Category: Week 1

Minnesota at Cincinnati

1:00, FOX
Line: Minnesota -3, o/u: 48

San Francisco at Detroit

1:00, FOX
Line: San Francisco -7.5, o/u: 45.5

Arizona at Tennessee

1:00, CBS
Line: Tennessee -3, o/u: 52

Seattle at Indianapolis

1:00, FOX
Line: Seattle -2.5, o/u: 48.5

Los Angeles Chargers at Washington

1:00, CBS
Line: Los Angeles Chargers -1, o/u: 44.5

– 2021 NFL Predictions For Every Game This Season

New York Jets at Carolina

1:00, CBS
Line: Carolina -4.5, o/u: 44.5

Jacksonville at Houston

1:00, CBS
Line: Jacksonville -3, o/u: 45

Cleveland at Kansas City

4:25, CBS
Line: Kansas City -6, o/u: 53

Miami at New England

4:25, CBS
Line: New England -3, o/u: 43.5

Green Bay at New Orleans

4:25, FOX
Line: Green Bay -3, o/u: 50

Denver at New York Giants

4:25, FOX
Line: Denver -2.5, o/u: 42

Chicago at Los Angeles Rams

8:20, NBC
Line: Los Angeles Rams -7.5, o/u: 44.5

Monday, September 13

Baltimore at Las Vegas

8:15, ESPN/ABC
Line: Baltimore -4.5, o/u: 51

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– Week 1 NFL Expert Picks
– 2021 Preseason NFL Predictions For Every Game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys Prediction, Game Preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys Broadcast

Date: Thursday, September 9
Game Time: 8:20 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Network: NBC

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Tampa Bay (0-0) vs Dallas (0-0) Game Preview

Why Dallas Will Win

The offensive line is relatively healthy again after last year, and assuming Dak Prescott is able to shake off the rust – and the lack of full go practice time – the attack should be balanced and effective again after dying over the middle part of last year – and only getting back the groove when it was too late.

Dallas might not need the high octane offense to go full bore if the defense really has improved like it’s expected to.

With a defense that should be night-and-day stronger than last year’s disaster – especially when it comes to getting to the quarterback – this should be a different team with a whole new look from 2020.

Why Tampa Bay Will Win

The run defense is still going to be the run defense.

Not only do the Buccaneers get just about everyone back, but the defense should be every bit the terror the 2020 version was. It won’t have too many issues holding down the Dallas downfield passing game, the pass rush that beat up Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl will still be deadly, and now Vita Vea is back in the middle of the run defense after missing most of last year.

The Buccaneers were No. 1 in the NFL against the run last year, and now they’re even stronger. That puts even more pressure on …

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas
He got the touches around the goal line last year, but he didn’t do much with them over the second half of the season. As soon as Dak Prescott went down, there went Zeke’s fantasy season.

Slimmer, quicker, and with a determined attitude to push past the fumbles and problems of last year, he’s going to be an elite fantasy running back every week – but maybe not against this Tampa Bay D. If he’s great against the Bucs, look out.

What’s Going To Happen

Dallas will look and play differently than they did throughout last season, and Dak will be just fine. He’ll press too much, though, and he’ll be under constant harassment.

Tom Brady won’t be perfect, but the offense won’t need to be dominant with the defense taking care of the game with key stop after key stop early on. The defending champions won’t look perfect, but they’ll survive late in a fun season opener.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys Prediction, Line

Tampa Bay 27, Dallas 23
Tampa Bay -7.5, o/u: 51
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction, Game Preview

Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Network: FOX

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Philadelphia (0-0) vs Atlanta (0-0) Game Preview

Why Philadelphia Will Win

Here comes the step up in offense, at least that’s the hope under new head coach Nick Sirianni and with Jalen Hurts the unquestioned starter … for now.

The receiving corps has been boosted, the backfield is stronger, and that attack that didn’t see an interception it didn’t like to throw – and averaged a sad five yards per pass attempt – should be more explosive.

