It’s back! They’re no longer about Arsenal-led disappointment or your Nan’s shite gravy – NFL Sundays are here baby!
Thirty-one football teams as well as the New York Jets make up the best league in the world and will be entertaining us over the next five months – culminating in the New England Patriots winning another Super Bowl. What a treat!
But that’s enough of that – let’s get down to picking the winners of the opening weekend’s game.
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Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions
David Johnson could well become only the third player to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing AND receiving in the same season. He opens his NFL season in the Motor City, where he’ll likely be subjected to the watchful eye of new recruit Jarrad Davis. Matt Stafford had a superb 2016 and there’s no reason to doubt that won’t be replicated. Expect a high scoring encounter and a narrow Lions win at 11/10.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
It’s nice of the NFL to give Browns fans a home game first. Presumably so they can watch their side without a losing record for sixty minutes. They’re rebuilding and the signs look positive, it’s just unfortunate that they’ll be up against the NFL’s best offense in week one. The Steelers win this one in a rout at 1/4.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Flacco has a Super Bowl ring. Joe Flacco is not a good quarterback. Andy Dalton is not a good quarterback. Andy Dalton does not have a Super Bowl ring. These teams don’t like each other and most people don’t like these teams. Joe Mixon could be the difference though, so side with the 20/31 Bengals.
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
For those unfamiliar with the NFL – this is Stoke and West Brom. The 1/4 Bills are slightly less awful. Do not watch!
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
Difficult one. These two genuinely have all the talent in the world, but nobody that can throw the ball. Deshaun Watson isn’t ready yet, and Blake Bortles has never been ready. This will be a defensive slog edged by the Texans at 5/12.
Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears
All eyes on the Super Bowl BOTTLERS and the up-and-coming Bears. I’d hold out some hope for the Bears if Mitch Trubisky was starting, but that ‘honour’ falls to Mike Glennon. They’ve sealed their own fate here. Back the Falcons to win at 5/14 on the opening day, but maybe not by as many as people think.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins
Carson Wentz flashed some ability, and Kirk Cousins believes that God only deals in one-year contracts. What a hero. This one will go a long way in deciding which one of these teams will be third, and which will be fourth in the NFC East. Home field advantage matters here – Washington at Evs.
Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans
Both these sides entered rebuild mode not so long ago. The Raiders are basically what the Titans will be this time, two years from now. But for now, the 5/4 Raiders take the win. Both these teams will win a Super Bowl in the next five years, though.
Indianapolis Colts @ LA Rams
The Colts’ only redeeming feature is Andrew Luck. He will not be playing. He will not be playing against the worst professional sports team in all of Los Angeles. Good Jesus, this is awful. This could genuinely finish 0-0, but we’ll settle for a 0-3 win for the Rams at 1/2.
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers
Maybe the best game of the opening weekend. Two elite quarterbacks that carry their respective offenses. The Seahawks have the defensive advantage, but the 20/33 Packers are tough to beat in Wisconsin.
Carolina Panthers @ San Francisco 49ers
This a game all about the rookies. Christian McCaffrey looks like the best offensive prospect since Andrew Luck. But he’ll face a tough task against one of the league’s most underrated defences. There’s an upset on the cards here – side with the 49ers, who are 19/10.
NY Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
How ‘bout them Cowboys, eh? Best offensive line in football. You could run for 1,000 yards behind them. However, the Giants have probably got the best defense in football. Both these sides could conceivably win the Super Bowl, but the Cowboys will take the opener at 20/41.
New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings
Drew Brees might be on the way out, but he’ll take defenses with him. One prominent pundit tipped the Vikes to make the Super Bowl. We’ll have whatever he’s smoking. The 7/5 Saints by a score.
LA Chargers @ Denver Broncos
An AFC West slobber-knocker. Denver’s grip on the West has begun to fade and the Chargers are one of three teams that could get to the post-season once they don’t have half their team injured. This is the only time of the year where we know they’ll be almost fully healthy, so side with the Chargers at 7/5.
Punt over to PaddyPower.com for all your NFL markets* All odds correct at time of posting.