Prisco’s Week 1 NFL picks: Payments spoil Aaron Rodgers’ debut with Jets; Steelers, Packers pull off upsets

Choosing Week 1 NFL video games is all the time a troublesome factor to do.

However all of us do it. We strive anyway.

The uncertainty of rookie quarterbacks — three will begin on opening day — coupled with younger quarterbacks taking on as starters and new faces in new locations make it an actual problem.

That is why all of us who choose video games deserve a mulligan if we stink in Week 1.

I am simply saying it earlier than I tee off.

Final season was stable choosing video games for me, and let’s hope it stays that means with begin. I’ll nonetheless be choosing video games straight up and towards the unfold right here and on our professional picks web page at CBSSports.com.

So concentrate. This is perhaps the 12 months I truly win the choose competitions.

After taking my Week 1 mulligan in fact.

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo)

This can be a big-time prove-it recreation for the Lions. Are they for actual? We are going to know much more about that after this one. The defending-champion Chiefs have some new gamers, however Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are nonetheless round. That is why they’re the favorites once more. Even when Travis Kelce is not taking part in and Chris Jones is nonetheless sitting, search for Mahomes to hold the Chiefs because the Lions discover out the preseason expectations are a bit excessive.

Decide: Chiefs 33, Lions 23

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

That is the debut for 2023 No. 1 general choose Bryce Younger. It is by no means simple to make your first begin on the street. The Panthers line has considerations, which might be in play right here. The Falcons will rating factors this 12 months with all of the weapons they’ve, which is why I feel they discover a technique to pull this one out. 

Decide: Falcons 27, Panthers 21

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud shall be making his first NFL begin on the street towards stable protection within the Ravens. The Ravens shall be unveiling their new-look offense beneath new coordinator Todd Monken, an offense that may enable Lamar Jackson to do extra within the passing recreation. Search for Jackson to have a giant first day as Stroud struggles. 

Decide: Ravens 31, Texans 14

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Joe Burrow seems like he is a go on this one, which is large for the Bengals. The Browns should hope Deshaun Watson is again to his kind from his Texans days. If that’s the case, they’ve expertise. This can be a powerful first recreation for the Bengals on the street towards an in-state rival. Search for the Browns to drag this one out late as dwell underdog. 

Decide: Browns 29, Bengals 26

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Colts shall be trotting out rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson towards the Jaguars. At the very least he is at house, which is able to assist. However the working recreation is proscribed with out Jonathan Taylor. The Jaguars shall be dynamic on offense this season, and it’ll begin right here. Search for a giant day from Trevor Lawrence. 

Decide: Jaguars 34, Colts 17

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Bucs shall be beginning Baker Mayfield at quarterback towards a new-look Vikings protection led by Brian Flores. That unit is aggressive, which is able to problem the Bucs offensive line. The Vikings offense will once more be led by the passing recreation, however Tampa Bay shall be higher on protection this season. That can preserve this one shut. 

Decide: Vikings 23, Bucs 21

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Titans will are available in with their bodily fashion and attempt to steal a street recreation to begin the season. They’ve a new-look offense beneath new coordinator Tim Kelly. This shall be Derek Carr’s first begin because the Saints quarterback, and I feel he’ll get off to one. It will not be simple, however the Saints and Carr will discover a means late to win it. 

Decide: Saints 23, Titans 17

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

Brock Purdy is again for the 49ers, which is the excellent news. However this shall be one of many higher defenses he’ll face to this point in his profession. That issues. The Steelers are hoping second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett takes a step ahead, which I feel he’ll. The 49ers are good and is perhaps a Tremendous Bowl workforce, however the Steelers will pull off the upset right here. 

Decide: Steelers 23, 49ers 21

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Cardinals are a multitude proper now, irrespective of who they begin at quarterback — and it is in all probability Joshua Dobbs. They look like in tank mode. The Commanders have a ton of expertise on the roster, which places a whole lot of strain on first-time beginning quarterback Sam Howell. I feel Howell will get off to begin towards this Cardinals protection. Commanders large. 

Decide: Commanders 33, Cardinals 10

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Bears shall be improved this season with Justin Fields taking steps ahead as a passer. However this Inexperienced Bay protection ought to be actually good and supply a big-time problem right here. Inexperienced Bay has Jordan Love in now as a full-time starter at quarterback, and I feel he’ll get off to begin on this one. The Packers will get a troublesome street victory to open the season. 

Decide: Packers 27, Bears 23

Prisco likes the Packers to start the Jordan Love period with a win, however what does the SportsLine Projection Mannequin — up greater than $7,000 for $100 gamers on top-rated NFL picks since its inception — consider the NFC North showdown? Take a look at that prediction, in addition to picks for the entire Week 1 video games, proper right here.

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Sean Payton makes his debut as coach of the Broncos on this house opener. The large problem is fixing Russell Wilson. The Raiders will counter with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. I feel the Broncos will get off to begin right here as Wilson performs higher than Garoppolo. But it surely’s shut. 

Decide: Broncos 25, Raiders 24

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This can be a lengthy street journey for the Dolphins to begin a season. Miami did not play effectively towards the Chargers final 12 months in its loss there, however this Miami workforce is perhaps higher. Even so, search for Justin Herbert to once more get the perfect of the battle with Tua Tagovailoa. Miami will preserve it shut — actual shut. 

Decide: Chargers 31, Dolphins 30

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The defending NFC-champion Eagles are going to search out out what it is prefer to be the hunted this season, beginning on this one. They’ve the expertise to deal with it, however it’s a troublesome street to navigate this season. New England shall be good on protection this season, however the Eagles offense and Jalen Hurts shall be too large of a problem to open the season. Mac Jones will not sustain. 

Decide: Eagles 30, Patriots 22

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Rams are loaded with younger gamers and rookies, which is able to problem Sean McVay this 12 months. The Seahawks are coming off a powerful first season with Geno Smith final season, and are hoping he can replicate that. I feel he will get off to a quick begin because the Seahawks win it. 

Decide: Seahawks 30, Rams 14

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo)

This can be a powerful technique to open the season for Dallas on the street on Sunday night time towards a division foe. However this Dallas workforce shall be higher than the one which made the postseason in 2022. I’m not certain the Giants shall be. Search for Dak Prescott to outplay Daniel Jones because the Cowboys get off to a 1-0 begin. 

Decide: Cowboys 31, Giants 24

I just like the Cowboys on the street and the OVER on this recreation, however is the Sportsline laptop mannequin sensible sufficient to agree with me? The mannequin is leaning a technique on the overall, and it additionally says one facet of the unfold has all the worth! The picks can be found over at SportsLine and you may test it out right here.

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, fubo)

The Payments are nonetheless the workforce to beat within the AFC East, even when the Jets have acquired many of the preseason hype. Sure, Aaron Rodgers acquired them that, and he’ll play effectively, beginning right here. However the Jets should discover ways to win. Buffalo has gained large video games and playoff video games. That issues. Josh Allen — keep in mind him? — will get the perfect of Rodgers and the Jets. 

Decide: Payments 24, Jets 19