2016 NFL Results

I think last season was a one off for the Ravens but this is a tough matchup for them. Tyrod Taylor has a good supporting cast around him and should have some success vs. the Ravens defense. Rex Ryan should have the Bills defense improved. I expect this to be a close game and for the Bills to eek out a close victory and cover.

Pick: Bills (+3)
Proj. Score: Bills 21, Ravens 17
Actual Score: Bills 7, Ravens 13

Jacksonville has been much improved but the Packers offense should be at full strength and too much for the Jacksonville offense to keep up with. The Jaguars defense doesn’t have the personnel to pressure and slow down the Green Bay offense.

Pick: Packers (-3.5)
Proj. Score: Packers 34, Jaguars 21
Actual Score: Packers 27, Jaguars 23

The Bears upgraded their defense in signing Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman but JJ Watt and the Texans defense should be able to slow down the Bears offense. The Bears are improved on defense but their offense will have a hard time getting much going vs. the Texans. Brock Osweiler and his collection of new wide receivers and Lamar Miller should be able to be able to put up enough points to make this one not close.

Pick: Texans (-6)
Proj. Score: Texans 24, Bears 10
Actual Score: Texans 23, Bears 14

This is an interesting game that features the debut of RG III for the Browns and Carson Wentz for the Eagles. The Eagles defense has looked great in the preseason while the Browns defense is awful. This could be a close game but I think the Eagles defense should be able to generate enough pressure on RG III to limit the Browns on offense. Wentz and the Eagles offense should be able to put up some points against the Browns bad defense.

Pick: Eagles (-3.5)
Proj. Score: Eagles 24, Browns 10
Actual Score: Eagles 29, Browns 10

Jamaal Charles won’t be playing but Spencer Ware should be able to fill in just fine for the Chiefs. The Chiefs however have also suffered heavy losses on the defensive side in Justin Houston out for the year and Tamba Hali banged up. The San Diego defense is as bad as it was last year but their offense is at full strength and Phillip Rivers should be able to have a good day with the hurting Chiefs defense. However, the Chargers have been under a new stadium cloud and I have no faith in their management or coaching staff. I’ll take Kansas City at Arrowhead.

Pick: Chiefs (+6.5)
Proj. Score: Chiefs 30, Chargers 17
Actual Score: Chiefs 33, Chargers 27

The Raiders have possibly been the most hyped team this offseason. Their offense is explosive with Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray and their defense has Khalil Mack. Drew Brees and the Saints are tough to beat at the Super Dome and have not lost a home opener since Sean Payton became coach. Stopping Khalil Mack is a tough task, but give me Brees and the Saints at home in the Superdome.

Pick: Saints (-1)
Proj. Score: Saints 33, Raiders 27
Actual Score: Saints 34, Raiders 35

The Bengals lost some key offensive players but still have AJ Green. The Jets have a great defensive front and I think they will be able to pressure Andy Dalton into some mistakes. I like the Jets to win at home as underdogs in a close game.

Pick: Jets (+2.5)
Proj. Score: Jets 23, Bengals 20
Actual Score: Jets 22, Bengals 23

Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense should be poised to take a step forward this year and his main target, Mike Evans, looks more focused. Atlanta, while having Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, hasn’t added enough pieces around them to warrant improvement. Neither defense is very good, but I expect Jameis and the Bucs offense to get it going vs. the Falcons defense (despite the fact that it’s tough to pick against the Falcons in home openers).

Pick: Buccaneers (+3)
Proj. Score: Buccaneers 27, Falcons 21
Actual Score: Buccaneers 31, Falcons 24

I think that people are overreacting to Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater going down for the season. They have a very solid overall team and should be able to remain competitive. The Vikings are much better in all phases of the game than the Titans and should have a chip on their shoulder to prove that they are still a contender.

Pick: Vikings (-2)
Proj. Score: Vikings 24, Titans 17
Actual Score: Vikings 25, Titans 16

The Dolphins missing Mike Pouncey at center hurts. This is a rather large spread but the Dolphins having to make the long trip to Seattle and play in the loudest stadium spells for a blow out. The Seahawks defense should be able to force Ryan Tannehill into some mistakes and win this easily.

Pick: Seahawks (-10)
Proj. Score: Seahawks 30, Dolphins 10
Actual Score: Seahawks 12, Dolphins 10

The Cowboys are without Tony Romo at QB and will be starting two rookies at QB and RB. While Dak Prescott looked good in the preseason for the Cowboys at QB, I think people are getting a bit ahead of themselves. The Giants invested big in their defense this offseason and they should be able cause the inexperienced offense problems. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham should be able to put up enough points to take this game handily as the Cowboys defense won’t be able to handle them.

Pick: Giants (+3)
Proj. Score: Giants 24, Cowboys 10
Actual Score: Giants 20, Cowboys 19

I expect Andrew Luck to bounce back from last year; however, the Colts roster lacks depth around him. The Lions meanwhile lost Calvin Johnson but I think the public is overreacting to the impact this will have on the Lions. I think the Lions have enough to cover the 3.5 spread and could outright win.

Pick: Lions (+3.5)
Proj. Score: Lions 30, Colts 27
Actual Score: Lions 39, Colts 35

As we all know, Tom Brady will be missing this game. Bill Belichick has had all off season to prepare for this game knowing they would be without Brady and I think they will be able to keep the game close. Carson Palmer looked as if he was missing something this preseason. The Patriots should be able to keep this close enough to cover the 6 point spread.

Pick: Patriots (+6)
Proj. Score: Patriots 23, Cardinals 20
Actual Score: Patriots 23, Cardinals 21

The Steelers are one of my favorites to win the Super Bowl and they have an electric offense. Washington added Josh Norman but how good their defense will be is still up for debate. I think this will be a shoot out but the Redskins won’t be able to keep up with the Steelers.

Pick: Steelers (-2.5)
Proj. Score: Steelers 34, Redskins 21
Actual Score: Steelers 38, Redskins 16

The Rams have a great defense but their offense is built solely around Todd Gurley. Luckily for the Rams, the 49ers are probably the worst team in the NFL and will have a hard time getting anything going against the stout Rams D.

Pick: Rams (-2.5)
Proj. Score: Rams 17, 49ers 6
Actual Score: