NFL picks and score predictions for Week 1 as the 2020 season has finally arrived.
It was looking uncertain for a while there, but the 2020 NFL season is finally upon us. Despite all of the headaches we’ve collectively battled as a society in the last few months, we’re ready to get back to football! And with it comes our weekly NFL picks!
As always, we’ve got you covered with the Week 1 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Now I’ll never claim that these are going to be 100 percent correct. In fact, there’s a very good chance at least a few of my picks will go completely awry. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience and careful consideration.
I think my past success speaks for itself. Although it was a slight step down from 2018, I finished the 2019 season with a 159-96-1 record. It was another strong showing that included two weeks of 13-3 finishes. I’m hoping to achieve even better results in 2020, and that all starts with these Week 1 NFL picks and predictions.
Just remember that making picks is not a science. As much research goes into it, anything can happen on any given Sunday. That’s the beauty of sports, isn’t it?
Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, here are my NFL picks and score predictions for Week 1. Just keep in mind that I assume no responsibility if you choose to place wagers based on my picks — that’s your decision, not mine.
Houston Texans (0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)
Thursday, September 10, 8:20PM ET
It’s the first game of the 2020 season, and it should be a doozy.
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In this one, we’ll get a rematch of the 2020 AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. If you remember how that game went (a 24-point comeback by the Chiefs), then you shouldn’t be surprised by the eventual outcome of this one.
These teams went in completely different directions this offseason. The Chiefs found even more ways to get better, adding some interesting pieces on offense and retaining their top assets on defense. Plus, they’ve still got Patrick Mahomes under center. Meanwhile, the Texans were trading away their best player and making a myriad of other questionable moves.
We can’t completely count out the Texans in this one, especially with Deshaun Watson at the helm. However, their defense doesn’t offer enough talent to slow down Mahomes and his wide array of weapons, leading me to believe this one will be over before the fourth quarter even begins.
Kansas City starts its championship defense with a bang, crushing Houston and getting a win in Week 1.
Prediction: Chiefs win 38-20
Philadelphia Eagles (0-0) at Washington Football Team (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
The race for the NFC East crown is going to be an interesting one this year.
The Dallas Cowboys have been burdened with overwhelming expectations, while the Philadelphia Eagles are again the high-upside underdogs. The Washington Football Team underwent some major changes this offseason, but are still an uncertainty. As for the New York Giants, contending is unlikely but they could pull off an upset or three.
As for this game, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if we immediately saw a clear cap between the top two teams in the division and the bottom two. That’s not to say Washington can’t compete on a weekly basis, but they simply don’t offer the talent needed to topple the Eagles, even this early in the season.
More than likely, this should be a defensive battle, as both teams look to play a physical brand of football. That’s why I’m giving the clear edge to the Eagles and Carson Wentz, who should have little trouble outdueling Dwayne Haskins. Even with Chase Young breathing down his neck, Philadelphia’s franchise quarterback should be able to pick the Washington secondary apart while Miles Sanders does his thing on the ground.
Expect a low-scoring game with several turnovers and big plays on the defensive end. In the end, though, Wentz’ passing gets the job done and earns Philly the W.
Prediction: Eagles win 17-13
Miami Dolphins (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
Don’t be surprised if this one is closer than people think.
Yes, the New England Patriots are still a quality team with a former MVP at quarterback, plenty of capable offensive weapons, and an excellent defense. With that said, the Miami Dolphins saw definite improvement this offseason — they’re not nearly the pushover they were a season ago.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is always a threat to go off on Sundays. The Dolphins added quite a bit of talent on both sides of the ball via free agency, which has their stock headed in an undoubtedly upward direction. But will it be enough to unseat a still-strong Patriots squad?
I don’t think so. Despite that, I foresee them keeping things interesting for all 60 minutes of this game. They’ll find the end zone at least a couple of times, while keeping Cam Newton and Co. from blowing them away. We may even see some late-game heroics in hopes of pulling off the upset.
When all is said and done, though, the Patriots getting the win and Bill Belichick’s reign continues – even with Tom Brady now playing in Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Patriots win 23-20
Green Bay Packers (0-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
Based on what we know right now, both of these teams could go either way in 2020. Both have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but also have some weaknesses that could cause an unexpected collapse at some point in the coming months.
