NFL Week 1 Picks

By Denny Basens, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

As the 2016 NFL season kicks off for 30 teams on Sunday and Monday, it marks the first of 17 weeks of all-day football marathons around households across America.

Since people can't get enough football, here's a look at this week's games and predictions for each.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

The Falcons starting off the year in their dome in Atlanta are always hard for any team to be. However, home-field advantage or not, it's hard to get away from the fact that Dan Quinn's group is pretty mediocre.

The arrow is pointing up for Tampa Bay. From Jameis Winston, to Mike Evans, to LaVante David, they've collected a lot of good, young talent. The Atlanta defense should have trouble taking away Evans, and slowing down running back Doug Martin. 

Pick: Tampa Bay 24, Atlanta 20

Buffalo at Baltimore

The Ravens suffered through a lost season a year ago that saw numerous key figures from Joe Flacco to Terrell Suggs go down with season-ending injuries. Baltimore has all of their missing talent back in place, but it may take some time for them to get back up to speed. 

A healthy Bills offense that features Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy should be good enough to upset the Ravens on the road. 

Pick: Buffalo 23, Baltimore 16

Chicago at Houston

The Bears have been in transition for a couple of years now. Stars like Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Charles Tillman are all gone. It begs the question, when will Jay Cutler be shown the door? 

The young Texans will be fired up at home, eager to show off their prized free-agent acquisitions Lamar Miller and Brock Osweiler, and should have no difficulty disposing of the Bears at home. 

Pick: Houston 30, Chicago 13

Green Bay at Jacksonville

The Jaguars are a team that I expect to take a big leap forward in 2016. But are they ready to take on a team like the Packers just yet? Probably not. 

Blake Bortles has the weapons in place to keep the game close, and while I don't think an upset is impossible, I think Aaron Rodgers and the Pack are just too much for Gus Bradley's young squad to handle. 

Pick: Green Bay 33, Jacksonville 27

San Diego at Kansas City

At one point, the Chargers looked like they were moving in the right direction under head coach Mike McCoy. But ever since an impressive debut in 2013, McCoy's team has gone backwards. Last year's first-round pick Melvin Gordon was a disappointment, and this year's top pick Joey Bosa has only recently ended a lengthy holdout. 

The Chiefs are the much more stable team, and their talent on the defensive side of the ball should once again anchor them as they start the year off with a win at home. 

Pick: Kansas City 20, San Diego 10

Oakland at New Orleans

With an impressive offensive core to build around, the Raiders are finally moving in the right direction for the first time in 15 years. Derek Carr and Amari Cooper are budding stars that are just beginning to hit their stride. 

As long as Drew Brees is healthy, the Saints will have a powerhouse offense, but their defense will prevent them from becoming a true contender in the NFC. New Orleans is very difficult to beat in their dome, and I expect them to come out on top to start the season. 

Pick: New Orleans 27, Oakland 23

Cincinnati at New York Jets

Ryan Fitzpatrick is back with the Jets, but they've got a tough matchup against a powerful Bengal defense. Brandon Marshall is a matchup nightmare for any team, but the Bengals can put enough pressure on Fitzpatrick to force him into a couple of mistakes. 

I think New York's defense is going to take a step back this season, and the Bengals do just enough to edge them on the road. 

Pick: Cincinnati 23, New York 20

Cleveland at Philadelphia

The Eagles believe Carson Wentz is ready to go and are set to unleash him on the rest of the league. Don't be surprised if they also unleash Dorial Green-Beckham quite a bit as well. 

Jim Schwartz's defense will make life miserable for Robert Griffin III and the young Browns, and the Eagles should celebrate the dawn of their new era with a home victory. 

Pick: Philadelphia 27, Cleveland 16

Minnesota at Tennessee

It may only be Week 1, but this is absolutely a trap-game scenario for the Vikings. 

The Titans have quietly improved themselves quite a bit on the offensive side of the ball through the acquisitions of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry at running back, and the continued development of Marcus Mariota can only help. 

The Vikings have a great defense, but the uncertainty at the quarterback position, whether it's unimpressive veteran Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford with just one week of experience with his new playbook, I think the stage is set for a Minnesota let down. 

Pick: Tennessee 20, Minnesota 13

Miami at Seattle

Adam Gase draws a horrible matchup in his coaching debut, going on the road to take on the ferocious Seattle defense. 

Miami is a team that is going to need some time to develop, and by season's end they could be a much stronger team. But they just aren't ready for a challenge like this. 

Pick: Seattle 30, Miami 13

New York Giants at Dallas

Dak Prescott gets his first real test, as does Ezekiel Elliott. The Dallas offense has all of the pieces in place to be successful, but they'll get a stiff challenge from Eli Manning and the Giants under new coach Ben McAdoo. 

I'm not buying-in to Prescott until he proves he can have success in the regular season. Until he does that, I think Eli and the Giants have to be the favorite in this Week 1 tilt. 

Pick: New York 31, Dallas 20

Detroit at Indianapolis

When I hear people talk about optimism for the Detroit Lions, they point to the play of Matt Stafford in the second half of the season. I buy in to Stafford's "magicial" second half even less than I bought into Sam Bradford's legendary seven-game stretch for the Eagles. 

The Colts roll at home. 

Pick: Indianapolis 28, Detroit, 17

New England at Arizona

With no Tom Brady, the Patriots will overmatched against an Arizona team that should be one of the legitimate contenders in the NFC. 

Not only will they be without Brady, but star tight end Rob Gronkowski could also miss the opener with an injury, leaving Jimmy Garoppolo essentially on an island. 

Pick: Arizona 27, New England 13

Pittsburgh at Washington

I think the Redskins are the favorite in the NFC East this year, but I don't expect them to be able to stand up to a healthy Steeler offense. 

Kirk Cousins and the Washington offense should be able to do some scoring of their own, but the veteran team wins out here. 

Pick: Pittsburgh 27, Washington 24

Los Angeles at San Francisco

Chip Kelly and the 49ers are my pick to be the worst team in the league this year, and it isn't even close. I think Kelly and his flawed philosophies are going to be exposed even more this year in San Francisco, and I fully expect his team to be a punching bag in the NFC West. 

Pick: Los Angeles 24, San Francisco 10