On the other side, the Atlanta running game is very, very thin – it’ll be boom-or-bust through the air in this.

However …

Why Atlanta Will Win

The rebuilding Philadelphia defense needs to prove it can hold up in the secondary against what might be an underappreciated Atlanta passing game.

Losing Julio Jones might have been splashy, but the addition of Kyle Pitts and the expected emergence of a few young receiving stars around Calvin Ridley should produce right away.

And then there are the Philly turnovers. They were a major issue throughout last season, and Hurts has to settle in and be careful right away. That’s not a lock.

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta
He’s not on your team unless you’re in a deep league of quarterbacks, but he might be in a perfect fantasy situation. The defense isn’t good enough to shut the Eagles down, the running game will be just okay, and it should be up to Ryan to spread the ball around.

The team might have stunk, but Ryan threw two or more touchdown passes in each of his final three games and hit the 300-yard mark twice.

What’s Going To Happen

The Falcons will actually come through in the clutch.

Philadelphia will look good, play fast, and be dangerous right up until it turns the ball over in key spots.

No, the Atlanta D won’t go from totally miserable to amazing, but it’ll avoid breaking too often after a whole lot of bending.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction, Line

Atlanta 27, Philadelphia 23
Atlanta -3.5, o/u: 48
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills Prediction, Game Preview

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Network: CBS

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Pittsburgh (0-0) vs Buffalo (0-0) Game Preview

Why Pittsburgh Will Win

The offense should work a whole lot better.

There are still issues – more on that in a moment – but Ben Roethlisberger should be fresh and solid in the opener with a strong group of playmakers to work with.

There’s a real, live superstar running back in Najee Harris to potentially take over, but the passing game should be able to spread it around to keep things moving

The defense should once again generate one of the pass rushes in the NFL, and all the pressure should generate a slew of big plays – the Steelers will be among the league leaders in takeaways.

But …

Why Buffalo Will Win

The Pittsburgh offensive line will be an issue.

Yes, Steeler Nation is tired of hearing about how bad the front five was – and could be – and there’s been some reworking done, but it really will be a problem early on.

Buffalo won’t have the pass rush the Steelers will, but it should be able to at least bother Roethlisberger enough to be a factor. Pittsburgh forces takeaways, and so will Buffalo.

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh
Mike Tomlin isn’t shy about feeding his running backs the ball in a variety of ways. To be fair to the 2020 backs, there wasn’t any room to move – but they didn’t exactly make a whole lot of things happen on their own. Enter Harris, who has all the potential and upside to be Le’Veon Bell or James Conner in this attack, but …

What’s Going To Happen

Really, can the Pittsburgh offensive line block enough to get the ground game moving?

The Buffalo defensive front will give up yards on the ground, but the Steelers will try to make a point by pounding away right out of the gate.

Josh Allen will have to do it all – Buffalo won’t run a lick – and he’ll come through with two big scoring drives in the second half in a good comeback in a great game.

Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, Line

Buffalo 26, Pittsburgh 24
Buffalo -6.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 4

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction, Game Preview

Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Network: FOX

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Minnesota (0-0) vs Cincinnati (0-0) Game Preview

Why Minnesota Will Win

The offense has the potential to be dominant.

The Cincinnati defense still has to prove it can stop someone from consistently moving the ball, and it’s about to deal with a high-powered Viking attack that can do a little of everything right.

Losing TE Irv Smith hurts, but the receivers are there for Kirk Cousins to build on his 35-touchdown 2020 and Dalvin Cook should run wild through the Bengal front seven.

Cincinnati might have parts, but can it keep up the pace in what should be a shootout? The Vikings have to keep scoring because …

Why Cincinnati Will Win

Joe Burrow should be able to do whatever he wants against the questionable Minnesota secondary.

To be fair, the Vikings were banged up last year and the reinforcements are there, but it’s still going to be a work in progress against a passing attack that should be great from the start.

