2018 NFL Week 1 Predix

Written by Sam DeCoste

Football is back! After months of free agency recaps, mock drafts, and 53-man roster projections, it is time to talk real football. The Predix returns for a second season, bringing you analysis and scoreline predictions for all 256 regular season games, as well as 10 postseason games and the Super Bowl! After seven months away, Predix is back and ready to go. And we've got some fun games on the Week 1 slate to look forward to. It all kicks off on Thursday night when the Philadelphia Eagles finally drop their Super Bowl championship banner in front of their home supporters, and they take on the Atlanta Falcons. It's time to celebrate, as the NFL is back!

Here are my records from last season:

Lock of the Week record: 14-3 

Overall regular season record: 174-82 (68.0% winning percentage)

Record including postseason: 180-87 (67.4% winning percentage)

Week 1

    ATL @ PHI

There's just not a good vibe in Philadelphia right now. Doug Pederson didn't want to tell the media who was starting at quarterback, and the quarterback play has been dreadful. The Eagles offense had a woeful preseason, and injuries to Jeffrey and Wentz have me worried about how well they can be to start the season. Meanwhile, the Falcons are out to avenge their playoff loss from eight months ago. If Atlanta is a serious championship player, they must win on Thursday night.

Prediction: ATL 20, PHI 13

    HOU @ NE

It's Michael Jordan versus Tom Brady: Round 2. Round 1 was taken by Brady last season, after a thrilling shootout between two of the most entertaining quarterbacks to watch last season. This may be the best time for Houston to go to New England considering the injuries and suspensions the Patriots are dealing with, but New England is such a difficult place to play. The game script in this one could look very familiar: the Patriots triumphing in a back to back shootout.

Prediction: HOU 30, NE 38

 SF @ MIN

I originally picked the 49ers to pull the upset, but the injury to Jerrick McKinnon made me reconsider. The Vikings defense is championship caliber, and Jimmy Garappolo needs as full of an arsenal on offense to march into Minneapolis and win. The 49ers don't have that, while the Vikings can score points of their own with their shiny new quarterback.

Prediction: SF 15, MIN 27

 JAX @ NYG

This game features undoubtedly the best one on one matchup in the league, in Odell Beckham Jr. against Jalen Ramsey. However, this game also doubtedly features the worst quarterback matchup in the league, in Blake Bortles versus Eli Manning. This game will be ugly, and every first down the Giants earn should be received with a standing ovation. That being said, I like the Giants to pull the upset, and for the Jaguars to stumble to start the season with some key injuries on offense.

Prediction: JAX 9, NYG 17

 PIT @ CLE

When will Le'Veon Bell finally decide to be a football player again? His team needs him back, as the 2018 Browns are not your dad's Browns. These Browns are much more dynamic and exciting, with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback and an arsenal of weapons ready to go at Pittsburgh. With that being said, the Steelers have two Hall of Famers on offense in Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger who eat the Browns for breakfast every season. The Browns will keep it tight, but it would be a disaster if Pittsburgh drops the opener.

Prediction: PIT 20, CLE 17

 BUF @ BAL

It doesn't matter if Peterman or Allen starts at quarterback for Buffalo. The offensive line for the Bills is dreadful, and the supporting cast of weapons is not very inspiring. Meanwhile, the Ravens know who they are and have a strong identity. Not to mention that they weren't very happy to see the Bills take their playoff spot last season, and they'll be ready for vengeance. This is my Lock of the Week. 

Prediction: BUF 7, BAL 24

 TB @ NO

The Buccaneers with Jameis Winston are a middling team. The Buccaneers without Jameis Winston are just as middling. Meanwhile, the Saints are loaded up and ready to go for a championship. Not to mention Drew Brees in the dome is almost unbeatable, so it should be a fun weekend for Saints fans. Start every Saint possible in fantasy. Even the punter.

Prediction: TB 13, NO 31

  TEN @ MIA

The Titans are a playoff team from last season. Consistent playoff teams win games like this: against teams with average quarterbacks on the road. But the Titans should win, with their new coaching staff and improved roster. They've added Malcolm Butler to the secondary and Dion Lewis as a change of pace chess piece to the backfield to make Tennessee a much more dynamic football team this season. They need to take care of the Dolphins. Who's supposed to make plays for them? Albert Wilson? Danny Amendola? No thanks.

