Hi, this is Christian and welcome to the first written edition of my show. I’m excited to switch things up and try refining my writing skills as I work towards my ultimate goal of becoming a sports journalist. As announced in a previous edition of my show on YouTube, I am currently at UNC-Chapel Hill with a Media and Journalism major. I can’t promise that I will do a prediction write-up every week as college work may tell me otherwise but I will do my best to do something every week, in the form of a video, write-up, or Instagram predictions post. So without further ado…”Coming your way, Week 1 Predictions!”
As Carson Wentz continues to rehab from his devastating knee injury suffering in the latter stages of 2017, Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles will take the reins in the home opener against Atlanta. The Falcons will be a trendy upset pick in this game, considering how close they were to defeating Philly in the Divisional Round. However, just like in the postseason, the Eagles’ D will be able to hold the Matt Ryan-Julio Jones tandem out of the end-zone and edge out a win on Opening Night.
Philadelphia Eagles 20, Atlanta Falcons 19
We were treated to an absolute classic last season when both vet Tom Brady and then-rookie Deshaun Watson’s aerial attacks led to a 36-33 barnburner. As the sequel commences, I would expect more of the same. In recent seasons, the Patriots have looked a bit sluggish right out of the gate. Add on the fact that Houston will be looking for redemption after a tough defeat in Foxborough and this one should be close throughout. Despite a suspect Patriots D, I’ll resist the temptation and give the slight nod at home to Belichick over the upstart Texans.
New England Patriots 27, Houston Texans 23
This is a tricky game to predict. On paper, the Jaguars are the better team. But on the road in Week 1? This looks like trouble to me. The new-look Giants will aim to surprise against the league’s best defense headlined by trash-talking CB Jalen Ramsey. I’m excited to see if Odell Beckham Jr and his new wad of cash can get past Sacksonville's tenacious secondary.
The Giants have had a putrid rushing attack for quite some time. Despite Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Stewart entering the fold, I wouldn’t expect this offense to set the world on fire in this one. For the Giants to take down Jacksonville, they will need to win a slugfest in the trenches. That means slowing down Leonard Fournette. The Giants will be much improved this season on both sides of the football but this won’t be one of their better days.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, New York Giants 12
After a tough way to end last season, Minnesota, under the leadership of Kirk Cousins, will look to take the next step and reach the Super Bowl. Everyone seems to forget how electric Dalvin Cook was before he went down with a season-ending knee injury. Back in San Francisco, the Jimmy G hype train has left the station and its first stop is U.S. Bank Stadium. They’ll be without Jerick McKinnon for the entire campaign as Alfred Morris and Matt Breida will have to step up in his absence. Despite the clear improvement this offseason, I feel as if the 49ers will be brought down to Earth against a Vikings team that is a clear Super Bowl contender.
Minnesota Vikings 31, San Francisco 49ers 17
Division games are always a toss-up. Especially an early-season tilt. This one shouldn’t be too hard to figure out though. As most of us know, starting signal-caller Jameis Winston will be suspended for this game so journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start against an elevated Saints defense which sported the top overall defense in the preseason. The Bucs will keep it interesting as rookies Ronald Jones and Vita Vea should interject new life into a floundering franchise. That being said, the Saints should be able to hold off Tampa Bay.
New Orleans Saints 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14
I really wasn’t impressed with Tennessee last season. Their offense struggled mightily and Mariota actually regressed sans the playoffs last season. In 2018, Tennessee must take advantage of their new pieces. Dion Lewis and Corey Davis will need to be huge contributions every week. If not, at least they have a 6’3 powerhouse in the backfield. I really think with DeMarco Murray out of the fold, Derrick Henry is going to set the NFL ablaze. The Fins have an electric back of their own in Alabama’s Kenyan Drake. It’s hard to predict what Ryan Tannehill will do this year. That fact alone makes the Dolphins the ultimate wild card. While I do believe the Titans will have the better season, it is tough to win on the road in a home opener. Miami comes away with the W.
Miami Dolphins 26, Tennessee Titans 21
I’m pretty bullish on the Ravens chances in 2018. I had them missing the playoffs this year but now I’m kind of regretting that decision. Joe Flacco looked sharp in the preseason after getting a wake-up call following the drafting of Lamar Jackson back in April. The Bills are in full rebuild mode after making the postseason for the first time in the 21st Century. Nathan Peterman will most likely start after A.J. McCarron went down with an injury. It’s clear Josh Allen isn’t ready quite jet, despite his high ceiling and strong arm. Overall, the Bills have the same chance of winning this game as Kelvin Benjamin does avoiding the snack bar. Ravens dominate.
Baltimore Ravens 31, Buffalo Bills 10
This game WILL have much drama. I can just feel it. Don't laugh. This is not the Browns that we are used to seeing lose game after game in miserable fashion. It’s a division matchup against a Steelers team that will be without Le’Veon Bell in all likelihood. The Browns actually have a competent quarterback too. The Dawg Pound will be in many games this season by the time the fourth quarter rolls around. However, their youth will ultimately show in a “so close but so far” moment for this evolving nucleus of players. Steelers survive a scare from a team they have usually beat up in the past.
Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Cleveland Browns 27
I’m not quite sure on what to expect for either of these teams this year. Likewise, I’m not too sure on what to expect out of this game either. The Colts are determined to make sure their biggest investment is healthy and surrounded with the best possible talent. Andrew Luck looked like his old self, a bit rusty at times. I try to avoid taking too much stock in the preseason but if their Week 3 performance was any indication, the Bengals may be a lot better than expected. This should be a spirited game from Indy but ultimately I believe that Cinci’s defense is much stronger and that will prove to be the difference as the Bengals start off the season with a bang.
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Indianapolis Colts 26
The Chargers are given the first task of seeing this new-look Chiefs offense. Last year, KC changed the way they played football as Alex Smith took more shots down the field which led to a hot start. However, when Kareem Hunt began to slow down and the offense was forced to be one-dimensional, that is where the trouble abounded. Enter Patrick Mahomes II. The strong-armed QB has the potential to take the Chiefs to new heights. Can they get past Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, and the vaunted Chargers defense though? The ageless wonder, Antonio Gates is back for his 16th NFL season after getting signed on Sunday and that should provide a nice little boost for Rivers confidence. In a tight one, the Bolts snag one at StubHub.
Los Angeles Chargers 23, Kansas City Chiefs 20
Far removed from the embarrassing Super Bowl 48 game, both the Broncos and Seahawks are completely different teams. Up in Seattle, the Hawks’ magic has seemingly run out. The Legion of Boom is unrecognizable and Russell Wilson looks like he’ll be spending another season running for his life behind a porous offensive line. The Broncos haven’t been relevant since their Super Bowl 50 victory over the Panthers. Case Keenum should help provide some stability and better decision making over that of Brock Osweiler and Trevor Siemian. The run games should be key as rookie Royce Freeman and Chris Carson will surely make some noise. In Mile High, Denver should take care of business in a defensive struggle.
Denver Broncos 16, Seattle Seahawks 6
There is three things that are a certainty in life: life, death, and Sam Bradford suffering a season-ending injury. Sorry, I had to do it. On a serious note, the Cardinals seem to be a deep sleeper in the NFC playoff hunt. I could say the same with the Skins as well. While I’m not sure if Alex Smith is a true “upgrade” over Kirk Cousins, hopefully he provides more consistency and stability to a position that has been anything but. Chris Thompson and Adrian Peterson should provide a solid 1-2 punch for Washington. I’m also excited to see one of my favorite draft prospects, Christian Kirk, take center stage alongside Larry Legend. When it’s all said and done in Glendale, Washington should fly back victorious.
Washington Redskins 27, Arizona Cardinals 13
Two of the most electrifying runners go at it as Ezekiel Elliott and Christian McCaffrey step into America’s Game of the Week. Both Dallas and Carolina are similar style teams so this should get interesting. This season, the Panthers are emphasizing a quick-strike passing game as playmakers such as first-round draft pick D.J. Moore, second-year standout Curtis Samuel, and FA acquisition RB C.J. Anderson will fit into the puzzle. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will need to solve the hex that is the Panthers front seven. Lucky for them, Carolina’s secondary doesn’t have any standouts so their should be some gaps to exploit through the air. In a close one, I see Riverboat Ron snatching the home win.
Carolina Panthers 20, Dallas Cowboys 17
For the first time in a long while, the Bears may have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with their rivals up north. The Packers have dominated the 2010s, winning 14 of the last 17 contests. However, with Mitchell Trubisky’s new offensive weapons and the stunning trade of star DE Khalil Mack, GM Ryan Pace and the Monsters of the Midway look like a real threat in 2018. The Packers secondary looks primed for the challenge as two rookie defensive backs, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson take the spotlight on Sunday Night Football. Oh yeah, Aaron Rodgers is back. This game should be a phenomenal one. In what could be the game of the weekend, my #UpsetSpecial has Chicago knocking off Green Bay and proving that they are finally back on the NFL map.
Chicago Bears 30, Green Bay Packers 23
USC standout Sam Darnold has played very nicely for a young rookie. He has made solid reads and even received a glowing endorsement from rivaling defender Josh Norman as well. The Lions are in limbo. They’re not terrible. They’ll be in the playoff hunt all season. Unfortunately, in a tough NFC, a playoff berth will be tough to covet. Because they’re the Lions, they will keep this game closer than they need to. That being said, Captain Comeback will not be needed here. The Lions win a hard-fought game against a scrappy Jets squad.
Detroit Lions 17, New York Jets 10
The Rams seem to be “all-in” on the season. Acquiring Brandin Cooks to go alongside Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp is one thing. Adding Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh is completely different. Personally, I think the Rams are the best team in the NFC at the moment. I don’t see a glaring weakness on their team. Meanwhile, the Raiders season is off to a poor start as they traded away one of the franchise’s best players and have little to show for it. On the bright side, Jordy Nelson should help give Oakland a solid passing option to elevate Derek Carr in his fifth season. I can’t see this game being much of a contest based on what I’ve seen up to this point.
Los Angeles Rams 37, Oakland Raiders 17
Upset of the Week: Bears over Packers
Game of the Week: Patriots vs Texans
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