Joe Mixon should be in for a big year on the ground – it starts against a run D that got ripped to shreds late last year – but this is about the air attack that should be great as long as it gets a good performance from …

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati
Catching the ball is sort of a positive if you’re an NFL wide receiver, but that was a problem for fifth overall pick this offseason. Everyone says they’re not worried about it, but they say it in a way to suggest that it’s more than just an annoyance. Of course he’ll be fine, and of course he’ll be great, but a big debut would be a massive plus.

What’s Going To Happen

Minnesota has the pass rush to get to Burrow, and it has more weapons to crank up the offense in what should be a wild back-and-forth game. But Burrow will come up with a big late rally with two scoring drives to pull it out at home.

Enjoy the fireworks.

Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction, Line

Cincinnati 34, Minnesota 30
Minnesota -3, o/u: 48
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions Prediction, Game Preview

San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Network: FOX

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San Francisco (0-0) vs Detroit (0-0) Game Preview

Why San Francisco Will Win

Detroit is going to need a little while.

It’s a franchise in rebuild mode under new head coach Dan Campbell, the defense is going to need time to build back up – especially in the secondary – and the 49er passing game should take advantage of it.

For all the excitement around Trey Lance, the potential of the passing game, and whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo can step up his game, it’ll be the running attack and the run defense that take over early on to force the Lions to press. But …

Why Detroit Will Win

The Lions have a sneaky-good upside offensively.

D’Andre Swift has been hurting this offseason, but he’s expected to be ready to go behind a great-looking offensive line that will more than hold its own. The receivers might not be among the elite, but the attack should spread the ball around and start to find a groove as the game goes on.

And while there’s been a whole lot of criticism and skepticism, the Lions have a veteran guy who can run it …

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

QB Jared Goff, Detroit
He might be one of the deepest fantasy quarterback sleepers of 2021. Everything is in place for him to succeed – bad team, bad defense, team will be behind, and he’ll throw and throw and throw and throw. You might have to wait until the last 20 minutes to get your production, but he should hit a few big plays if the Lions are getting rolled.

What’s Going To Happen

Detroit is better than everyone is letting on, but it’s not that special yet.

The offense will do what it can, but it won’t be enough to overcome a solid balanced day from the 49er offense and a big-time performance from the defensive front. The Lions will contain Swift early and the passing game won’t make up for it.

San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions Prediction, Line

San Francisco 30, Detroit 20
San Francisco -7.5, o/u: 45.5
ATS Confidence out of 5:

Must See Rating: 2

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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Tennessee Titans vs Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Game Preview

Tennessee Titans vs Arizona Cardinals prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Tennessee Titans vs Arizona Cardinals prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Tennessee Titans vs Arizona Cardinals Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Network: CBS

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Tennessee (0-0) vs Arizona (0-0) Game Preview

Why Arizona Will Win

The defense should start to work a whole lot better.

The weapons are there for Kyler Murray to work with – he might have his best receiving corps yet in his young career – but it’s the other side that needed a boost, and it got one.

The pressure should be there and the run defense got an infusion of talent – welcome to the linebacking corps, Zaven Colins – with everything loaded up to stop 22.

Arizona would love nothing more than to get into a shootout and rely on Murray to get it done, but …

Why Tennessee Will Win

The Titans are still going to pound away. Until Arizona really does prove it can stop a ground attack – it had a rough time late in the year, highlighted by a hammering by San Francisco – Derrick Henry will start getting the ball right away.

Arizona will want to go fast, and that’s fine. Tennessee should dominate the tempo and the time of possession battle.

Duh – of course the Titans are going to give their star the work, but there should be more explosion and more balance with the addition of …

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

WR Julio Jones, Tennessee
Just how much will he be a part of the gameplan out of the gate? He doesn’t have to be the No. 1 guy – and he won’t be next to AJ Brown – and he’s not the star of the show, but he’ll get his shot to grow into an elite No. 2 deep threat. He’ll get plenty of chances to take over the game.

