By: Barry “Bear” Blanchard
It’s that time once again. For new readers, each week I will give my thoughts on who I believe will win and why. I pride myself on the immense NFL knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years so I take this quite seriously. How seriously you ask, well on top of this weekly article, I joined a whopping EIGHT fantasy leagues. Let’s just say, this year, it’s personal.
It seems like eons since “old GOAT” Brady and the Bucs ran “young GOAT” Mahomes out of Raymond James. And I mean literally ran him out. Patrick Mahomes ran 468 YARDS backwards and sideways in that game while being held without a single TD!
The 31-9 mauling is sure to send a message to the incoming Dallas Cowboys and reconstructed ankle of Dak Prescott that this team is just getting started. If you haven’t already guessed…
Bucs wrangle Cowboys in season opener
Why?
The stars aligned as the Tompa Bay Buccaneers became the first NFL team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Even during a COVID riddled year, this team was able to figure out things mid-season and dominate. After their last loss, to the Kansas City Chiefs I’ll add, they went on to average 37 PPG in the regular season and 30 PPG in the playoffs. Then they pulled off a salary cap miracle and returned all 22 starters from the Super Bowl.
With OG Zach Martin potentially out with COVID and this being Dak’s first game back from a major injury, yeah, I’m praying for mans. (Insert Prayer emoji)
On to Sunday! Here we start things off with a divisional matchup of minor proportions.
Jaguars handle Texans
Why?
Trevor Lawrence is here ladies and gents. The Jags made sure their rookie felt comfortable by shipping out incumbent Gardner Minshew to Philadelphia. Losing 1st rounder Travis Etienne is a blow but James Robinson proved he is a do-it-all workhorse back last year so I see no production loss at the position.
I’m a huge Tyrod Taylor fan and there are a lot of questions about how this Houston team will play since all offseason was Deshaun Watson oriented. But, This Jags team is quietly loaded on both sides of the ball so they take care of business early to get to 1-0.
Now that I got the easy one out the way, things get serious.
Seahawks survive Colts
Why?
One reason only, Russell Wilson. As a Titan’s fan, I am too versed in the scrappiness of the Indianapolis Colts. Each and every game, they find different ways to make it competitive and this year will be no different. This is a top defensive unit in the league who paid their guy Darius Leonard what he deserved. Then you have their 3-headed monster at RB with Marlon Mack rejoining Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines behind a massive offensive Line.
With all that said, Russell Wilson is light-years ahead of Carson Wentz and in this league, QB’s are the biggest difference makers. I fully expect him to manufacture offense by any means necessary and get this huge Week 1 win on the road.
Speaking of manufacturing offense…
49ers clap Lions
Why?
The San Francisco 49ers are healthy and reloaded. They have their full stable of RBs including a new face in Trey Sermon whom I fully expect to be a goon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. George Kittle and Deebo Samuel also return to add that explosive element and even if Jimmy G goes down again, Kyle and the guys made sure to be more than prepared by trading up to 3rd in the NFL Draft and grabbing their future franchise QB.
Then there’s the Jared Goff led Lions. I will restrain myself since its Week 1 but let’s just say, I have zero faith in Goff at the QB position. 49ers win big with Trey Lance probably seeing more time than even he thought.
Then you have another rookie QB making his debut against his teams discarded QB. Who wins?
Panthers introduce Zach Wilson to the NFL with a nice juicy L
Why?
This game will not go the way the experts expect. I see a defensive battle out the gate with Robert Saleh taking over a Jets team that has went the past 2 seasons without star linebacker CJ Mosley. This year’s New York Jets will surprise a lot of people not with their offense, but their defensive resilience. However, I also see a second half where Carolina adjusts and busts this game wide open.
There’s just too many weapons on that Panthers offense that returns a fully healthy Christian McCaffrey and adds LSU WR Terrace Marshall Jr. to an already stacked WR room. Even “Kids See Ghost” Sam Darnold can’t screw this team up that has a sneaky up and coming defense of their own. I expect a solid debut for Wilson but it won’t be enough.
When you’re talking about defense, there’s one Football Team you must acknowledge
Washington sacks Justin and the Chargers
Why?
Duh, defense. The Football Team quietly had the 2nd best Pass defense last year behind the Rams. Then you have that ridiculous defensive line led by Chase Young and Montez Sweat to boot. LA did do some great O-line rebuilding and this is the perfect opening test of their hard work.
