NFL 2019 Week 1 picks

The NFL kicks off its 100th season this week with the most classic matchup we have in the league.

Thursday night
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears:  The NFC North rivals kick off this season, and expect a brutal and physical battle.  The Pack definitely has the advantage on offense, while the Bears have an edge on defense.  The Pack have the better special teams, and that might make a difference in this game.  PACK, 24-17

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings:  Matt Ryan showed cracks last season, and I'm not sure the Falcons have fully determined what happened.  I think they are hoping it was an aberration, and I'm not sure that's the case.  Meanwhile, Kurt Cousins has breathed new life into the Vikings offense, and makes them thrilling to watch.  VIKINGS, 27-23

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins:  Lamar Jackson still needs work, but he will look brilliant when compared to the Dolphins' Josh Rosen.  It's not that Rosen is a bad QB, but he doesn't have the receiving weapons necessary to shine.  RAVENS, 16-13

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets:  Josh Allen is not proving to be the solution at QB for Buffalo, so they are hoping their revamped offensive line can punch holes for their backfield, as they will be relying on the running game.  That requires a good defense, which Buffalo doesn't have.  Sam Darnold and the Jets are capable of scoring enough to put the Bills behind, too far behind to recover with a running game.  JETS, 24-13

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars:  Patrick Mahomes brings the high-powered Chiefs offense to the struggling Jaguars.  Potentially the largest margin of victory of the day.  CHIEFS, 41-17

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers:  The Panthers survive by outscoring their opponents, but they'll find that too difficult against the Rams.  RAMS, 34-20

Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns:  Baker Mayfield has evolved into a stable quarterback, and the addition of Odell Beckham Jr gives him a strong cadre of receivers.  With a strong defense, the Browns could return to the playoffs. BROWNS, 17-13

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles:  Dennis Haskins still needs work before he is reliable as a starting QB.  Until Carson Wentz gets injured again, the Eagles have the edge at that position.  EAGLES, 20-10

Sunday late games
Cincinnati Bengals at Seattle Seahawks:  The Bengals running game is improving, which is a good thing, since Andy Dalton is faltering.  The Seahawks run defense is unpredictable, but Seattle tends to play better at home, so they get the edge.  SEAHAWKS, 16-13

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals:  Kyler Murray will take some time to develop.  Arizona might be a threat later in the season, but now the Lions, led by the experienced Matt Stafford, will prevail.  LIONS, 20-13

Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers:  With Andrew Luck's retirement, Jacoby Brisett assumes the starting role full-time.  His tenure has been hit and miss, which will turn into a "miss" this game when faced with the Chargers defense.  CHARGERS, 17-6

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys:  Zeke will not be playing, but he won't be needed.  The Giants have stripped themselves of their best weapons, making them a pale reflection of the team that used to challenge for the playoffs.  COWBOYS, 20-10

San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Bucs:  Jimmy Garopollo shone in the preseason, which really makes the 49ers a contender.  On the other side, Jameis Winston's intelligence hasn't translated into phenomenal play on the field, so the Bucs continue to rely on their defense.  49ERS, 24-16

Sunday night game
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots:  People thought that the loss of key players would make the Patriots vulnerable, but they rolled through the preseason.  They remain the threat they have been under Tom Brady, one that will harass the Steelers.  PATRIOTS, 24-20

Monday Night Football
Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints:  The Saints defensive front has been iffy during the past couple of years, but the fractured Texans offensive line will be overmanned.  They won't give DeShaun Watson enough time to really shine.  SAINTS, 27-17

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders:  Neither of these teams look to be very strong this year.  Who's going to be more pathetic in this game?  I think Oakland is still trying to find their footing.  The Broncos need to break in new starter Joe Flacco, but he's seem a lot.  BRONCOS, 17-13