NFL Week 1 loaded with great games
USA TODAY Sports’ panel of experts returns with weekly picks, including Texans at Patriots.
Titans at Dolphins Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Titans by 1
Titans’ keys: The Dolphins struggle defending mobile quarterbacks, so look for the Titans to incorporate Marcus Mariota’s athletic ability into their game plan.
Dolphins’ keys: The Dolphins believe offseason acquisition Robert Quinn, along with Cameron Wake (101⁄
2 sacks last season), should help increase their sacks total in 2018. The Dolphins must force the Titans into third-andlong situations.
Who wins? The Dolphins’ preseason struggles on run defense and tackling likely will carry over. The Titans should be able to move the ball down the field. Titans, 27-20 49ers at Vikings Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Vikings by 61⁄
2
49ers’ keys: QB Jimmy Garoppolo gives the 49ers a chance to win every game, and if he can find a weakness in the Vikings defense (there aren’t many), San Francisco can steal one in Minnesota. But he’ll be at a disadvantage with
49ers RB Jerick McKinnon (knee) out. Vikings’ keys: All the pressure is on QB Kirk Cousins after his $84 million deal. The return of RB Dalvin Cook should ease the pressure on Cousins.
Who wins? The Vikings D will be too much for Garoppolo. Vikings, 27-14 Texans at Patriots Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Line: Patriots by 6
Texans’ keys: The Texans can use J.J. Watt and company to rattle Tom Brady, who won’t have suspended WR Julian Edelman. QB Deshaun Watson passed for 301 yards in last year’s 36-33 loss to the Patriots.
Patriots’ keys: They must get a rhythm in the short passing game so Brady can get rid of the ball quickly. Receivers Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett need to exploit the Texans’ lack of talent at cornerback.
Who wins? New England has made a habit of beating Bill O’Brien at home. Patriots, 27-24 Buccaneers at Saints Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Saints by 91⁄
2
Buccaneers’ keys: Saints CB Marshon Lattimore handled WR Mike Evans in two matchups last year. The Bucs need to get TEs Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard and WR Chris Godwin matched against slower Saints linebackers.
Saints’ keys: The Saints’ top three receivers are taller than the biggest Buccaneers cornerback and should bully their smaller opponents on contested catches.
Who wins? The Saints have too many positives. Saints, 33-20 Jaguars at Giants Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Jaguars by 3
Jaguars’ keys: The Jaguars need to take advantage of the shaky right side of the Giants offensive line. On offense, they can expose the Giants linebackers, who are poor in coverage.
Giants’ keys: Rookie RB Saquon Barkley will help boost their rushing attack and establish play-action, allowing Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram to open the field for QB Eli Manning.
Who wins? Jaguars executive and former Giants coach Tom Coughlin is making his first return to East Rutherford, and his team will put New York in a 0-1 hole. Jaguars, 27-24 Bengals at Colts Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Line: Colts by 2
Bengals’ keys: Cincinnati must apply pressure on a Colts offensive line that has question marks.
Colts’ keys: Returning QB Andrew Luck can lean on options outside T.Y. Hilton, especially if TEs Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron get involved. The Colts must continue their bend-but-don’t-break mentality on defense.
Who wins? Luck leads the way, and the Colts defense holds off a fourthquarter comeback bid. Colts, 23-17 Steelers at Browns Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Line: Steelers by 4
Steelers’ keys: They must get production out of a receiver other than WR Antonio Brown. WR JuJu SmithSchuster and rookie WR James Washington need to step up against an overhauled Browns secondary.
Browns’ keys: New offensive coordinator Todd Haley, facing his former team, must strike an offensive balance to keep the Steelers defense from playing in attack mode. S Damarious Randall must not get beat over the top.
Who wins? The Browns have amassed a stunning level of talent for a franchise with one win in two seasons. Browns, 28-24 Bills at Ravens Time, TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Line: Ravens by 7
Bills’ keys: The Bills need to stop RB Alex Collins and force QB Joe Flacco to beat them. On offense, get the run game going and don’t give up on it if it doesn’t succeed early.
Ravens’ keys: They need to stop RB LeSean McCoy and force Buffalo to beat them through the air, as QB Nathan Peterman has only four NFL games and no starts.