Justin Herbert took off last year and will have a great season with Austin Ekeler *maybe* back in the fold but Fitzmagic is in the building and Washington boasts quite the O-Line themselves. Now I know Derwin James also returns so I foresee a lot of big hits and huge plays from both sides all day but I like the experience and poise of Washington to pull this one out.
Now before I get to the real toss-ups, let me get this fanboy in me out the way
Titans beat Cardinals!
Why?
Full disclosure, I never pick against the Titans. Doesn’t matter who they play, I not only have full faith we can beat anyone, but this year we have the roster to back that sentiment up. You know who Julio Jones is, you know who DERRICK HENRY is, and you better get to know Arthur Juan Brown if you not in the loop.
I absolutely love this matchup for us because our defense will get a gigantic challenge straight out the gate. Kyler Murray is an all-star with a WR room straight out of a Madden player’s dream. There’s the original AJ joining the mammoth-handed DeAndre Hopkins and a lot of role WRs that can straight burn you out your socks in Rondale Moore, Andy Isabella, and Christian Kirk. Then there’s our old nemesis JJ Watt who we can’t seem to escape.
It should be a high scoring affair and Tennessee has a completely rebuilt secondary that while short in the tooth, is athletic and hungry. Bud Dupree joins the fray and that makes the true difference as the Titans outlast the Cardinals’ best punch.
Another high-scoring affair takes place with Tennessee’s past OC and DC in the mix. This was my toughest choice of the week but I gotta go with my gut.
Eagles overcome Falcons…barely
Why?
Well, simply because of my old positions – offensive and defensive line. I wrestled with this game longer than any other because I adore Arthur Smith and Dean Pees, the Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. I know exactly what they bring to the table and how they are game planning wizards.
That is actually why I give the Eagles the edge in this bout. There simply isn’t anything to gameplan for with this Eagles squad. You got a new head coach and a QB who you don’t have much film on outside him running for his life last year. The Eagles o-line was a shell of itself by the time Hurts got the starting nod and now they’re back at their premier best.
Matty Ice and the Falcons will score because he is still elite and has weapons there plus if Julio was still present, this would be an easy Falcons win, but he’s with the Boys. This Eagles defense stills boasts one of the stoutest defensive lines in football so the trenches were my decision maker this go round.
You can’t mention stout D-Lines without one NFC North team being in the conversation.
Minnesota chills Bengals
Why?
The Vikings get there stars back! Danielle Hunter, Michael Pierce, Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr, and even rotation hero Stephen Weatherly all return to glory in this Zimmer led defense. Mike has always been a defense first connoisseur and now he can employ that ferocious A-gap blitz with ease. Add in veteran Patrick Peterson who actually got the Zim-Man to smile, and Joe Burrow has some issues returning from that gruesome ACL injury
The Vikings still employ a Top 3 RB in Dalvin Cook and a phenomenal 1-2 punch with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Losing Irv Smith for the season is a large setback but I like the additions of Dede Westbrook and Chris Herndon to help mitigate the void. With the Cincinnati O-line questions and unknown defensive prowess, Minnesota takes care of business to make the Vikings fans content for at least one more week.
-Side Note, I spent the last 14 years with Vikings fans so excuse me this season if I go on a tangent about their “demeanor” smh.
I recall a 2018 stomping the Vikings took where an 0-2 rookie Josh Allen hurdled Anthony Barr and put both Vikings fans and the ESPN world on notice he was not your average QB. So for the final noon game…
Bills top Steelers in home opener
Why?
I have no faith in Big Ben. I know they started 11-0 last year and had the world thinking they were destined for a Kansas City Conference showdown, but then they proceeded to go 0-5 to finish the season before losing again to the Browns in the wildcard. This also included a 27-17 loss to the Joe Burrow AND Joe Mixon-less Cincinnati Bengals.
Meanwhile enter the surging Buffalo Bills who actually did make it to the Conference game vs the Chiefs after having the 2nd best offense in football last year. Second in yards behind KC and second in points behind GB. Add in an experienced Emmanuel Sanders to compliment Cole Beasley as well as speed demon Matt Breida to open up that run game and you have Pittsburgh’s recipe for disaster. Also losing Bud Dupree last year coincided with that 6 game slide and where is he?? WITH THE BOYS!!!
Need anymore evidence?
On to the afternoon slate of game that include some heavy hitters for this year’s Lombardi. And you can’t say Lombardi without thinking of one franchise in particular.
Green Bay smack Saints in Jacksonville
Why?
I won’t put this loss wholly on Jameis. I mean Michael Thomas is out until at least Week 8 so he’s throwing the ball to Marquez Calloway, Trequan Smith, Deonte Harris, and perhaps Adam Trautman. I am happy he was able to beat out Taysom Hill as he is the best QB on the team but this opening battle isn’t one for him to get excited about.
