NFL Week 1 predictions

Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Losing a talent like Julian Edelman for the season would be a crippling blow to most teams, and while Edelman was arguably Tom Brady's most trusted target, the Pats are well-equipped to not miss a beat in his absence. Rob Gronkowski remains a match-up nightmare, and Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola highlight what still appears to be a versatile and lethal receiving corps. The Chiefs will have to contend with all of that, and while their defense is fearsome, they will be on the road. Asking Alex Smith, Travis Kelce and the rest of the offense to stay close, let alone win in that environment seems like too much. Since 2002, the first year Brady began the season as the starting quarterback, the Pats are 13-2 in season openers.

Pick: Patriots

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Le'Veon Bell returned to the Steelers to sign his franchise tender right when he said he would, and now the big question is how much of a workload Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley will foist upon him against Cleveland. The team is high on rookie James Conner, and a Browns team that may be decent on defense but figures to have a tough time scoring would seem to offer a chance to ease Bell in while giving Conner significant snaps. Meanwhile, the only news in Cleveland is bad news, as number one overall pick Myles Garrett's ankle injury, suffered Wednesday, is feared to be serious enough to throw his status for Sunday and beyond into doubt.

Pick: Steelers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

With both teams fielding less-than-impressive rosters, it's somewhat shocking to see Buffalo installed as such a heavy favorite. It does not seem unfair to suggest that both teams could end up in the league's bottom five teams by season's end. The Jets, especially, have major deficiencies at offensive line and wide receiver, which means that Josh McCown could be in for a long day. Buffalo has the best offensive player on either team in the form of running back LeSean McCoy, and his presence alone should help Buffalo carry the day. They should also get Tyrod Taylor back at quarterback. Still, it is hard to imagine the Bills running away with this one.

Pick: Jets

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Mike Glennon did not do much in the preseason, but it was enough to keep his hold on the starting quarterback job for Chicago. He'll need to show dramatic improvement to keep the Bears close against the reigning NFC champions. Jordan Howard is the best running back that the public doesn't talk much about, and Kendall Wright and Kevin White could have some success if Glennon can get them the ball. Still, Atlanta boasts a plethora of weapons, and Matt Ryan likely won't want to waste any time getting his revenge tour started. Julio Jones and the rest of a supremely talented supporting cast should be too much for Chicago.

Pick: Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Bengals have given Joe Flacco fits over the course of his career. In 17 career games against Cincinnati, Flacco has 21 interceptions against only 16 touchdowns. Cincinnati has also sacked Flacco 35 times. Couple that with the fact that Flacco has had very little practice time with new targets Danny Woodhead and Jeremy Maclin, and it could be a long day for the Baltimore offense. For their part, the Bengals' biggest concern will be weathering the suspension of Vontaze Burfict. Joe Mixon is currently third on Cincinnati's depth chart at running back, but there figures to be ample opportunity for him to prove himself in relief of Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard.

Pick: Bengals

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Arizona will be looking for a big start to the season from David Johnson, whose production in the desert has existed mostly in the shadow of Ezekiel Elliott and Le'Veon Bell. The Cardinals might not need many points, either, as Matthew Stafford has yet to beat them in his career. Stafford is 0-4 against the Cards, with a cumulative 62.8 passer rating in those games, and the Lions have topped 20 points once in those four contests. His task may be easier Sunday, though, as Arizona will be without Deone Bucannon, by far their most athletic linebacker and a key cog in terms of covering running backs and tight ends, and stopping big plays before they start.

Pick: Cardinals

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The atmosphere inside NRG Stadium will be emotionally charged as Houston continues to recover from Hurricane Harvey. J.J. Watt's fundraising efforts for the beleaguered Texas Gulf Coast region have dominated the headlines, for good reason. Now, Houstonians will get a brief respite from reality, and the Texans' defense should provide them with plenty of reasons to cheer. Tom Savage shouldn't have to do too much, and there will be good battles on the outside between Houston's receivers and the Jaguars' defensive backs. Blake Bortles barely held on to his job in the preseason, so asking him to deliver a big game on the road in a raucous environment seems like a losing proposition. 

Pick: Texans

The NFL has decided to postpone the game due to concerns about the impact of Hurricane Irma on Florida. The game will be played during Week 11, when the Buccaneers and Dolphins share a bye week. Hopefully the worst of the storm misses Florida, but aid groups are standing by. 

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

It would be hard to call the Titans an AFC sleeper, because many have sung the praises of what appears to be a talented roster led by a promising young quarterback. Tennessee faces a stern opening test against Derek Carr and the Raiders, however. Carr may well be one of the five best quarterbacks in the league, and he commands an impressive array of weapons, led by Amari Cooper. The outcome of this game may well hinge on how well the Titans are able to protect Marcus Mariota from Khalil Mack, arguably the premier edge rusher in the entire league. Mack did not practice Wednesday, but his injury is not believed to be serious. 

