Football is back. For real. No more preseason shenanigans. The NFL season kicks off and there will be plenty of players who provides highlights by the time Monday night is over.
Packers at Bears
Davante Adams will have an 100-yard game. Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target has done well against the stern Chicago defense. Do not be surprised if he finds the end zone and has more than a handful of catches. He had 13 catches for 207 yards and a TD against the Bears in 2018. Keeps it rolling.
Rams at Panthers
Christian McCaffrey rushes for more than 100 yards and catches seven passes as the Panthers surprise the defending NFC champion Rams. Carolina needs to get out of the blocks fast and does so for Ron Rivera.
Redskins at Eagles
There will not be a running back to crack the century mark in this one. The Eagles seem to be intent on a committee in their backfield — unless they eventually find a way to pry Melvin Gordon from Los Angeles. And, one doesn’t get the feeling Jay Gruden is into using Adrian Peterson in a primary role. If such is the case, the memories of last season’s renaissance will fade … quickly.
Bills at Jets
Sam Darnold will not reach the 200-yard mark passing. The Bills had the best pass defense in the league last season. Darnold is only beginning his second season, and first under Adam Gase. With Le’Veon Bell in the backfield expect a lot of handoffs and short passes.
Falcons at Vikings
There will be more than 600 yards passing as Kirk Cousins and Matt Ryan will light it up. And no one should be surprised if the QBs combine for a half-dozen or more TD passes.
Ravens at Dolphins
Ryan Fitzpatrick will be fortunate to have half as many yards and touchdown passes as he did in last year’s opener when the current Dolphin starter was a Tampa Bay Buc. The Harvard guy opened 2018 with a 21-of-28 performance for 417 yards and 4 TDs. Against the Saints, no less.
Chiefs at Jaguars
Nick Foles will make a dazzling debut in Jacksonville and will throw for more yards than Patrick Mahomes. The Super Bowl winner in Philly will show the Jacksonville faithful they finally have a starting QB to love once again.
Titans at Browns
Jarvis Landry will wind up with more receiving yards than Odell Beckham Jr. in the former Giants’ debut with Cleveland. Tenneseee will put too much focus on OBJ and that will leave all sorts of opportunities for Baker Mayfield to find Landry.
Colts at Chargers
Jacoby Brissett will show he is the real deal and will throw for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns while keeping up with the great Philip Rivers of the Chargers. Expect T.Y. Hilton to continue to thrive with his new QB.
Bengals at Seahawks
No A.J. Green, no miracles for Zac Taylor and the Bengals. Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense will go for more than 350 yards as it gets off to a fast start against a team that feels destined to struggle in 2019.
49ers at Buccaneers
Despite the revamped San Francisco defense, Bruce Arians and the Bucs will be in high gear and they will go for more than 30 points as Jameis Winston throws for better than 300 yards and 3 TDs.
Giants at Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott will see far more action than the 20-25 plays that has been suggested and the recently signed RB will wind up with between 80 and 100 yards despite only returning to practice on Wednesday. Great players do great things.
Lions at Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kyler Murray’s debut will be disappointing. Expect less than 175 yards passing with around 40 yards rushing as the Lions suddenly get ferocious despite opening on the road.
Steelers at Patriots
Ben Roethlisberger will light it up for more than 350 yards as the Steelers go into Foxboro and outlast Tom Brady and the Patriots in a pinball-machine type affair for the scoreboard.
Texans at Saints
The critics of Drew Brees will be shown up big time as the Saints’ QB throws for more than 300 yards and 4 TDs as the Saints outlast the Texans in a fantastic opener for MNF.
Broncos at Raiders
Update: Well, it doesn’t appear Derek Carr will be throwing any passes to Antonio Brown when the opening week closes Monday night. Adam Schefter reports the malcontent WR is going to be suspended. So, let’s audible and suggest that Joe Flacco will throw for more yards than Carr in his Denver debut.