Realistically, it may come down to stay healthy and gaining momentum at the right time. Getting a Week 1 win will certainly help either team achieve that. In this case, though, I’m giving the Minnesota Vikings the edge in their opening matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Why? Well for starters, they’ve got a more well-balanced offense. Next, they’ve got a slight edge in the talent department on defense. Even with Minnesota’s uncertainty in the secondary, the amount of pass-rushing ability and playmaking linebackers they possess should help them make up for it.
Aaron Rodgers will do his best to keep things from getting out of hand, but he doesn’t have enough options out wide to keep the points flowing. The Minnesota defense keeps him on his heels all game long, forcing him into a costly turnover in the final minutes to secure the W.
Prediction: Vikings win 26-24
Indianapolis Colts (0-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
It’s been a rough offseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now it’s nearly over, and I don’t foresee things getting much better for them during the regular season.
That’ll start when they host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. While I don’t count the Colts among the top contenders in 2020, they certainly seem headed for at least a brief playoff appearance. I can’t say the same for the Jaguars, who may be ready to throw in the towel on the 2020 campaign by Week 8.
Still, we’ve got to make our picks. So here’s mine: the Colts destroy the Jaguars.
It’s going to be a mess from the get-go. As much as I like Gardner Minshew, I don’t think he has the weapons necessary to consistently win this season. On top of that, the Jaguars have lost too much talent on the defensive end to keep Philip Rivers and the Colts in check.
Look for an offensive onslaught from Indianapolis, who figure to run circles around the Jaguars in this divisional Week 1 matchup. Before all is said and done, the Colts will have asserted their dominance and given people reason to believe the can compete with the Titans for the division crown in 2020.
Prediction: Colts win 36-13
Chicago Bears (0-0) at Detroit Lions (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
Neither of these teams lived up to expectations in 2019, and I’m sure either will in 2020. However, as we get this new season going, one of them has to come away from Week 1 with the win. Since I’m making the predictions, I’m going with the Lions.
The Chicago Bears obviously have an outstanding defense that allowed them to stay competitive a season ago. That group hasn’t changed much, which should keep this club from falling apart in 2020. With that said, we can’t overlook a Lions team led by a hungry Matthew Stafford and some underrated offensive weapons.
On top of that, Detroit’s defense did get better this offseason, especially with the additions of Desmond Trufant and Jeff Okudah. That gives me a sliver of confidence in their ability to keep the Bears offense in check. Plus, it’s not like Chicago was exactly exceptional at moving the ball and putting the points on the board a season ago — Mitchell Trubisky starting won’t help that.
There shouldn’t be a ton of scoring, but the Lions find a way to get the W despite Chicago’s outstanding defense. A last-minute connection between Stafford and Kenny Golladay proves too much for the Bears to overcome.
Prediction: Lions win 20-17
Las Vegas Raiders (0-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
I’m sorry, but I just don’t have any faith in this Carolina Panthers club heading into this new season. I love that they’ve got Teddy Bridgewater under center and Christian McCaffrey to provide support, but the overall talent level is lackluster across the board.
They’ve lost so much this offseason. From Luke Kuechly to Ron Rivera, the Panthers just aren’t in a good place right now. Sure, they’ve got some building blocks to work with, but the roster as a whole is underwhelming — there’s a reason why so many folks see them landing near the bottom of the standings at the conclusion of the 2020 campaign.
With that said, I’m still not sure the Raiders are ready to contend either. They looked good at times in 2019, and then often followed up strong performances with blundering losses. Derek Carr is still the man at quarterback and Josh Jacobs looks like a star at running back, but something isn’t right with this club.
Las Vegas gets the win in Week 1, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be a sensational this season. Even with the added weapons on offense, I’m still not sure they’ve got the right man in charge to lead them to the playoffs. I guess we’ll find out as the year progresses.
Prediction: Raiders win 28-21
New York Jets (0-0) at Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
I’m not going to lie — I believe the Buffalo Bills are being overhyped this season. I won’t deny that they’ve got a talented roster, exceptional coach and overall promising outlook, but expecting them to be one of the very best in the AFC seems like a bloated expectation.
Now that I’ve got that out there, I will go ahead and say this: the Bills are going to pound the New York Jets into submission in Week 1.
Adam Gase is not the man to lead this Jets squad to success. Since his time with the franchise, he’s alienated star players, stunted the growth of promising prospects and failed to unlock the potential the team seemed to possess. That should all come to a boiling point in 2020, leading to his inevitable dismissal as the Jets’ head coach.
