FRIDAY AFTERNOON QUARTERBACK: NFL WEEK 1

BY ADAM GREENE

There was a point in what turned out to be a pretty spectacular season opening game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys that I knew I was going to lose some money. It wasn’t a bad beat. You could never count it as that, but Dak Prescott was on from the opening drive and it was obvious that it would be a last possession game.

I settled in, ready to regroup my troops and make up for the loss on Sunday with the hopes that at least maybe, at least Tampa would lose. And then that didn’t even happen.

Regardless, the 2021 NFL season is underway and if the Kickoff Game is any indication, we’re in for a spectacular ride. Here are my picks for Sunday’s day games.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BUFFALO BILLS (-6.5, O/U: 48)

I’m expecting a lot more out of Pittsburgh than most this year, but Buffalo is a tough draw in week one. So to honor that thought, I’m thinking this one will be a little closer than the books think, with T.J. Watt wreaking a little havoc propelled by his new contract and Najee Harris becoming the focus of the offense from day one. Still, I don’t think it changes the outcome here. Bills 27, Steelers 24

NEW YORK JETS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (-4, O/U: 44)

I think the Robert Saleh hire was outstanding for the Jets and while I wasn’t sold on Zach Wilson coming into the draft, he looked alright in the preseason. What I do think is that Carolina might be the third worst team in the league. And if anyone can devise a plan to completely shut down Sam Darnold, it’s Saleh, as he should have every game film with the kid sitting on his office hard drive. Jets 23, Panthers 13

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (+3, O/U: 45/5)

Speaking of the worst team in the league, it’s obviously the Texans. Their battle this season will be to keep from being the league’s first 0-17 team. The Jags get to be the first squad to hang a loss on them on the way to history. Jaguars 23, Texans 13

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (-3, O/U: 52.5)

It’s time to see what the Titans offense looks like with Julio Jones as he matches up with one of his few peers in the league, DeAndre Hopkins of the Cardinals. This is a tough opening week draw for Arizona as Tennessee is built to steamroll a smaller squad. I don’t think it’ll be close. But, of course, I thought that about Bucs-Cowboys. Titans 38, Cardinals 20

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (pk, O/U: 44.5)

As loaded as the Chargers are, I love the respect the books give Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ron Rivera and the WFT defense here with a pick-em. The real game might not look that close when it’s over. New LA head coach Brandon Staley has been handed a playoff roster on both sides of the ball. It could be slow going at first, as no starters played in the preseason, but I see Los Angeles winning in a walk. Chargers 33, WFT 19

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT ATLANTA FALCONS (-3.5, O/U: 48.5)

New Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has been calling plays for Derrick Henry and Mike Davis is a significant drop off from the best running back in the league. Matt Ryan, though, not so much from Ryan Tannehill. I like Atlanta this season to make the playoffs, but the Eagles are such a mystery anything can happen. I still don’t feel comfortable enough to think this one will end as close as a field goal. Falcons 24, Eagles 20

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (+3, O/U: 49)

Carson Wentz has come back off the COVID-19 protocol, for the time being, to suit up and lose his first start against the Seahawks. How much will Seattle let Russ cook this season? And will it be a Michelin star restaurant, a nice food truck or an interstate Waffle House. Seahawks 30, Colts 17

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (+3, O/U: 47)

The return of Joe Burrow for Cincinnati is going to be a bigger deal than people think. Minnesota is going to be in the market for a new head coach and quarterback combo at year’s end. Bengals 23, Vikings 20

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT DETROIT LIONS (+9, O/U: 45)

Jared Goff has never defeated the 49ers when they’re QBed by Jimmy Garoppolo and he was with a considerably better team when he gave it a try. In fact, Goff hasn’t won a game against San Francisco since 2018. It happening this time either. 49ers 34, Lions 13

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-5.5, O/U: 54.5)

There’s a good chance this game will be played again in the playoffs. I’m thinking there’ll be similar results there too. Chiefs 34, Browns 27

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-3, O/U: 43.5)

The Pats are at home and, in the past, that meant something. But let me drop some facts on you. Bill Belichick is 15-15 lifetime when facing a team coached by one of his former players or assistant coaches. Miami went 10-6 last year and nearly made the playoffs. Mac Jones is making his first NFL start against a Brian Flores defense that has flummoxed some of the best offenses in the NFL. What I’m saying is, I don’t get this line. Dolphins 27, Patriots 16

DENVER BRONCOS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (+3, O/U: 41.5)

The good news for the Giants is, there’s a chance the QB they’re facing in this game, Teddy Bridgewater, will be available as a free agent next season. Broncos 23, Giants 16

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (+3.5, O/U: 49.5)

Jameis Winston makes his official debut as New Orleans’ quarterback as Aaron Rodgers begins his Last Dance with the Packers. I think this one might be interesting, but the line looks solid to me. Packers 27, Saints 23

The NFL season is underway and the Week 1 Schedule is up and taking bets at BetOnline.AG.

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