NFL 2022-23 Week 1 Predictions

 

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Wow! It's that time of the year again. Schools are open again,  new academic year just begun. Pumpkin Spice is flowing again all over the place. Halloween specialty stores appear to be opening everywhere. The days are not quite as hot (at least not in the Northeastern part of the continent), and the nights are starting to feel downright cool.

A pleasant time of the year, to be sure. The weather is ideal. Soon, there will be colors on the leaves of the trees, and then the days themselves will start to grow cool and crisp, while the nights will begin to be downright chilly to even cold. Fall is here.

Of course, that also means NFL football is back. We already had the opening game, where the Bills stampeded the Rams out in what was expected to be a big showdown in Los Angeles.

Now, here come the rest of the teams, and the rest of the games. I already made my predictions for this coming season, picking each division and making my predictions for who will make it to the playoffs, and who will emerge as champions at the end. I even made my first game specific prediction, picking the Rams to beat the Bills in the season opener. Obviously, that is not the way that one went. Let's see if I am a bit more successful with my picks this time around: 

Baltimore at NY Jets - Despite my being a Giants fan first and foremost, I also consider myself a Jets fan. Never understood why I should hate one because I like the other. However, this is a bad time to be a fan of either of the New York/New Jersey franchises. I heard that the two teams are the losingest franchises in the entire league over the past five seasons. Having seen both local teams in action, and seeing their luck and, frankly, ineptitude during that stretch of time, I can believe it. The Jets host this game, but that likely will not help all that much. The Ravens, simply stated, are a much, much better team, and should roll to a victory here. My pick: Baltimore

New England at Miami - Why does it seem that these two teams always meet in Miami to open up a new season? Could be wrong, but it seems strange that the NFL does this. Also, why did the NFL schedule the meetings between these two teams to be hosted by the team with the absolute worst weather during these meetings? Miami is early September is likely still quite stifling, while New England in January is freaking cold! Why not just switch those two dates, let the Pats hose the first game in September, and then let the Fins host that last game, unless you are specifically trying to allow adverse weather conditions to be a factor? In any case, the days of absolute Patriots dominance appear to be over, and this franchise has struggled especially in Miami. That trend likely continues with the Dolphins taking this one. My pick: Miami

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati - It's strange to enter a season and feel that the Bengals are a force to be reckoned with. Yet, for the first time in what feels like a very long time, that is the case. Cincy's run to the Super Bowl last season - and almost winning it - was indeed impressive. But now, it is a new season, and they have to start again. But at the very least, they should be fired up to start this season off right, and should get the win over a Steelers team that will likely take some time to adjust to the new realities there, at least for a season or two. My pick: Cincinnati

Cleveland at Carolina - Former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has said and done the right things before this huge showdown, when he can get some measure of revenge on the hapless Browns franchise that cut him loose. Frankly, I felt he had a bright future with Cleveland, and the Browns very well might have, as well. The Browns opted to take a chance with another quarterback, despite some obvious risks. So what is it about the history of the Browns that makes me suspect that this will come back to bite them on the butt? My guess is that this begins on this day, with a loss to Mayfield and the Panthers. My pick: Carolina 

Indianapolis at Houston - Some people are picking this as the upset special, seeing the Colts as more vulnerable. Maybe. I could even see that as a possibility. However, the Colts are a much better team than the Texans are, and regardless of Indy being on the road, there is just no way that I can actually predict a victory for the hometown team, who may actually make the two local teams (for me), the Giants and the Jets, appear good and functional by way of comparison. Matt Ryan should help bring veteran leadership, fluidity, and stability to the offense. And I still think that Frank Reich is a pretty good head coach. They should start this season off right, with a win, and possibly a statement kind of a win, at that. My pick: Indianapolis

Jacksonville at Washington - The team that has now earned the top pick in the draft for each of the past two seasons is starting to get some serious talent. Still, they are not quite ready to compete for the playoffs, or even necessarily for significant improvements just yet. Washington was nearly a playoff team last season, and their defense should prove tough, perhaps even stifling, for that Jax offense. In a low scoring affair, I like the Commanders to come out of this one with the win.  My pick: Washington