Who wins? Look for the Ravens to come out strong after they’ve upgraded their offense to match their defensive might. Ravens, 23-10 Chiefs at Chargers Time, TV: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS Line: Chargers by 3
Chiefs’ keys: The Chiefs plan to try to win a bunch of shootouts. Young QB Patrick Mahomes will benefit from TE Travis Kelce. RB Kareem Hunt gave the Chargers fits last year, and WR Tyreek Hill made enough plays to put the Chiefs over the top. WR Sammy Watkins, makes this offense even tougher to slow.
Chargers’ keys: With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram coming off the edge, the Chargers can pressure Mahomes and confuse him with different coverages and looks. The Chargers offense must improve in the red zone (28th last season).
Who wins? Chargers QB Phillips Rivers and company will be able to move the ball at will. Chargers, 27-21 Redskins at Cardinals Time, TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Cardinals by 1
Redskins’ keys: Washington has to get Adrian Peterson going and then attack through the air with TE Jordan Reed.
Cardinals’ keys: Be stout against the run, stop Peterson, force QB Alex Smith to throw to his average receivers and get David Johnson going. If the running back can get established early, Washington will have a tough time.
Who wins? The Cardinals get a boost from the home crowd and a big game from Johnson. Cardinals, 24-13 Cowboys at Panthers Time, TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Panthers by 3
Cowboys’ keys: Look for QB Dak Prescott to test Carolina’s rookie defensive backs. The Cowboys’ remade wide receiver corps, led by Allen Hurns and Tavon Austin, will put pressure on a Panthers secondary that has also made a lot of changes.
Panthers’ keys: With so much offensive skill, the Panthers’ biggest problem will be figuring out how and where to distribute the ball. RB Christian McCaffrey will carry a lot of the load, but should Devin Funchess be the No. 1 wide receiver or Curtis Samuel, who looked brilliant in the preseason?
Who wins? The Panthers were limited last season to 10 interceptions. Prescott does not rattle easily, so forcing him to throw bad passes will require generating pressure against a tough offensive line. Panthers, 24-21 Seahawks at Broncos Time, TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox Line: Broncos by 3
Seahawks’ keys: During the preseason, Vikings QB Case Keenum displayed poor footwork and overthrew receivers when he was flustered by opposing defenses. Seattle can disrupt Denver’s passing attack by getting in his face. On offense, the Seahawks will look to target CB Tramaine Brock.
Broncos’ keys: If OLBs Von Miller and Bradley Chubb can keep QB Russell Wilson in the pocket and not let him scramble, CB Chris Harris and CB Bradley Roby should be able to lock down Seattle’s wide receivers.
Who wins? Seattle will lean on Wilson’s heroics to stay in the game, but the Broncos defense is too talented to be beaten by one player. Broncos, 24-17 Bears at Packers Time, TV: Sunday, 7:20 p.m. ET, NBC Line: Packers by 7
Bears’ keys: The Bears need to attack on offense, limit turnovers, use newcomer Khalil Mack to force Aaron Rodgers to play from the pocket and get one or two big plays on special teams. The Bears have the offensive talent to turn the opener into a track meet, especially if QB Mitchell Trubisky comes out firing.
Packers’ keys: Can the Packers protect Rodgers with an offensive line that didn’t get a chance to play together in the preseason? The three additions at cornerback — veteran Tramon Williams and rookies Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson — need to limit big plays. The Packers gave up 30 touchdown passes in 2017.
Who wins? The Bears have improved, but the Packers have a versatile offense and a renewed energy on defense. Packers, 27-20 Jets at Lions
Time, TV: Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET,
ESPN
Line: Lions by 61⁄
2
Jets’ keys: They need to manage expectations for rookie QB Sam Darnold. They must make early defensive stops and not fall behind to prevent Darnold from having to do too much.
Lions’ keys: They must prove the dismal preseason performance under new head coach Matt Patricia was an aberration. DE Ezekiel Ansah and LB Devon Kennard need to develop a pass rush to keep Darnold from getting comfortable.
Who wins? The Lions have the more proven passing attack and the playmakers in the defense who can make Darnold’s debut a rough one. Lions, 29-20 Rams at Raiders
Time, TV: Monday, 10:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: Rams by 4
Rams’ keys: RB Todd Gurley is significantly faster than the Raiders linebackers, so look for the Rams to get him in space often.
Raiders’ keys: If RB Marshawn Lynch can find success against one of the worst run defenses in 2017, the Raiders should be able to keep the Rams pass rushers on their heels.
Who wins? The Rams offensive line is too strong for the new-look Raiders. Rams, 30-24
Previews by USA TODAY Sports Media Group