Current Record: 0-0

As is the way I’ll pick games publicly from here to eternity, when there is no money involved, I’ll skip Week 1 and use it to try to become more knowledgeable. If I don’t do well with a week of studying, I am in for a long, long season.

Let’s go with six picks. All lines are supplied by FanDuel Sportsbook.

Miami Dolphins (1-0) at Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Line: Baltimore -3.5

The Dolphins had their way with the Patriots last week, yet only scored one touchdown in a 20-7 victory against Bill Belichick and his two-headed offensive coordinator situation. The Ravens will probably be a lot more comfortable opening up the playbook than they were last week. Plus, this is a revenge game for Lamar Jackson, who was owned by the Dolphins’ defense with blitz after blitz last year. I like the home-field advantage to play a part in this one, as M&T Bank Stadium really gets rocking.

Prediction: BALTIMORE 25, Miami 16

Washington Commanders (1-0) at Detroit Lions (0-1)
Line: Detroit -1.5

The last time the Lions were favored in a game was 22 games ago on Nov. 22, 2020. The Lions were a one-point favorite against the Carolina Panthers … and then lost, 20-0. Dan Campbell may never win a Coach of the Year award, but I honestly believe he is good enough to have his team up for a truly winnable game against Carson Wentz’s Commanders. The Lions showed enough fire in the belly in coming back against a good Eagles team last week for me to believe Campbell doesn’t start his second season 0-2.

Prediction: DETROIT 20, Washington 16

Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
Line: Cincinnati -7.5

While I still find it hard to fathom that the Cowboys do not have a better backup quarterback option than Cooper Rush, the real story here is Zac Taylor’s club is simply much better than this iteration of the Cowboys, who were exposed by the Buccaneers last week.

Joe Burrow was awful in the first half against Pittsburgh, but the Bengals outplayed the Steelers in the second half, only to lose on a missed extra point in regulation and a makeable field goal in overtime. Look, we also saw it with Lamar Jackson, who started slowly after not taking a single preseason snap and then had a much more solid second half.

My feeling is that the Bengals have a much better chance to fix what happened against Pittsburgh than the Cowboys have of fixing what ails them. Mike McCarthy is already on the hot seat, and without Dak Prescott, it may get smoking hot by the time Prescott gets back.

Prediction: CINCINNATI 30, Dallas 13

Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Line Indianapolis -3.5

Despite the fact that they were favored by 8.5 to 9.5 points against the Texans last week, the Colts were only able to pull out a 20-20 tie in Houston. I still believe in Frank Reich and I think he’s got the right man as his quarterback in Matt Ryan. I think they bounce back with a much better effort and result in Jacksonville. However, Doug Pederson’s impact is already showing, with the Jaguars losing a close one in D.C.

Prediction: INDIANAPOLIS 26, Jacksonville 19

Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
Line: Las Vegas -5.5

I know picking and sticking with a franchise quarterback through the development process can be difficult. I was mystified with Kyler Murray’s collapse last year, which culminated in a breathtaking meltdown against the Rams in the playoffs. Murray paid the price by getting a long-term deal worth $160 million guaranteed. His team’s loss in its home opener to the Chiefs may just be an outlier, but I think the Cardinals could really nosedive. Conversely, I know the Raiders lost to the Chargers in LA, but they were in it. I think Derek Carr takes advantage of a very questionable Cardinals defense … and the Raiders’ defense makes it another long afternoon for Murray.

Prediction: LAS VEGAS 33, Arizona 16

Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
Line: Philadelphia -1.5

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni had his club ascending at the end of the 2021-22 season, finishing 9-8. A 31-15 loss to Tom Brady and the Bucs in the playoffs couldn’t erase the progress made in Philadelphia. Now, it’s Kevin O’Connell’s turn to turn a team around — and based on Week 1, he’s off to a good start. But this week, he won’t be facing a team whose offense is in as much disarray as the Packers. Jalen Hurts put up 38 points last week, and I think he’ll make things tougher on O’Connell’s squad in Week 2.

Prediction: PHILADELPHIA 26, Minnesota 18

Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox

Stan Charles

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