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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 1

By Gil Alcaraz IV

NFL Predictions, NFL Picks, Tom Brady, Buccaneers - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
NFL Predictions, NFL Picks, Tom Brady, Buccaneers - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images /
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NFL Picks, Atlanta Falcons, Kyle Pitts – Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

New Orleans Saints (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)

Sunday, September 11, 1PM ET

I know many people are expecting the New Orleans Saints to be the clear-cut No. 2 in the NFC South this season. It’s a reasonable stance and one that I wouldn’t necessarily oppose. However, there’s still a very good chance they suffer an upset in Week 1 at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons.

Believe it or not, the Falcons possess sneaky potential to earn one of the final NFC playoff spots. Much of their success depends on the performance of Marcus Mariota, the Falcons starting quarterback who’s on a short leash. If he can step up and prove that he deserves to stay atop the depth chart, we could see Atlanta win more games than expected in 2022.

As for the Saints, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got off to a slow start. Jameis Winston is coming off a season-ending injury, and Alvin Kamara is dealing with his own set of issues. While the New Orleans defense has the talent to make life difficult for Mariota and the Falcons, I’m confident the former No. 2 overall pick can work with Kyle Pitts and Co. to score often in Week 1.

This one comes down to the wire, as many Falcons-Saints showdowns do. Ultimately, a late-game push by Atlanta winds up in the end zone, securing them a victory in the opener while sending the New Orleans home with an unexpected notch in the loss column.

Prediction: Falcons win 21-20

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