Until that happens, though, we shouldn’t expect much in the positive department from this Jets club. They’ll get shut down in Week 1 against a stifling Bills defense, as Sam Darnold struggles and Le’Veon Bell doesn’t get very many opportunities to get rolling.
Josh Allen puts on a show against a subpar Jets secondary, the Buffalo defense steamrolls the New York offense, and the Bills get an easy win to start the campaign.
Prediction: Bills win 34-10
Cleveland Browns (0-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
Can the Cleveland Browns contend for a playoff spot in 2020? I think there’s a decent chance of it. But can they slow down the reigning MVP and get the win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1? I wouldn’t put my money on it.
As someone who was rooting for Lamar Jackson before his breakout season, I find it hard to pick against him. He’s a relentless competitor who’s sole focus is on finding a way to win. While I don’t doubt that the Browns are aiming for victory, they haven’t exactly done a great job at securing the Ws in recent years.
I won’t deny they have the talent to make it to the postseason, though. If Baker Mayfield can bounce back in 2020, and Odell Beckham Jr. plays up to his potential, this Cleveland offense could be devastating. They’ve also got plenty of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, so we certainly can’t count them out.
With all of that said, I just don’t see them pulling off the upset in Week 1. The Ravens were already great a season ago, and may have actually gotten a smidgen better in 2020. Look for them to start the year off right, with Jackson lighting it up all along the way.
Prediction: Ravens win 35-27
Seattle Seahawks (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 1PM ET
This is where it starts. This is when fans around the NFL begin realizing that the Seattle Seahawks are for real this year. They already surprised quite a few folks by making the Divisional Round last year, and more surprises are to come during the 2020 campaign.
We already know what Russell Wilson brings to the table. Especially with the Seahawks looking to rely more on him and less on the ground game this season, he should have no trouble putting up plenty of yards and points against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Having talent like Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf to throw to will definitely help his cause.
Then there’s the Seattle defense, which has quietly developed into one of the league’s best this offseason. The secondary looks downright dangerous, and the linebacking units is still among the NFL’s best. As long as they can find some pass-rushing presence early on, the wins should come early and often in 2020.
The Falcons will do their best to keep up on the scoreboard, but I don’t see Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the rest of the Atlanta offense making enough plays against Seattle. We can’t write off the Falcons this year, but hold your breath for a win against the Seahawks in Week 1.
Prediction: Seahawks win 30-17
Los Angeles Chargers (0-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 4:05PM ET
I actually think this could be one of the best games of Week 1. You wouldn’t think so considering how both of these clubs’ 2019 seasons went, but a lot has changed since last year. Trust me when I saw this one offers plenty of intrigue.
First, you’ve got a Los Angeles Chargers squad with a new quarterback and an excellent defense (at least on paper). They’ve got plenty of options on offense to help Tyrod Taylor make plays, from Keenan Allen to Austin Ekeler. I don’t see this Cincinnati Bengals defense being up to the task of slowing them down for 60 minutes.
On the other side, we’ve got a Bengals team that has taken significant strides in the last few months. They’ve got their franchise quarterback in rookie Joe Burrows, who is facing a big test against Los Angeles’ tough secondary. He has weapons to work with, and the Cincinnati defense has improved from a season ago. Will it be enough, though?
My prediction is that it won’t, but the Bengals will certainly do their best to overcome their flaws. The Chargers hold them off despite a late push, securing their first win of 2020 in a nailbiter.
Prediction: Chargers win 28-27
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) at San Francisco 49ers (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 4:25PM ET
Anything is possible in Week 1, especially considering how upside-down of a year 2020 has been. If there’s a potential upset brewing on opening weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised if it came during the showdown between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.
Why? Well for starters, I’m still not that confident in the 49ers’ offense. Sure, they’re more than capable of putting points on the board, but Jimmy Garoppolo is overrated and the running back group isn’t what it was a season ago. Furthermore, San Francisco lost a couple of key pieces on defense, which won’t help their cause.
As for Arizona, they could be a sneaky team to push for a playoff spot in 2020. They now have a ridiculous passing attack with Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk that could prove to be one of the league’s best. On top of that, the Cardinals defense has more than enough talent to keep Garoppolo and Co. from going off.
It should be a neck-and-neck battle between these two NFC West foes. The 49ers had most of the close calls go their way last season, but luck isn’t on their side in Week 1 as they fall to the Cardinals.
