The Bills added defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in the offseason. Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller are a couple of solid running backs. But QB Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to cut down on the interceptions this season if Buffalo is going to compete for a playoff spot. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 2nd in the AFC East this season.
-RJ's Pick: Buffalo by 6
St. Louis at Detroit 1:00 p.m. [Line: Lions by 7.5]
The Rams were 2-14 last season, no playoffs. The Lions were 10-6 last season, lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
The Rams have a new head coach in Jeff Fisher and a new offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer. This is a rebuilding year in St. Louis, and the big question is if Sam Bradford can show significant improvement over a disappointing 2011. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 4th in the NFC West this season.
Detroit had success last season despite two big weaknesses: lack of a consistent running game and a poor secondary. They enter this season with two main concerns: the running game and the secondary. Sigh. The Lions drafted tackle Riley Reiff and WR Ryan Broyles, both of whom are good enough to start. The defensive line is stacked, and the passing game should be one of the best in the league as long as QB Matthew Stafford remains healthy. But they play in arguably the toughest division in the NFL. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 3rd in the NFC North this season.
-RJ's Pick: Detroit by 15
Miami at Houston 1:00 p.m. [Line: Texans by 10]
The Dolphins were 6-10 last season, no playoffs. The Texans were 10-6 last season, won the AFC South, lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs.
Joe Philbin is Miami's new head coach. The Dolphins will be starting rookie Ryan Tannehill at QB. That shouldn't be too concerning since by all accounts he has the skills, the intelligence, and the maturity to be a legitimate NFL starter. The problem is, who is he supposed to throw to? Legedu Naanee and Davone Bess are not exactly elite receivers. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 4th in the AFC East this season.
Houston is a team that has few, if any, weaknesses. Matt Schaub is a solid quarterback, bordering on elite status. Andre Johnson is a Pro Bowl wide receiver. Arian Foster is an excellent running back. The defense is quite good, even after losing DE Mario Williams to free agency. A deep playoff run is expected. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 1st in the AFC South this season.
Article comments
1 - RJ
I forgot to pick my "Lame Game of the Week." That would be Jacksonville at Minnesota.
2 - RJ
Also, I might as well post my predictions for the final regular season standings.
AFC East - NE, Bills, Jets, Miami
AFC North - Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns
AFC South - Texans, Titans, Jags, Colts
AFC West - Denver, SD, KC, Oakland
NFC East - Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Redskins
NFC North - Packers, Lions, Bears, Vikes
NFC South - Falcons, NO, Panthers, TB
NFC West - Seattle, SF, Rams, Arizona
AFC playoff seeds: NE 1, Houston 2, Denver 3, Steelers 4, Bengals 5, Bills 6
NFC playoff seeds: GB 1, Atlanta 2, Dallas 3, Seattle 4, NO 5, Lions 6
AFC Championship Game: Houston over NE
NFC Championship Game: Packers over Falcons
Super Bowl: Texans over Packers
3 - Bilbo
So did you beat all the insiders last year?
4 - RJ
Bilbo:
Read Comment #10.
5 - C2E
Picking the Texans to win it all! Warms my Houston Heart! Been too long since the 1994-95 Rockets!
Here are my picks, as they are. First week is always tough. See you picked the Cowboys...even Julie, my wife and (mostly) life-long Cowboy supporter, picked the Giants tonight.
Giants over Cowboys
Falcons over Chiefs
Saints over Redskins
Eagles over Browns
Lions over Rams
Patriots over Titans
Texans over Dolphins
Bills over Jets
Bears over Colts
Vikings over Jaguars
Packers over 49ers
Panthers over Buccaneers
Seahawks over Cardinals
Broncos over Steelers
Ravens over Bengals
Raiders over Chargers
Not real confident in several of those...but that's what makes the season interesting!
Will be following you all season. When you have time, insert your infamous snarky comments...love to read those!
Chris
6 - RJ
Welcome back, C2E.
Final Score:
Dallas 24, Giants 17 - RJ 1-0 (1-0 ATS)
7 - RJ
Final Scores:
CHI 41, IND 21 - RJ 2-0 (1-1 ATS)
Philly 17, Cleveland 16 - RJ 3-0 (2-1 ATS)
NE 34, Titans 13 - RJ 4-0 (3-1 ATS)
Falcons 40, KC 24 - RJ 4-1 (3-2 ATS)
Vikes 26, Jags 23 (in OT) - RJ 5-1 (4-2 ATS)
8 - RJ
Final Scores:
WASHINGTON 40, NO 32 - RJ 5-2 (4-3 ATS)
Jets 48, Bills 28 - RJ 5-3 (4-4 ATS)
Lions 27, Rams 23 - RJ 6-3 (4-5 ATS)
HOU 30, Miami 10 - RJ 7-3 (5-5 ATS)
9 - RJ
Final Scores:
SF 30, GB 22 - RJ 7-4 (5-6 ATS)
Arizona 20, Seattle 16 - RJ 7-5 (5-7 ATS)
TB 16, Carolina 10 - RJ 7-6 (5-8 ATS)
10 - RJ
Final Score:
Denver 31, Steelers 19 - RJ 8-6 (6-8 ATS)
11 - RJ
Final Score:
BALT 44, CIN 13 - RJ 8-7 (6-9 ATS)
12 - RJ
Final Score:
SD 22, OAK 14 - RJ 9-7 (7-9 ATS)
13 - RJ
ESPN's NFL experts:
Allen
10-6
Golic
9-7
Hoge
9-7
Jaworski
10-6
Mortensen
9-7
Schefter
11-5
Schlereth
9-7
Wickersham
12-4
Jackson
8-8
Johnson
7-9
Ditka
10-6
Carter
7-9
Accuscore
11-5
Pick 'em
10-6