Well, the NFL season is not off to the start I’d hoped for. I attended my first-ever Bills game, and they lost to Pittsburgh. I went 1-4 in my picks and I lost in fantasy football.
Let’s hope for better vibes in Week 2.
As always, we are using the Vegas Insider Consensus Lines.
Last week
- Lauren: 3-2
- Scott: 2-2-1
- Nolan: 1-4
Season
- Lauren: 3-2
- Scott: 2-2-1
- Nolan: 1-4
Lauren’s Picks
L.A. Rams -3.5 at Indy
Wow, Matthew Stafford in Sean McVay’s offense is fun. I’m not sure who the long-time Detroit Lions’ QB made look worse during his Week One success — Jared Goff or the Detroit Lions. Anyways, Stafford > Carson Wentz. I don’t think this one will be close.
Pittsburgh -6 vs. Las Vegas
I still have no clue how the Raiders pulled off the upset versus Baltimore, but I picked it to happen. My guess is Las Vegas is still high on that win — one it usually doesn’t get — and Najee Harris has his breakout game after playing every snap a week ago in a huge win at Buffalo. (Sorry, Nolan.)
Buffalo -3.5 at Miami
The Bills had a tough home loss against the Steelers a week ago, and I think Buffalo will now go into Miami and bounce back with a division victory. The Dolphins’ defense is legit, but it won’t be enough to stop Josh Allen and an offense that was limited versus a stout Pittsburgh D. It’ll be the Bills’ 2021 coming out party. (You’re welcome, Nolan.)
New England -6 at N.Y. Jets
Both of these teams lost close ones in Week 1, but the Patriots’ was more costly since it was a divisional loss. I expect Mac Jones to outduel fellow rookie Zach Wilson and grab his first NFL victory on the road in New York.
Tennessee +6.5 at Seattle
The Titans looked pitiful last Sunday, but at the same time, Kyler Murray was exceptional. The Cardinals earned that one, but I don’t see the Titans letting what happened with Murray repeat with Russell Wilson. The guy is a stud and the 12th man is going to be a tough environment to play in — and I’m not saying Tennessee will win — but the Titans will put a better product on the field. For my sake, I’m hoping this pick speaks it into existence that’ll it’ll be a neck-and-neck affair with hopefully the Titans coming out on top.
Scott’s Picks
Buffalo -3.5 at Miami
The Bills didn’t look anything like the team everyone was expecting to see in Week 1, while the Dolphins stole one from the Pats. But I’m not going to be duped by Week 1 results. I fully expect to see the Bills rebound and reassert themselves as an AFC favorite this week.
L.A. Rams -3.5 at Indianapolis
Here’s one overreaction I am ready to make after Week 1: Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay were made for one another. Here’s a thing I know based on substantial evidence: Carson Wentz is not a very good QB. Also, the Colts are really banged up right now so I’ll roll with the Rams to take care of business rather easily.
Seattle -6.5 vs. Tennessee
I’ll admit that this is a little bit of an emotional hedge. If the Titans win, great. If they get blown out, at least I can take solace in the fact that I made the correct pick. But in all honesty, did you watch Tennessee play last week? It was a total dumpster fire. I don’t foresee my beloved Titans finding themselves this week, though I certainly hope I’m wrong.
Denver -6 at Jacksonville
Speaking of dumpster fires, the Urban Meyer era is off to a dumpster fiery start to say the least. There aren’t many teams in the league that I wouldn’t take at -6 against the Jags. Denver isn’t one of those teams so I’ll roll with the Broncos.
Kansas City -4 at Baltimore
It makes me nervous to have this many road favorites for picks. I’m sure there are going to be a lot of weird outcomes this week, but I trust the Chiefs unconditionally. This should be a really fun game, and I think the Chiefs will prevail. Also, as a rule, it’s probably not smart to bet against Mahomes.
Nolan’s Picks
Las Vegas +6 at Pittsburgh
The Steelers had months on end to gameplan for the Bills offense; they’ll get about five days to prep for the Raiders, who play an entirely different style. According to The Athletic Football Show, the Bills lined up one time last week with 1 RB and 2 TE on the field; Vegas did so 57 times.
What does this have to do with my pick? Well, nothing. I’m picking the Raiders because the Steelers offense stinks, not because of their defense. But I thought that was a cool stat to brag about knowing to share.
Philadelphia +3 vs. San Francisco
Last year, the Niners inexplicably lost on Sunday Night Football to the Eagles, costing me a nice-sized parlay win.
Am I bitter? Yes.
Am I drunk on Jalen Hurts? Yes.
Can you name any starter in the 49ers secondary? No. (As I typed this, Adam Schefter said Josh Norman is starting at cornerback. That just proves my point.)
L.A. Rams -3.5 at Indianapolis
Indy spent the majority of Week 1 playing from behind, and yet Carson Wentz’ top two targets were Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. You can’t beat an opponent with an explosive offense playing dink-and-dunk offense. I’m not sure the Rams offense is quite as explosive as Matt Nagy’s Bears made them appear, but it’s more than enough to race past the Colts.
Kansas City -4 at Baltimore
Do I need justification for picking Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? If I must: The Ravens underwhelming was my preseason bold prediction that I didn’t have the guts to make before the injuries began to mount.
Last year, I picked the Chiefs +3.5 in Baltimore. A seven-point swing seems extreme, but I thought last year’s line was outrageous anyway.
Green Bay -11.5 vs. Detroit
This line is a trap. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows it.
But the Lions stink.
If this pick loses, it’s because the Lions successfully syphoned the Packers’ good vibes through Jamaal Williams.
Five Things to Watch
- Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold looked pretty good in his Panthers debut. Now, he’ll face a Saints defense that made reigning-MVP Aaron Rodgers look like, well, the Jets’ version of Sam Darnold. The Panthers coaching staff is certainly more up to the challenge than Adam Gase’s staff, but we’ll have to wait and see.
- The Titans offense
The Titans offense sans Arthur Smith looked dreadful. They seemingly forgot everything that made their offense work in 2019-2020.
In Seattle this week, the Titans defense is sure to give up a host of points to Russell Wilson and co. The offense needs to turn back the clock if the Titans want to compete.
- Prescott vs. Staley
This is perhaps the game I am most looking forward to on the entire slate. Other than the Chargers uniforms, the single most intriguing aspect is how Brandon Staley’s defense will match up against Dak Prescott. The Cowboys moved the ball well against the Bucs last week, but Staley presents a whole new challenge.
- The Cardinals Offense
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!
I vowed off my Kliff Kinsbury addiction prior to the Cardinals’ annihilation of the aforementioned Titans. Granted, Kyler Murray’s improvisation sparked much of the Arizona offense in Week 1. The vulnerable Vikings are a perfect litmus test to see if the Cardinals offense was fools gold.
- Jalen Hurts
I must admit I am slightly biased because Hurts is my starting QB in my main fantasy league. However, the NFC East is wide open again this year. If Hurts proves to be a legitimate real-life quarterback, the Eagles can contend for the division crown. With Niners having no secondary to speak of, Philly might be my upset pick of the week.
Ep. 8: My Motivations Behind Covering Bowling – The Can't Lose Podcast with Nolan Hughes
- Ep. 8: My Motivations Behind Covering Bowling
- Ep. 7: PBA and College Bowling Rule Change with Hunter Kempton
- Ep. 6: NCAA Bowling with Arkansas State's Emma Stull and Sarah Sanes
- Ep. 5: Interview with Matthew Staninger
- Ep. 4: 2021 NFL Season Preview with Cale Clinton — Part 3, Awards and Playoff Predictions