Each Thursday, Chris Meaney will share his NFL Picks for the week. He’ll give you his pick for every game against the spread, straight up, as well as over/under. Whether you’re using this for your weekly football pool, or some extracurricular action we won’t talk about, hopefully you’ll find his picks useful.
We’ll keep track of all his picks throughout the season, including his losses! Over time, we’ll find out if you should back Meaney or straight up fade him. Send your complaints to @chrismeaney.
Week 1 NFL Picks
Atlanta Falcons -1 @ Philadelphia Eagles (45)
SU: Atlanta
AS: Atlanta
O/U: Under
It’s hard to go against the Super Bowl champs on ring night, but they’ll be without Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffery. Nick Foles had it going on last season throughout the playoffs, but there’s been a different feel with him and the offensive line throughout camp. Atlanta already has a bad taste of its season ending on Lincoln Financial Field in the Wild Card Round.
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens -7.5 (40.5)
SU: Baltimore
AS: Baltimore
O/U: Under
I’m not sure how the Bills are going to be able to move the football with Nathan Peterman. Oh right, their not. Baltimore has one of the best defenses in the league and a revamped offense. This game doesn’t have a lot of appeal from a fantasy perspective, aside from Alex Collins. Run, run, run, kick. Run, run, run, field goal! Zzzzzzz.
Houston Texans @ New England Patriots -6.5 (51)
SU: New England
AS: Houston
O/U: Over
This line has dropped slightly this week, but it’s still the highest total of the season. The Patriots allowed the fourth most yards and third most receiving yards last season. Deshaun Watson torched this secondary in one of his seven games as a rookie. He is more than capable of keeping up with Tom Brady and company.
San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings -6.5 (46)
SU: Minnesota
AS: Minnestoa
O/U: Under
Minnesota has one of the best defenses going and a brand new QB in Kirk Cousins. They actually improved offensively and defensively in the offseason. They only lost one game at home last season and they allowed 14 points in that loss. They also allowed a league-best 15.8 points per game last season. Jimmy G and his 49ers are in a tough spot in Week 1.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts -3.0 (48)
SU: Cincinnati
AS: Cincinnati
O/U: Over
The Colts opened up as 3.5 favorites, but that line has come down slightly. Andrew Luck is back, but he didn’t look great in the preseason. The run game has major question marks as does the defense. Indy allowed the fifth most passing yards and third most yards overall in 2017. Nobody on the field can cover A.J. Green. Give me the road dogs.
Jacksonville Jaguars -3 @ New York Giants (43.5)
SU: Jacksonville
AS: Jacksonville
O/U: Under
I jumped on the Giants spread when they were 4.5 underdogs, but not here at three. They added a very talented running back in Saquon Barkley and improved their offensive line, but this is the Jacksonville Jaguars. They will remain one of the better defensive units in the league and their run game is strong. This has the making of a 14-10 game.
Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5 @ Cleveland Browns (44)
SU: Pittsburgh
AS: Cleveland
O/U: Under
The Browns play the Steelers tough just about every time they match up. They lost their last three games to Pittsburgh by a combined 10 points. All of those losses were within four points and one of those games was an overtime defeat. Cleveland played Pittsburgh on opening day last season and lost by three points. They are a much better team this season and the Steelers are without Le’Veon Bell.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints -10 (49.5)
SU: New Orleans
AS: New Orleans
O/U: Under
Is Tampa Bay the worst team in the league? They may be. The Saints should roll in this game, even without Mark Ingram. The defense is improved and the Buccaneers are rolling out Ryan Fitzpatrick with a shaky o-line. The Saints could easily put 40 on TB, but how many points with Tampa score? Could be fewer than 10.
Tennesse Titans -1.5 @ Miami Dolphins (45)
SU: Tennessee
AS: Tennessee
O/U: Under
Miami is at home, but Ryan Tannehill will be making his first start in quite some time and he’ll be without his favorite weapon Jarvis Landry. Kenyan Drake has a ton of potential, but the Titans hardly gave up a thing on the ground in 2017. Their defense is underrated and the addition of Dion Lewis gives them a solid one-two punch with Derrick Henry.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers -3 (48)
SU: Los Angeles
AS: Los Angeles
O/U: Over
Both defenses struggled stoping the run at times last season, but overall the Chargers have the better unit. The loss of Hunter Henry hurts, but it opens things up for Mike Williams. Patrick Mahomes is exciting, but this will be his second start in the NFL against a strong defensive front.
Seattle Seahawks @ Denver Broncos -3 (42.5)
SU: Denver
AS: Denver
O/U: Under
This Seattle defense is not one that you have been use to seeing. Denver has lost some pieces but remain a strong unit. It’s pretty much that simple. The Broncos also have themselves much more weapons in the passing game, including a rookie running back that looks a lot better than Seattle’s. The Broncos should win this one easily if Case Keenum doesn’t have first game jitters.
Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers -3.0 (42.5)
SU: Carolina
AS: Carolina
O/U: Over
Really looking forward to what Norv Turner does with Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey. The offensive line in Dallas is beat up and I’m not sure they’ll be able to keep pace with the Panthers offense.
Washington Redskins @ Arizona Cardinals -1 (44)
SU: Arizona
AS: Arizona
O/U: Under
This truly is a coin flip game, but give me the home team with the best player on the field: David Johnson. Washington enters with a new QB, a new number one wideout and a new number one running back in Adrian Peterson. They have more question marks it seems.
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers -7.5 (47.5)
SU: Green Bay
AS: Chicago
O/U: Over
I’m really feeling the Bears squad under Matt Nagy. Mitchell Trubisky had a brutal coach last season with no weapons to work with. Chicago brought in Allen Robinson, Trey Burton, Taylor Gabriel and drafted Anthony Miller. Their offensive line is great and they have two backs who can play. I understand it’s Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at home, but don’t be surprised if this one is tight. Back door cover, anybody?
New York Jets @ Detriot Lions -7 (45)
SU: Detroit
AS: New York
O/U: Over
The Lions are going to have no problem moving the ball against the Jets. It’ll be interesting to see what Sam Darnold is able to do to keep pace in his first NFL start. I think he’ll surprise some people. It’s not a bad first test for the rookie.
Los Angeles Rams -4.5 @ Oakland Raiders (49.5)
SU: Los Angeles
AS: Los Angeles
O/U: Under
This is one of the easier games to call for me, so expect an upset! The Rams had the highest scoring team in the NFL last season and brought in Brandin Cooks. They also improved on defense and Sean McVay had an an entire offseason to game plan for this game. That’s scary. Meanwhile, the Raiders signed old man Jordy Nelson and Jon Gruden, while trading Khalil Mack. It may be a long season in Oakland.
Ready to amp up your Fantasy Football prep even more? Check out The Fantasy Black Book Show, where Joe Pisapia, Scott Bogman, and The Welsh bring the goods every week.