Hope springs eternal for NFL teams and their fans with the first NFL Sunday upon us. Aside from Atlanta — who lost to Philadelphia on Thursday — every team is undefeated and nobody is in last place yet.
Here is a preview of the NFL’s first full slate of Sunday games for 2018:
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
The last time Bills QB Nathan Peterson started on the road, he threw five interceptions in the first half, in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was benched at halftime. Now he returns to the starting role, against a Ravens defense that led the NFL in turnovers last year.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco is the healthiest he’s been in years, and is coming off a strong summer.
The pick here is Baltimore, a team that’s 5-1 in home openers since 2008.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
This is a grudge match for Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was fired by the Steelers after last season. He should have a good offensive game plan since he has great intelligence on the Steelers’ defense.
That Steelers’ defense should be able to take advantage of the Browns starting an undrafted rookie free agent left tackle (Desmond Harrison), and put a lot of pressure on QB Tyrod Taylor.
The Steelers will be without star running back Le’Veon Bell due to a contract dispute, but they still should have enough firepower to get by the Browns.
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ defense could struggle early in the year with a new system and many new parts. It could take them a while to get on the same page.
On offense, their starting QB Andrew Luck is back after missing last season with a shoulder injury. His all-important left tackle, Anthony Costanzo, missed all of training camp with a hamstring injury, so he could be rusty.
The Bengals should be able to win this road game.
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
Dolphins safety Reshad Jones doesn’t think much of Titans QB Marcus Mariota as a pocket passer.
“Make him one-dimensional. Stop the run. I think him standing in the pocket and trying to beat us with his arm, that’s not one of his strong points,” Jones said.
The Titans have some key injuries, including their 2018 first- and second-round picks, linebackers Rashan Evans and Harold Landry, who are out, along with starting right tackle Jack Conklin.
The Dolphins, at home, should win this game.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo looks to continue his five-game winning streak from last year.
That streak helped Garrapolo land a contract for $27.5 million-a-year, and that benchmark helped Kirk Cousin sign a $28 million-a-year deal in Minnesota.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the best offensive game-planners in the league, and should have a heck a scheme this week with four months to prepare.
Minnesota should win this game, but it might be closer than most think.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Texans QB Deshaun Watson returns from a season-ending knee injury, and has to be a little concerned with his re-worked offensive line loaded with question marks.
Speaking of offensive lines, Patriots QB Tom Brady has a new blindside protector in left tackle Trenton Brown, who played right tackle in San Francisco. It remains to be seen how he’ll do at his new spot.
It’s hard to bet against Brady and the Patriots in their home-opener.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay will be without QB Jameis Winston, who is serving a three-game suspension, so journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick will start.
The Saints will be without suspended running back Mark Ingram, but have so many weapons on offense, they should be to overcome it.
New Orleans standout QB Drew Brees could have his way with a Tampa secondary without starting cornerback Brent Grimes and backup CB DeVante Harris.
The Saints should win this game.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
Great game within a game with perhaps the NFL’s best cornerback Jalen Ramsey against Giants superstar receiver Odell Beckham. This should be fun to watch.
The Giants are going through a transition on defense with a new scheme, and will be without their best pass-rusher, Oliver Vernon, who has a high-ankle sprain.
The Giants’ offense could be outstanding this year and should keep them in the game.
This contest could go either way.
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
This is a road game for the Chiefs, but not really. The Chargers, currently playing in a soccer stadium, have no home field advantage and expect a lot of Chiefs fans to travel to Los Angeles and fill up the stands.
The Chargers will be without their best defensive player, linebacker Joey Bosa, out with a foot injury.
This game is too close to call.
Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals
Both teams have new starting quarterbacks, with Sam Bradford under center for Arizona, and Alex Smith in Washington.
But Washington returns with their schemes and coaching staff intact from last year, and Arizona is starting anew with head coach Steve Wilks and three new coordinators.
The Redskins are more comfortable with what they’re doing right now, and should win this game.
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
The Cowboys’ offensive line is a mess, so QB Dak Prescott better be prepared to run a lot.
Dallas also has injury issues in the secondary.
Carolina should win this game.
Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos
These are two teams who have been through a lot of roster turnover this off-season.
The Seahawks have only 20 players left from their 2016 playoff team, and the Broncos have 10 rookies on their 2018 roster.
The Broncos also have a new quarterback, Case Keenum, who took big money to come over from Minnesota.
This game is toss-up.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
A lot of excitement in Chicago about their trade with Oakland for one of the game’s top players, defensive end Khalil Mack.
But this is a quarterback-driven league, so unless Bears second-year QB Mitch Trubisky becomes a franchise QB, where is Chicago really going? Even with Mack?
Green Bay has the more established QB in superstar Aaron Rogers, are at home, and should win this game.
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