Up until a couple weeks ago I was on the fence whether I should continue to write football predictions each week. Between the research and editing, it eats up several hours of my time, not to mention juggling all of this while still working a full time job. Yet, here I am back for a 7th season. Part of me has a hard time believing that I’ve spent the last 7 years of my life not missing a single weekend of football and writing an in depth analysis into 4 games each and every week. It have proven very tedious and time consuming, for that reason I have decided I will be changing the format and context in which I provide my predictions.
This year I will be cutting down my analysis on games, and simply provide who I think will cover the spread and win each game. My consideration in making these changes came down to something very simply, readership. I can’t help but feel that many of you don’t feel the need to read a long in depth analysis about a matchup and why I feel one team will outmatch the other (If you feel otherwise I would love to hear otherwise). I feel that most of you simply want a prediction, and to roll the dice. For that reason I’ll be changing my format to start this season. I will be picking 6 games each week and breaking them up into silver, gold and platinum predictions.
SILVER PREDICTIONS – WEEK ONE
ARIZONA CARDINALS VS DETRIOT LIONS (+2.5)
Detroit just signed Matthew Stafford to a monster contract, and the expectations are now set. While the Cardinals were heavily favoured to win the NFC West last season, and fell flat on their face. David Johnson was just about the only good thing to happen to this organization last season. Carson Palmer is old and washed up, their defense has issues pressuring the quarterback while Detroit enters with a 5-2 against the spread record in their last 7 home games. They lost some valuable targets to free agency but I expect Eric Ebron to have a big year. I’m not high on either one of these teams this season, but Detroit having home field advantage is just enough to put them over the top in week one.
FINAL SCORE – CARDINALS 19 – LIONS 24
INDIANPOLIS COLTS VS LA RAMS (-3.5)
This matchup is by no means going to pull in rating this weekend, but I believe the Rams will cover the 3.5-points oddsmakers have listed. Indianapolis has refused to answer any questions surrounding Andrew Luck and he will officially be riding the pine in week one due to his shoulder. This is a smart play by their organization but not good for their immediate future. Scott Tolzien will start with Luck’s absence and that is concerning. Tolzien had only one start last season and finished with a QBR of 26.5 with 2 interceptions and 1 sack. With the Colts having one of the worst offensive lines in football and nearly zero playmakers on defense the Rams should cruise to victory in this game; even if Aaron Donald chooses to sit out week one in hopes of a better contact.
FINAL SCORE – COLTS 13 – RAMS 24
GOLD PREDICTIONS – WEEK ONE
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-9) VS CLEVELAND BROWNS
This pick should come as no surprise. The Steelers are one of the biggest favourites coming into week one and there is no secret why. They have one of the most well rounded offenses in the league. Martavis Bryant is fully re-instated to play football after serving a one year suspension, while Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are both healthy. Cleveland drafted some great players that will surely help their future but I don’t see them having immediate impact, especially since first overall draft pick Myles Garret will be missing this game due to an ankle injury. Wrap that information into the fact Pittsburgh is 12-2 in the last 14 meetings between these two, and have won 3 of the last 4 games by 15 points or more, the Steelers look great. I expect Pittsburgh’s offense to put up numbers early, and their new look defense to close this one out early. Steelers win easily by double-digits.
FINAL SCORE – STEELERS 30 – BROWNS 12
OAKLAND RAIDERS VS TENNESSEE TITANS (-2)
Mark me down as another Titans bandwagoner. Tennessee finished last season 4-1 in the last five weeks defeating Denver, Houston, Chicago and Kansas City. They are primed to take a massive step forward with a terrific defense, while drafting playmakers for Marcus Mariota to target on offense should improve both sides of the ball. Don’t get me wrong, Oakland will be no walk in the park, but I’m going to side with home field advantage and the better defensive team. Oakland’s secondary couldn’t stop anybody last season and the whole season went to shambles after Derek Carr went down with injury. Tennessee is the more well rounded team and is looking for revenge after losing in week 3 versus Oakland last year. I love the Titans in this spot and to win the AFC South this season.
FINAL SCORE – RAIDERS 24 – TITANS 32
PLATINUM PREDICTIONS – WEEK ONE
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-1) VS WASHINGTON REDSKINS
One of these teams is not nearly as good as the other. Washington once again flopped around signing Kirk Cousins and slapped the franchise tag on him while letting his best targets in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson walk in free agency. They are by no means setting up Cousins to succeed this season. The Eagles on the other hand, they went out in the off-season and picked up some major weapons for Carson Wentz to start succeeding now. Grabbing Ashlon Jefferey from the Bears gives him an immediate red-zone threat while LeGarrette Blount gives them a solid ground and pound running back their system has been missing since the Shady McCoy/Brian Westbrook days. Washington opened as favourites in this game but have quickly become underdogs for a reason. I think Philadelphia surprised everyone early last season and could do the same this year. They are improved on both sides of the ball and could find themselves in a wild-card position this year if things unfold as some would expect.
FINAL SCORE – EAGLES 19 – REDSKINS 14
ATLANTA FALCONS (-7) VS CHICAGO BEARS
Atlanta might not ever live down their epic collapse in last years SuperBowl but that doesn’t take away from how talented this roster is. Last season they had one of the most historic offensive seasons ever and I think they could build on that this year. Julio Jones is a monster I believe he could become the first wide receiver to eclipse the 2000 yard mark this season. When you factor in the amount of weapons they have and how depleted the Bears are on defense I don’t see any scenario where the Falcons fail to cover in this game. Mike Glennon is tasked with leading the troops to start the season for Chicago and they have an average roster at best for him to work with. Unless they can solidify a solid run game and keep this game close early there is no way the Bears keep this game within single digits. The Falcons might have a SuperBowl hangover but I see them coming out strong this season and picking up right were they left off last season as the highest scoring team in football, even without Kyle Shannon calling the plays.