NFL 2021 Week 1 picks

 It's the start of new NFL season and we have some interesting match-ups.

Thurs Sept 9

Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Bucs : The Bucs likely will have the easiest time of it this week.  BUCS, 27-13

Sunday early games

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans : Neither team has a stellar offense, so this will be a defensive battle.  In that case, I think Tennessee is a little better equipped.  TITANS, 13-10

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans : Houston starts with a fairly easy game, and Trevor Lawrence will face a defense not unlike the Ohio State Buckeyes, and we remember how THAT game ended!  TEXANS, 21-10

Los Angeles Chargers at Washington : The Chargers defense will keep Washington at bay while the offense gets some field time to get in sync.  CHARGERS, 20-10

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals : The Vikings could romp offensively here, but they will likely make a couple of mistakes that cost them scores.  Even so, this will be pretty easy for them.  VIKINGS, 24-13

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers : Sam Darnold faces his old team, so there is some incentive there.  The weak Jets defensive line will be an excellent boost to Christian McCaffrey, so expect lots of ground yardage.  PANTHERS, 17-13

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons : QBs Jalen Hurts and Matt Ryan line up for a shoot-out.  I think the Eagles have the better support staff, so I give them the edge.  EAGLES, 27-24

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills : The Bills have the better offense, but the Steelers have the better defense.  In such a battle, I usually benefit the defense, and I was tempted to pick Pittsburgh.  However, something tells me that the Bills will surprise, but this one really could go either way.  BILLS, 27-23

San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions : The Lions will have a long season this year, and it starts here.  49ERS, 24-16

Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts : Carson Wentz starts healthy, so he will work some magic with the quality offense of the Colts.  However, he can't help the other side, and the defense will allow Seattle too much room to move.  SEAHAWKS, 20-17

Sunday late games

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs : The Chiefs get an easy game to start their 2021 campaign.  CHIEFS, 31-16

Denver  Broncos at New York Giants : I think the Giants defense know how to beat Teddy Bridgewater, and he doesn't have much help from a running game.  GIANTS, 16-13

Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints : Ooh, this should be an exciting game!  This could come down to who has the ball last.  The Saints seem to have the edge in ball control and clock management, so I have to give them the edge, but either team could win this one.  SAINTS, 30-27

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots : Mac Jones opens against a Florida-style defense.  I think he knows how to overcome that.  PATS, 20-16

Sunday night

Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams : The Bears do not have a good record on evening games, so I am concerned.  I think they could win, but the defense of the Rams will really stretch them.  BEARS, 23-20

Monday Night Football

Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders : The Ravens defense will frustrate the Raiders all night.  RAVENS, 24-16