NFL Week 1 picks: Season kicks off with natty matchups Ravens-Chiefs, Packers-Eagles
The Times’ NFL creator, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines in accordance with FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/below). Last season’s listing 162-110 (.596). Using point spreads with the rankings Farmer had predicted, his listing in opposition to the spread would were 130-135-7 (.491). Crew facts from final season. TV channels are for Los Angeles predicament. All cases Pacific.
RAVENS (13-4) at CHIEFS (11-6)
Tonight, 5: 20 p.m. TV: Channel 4
Line: Chiefs by 3. O/U: 46½
Patrick Mahomes may perchance presumably additionally honest need his simplest collection of receivers, and that can more than offset the step support for Kansas City on protection. Derrick Henry supplies Baltimore one other boost. Shut game.
Seize: Chiefs 27, Ravens 23
PACKERS (9-8) VS. EAGLES (11-6)
Friday in Brazil, 5: 15 p.m. TV: Peacock
Line: Eagles by 2½. O/U: 48½.
Saquon Barkley is an gargantuan addition to the Eagles, and adding Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator makes a incompatibility too. Packers figure to be a piece in progress early on.
Seize: Eagles 31, Packers 24
STEELERS (10-7) AT FALCONS (7-10)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: Channel 11
Line: Falcons by 3½. O/U: 42½.
The Falcons have some potent weapons on offense and their security tandem may perchance presumably additionally very properly be provoking. Stopping the traipse obtained’t be easy in opposition to the Steelers. As for Pittsburgh’s quarterback arena, we’ll behold.
Seize: Falcons 24, Steelers 20
CARDINALS (4-13) AT BILLS (11-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Payments by 6½. O/U: 48½.
The Payments have loads to prove but Josh Allen is as a lot as the project. They ought as a plot to preserve up enterprise at home in opposition to the improved but no longer-pretty-there Cardinals, who play no longer easy for Jonathan Gannon.
Seize: Payments 28, Cardinals 21
TITANS (6-11) AT BEARS (7-10)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Bears by 4½. O/U: 44½.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is coming into a truly apt arena, namely with those receivers. He’ll make some mistakes but Bears can rating. Titans may perchance presumably war mightily this season.
Seize: Bears 27, Titans 17
PATRIOTS (4-13) AT BENGALS (9-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Bengals by7½. O/U: 40½.
These are no longer the Patriots of outmoded. Cincinnati may perchance presumably additionally honest mute snatch this handily. The Bengals disappear traipse will originate all kinds of complications for Contemporary England, and Joe Burrow & Co. ought to be heavenly.
Seize: Bengals 31, Patriots 13
TEXANS (10-7) AT COLTS (9-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Texans by 2½. O/U: 48½.
Plenty of hype for Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who doesn’t have powerful NFL experience. C.J. Stroud is coming off a historic season. Houston may perchance presumably frosty pretty this yr, but mute a solid crew.
Seize: Texans 23, Colts 20
JAGUARS (9-8) AT DOLPHINS (11-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Dolphins by 3½. O/U: 48½.
Now not numerous buzz about Jacksonville, but that’s a talented crew that can presumably assemble some ache. The Dolphins have the offense and wish a protection to compare. May presumably honest be an spicy game.
Seize: Jaguars 31, Dolphins 28
PANTHERS (2-15) AT SAINTS (9-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Saints by 3½. O/U: 41½.
The Saints are larger and so that they’re at home. Onerous to know what to assign a matter to from the Panthers and their novel coach. Carolina needs to enhance in so many areas after final yr, it’s dicey to take them on this matchup.
Seize: Saints 27, Panthers 17
VIKINGS (7-10) AT GIANTS (6-11)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Vikings by 1½. O/U: 41½.
Daniel Jones is below stress and folk Giants receivers are promising but untested. Defensively they’re elegant apt. Perhaps Sam Arnold will get it done, but I love the home crew.
Seize: Giants 24, Vikings 20
RAIDERS (8-9) AT CHARGERS (5-12)
Sunday, 1: 05 p.m. TV: Channel 2
Line: Chargers by 3. O/U: 40½.
Jim Harbaugh’s crew goes to be tougher than final season and can honest mute be more balanced with an enhanced ground game. Which receiver will step up? Raiders are OK at quarterback but working out kinks.
Seize: Chargers 24, Raiders 18
BRONCOS (8-9) AT SEAHAWKS (9-8)
Sunday, 1: 05 p.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Seahawks by 5½. O/U: 41½.
Sophisticated thunder for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to make his NFL debut, although the Seahawks aren’t the neighborhood they as soon as had been. Seattle has the firepower to circulation the ball this season.
Seize: Seahawks 27, Broncos 21
COWBOYS (12-5) AT BROWNS (11-6)
Sunday, 1: 25 p.m. TV: Channel 11
Line: Browns by 2½. O/U: 41½.
Cleveland’s protection leads the plot for the Browns, and Deshaun Watson is more healthy than he’s been of unhurried. Doesn’t support the Cowboys that CeeDee Lamb neglected camp, and dropping corner DaRon Bland is colossal.
Seize: Browns 27, Cowboys 24
COMMANDERS (4-13) AT BUCCANEERS (9-8)
Sunday, 1: 25 p.m. TV: NFL Imprint
Line: Bucanners by 3½. O/U: 43½.
The Commanders are going to be larger than they’ve been, though Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles has an basic listing in opposition to rookie quarterbacks. Tampa Bay has numerous self assurance in Baker Mayfield.
Seize: Buccaneers 24, Commanders 20
RAMS (10-7) AT LIONS (12-5)
Sunday, 5: 20 p.m. TV: Channel 4
Line: Lions by 3½ O/U: 51½.
Energy ought to be supercharged for this rematch, and both groups figure to be serious playoff contenders. Matthew Stafford would maybe be difficult, but Rams protection will need time to shut support collectively without Aaron Donald.
Seize: Lions 28, Rams 24
JETS (7-10) AT 49ERS (12-5)
Monday, 5: 15 p.m. TV: ESPN
Line: 49ers by 4½. O/U: 43½.
Aaron Rodgers may perchance presumably additionally honest mute have a a ways more obvious experience on this opener, but making a rotten-country day out in opposition to San Francisco’s protection is no longer easy chore. Defensive war.
Seize: 49ers 21, Jets 16
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