What’s Going To Happen

The Tennessee defense is going to need a while.

There are some nice new parts, but the secondary will struggle with DeAndre Hopkins and AJ Brown, Murray will spread the ball around enough to matter, and the Cardinals will come up with the pop in key situation the Titans will be missing.

Tennessee Titans vs Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Line

Arizona 30, Tennessee 27
Tennessee -3, o/u: 52
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Game Preview

Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: FOX

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Seattle (0-0) vs Indianapolis (0-0) Game Preview

Why Seattle Will Win

The quarterback play on Seattle’s side of the ball should be a wee bit stronger – to be nice about it.

While Carson Wentz is trying to get back from a foot injury – and coming off of Covid protocol as he decides whether or not he’s going to be vaccinated – Russell Wilson should come out hot right away.

The Colt secondary is solid, but Wilson averaged close to 300 passing yards per game to start last season and should come out roaring.

The Seahawks have to keep things moving, D up against Jonathan Taylor, and keep the mistakes to a minimum. Make the Colt passing game try to win this, and …

Why Indianapolis Will Win

Yeah, the mistakes by Seattle.

Will the Seahawks get the red hot Wilson who started 2020, or will they get the version who sputtered late for an offense that couldn’t overcome turnovers throughout last year?

The Indianapolis defense needs to find a pass rush – new draft pick Kwity Paye was brought in to help that – but overall the D that was so good at taking the ball away and holding up against the run should hold its own.

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
Just how much will he be used in the passing game and just how strong is he around the goal line? The gameplan will revolve around him thanks to the question marks with the Colt air attack, and he has to be ready to handle the workload. He’ll produce, but it’s Week 1 in a LONG season. If he’s on your fantasy team, you don’t want the 30 touch game right away.

What’s Going To Happen

Both defenses have concerns and issues, but Indianapolis won’t get enough big plays to overcome two home runs from the Seattle attack.

It’ll be a fun, interesting game with Taylor hitting 100 yards and taking control at times, but …

Russell. One former Badger will outplay another.

Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Line

Seattle 24, Indianapolis 20
Seattle -2.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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Carolina Panthers vs New York Jets Prediction, Game Preview

Carolina Panthers vs New York Jets prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Carolina Panthers vs New York Jets prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.

Carolina Panthers vs New York Jets Broadcast

Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: CBS

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Carolina (0-0) vs New York (0-0) Game Preview

Why New York Will Win

Just how quickly can the Jet offense get up to speed?

New head coach Robert Saleh has his quarterback in Zach Wilson to build around, the receiving corps got a boost, and draft pick Michael Carter out of North Carolina should instantly be part of a good rotation.

Even with some new parts coming in, the Panthers still have to prove the corner situation can start to make more plays after struggling to come up with picks and stops.

And then there’s the offensive side with … Sam Darnold. He might be motivated to go against his old team, but he’s still … Sam Darnold. But …

Why Carolina Will Win

Darnold never had the offensive talent around him that he’s getting at Carolina.

It starts with the return of Christian McCaffrey to full strength after missing most of last year, the receivers are there to push the ball down the field, and the Jets are going to need a little while before the defense starts to work like it’s supposed to under Saleh.

As long as the pass protection is good, Darnold will be fine. And if he’s not, he’ll just keep handing off to …

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina
Is he REALLY the No. 1 overall fantasy pick? In most leagues he was – or close to it – but can he show the same burst, the same nose for the end zone, and the same unstoppable ability that made him such a fantasy star in 2019? No pressure, fantasy owners, but … you probably passed on Derrick Henry because you want a few more catches.

What’s Going To Happen

The Jets will be better, but they’re not close to being there yet.

Wilson will be fun, the offense will have its moments, and then the first game rookie mistakes will come.

Darnold will be serviceable enough, but he’ll make mistakes of his own. Carolina will win, but the Jets will get their chances.

Carolina Panthers vs New York Jets Prediction, Line

Carolina 27, New York 20
Carolina -4.5, o/u: 44.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport

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