I will not even mention Green Bay’s offense as we all know A-Rod is on a mission mission. But this Green Bay defense is straight loaded from top to bottom adding Eric Stokes to shore up perhaps the only weakness in this unit. I hope New Orleans are able to get their minds right following Hurricane Ida and make this one competitive but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see a Week 1 blowout.
Rodgers isn’t the only State Farm Golden Boy in action at this time
Time expires as Browns attempt to rally
Why?
I’m making this pick solely because it’s popular. I have a man crush on this Browns defensive unit that will be a juggernaut this season. I see a world where they could realistically be the best team in football except for one major concern, I believe Odell Beckham actually makes them worse.
This team is built to play defense, run the ball, and chew clock. Odell represent the exact opposite. The aforementioned strategy is precisely how you defeat an offensively explosive team like Kansas City and I see Odell as a hindrance. So I’m going with KC strictly on the home field advantage and identity struggles I see Cleveland’s offense enduring this year. One they didn’t have to worry about with Odell injured last year.
Now onto the two games that have the NFL world buzzing.
Denver shocks Giants!
Why?
Teddy Two-Gloves is back baby! My cousin, Elijah, and I debated all offseason whether he or Drew Lock would get the starting gig and Teddy proved me right. I firmly believe he is the perfect QB for Denver this season as he will not turn the ball over and has a plethora of options to deliver the ball to. Also Denver’s defense looks to be one of the most improved units this season as Von Miller returns and the addition of Patrick Surtain II give them real star power to employ.
Now I also have faith in New York this year as Saquon looks like he’s ready to play and they have a rebuilt defense of their own that startled the world last year with their effectiveness. This is a make it or break it year for Daniel Jones and he has no excuses with Kenny Golladay, John Ross, and rookie Kadarius Toney joining Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton.
However, this isn’t his week and Denver quietly puts the league on notice that they are a force to be respected.
Now for the *cough* main event, An Alabama QB showdown. *puking emoji*
Dolphins wallop Patriots
Why?
I have always joked that Alabama hasn’t had a great QB since Joe Namath and this season begins with not 1 but 3 former Crimson Tide QBs starting. There are two here as Tua Tagovailoa takes on Mac Jones. While I don’t have high expectations for either QB, this is also a battle between Belicheck and his former pupil Brian Flores.
Expect a quick game with a lot of running and hard-nosed defensive fronts. This will undoubtedly be the “ugliest” game of the week and I predict Flores comes out victorious. There’s no Stephon Gilmore as well as this being Mac Jones first professional games so mistakes are bound to occur against a great defensive team like Miami.
Cue up the “should they have kept Cam Newton” sports reel before the Sunday Night showdown between two spectacular defensive teams and their new QBs.
Rams smother Bears
Why?
I want to start off saying I have great respect for Andy Dalton. I watched him play a lot of great football for the Bengals only to fall short because of injuries and a non-existent defense. I was disappointed in him last year for not taking advantage of his opportunity in Dallas with all that talent they possessed and think Chicago is an even better chance to get that ring.
Enter the Rams…
This is not what any QB wants to face on the road, in primetime, in that fancy new stadium packed to the brim with football starved fans. Then add the fact that they have a Hall of Fame caliber QB ready to make his mark on the league and it’s looking pretty grim.
I know Chicago is about to take this L but I want Andy to do well enough to play against the Bengals in a revenge game before he’s replaced by Justin Fields, which looks inevitable. I’m praying we see the Red Rifle one last time before he’s out of bullets.
The week ends on Monday with another stadium unveiling that won’t be as positive.
Ravens blow up Raiders in the Death Star
Why?
I forecast the Raiders as the number 1 draft pick next year. Now this changes if my guy Mariota enters the fold, but losing 3 starting offensive lineman, and adding no one I have even heard outside Kenyan Drake doesn’t bold well for this team. Baltimore is having RB problems of their own forcing them to take a chance on LeVeon Bell, but as long as Lamar is there, the Gus Bus will keep on rolling.
The Ravens defense got even better somehow by adding Calais Campbell and still boasts the best CB unit in the league with Humphrey, Peters, and Smith. I think this one is over in a hurry.
With that, Week 1 is in the books!
We football fans are blessed with an extra game of NFL action, but I’m sure the players are fully aware of the grueling road ahead of them. Yet for myself, it’s just another opportunity for that illustrious “Perfect Week” of predictions so without further ado, let the games begin!!