Prediction: Cardinals win 31-29
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) at New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 4:25PM ET
The battle for the NFC South is going to be an interesting one this season. The top contenders in the division, the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will each be looking to get out of the gates fast with win in this opening-weekend squabble.
Now here’s my take on the Buccaneers: this has the feeling of the 2011 Eagles’ “Dream Team.” Sure, they’ve brought in some exciting pieces from around the league and suddenly have the look of a legitimate contender – on paper. Yes, Brady’s presence helps and he’s got plenty of weapons to work with. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple.
As for the Saints, they’ve got the look of a true contender capable of making a deep playoff run. Drew Brees is still a top passer, and the New Orleans defense is just as dangerous as it was a season ago. With Sean Payton still calling the shots and this looking like a do-or-die season for a franchise set to tear things down next offseason, the stars may just be aligning.
We get our first glimpse at the “Dream Team” failing to click in Week 1, as the Saints get the hard-earned W against the Buccaneers. Brady plays well, but it’s not enough to overcome Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and the rest of New Orleans’ offensive assault.
Prediction: Saints win 33-28
Dallas Cowboys (0-0) at Los Angeles Rams (0-0)
Sunday, September 13, 8:20PM ET
I’ll be completely honest — I can’t stand the Dallas Cowboys. With that being said, I can’t help but imagine them enjoying a fair amount of success in 2020. There’s just too much talent on this roster to be ignored, especially with Mike McCarthy now running the show.
That’s why this was an easy pick to make for me.
Sure, the Los Angeles Rams are far from a pushover. They’ve got a competent quarterback (at times), a strong receiver group, quality offensive line and above-average defense. Even with Jalen Ramsey at cornerback, though, I don’t see the Los Angeles defense being able to keep the Cowboys’ abundance of receiver talent in check.
In fact, this one could get ugly quickly. The Rams don’t have a proven option on the ground, which could allow the Dallas pass rush to pin their eyes back and put the pressure on Jared Goff. When that happens, things generally don’t go well for the overpaid gunslinger.
The Cowboys put on an offensive clinic in this one, due in large part to the Rams offense’s inability to get things going on their end. It’s not the way Los Angeles is hoping to break in the brand-new SoFi Stadium, but such is life.
Prediction: Cowboys win 41-20
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0) at New York Giants (0-0)
Monday, September 14, 7:15PM ET
Big Ben is back! Ben Roethlisberger will be under center again for the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing most of last season and watching the club’s outlook crash and burn. Can the veteran quarterback get this franchise back to the playoffs in 2020?
It seems likely, and it’ll start with a win against the New York Giants on Monday night.
With Roethlisberger back, the Pittsburgh offense becomes far more dynamic than it was a season ago. James Conner figures to do his thing on the ground, while the Steelers’ trio of dangerous receivers makes life easier for their aging quarterback. Oh and then there’s the Pittsburgh defense, which always seems to get the best of subpar opposition.
Which is exactly what the Giants still are. Slowing down Saquon Barkley obviously won’t be easy, but I’m still uncertain if Daniel Jones can turn this New York offense into one worth fretting over. On top of that, the Giants defense isn’t yet the formidable unit it once was. This squad is still a work in progress, which is why the Steelers should take care of business in Week 1.
It’s still unclear what the future holds for Pittsburgh, but a win against the Giants in a step in the right direction.
Prediction: Steelers win 21-13
Tennessee Titans (0-0) at Denver Broncos (0-0)
Monday, September 14, 10:10PM ET
Right now, both of these teams look like they carry a significant amount of upside into the 2020 NFL season. The Tennessee Titans already came within a game of the Super Bowl a season ago, and this young Denver Broncos team boasts plenty of potential playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Unfortunately, only one team can walk away with the win in Week 1. And since I’m currently making picks, I’m rolling with the Titans to come out on top in this Monday-night showdown.
I just can’t see the Broncos do enough on either side of the ball to overcome the Titans in the scoring department. They face a tall task keeping Derrick Henry in check, and also have to find a way for Drew Lock to put up significant points against the Titans’ stingy defense. That’s not to say Denver won’t keep things interesting, but outscoring them seems unlikely.
Especially after the signing of Jadeveon Clowney, Tennessee is looking like a legitimate threat to unseat the Chiefs in the AFC. Their campaign starts in Week 1 with an impressive win against a Broncos team that will likely be playoff-bound come January.
Prediction: Titans win 27-24