Hello readers! The National Football League's regular season is coming upon us in less than two days away. The excitement is just unbearable but suffice to say we shall have to be patient. In this post I'll be discussing the general rules of pick 'ems (or at least how I do them) and then I'll be posting my picks for the week's action. Let's get to work!
General Rules of My Pick 'Ems
The 2021 season will be my 8th season of doing pick 'ems. It will more than likely be Cardinal Viking's 5th season of doing them as well. Cardinal Viking is my former roommate who wanted to do pick 'ems alongside as a sort of bragging rights between the two of us. It will also be bragging rights as I'm in a fantasy football league with him this season.
The rules are in general simple. The picks that the both of us submit are straight up and not on sportsbooks. Picks must be submitted prior to the first game of that week's action starts whether it'll be on Thursday or whatever. Although some exceptions will be considered such as starters needing to quarantine because of COVID (hopefully this year that won't happen). If the team you picked wins, you win, if they lose, they lose, if the game ends in a tie, then it'll be a tie. Really straightforward.
Week 1
Week 1 of the National Football League's regular season will start in Tampa, Florida and finish up in Paradise, Nevada. The week will feature a full 16-game slate. It will include a Thursday night game, nine early games, four late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. Both CBS and FOX will have the double-headers this week. No teams are on a bye this week. Let's get to the picks!
NOTE: TW is me, CV is Cardinal Viking. Game times are in U.S. Eastern Time
Dallas (0-0) @ Tampa Bay (0-0) (NBC) (8:20 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The regular season kicks off with the defending champs hosting the Dallas Cowboys. It will be a good test for the Cowboys defense at how well they have improved from last year and when you're facing off against Tom Brady, there's no better test. I think the game will be closer than most will think but I'll take the defending champs.
Arizona (0-0): @ Tennessee (0-0) (CBS) (1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The game is an intriguing one as both teams possess great offenses. I lean towards the Titans in that they have the better offense and a defense that is better than the Cardinals. Should be an entertaining one but I'll take the Titans in a close one.
Jacksonville (0-0) @ Houston (0-0) (CBS) (1:00 pm): TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
Oh boy, this one will be a Toilet Bowl written all over it as both teams will more than likely spend a fair amount of time in the AFC South's basement. Houston is a mess and full of distractions while Jacksonville isn't as much. I think Jacksonville will take it and give both Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer their first win in the pros.
LA Chargers (0-0) @ Washington (0-0) (CBS) (1:00 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
Justin Herbert had a solid rookie season and going into year two will put some pressure on him to continue that success. Washington is the current NFC east champion but I think they could slip up a bit this year with Ryan Fitzpatrick and a weak offense. Fortunately for the Football team, they have a good defense that can keep them in it. I'll take the Chargers.
Minnesota (0-0) @ Cincinnati (0-0) (FOX) (1:00 pm): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Depending on who starts for the Vikings, I think Minnesota has a solid shot to win this game as they do have a running game and a defense that can put pressure on Joe Burrow to throw the ball. If Cincy wants to win this game they'll need to keep Joe Burrow upright and take advantage of turnovers if the Vikes graciously give them.
NY Jets (0-0) @ Carolina (0-0) (CBS) (1:00 pm): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
Sam Darnold's new team vs Sam Darnold's old team. In Darnold's place for the Jets is quarterback Zach Wilson. I personally think the Panthers will have the advantage based on their running attack and some decent weapons at wide receiver like Robby Anderson and DJ Moore. The Jets are likely going to have a rough season and I won't be placing a lot of faith in them to win this one.
Philadelphia (0-0) @ Atlanta (0-0) (FOX) (1:00 pm): TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons
For some reason, I like the Falcons in this matchup. Both teams will have rookie head coaches going into their first game at the head coaching position. Philly's defense is a bit banged up and the Falcons could take advantage of that with getting the ball to Calvin Ridley or to their other weapons. Could be a toss up game or the Falcons could choke a lead.
Pittsburgh (0-0) @ Buffalo (0-0) (CBS) (1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
Both teams are solid on both sides of the ball. I think the factor that will play into it is if TJ Watt won't play for the Steelers due to holdout. Buffalo's very good at the trenches and it will ultimately come down to the battles in them. It should be an exciting game and hopefully it turns out to be that.
Seattle (0-0) @ Indianapolis (0-0) (FOX) (1:00 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Colts
Carson Wentz won't likely play in the game so it will come down to 3rd year man Jacob Eason to get the Colts off to the right foot. What he gets to face is the Seahawks with an improved defense that will give him some headaches. Jonathan Taylor will likely need to take the majority of the load on offense if the Colts have a shot to win. I just think the Seahawks have so much at stake to win and I think they'll come through.
San Francisco (0-0) @ Detroit (0-0) (FOX) (1:00 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Macho Man Dan Campbell will have his coaching debut as Lions head coach. Unfortunately, the Lions will face a 49ers team that will like nothing more to get back to the playoffs. It doesn't seem like a favorable matchup on either side of the ball for Detroit to take advantage of. Sorry Lions fans.
Cleveland (0-0) @ Kansas City (0-0) (CBS) (4:25 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Week 1 is usually a tough week to do pick 'ems as you're not sure how well a team will do. This game is a true example of that as both Browns and Chiefs will have a lot to prove this season. I personally like the Chiefs in the game as Patrick Mahomes is quarterback and perhaps the Chiefs defense will do well. Should be close but I'll take KC.
Denver (0-0) @ NY Giants (0-0) (FOX) (4:25 pm): TW: Giants; CV: Giants
Denver will be showcasing a new quarterback yet again this year as Teddy Bridgewater will get the keys to the Ferrari. The Giants intrigue me as being underdog as they could get Saquon Barkley back and hopefully the defense can take advantage of mistakes.
Green Bay (0-0) @ New Orleans (0-0) (FOX) (4:25 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The game won't be in the SuperDome due to Hurricane Ida. It will be in Jacksonville. At least Jaguars fans will get to see how two other teams play football. I like the Packers in the matchup as the Saints start the post-Drew Brees era in earnest. Jameis Winston will start and his past performances will suggest otherwise that he will do well as a Saint.
Miami (0-0) @ New England (0-0) (CBS) (4:25 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Mac Jones era begins with in New England. Miami's defense is no slouch compared to past seasons as the Dolphins are looking to make it back to the playoffs. I like both teams in the matchup but I think it'll come down to how well both quarterbacks handle the defensive schemes of their opponents. I'll take the Pats but I think the Dolphins-Patriot series will ultimately become a split.
Chicago (0-0) @ LA Rams (0-0) (NBC) (8:20 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
Both teams will be handing the reins to new quarterbacks as the Bears will go with Andy Dalton and the Rams with Matthew Stafford. The game itself looks like a mismatch when it comes to the Bears offense vs the Rams defense. LA's blitzing will play a factor in the game. I like the Rams.
Baltimore (0-0) @ Las Vegas (0-0) (ABC/ESPN) (8:15 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The week finishes up with a solid game on Monday night as primetime football returns to ABC for the first time since Super Bowl XL. Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr are both quarterbacks that are looking to get to that next level. The game will be a huge test as to how well Jon Gruden's Raiders defense will play up to against the Ravens running attack. If the Raiders can pick up the running situations well, they have a decent shot to win the game.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com):
CBS Early
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
CBS Late
Cleveland @ Kansas City
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early
Minnesota @ Cincinnati
Chris Meyers, Daryl Johnston
FOX Late
Green Bay @ New Orleans
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out:
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
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