stay tuned for Tuesday's Gone: Week 1 Game Prediction Reviews coming Wednesday! 

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