NFL 2022 Week 1 picks

 Welcome to a new season of NFL Football!  We start with some exciting matchups this weekend, so let's start.

Thursday evening

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams : Bills QB josh Allen has a full force of offensive firepower, much more than the Rams defense can stop.  Ta,s QB Matthew Stafford has a tougher issue.  Not only is his offense a bit weaker, but he is missing his second-best wide receiver.  That slows their offense, and gives the Bills an advantage.  BILLS,  27-20

Sunday early games

Baltimore Ravens at New York  Jets : The Ravens march into town, and Jets QB Joe Flacco has a target on his back.  The Ravens defense will be after him, and the Jets offensive line isn't strong enough to hold them back.  I'm not sure Flacco will make it through the entire game, and he will certainly find himself on the turf frequently.  RAVENS, 17-10

Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers :  Like the Ravens, the Browns come to the new home of their former QB.  Baker Mayfield spent three years featured on television calling Browns stadium his home, and he deserted them at the first offer of better money.  Trust me that the Browns defense knows this, and want to set an example.  The Panthers needed a new QB because they couldn't keep ones, due to a porous offensive line.  Guess what?  That line hasn't gotten any better, which is not good news for Mayfield.  BROWNS, 20-13

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans : The Colts don't really have the offensive tools to get back the Texans defense.  While not as strong as they have been in previous years, it is still a stiff defense.  Their fragily area is the defensive backfield, but the Colts don't have a decent long passing game, so they won't be able to exploit that weakness.  TEXANS, 16-13

Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders : It took two years for the Washington football team to find a new name.  One thing that hasn't changed in that two year period?  A consistent offense for the Jaguars.  COMMANDERS, 17-10

 New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins : The Patriots are not the impenetrable force they used to be, but they still create clever game plans, so they are always a threat.  The Dolphins have the stingier defense and a good offense, but this game will not be easy.  DOLPHINS, 20-17

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons : The Saints offense isn't the force it was when Drew Brees led it, but they still have Kamara and some great hands. That's more than the Falcons have.  SAINTS, 28-17

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions : We won't see much offense between these two teams, and the Eagles have the better defense.  EAGLES, 16-13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals : Although Mitch Trubisky will prove to be a poor choice of starting QB for the Steelers, their offenses is in better shape than the Lions.  The Steelers have the edge on defense, too.  STEELERS, 20-16

San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears : Trey Lance was impressive in preseason, but there is a big difference between preseason and regular season.  Can he handle the tough defense he will face from the Bears?  I don't think he'll handle it well enough.  BEARS, 26-23

Sunday late games

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings : The Packers once again are the favorite in the division, and even the conference.  PACKERS, 27-23

Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals : The Cards defense is not strong enough to stop the powerful Chiefs.  CHIEFS, 30-20

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers : Oh, man, this game could go either way.  Both offenses are steady, and both defenses are stiff.  I usually like the home team in these situations, but those sneaky Raiders might pull this one out.  RAIDERS, 24-20

New York Giants at Tennessee Titans : The Giants haven't rebuilt the roster completely, while the Titans have a scary defense.  It'll be a tough day for the Giants.  TITANS, 16-10

Sunday night

Tampa Bay Bucs at Dallas Cowboys : The Cowboys are tough at home, but the Bucs are a real powerhouse.  BUCS, 32-27

Monday Night Football

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks : Seattle can be tough to beat at home, and the Broncos aren't quite solid enough to overcome that home field advantage.  SEAHAWKS, 20-16