Early NFL picks, predictions for Week 1 of 2023 season

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 29: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) @ Cleveland Browns (7-10)

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET, FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland

The battle for Ohio will take place in Week 1 of the season as the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns, one of the biggest question marks in the NFL this coming season.

Over the last 2-3 years, we have seen very little “good” from Deshaun Watson on the field. Off the field, it’s been an absolute disaster everywhere except his bank account. Watson received an unprecedented, fully-guaranteed contract offer from the Browns worth $230 million in total money. Prior to that offer coming through, Watson seemingly was about to choose either the Falcons or Panthers or Eagles (or something).

But Cleveland came through with a record-breaking offer and Watson took his 11-game suspension last year, returning for the final six games and completing just over 58 percent of his throws with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. It’s hard to say it looked like the Deshaun Watson of old.

I don’t know what to expect from him this year whatsoever. What we’ve come to expect from the Bengals, on the other hand, is a relatively consistent and dominant offense led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. This Bengals team is truly one of the elite in the AFC, but is there a possibility for an upset early on this coming season

Weird things tend to happen in Week 1 of the NFL season. You can’t just go “chalk” with all of these picks and take the team with the better record. When making NFL picks, you’ve got to take risks.

Prediction: Browns win 28-24

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