Prediction: TEN 23, MIA 13

 CIN @ IND

This may not be the blockbuster game with playoff implications, but this may be the most balanced matchup of the weekend. The Bengals looked sharp in the preseason, and they locked down their two star defensive lineman, while the Colts are welcoming Andrew Luck back into the fold. I think Luck is in for a bounce-back season, and he should win the Colts the opener.

Prediction: CIN 24, IND 27

 KC @ LAC

The Chiefs finally get to unleash their new quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, along with his supporting cast in Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Sammy Watkins. But the Chargers are just as talented, featuring veteran quarterback, Philip Rivers, as well as Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, and Travis Benjamin. This is going to be fun. I think the Chargers will win the division, but to do so, they need to win home games against divisional opponents. Alex Smith is gone, so it is time for the Chargers to send a message and win a game in September. 

Prediction: KC 20, LAC 38

 DAL @ CAR

To be frank, this matchup is rather lopsided. I'm not sure how the Cowboys will run the ball against this Carolina front without their leader, center Travis Frederick. The offensive line is vulnerable, and the Panthers front is ferocious and they will go after Dallas, shut down Ezekiel Elliott, and make Dak Prescott play quarterback. The only way Dallas wins is if Dak Prescott takes his game to the next level, but I only see one winner.

Prediction: DAL 10, CAR 24

 WSH @ ARZ

The Alex Smith era begins in Washington (technically Arizona) this week, and I think he will lead his new team to victory over the Cardinals. Although Arizona welcomes back David Johnson this week, I don't know how he will consistently find space to run behind their offensive line. I think the Redskins defense will have a good season, and they'll start by shutting down the run and Alex Smith will expose Steve Wilks' defensive aggression and take shots down the field.

Prediction: WSH 26, ARZ 14

 SEA @ DEN

Remember when the Seahawks and Broncos faced off in the Super Bowl in 2014? Me neither. Neither organization has given their quarterbacks what they need to be successful this offseason. Seattle's offensive line is as bad as it was two years ago, and their defense has never been more pedestrian. Denver, meanwhile, is relying on Case Keenum to take their football team to the next level with an aging defense. That being said, Denver will win because they're playing at Mile High.

SEA 2, DEN 4 (just kidding)

Prediction: SEA 9, DEN 20

 CHI @ GB

The Bears just got so much better. In a division of great quarterbacks, the Bears have an elite pass rusher to turn up the heat. Aaron Rodgers certainly won't be happy to see Khalil Mack twice a year. This should be a fun Sunday Night Football game, and I expect lots of excitement. While the Bears are trending in the right direction, Mitchell Trubisky is still unproven and Aaron Rodgers is back. Under the lights, at home, there is only one winner.

Prediction: CHI 20, GB 24

 NYJ @ DET

Sam Darnold faces a tough test in his first career NFL start. New Lions head coach, Matt Patricia, and former Super Bowl winning defensive coordinator, ought to have tricks up his sleeve to confuse and batter a rookie quarterback. Not to mention the Lions are dynamic on offense, led by veteran signal caller Matthew Stafford. I give the Lions the edge, with the home crowd backing them in a primetime setting. 

Prediction: NYJ 14, DET 21

 LAR @ OAK

I originally picked the Raiders to pull an upset, but I lost faith in Oakland completely when they exported their best football product. There aren't many better players in the NFL than Khalil Mack, and he's gone. I don't see how the Raiders will put pressure on Jared Goff, or keep him from finding his weapons in stride. Brandin Cooks is new to the team, but they still have Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, along with the superstar running back, Todd Gurley. The Rams are the better team, and barring a superstar performance from Derek Carr, the Rams will triumph.

Prediction: LAR 30, OAK 20


Works Cited
“Photos: More Disappointment for Falcons, Fans.” Ajc, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 13 Jan. 2018, www.ajc.com/sports/football/photos-falcons-tackling-the-eagles-nfc-playoffs/vYitOZPgOYxrrEBBK3gJ4L/#1.