Philadelphia at Detroit - Not this is an intriguing match-up The Lions should be an improved team, albeit with a possibly anemic offense. But the Eagles feel like they made some serious off-season moves to improve, and they really were not bad to begin with. Remember, they qualified for the playoffs last season. Gone may be the Super Bowl squad from six years ago. But this is a team that could possibly take the NFC East, and certainly should be good enough to get back to the postseason. So in a tough game, which should go down to the wire, I like Philly with the win to get this campaign started off on the right foot. My pick: Philadelphia

San Francisco at Chicago - The era of Trey Lance begins for the 49ers. Meanwhile, Justin Fields, once regarded almost as the next Patrick Mahomes, tries to get his team and it's offense rolling right off the bat. However, the 49ers are simply the better of these two squads. My guess is that they focus on the running game, not putting too much pressure on Trey Lance. That, mixed with a solid defensive performance, earns the Niners the early season win. My pick: San Francisco

New Orleans at Atlanta - A classic NFC South rivalry. The history between these two teams dates back to the 1960's, and has gone back and forth. Right now, however, there is a serious imbalance. The Saints almost made the postseason last year, and figure to be a playoff contender again this season. As for the Falcons, they likely will be a serious contender for the cellar in the NFC South, and possibly even for the first pick in the draft. Even home field advantage won't save Atlanta in this one, as the Saints start the season off right. My pick: New Orleans 

NY Giants at Tennessee - Listen, I have to be realistic as a Giants fan. They apparently are the losingest franchise in the NFL for the past five seasons. And when the General Manager and head coach hold a press conference where they say, in essence, that they will work with what they have. Not exactly a vote of huge confidence for the team. So I do not expect huge things for the team. My guess is four or five wins again, and the end of the Daniel Jones era before this season ends. Few wins, yes, and this will likely also not be one of them. My pick: Tennessee

Green Bat at Minnesota - Here is another classic rivalry. And while my head feels that the Packers, with Aaron Rodgers, have continuously proven to be the team in the NFC North for a long time now, and figure to be the best team again this season, the Vikings could really make some noise, and perhaps even contend for the division title themselves. Plus, the Packers historically have struggled when they go on the road in Minnesota. So I am going to go ahead and make this my upset special for this weekend, giving the home team the nod for the huge win. My pick: Minnesota

Kansas City at Arizona - The Chiefs might not be quite what they were at the peak of their two straight Super Bowl seasons a few years back as they enter the 2022 season. But make no mistake: this is a top quality team. Until proven otherwise, they still look like the best team in the AFC West, the most likely team to emerge from that division. And while the Cardinals are still developing into a force to be reckoned with under Kyler Murray, this is a pretty huge test for them to have to start this new season off. I like a back and forth game, but the Chiefs should take it in the end. My pick: Kansas City

Las Vegas at LA Chargers - A big showdown among teams in the best division in the league this season: the AFC West. Seriously, all four teams have a chance to really do something special this season. All four seem to have solid quarterbacks and offenses. And all four have realistic hopes of not only a playoff spot or run, but an AFC West title. For these two teams, the first serious test begins right off the bat, with a meeting against one another. In this one, however, I see the Chargers taking advantage of being at home and beating the Silver and Black. My pick: LA Chargers

Sunday Night Football: Tampa Bay at Dallas - Here's an interesting thing: the Dallas Cowboys have never managed to beat Tom Brady. They never beat him when he was with the Pats, and have not managed to beat him since he moved to Tampa, either. This likely is their last chance. But frankly, the Bucs are the better team, I suspect. True, the 'Boys have home field advantage here in this one, and that should help. But again, Tampa Bay is the better overall team. They have had time to prepare, and I just see them finding a way to win this one. My pick: Tampa Bay

Monday Night Football: Denver at Seattle - A huge showdown for former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson right off the bat. It should be interesting to see how well received he is in Seattle. However, the Seahawks are rebuilding, and likely heading to the cellar in the NFC West this year. Meanwhile, the Broncos have assembled a serious team, and they are, frankly, far better than Seattle at his point in time. Look for them to take control of this game early, and to exert their dominance often. My pick: Denver