The NFL is back, and so are we!
I’m not gonna waste too much time with the intro here. If you need a season preview, my buddy Cale Clinton and I have you covered. We dedicated three episdoes of “The Can’t Lose Podcast with Nolan Hughes” to a complete season preview. Check those out here:
Onto the picks! As always, we are using the Vegas Consensus lines:
Nolan’s Picks
Philadelphia +3 at Atlanta
The Falcons pass defense sucked last year, and projects to continue to suck in 2021. The Eagles offensive line is healthy, Jalen Hurts has taken command of the locker room, and Devonta Smith is a stud. Falcons gon’ Falcon.
New England -3 vs. Miami
The Pats front seven versus the Dolphins OL is like taking candy from a baby; the Pats OL versus the Dolphins front seven is like a baby trying to take candy from a hungry, fat kid. I have reservations about picking Mac Jones in his debut against Miami’s secondary, but I don’t think he needs to score more than 20 points to get the win here.
Tennessee -3 vs. Arizona
Losing Arthur Smith could spell doom for Tennessee this season… but not against this Cardinals secondary. The off-the-bus All Stars — AJ Brown, Derrick Henry, and new addition Julio Jones — will continue their dominance for at least another week.
Green Bay +3.5 at New Orleans
You’ve got Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams on one side and Jameis Winston and Marquez Callaway on the other. My heart says Jameis; my head says Rodgers. As excited as I am to watch Winston’s return, the Packers are a juggernaut.
Baltimore -4 at Las Vegas
The best bet in sports for the past two years has been the Ravens in Week 1. They destroyed the Dolphins 59-10 in 2019 and dominated the Browns 38-6 in 2020. I’m not scared off by a few injuries to the Ravens running backs; Lamar Jackson is their best runner — and always has been. Don’t forget Sammy Watkins thrives in Week 1s as well.
Scott’s Picks
Washington -1 vs. L.A. Chargers
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the Chargers, but the Washington Football Team is coming off a playoff run and still boasts an excellent defense. I think the Chargers will get off to a slow start after making the cross-country trip and Washington’s D will take it home from there.
Philadelphia +3 at Atlanta
This game is going to suck and I absolutely will not watch one minute of it. Both these teams are going to struggle this year. If anything, this feels like a pick ’em, so I’ll take Philly and the points.
Minnesota -3 at Cincinnati
Two perpetually disappointing teams. However, Minnesota still feels like a fringe playoff contender, while Cincinnati is destined for another disappointing season. Joe Burrow might take some time to get back in the groove, especially after almost zero action in the preseason. I’ll roll the dice when the Vikings in this one.
San Francisco -8 at Detroit
This is a lot of points to lay on the road, but the Niners are back healthy for the first time in a long time. This feels like there is the potential for a real blowout.
Denver -3 at N.Y. Giants
The Denver D could be really, really good this season. Daniel Jones doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Make it four road teams to cover for me this week!
Lauren’s Picks
Seattle -3 vs. Indianapolis
Washington -1 vs. L.A. Chargers
New England -3 vs. Miami
Denver -3 at N.Y. Giants
Las Vegas +4 vs. Baltimore
Five Things I Want to Watch
1. The Matthew Stafford-led Rams offense
The Rams were the team of the off-season, replacing Jared Goff with Matthew Stafford in hopes of reigniting their offense. In 2017, McVay’s first season as head coach, the Ram’s led the NFL in points scored; in 2018, they finished second.
But since moving into their new stadium, the wheels have fallen off for the Rams. They finished 2020 just 22 in points scored. Can the Rams’ offensive decline be placed solely on Jared Goff’s limitations? Or did McVay fail to innovate his scheme?
We’ll find out soon.
2. The Sam Darnold Bowl
It’s not often a Jets game inspires much interest. But with Sam Darnold back in town, metaphorically speaking, I’m intrigued.
I’m fascinated to see how second-overall pick Zach Wilson looks with the weapons, offensive line, and coach that Darnold never got. On the other side, the Panthers have a solid offensive play-caller and a host of dynamic receivers.
Both these teams project as non-playoff threats, but I’m in on this one.
3. Miami’s new-look offense
As Soren Petro would say, the schedule gods did not smile upon the Dolphins. Miami gets to test their rebuilt offense, one that still features a shaky offensive line and no Will Fuller, against the Patriots revamped front-seven.
The Mac Jones vs. Tua Tagovailoa match-up certainly steals the headlines, but I’m more interested in the sophomore’s performance than the rookie’s.
4. Everything about Los Angeles-Washington
- Am I interested to see Justin Herbert in Joe Lombardi’s offense? Hell yeah.
- Am I interested to see what Brandon Staley can do with Derwin James and Nick Bosa? Absolutely.
- Am I interested to see Ryan Fitzpatrick pepper Terry McLaurin with targets? Moderately.
- Am I interested to see Antonio Gibson carry my fantasy football team? God, I hope so.
- Am I interested to see the uniform match-up? You bet.
5. THE RETURN OF FAMOUS JAMEIS
If you’re not dying to see Jameis Winston play quarterback again, you’re lying to yourself.
BONUS:
The atmosphere at Ralph Wilson Stadium — I don’t care what they call it now — will be electric. It will arguably be the most anticipated game in Buffalo since I’ve been alive.
The franchise was irrelevant for the first 17-ish years of my life. While the city did host a playoff game last year, the pandemic limited capacity. But this week, the stadium reopens to the masses.
The Bills has legitimate preseason Super Bowl aspirations for the first time in my life — and the roster to boot. I have never been to an NFL game, and I could not have asked for a better environment to make my debut.
Bills. Steelers. Let’s Fucking. Go.