:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61150689/602992428.jpg.0.jpg)
Starting this season, Baltimore Beatdown staff members will pick the winners for each week’s slate of match ups. Readers will also be able to cast a vote for each game at the bottom of this article. The staff and reader poll results will be tracked through the year to see who predicts the most games correctly.
An analysis of the Baltimore Beatdown staff picks
Consensus winners
Out of 16 games, Beatdown writers agreed across the board on just four contests:
- Ravens over the Bills (BAL -7.5)
- Saints defeat the Buccaneers (NO -9.5)
- Packers best the Bears (GB -7.5)
- Rams win on the road against the Raiders (LAR -4.0)
With Nathan Peterman starting for the Bills, it is difficult to envision the Ravens dropping their home opener. With Tampa Bay losing quarterback Jameis Winston to suspension, New Orleans has a much clearer path to victory. The return of a healthy Aaron Rodgers is a scary prospect for Chicago, hence the agreement among the staff. As one of the most electric teams in 2017, Sean McVay’s Rams made lots of moves this offseason to position themselves for success, and the Raiders will be adjusting to new head coach Jon Gruden, making it harder for Oakland to come out on top.
‘Lone wolf’ picks
Some staffers find themselves on a island with their predictions:
- Zachary is the only writer to pick the Texans to upset the Patriots in Foxborough (NE -6.5)
- Kyle B. is alone in his idea that Ryan Tannehill can get the W against the Titans (TEN -1.5)
- Logan goes against the popular vote for two games: Browns over Steelers (PIT -3.5) and Cowboys winning against the Panthers (CAR -3.0)
- And I am the only writer who thinks Sam Darnold will win his regular season debut for the Jets against the Lions (DET -6.5)
Home field advantage...?
Baltimore Beatdown writers are 50/50 on the power of home field advantage. The majority of writers predict eight teams will lose in their house during Week 1:
- Eagles (PHI -1.0)
- Giants (JAX -3.0)
- Dolphins (TEN -1.5)
- Colts (IND -3.0)
- Browns (-3.5)
- Broncos (DEN -3.0)
- Cardinals (ARI -1.0)
- Raiders (LAR -4.0)
With Carson Wentz still not ready to start, most of the staff thinks the Super Bowl hangover will get to Philadelphia for Thursday’s opening contest. While the Giants have fire power in Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr., the Jacksonville defense is expected to contain New York. Coming off a wild comeback victory over the Chiefs in last year’s playoffs, Marcus Mariota and the Titans should be able to handle the floundering Dolphins. Andrew Luck is likely to still be shaking off the rust when the Bengals travel to town.
While the Browns have made personnel strides, it is unlikely they will be able to vanquish the reigning AFC North champion this early in the rebuild. The Cardinals are also in transition, making Glendale fertile ground for Alex Smith to make his first start as a Redskin a victory.
All writers’ picks can be found in the table below.
NFL Week 1 Picks
| Picks | Dustin | Frank | Jake | Kyle A. | Kyle B. | Logan | Sage | Vasilis | Zachary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picks | Dustin | Frank | Jake | Kyle A. | Kyle B. | Logan | Sage | Vasilis | Zachary |
| Falcons at Eagles | Falcons | Eagles | Falcons | Eagles | Falcons | Eagles | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons |
| Bills at Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Jaguars at Giants | Giants | Jaguars | Jaguars | Giants | Jaguars | Giants | Jaguars | Jaguars | Jaguars |
| Buccaneers at Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Texans at Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Texans |
| 49ers at Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | 49ers | Vikings | 49ers |
| Titans at Dolphins | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans | Dolphins | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans |
| Bengals at Colts | Bengals | Colts | Bengals | Colts | Bengals | Colts | Bengals | Bengals | Bengals |
| Steelers at Browns | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Browns | Steelers | Browns | Steelers | Steelers | Browns |
| Chiefs at Chargers | Chargers | Chiefs | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers |
| Seahawks at Broncos | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Broncos | Broncos | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Cowboys at Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Cowboys | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Redskins at Cardinals | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Bears at Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Bears |
| Jets at Lions | Lions | Lions | Lions | Lions | Lions | Lions | Jets | Lions | Lions |
| Rams at Raiders | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams |
Join in and vote below for each Week 1 match up!