Wednesday, September 9th

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) – 5:20pm, NBC

In the Super Bowl era, only 8 teams have won back-to-back championships. The Seahawks came within a play of matching this feat until the Malcolm Butler interception debacle. After smashing the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, they (again) have the chance to repeat. Yes, Seattle lost a a handful of key contributors like Kenneth Walker III, Riq Woolen, Coby Bryant and Boye Mafe. But the front office also extended franchise cornerstones Jaxon Smith-Njigba (4-years, $168.6 million dollars) and Devon Witherspoon (4-years, $132 million dollars). Losing Klint Kubiak to the Raiders will hurt the offensive continuity.

Mike Vrabel was in the eye of the storm this offseason due to his involvement with former NFL insider Diana Russini. It’s never good when your (married) head coach is pictured alone with another (married) woman looking cozy. It distracts from the fact the Pats strengthened the cast around Drake Maye by adding A.J. Brown to a talent needy receiving corps and reshuffling the offensive line.

Pick – Seahawks

Thursday, September 10th

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) – 5:35pm, Netflix

Seattle winning the Super Bowl lit a fire under the LA Rams, who blew the offseason away by trading for Myles Garrett and convincing future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald to unretire. Those two moves plus shoring up their secondary puts them at the same, or in many pundit’s eyes’, a higher level that the reigning, defending Super Bowl champions. It’s Super Bowl or bust for Sean McVay and LA.

Meanwhile, the Niners have had a very strange offseason, mostly for non-football reasons too. The situation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk is totally bizarre. Head coach Kyle Shanahan got into a serious car accident during training camp and had to take some time off. Principal owner Jed York was also arrested in August for attempting to meet with a prostitution.

Pick – Rams

Sunday, September 13th

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) – 10:00am, FOX

Joe Burrow has shown an ability to lead his team to a Super Bowl, which is why Cincy was so uncharacteristically aggressive in the offseason trading the 10th pick for DT Dexter Lawrence II. 3 straight playoff-less seasons has the former LSU QB questioning his future. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2020, Tampa has had success winning their division, but can’t seem to make another deep playoff run. A hard reset might be in there future.

Pick – Bengals

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (-7) – 10:00am, FOX

Did Dan Campbell and the Lions miss their Super Bowl window?

Pick – Lions*

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (-1.5) – 10:00am, CBS

The Jets are playing for 2027, so are the Titans. At least Tennessee (maybe) has their QB of the future in Cam Ward, but he needs to show improvement across the board.

Pick – Titans

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Indianapolis Colts – 10:00am, CBS

John Harbaugh was the only coach Lamar Jackson has ever played for, now that he’s been fired will Lamar feel and, more importantly, play rejuvenated under highly-regarded but first-time head coach Jesse Minter. Daniel Jones and the Colts were the story of the first half of 2025, 8-2 heading into their Week 11 bye, but drastically fell apart over the second half of the season, finishing 8-9. Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14 and the Colts never overcame the injury. Coming into 2026 he’s said he’s healthy and ready for Week 1.

Pick – Ravens

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) – 10:00am, FOX

Tua Tagovailoa is starting at QB for ATL.

Pick – Steelers

Chicago Bears (-3) at Carolina Panthers – 10:00am, FOX

Ironically, when the Panthers traded up for the number 1 overall pick in 2023 (and took Bryce Young), they gave Chicago their first round pick in 2024, which ended up being the number 1 overall pick. The Bears went on to take Caleb Williams first. Ben Johnson is also as good as advertised.

Pick – Bears

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (-8.5) – 10:00am, CBS

Cleveland might have the worst QB room in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence is, finally, showing the promise of being a number 1 pick.

Pick – Jaguars*

Buffalo Bills (-1.5) at Houston Texans – 10:00am, CBS

Buffalo has Josh Allen. Houston has the stingiest defense. Both teams are dreaming of the Super Bowl.

Pick – Texans

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders (-3.5) – 1:25pm, FOX

De’Von Achane vs. Ashton Jeanty is a fun RB matchup.

Pick – Raiders

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) – 1:25pm, CBS

Kevin O’Connell is an offensive genius, but he got a little arrogant jettisoning Sam Darnold for J.J. McCarthy and expecting similar results. McCarthy ended up being one of the worst QB’s in 2025, so much so the Vikings went out and signed former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. Trading for Micah Parsons was the right choice, it’s just unfortunate he tore his ACL deep into 2025. At his peak he can change a game on his own. He’ll start the season on the PUP list and won’t play the opening 4 games. If he can play himself into shape in the 2nd half of the season Green Bay could be a dangerous playoff team.

Pick – Packers

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) – 1:25pm, FOX

A.J. Brown got his wish, so who will take over the WR1 position in Philly? Jayden Daniels was simply exquisite in his rookie season, but followed it up with an injury plagued Sophomore season. Which Jayden is the real Jayden?

Pick – Eagles

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (-10) – 1:25pm, CBS

Can Mike McDaniel unlock Justin Herbert and help him reach a new level? Cardinals are in for a rough season.

Pick – Chargers*

Dallas Cowboys (-3) at New York Giants – 5:20pm, NBC

The Cowboys offense was as explosive as any team last season, the problem was their defense gave up the most points in the NFL (511). If they can marry that offensive output with even an average defense this team will be one to watch out for. Jaxon Dart and Cam Skattebo are high injury risks with how physically they play.

Pick – Cowboys*

Monday, September 14th

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-3) – 5:15pm, ABC/ESPN

Both QB’s suffered serious injuries last season, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL & LCL and Bo Nix fractured his ankle. Which one will be healthier to start Week 1?

Pick – Broncos