2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 1

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs points to the sidelines in celebration after throwing a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs points to the sidelines in celebration after throwing a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /

Green Bay Packers (0-0) at Chicago Bears (0-0)

Thursday, September 5, 8:20PM ET

It’s Week 1. Crazy things happen every year in Week 1, whether it’s due to a lack of preparedness, over-hyping of a particular team, or whatever else the case may be. Regardless, there are bound to be a couple of surprise upsets that quiet criticism and championship talks at the same time.

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That’s what I’m expecting in this divisional showdown between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. All of the talk out of the NFC North right now is about how good this Bears team could be in 2019. As a result, people seem to be overlooking the fact that, while they’ve undergone massive change in the last few months, the Packers are still a team worth taking seriously.

That always rings true when Aaron Rodgers is under center. And with a new head coach running the show up in Wisconsin, it’s easy to imagine things starting to click for a Packers team that has uncharacteristically struggled in recent years.

It’s easy to assume the Chicago defense will step up and shut down Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay attack. However, it’s not like the Bears have the most explosive offense in the NFL to bear the rest of the burden. If the Packers can come up with some big plays in the clutch, they’ll pull of the upset in Week 1.

Prediction: Packers win 24-23