Pick: Raiders

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Kirk Cousins has strafed the Eagles in five career games, notching a 4-1 mark, with a 102.9 passer rating. He struggled for most of the preseason as regulars like Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder missed time. Josh Doctson is also an intriguing question mark, someone who could vault Washington's offense to new heights, or leave Cousins looking for other answers. Alshon Jeffery presents the most promising target for second-year signal caller Carson Wentz, who will lean on multiple players in the running game to try and provide balance on offense. The key to the game may well lie in how well Fletcher Cox and the Eagles' defensive line stack up against a solid Washington offensive line, albeit one missing tackle Trent Williams.

Pick: Eagles

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

Jacoby Brissett was brought in from New England via trade with the idea that he would push starter Scott Tolzien, but both men are a far cry from Andrew Luck, who won't play in Week 1, and whose status is still very much up in the air. Without Luck, the Colts are much closer to the team that sank to the bottom of the NFL and gained the opportunity to draft him than they are the 2014 AFC runner-up. Los Angeles' situation isn't much better, as their best player, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, still hasn't come to terms with the team, with no indication that the sides are close. Donald's absence deprives the Rams of their most disruptive force, and opens the door for Indianapolis to take advantage. It is tough to imagine Tolzien, 0-2-1 in his career as a starter, will lead the Colts through that open door.

Pick: Rams

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

It would not be a surprise if these two teams met in January for the NFC title. This stands on paper as the best game of the opening week, and matches Seattle's defense, which is still fearsome but not the juggernaut it used to be, against the best quarterback in the league not named Tom Brady. So long as Aaron Rodgers is kept upright, it's hard to go against him at home, in good weather, with as fresh and healthy an offense as he will have all season. For Seattle, the order of the day is pressure on Rodgers, and a balanced attack that controls the ball and limits Green Bay's possessions. Eddie Lacy, currently listed as the backup to Thomas Rawls, may also be looking for some revenge against his former team.

Pick: Packers

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

There isn't much cause for optimism in San Francisco, where the 49ers will start Brian Hoyer, and could find themselves in deep trouble all season. Pierre Garcon is a nice weapon for Hoyer, but envisioning a scenario where San Francisco bests Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey and a potentially nasty Carolina defense is difficult. McCaffrey will be especially fun to watch, given the fact that the Panthers have created what amounts to a totally separate playbook geared entirely towards putting his talents on display. The biggest beneficiaries of that could end up being the rest of the Panthers' skill players, who should find themselves with more room to maneuver as a result of the threat posed by the rookie running back.

Pick: Panthers

Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Ezekiel Elliott will play against the Giants, even though his six-game suspension was upheld by the arbitrator Harold Henderson. This is a boost for Dallas, even though Elliott's availability beyond Week 1 is cloudy at best. No Dallas player is happier about the news than Dak Prescott, whose life is made infinitely easier when Elliott is in the game. Dez Bryant and Jason Witten should also have more room to operate. They'll still have their hands full against a stout Giants defense, being touted by some as having the potential to be one of the best in franchise history. Landon Collins' ability to both help contain Elliott and keep Bryant in front of him will be critical if New York is to get a crucial early division win.

Pick: Cowboys

Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson will take the field together for a game that counts against the Vikings, in a tilt with plenty of tension bubbling to the surface. The question for Brees and Peterson is the same; how much is left? Brees will have his hands full against a talented Minnesota secondary, and the Vikings' defensive front will doubtless want to put a beating on Peterson when he is in the game. Dalvin Cook won the starting job at running back, and provides the Vikings with a very versatile piece in the backfield. The view from here says that Minnesota has the advantage, so long as their offensive line, in flux all preseason, can find some cohesion and consistency and protect Sam Bradford. 

Pick: Vikings

Monday, 10:20 p.m. ET (ESPN)

If the Broncos had Philip Rivers at quarterback, this might be the ugliest blowout of Week 1. Problem is, the Broncos don't have anything close to Rivers at the most important position on the field. Brock Osweiler is back in Denver, but it's hard to believe that he's the answer to their woes. Trevor Siemian hasn't inspired much in the way of confidence, either. The Broncos are the superior roster from top to bottom, but the Chargers have a dramatic advantage where it counts the most. Even in prime time, in front of a raucous crowd, expect Philip Rivers to deliver a reminder that high-level quarterback play is the most coveted asset in the league.

Pick: Chargers