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Week 1 NFL Picks 2018: Can the Houston Texans earn the upset win?

By Stephen Forsha

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 08: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans excites the crowd before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 08: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans excites the crowd before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans returns his interception during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams # of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans returns his interception during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams # of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 25, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Sunday, Sept. 9

• Houston Texans at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: The Texans have to prove to the world they are able to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots. Houston will have to play a near mistake-free game to win, and that is tough to do against a team like the Patriots. New England is beatable, but this is their first game back since losing the Super Bowl, and they can’t be pleasant to be around.

Game Score Prediction: Patriots 35, Texans 27

• San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Will Minnesota have a hangover following a loss in the NFC Championship game last season? Plus, they have a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins. It will take more than just a training camp for the offense to mesh, so that puts more pressure on the defense. Count me in on the Jimmy Garoppolo bandwagon, and it will be exciting to see how he continues his progression as a starting quarterback in 2018, especially against a strong Minnesota defense.

Game Score Prediction: 49ers 20, Vikings 17

• Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: It is time for Marcus Mariota to take the next step in his pro quarterback career, and it is very doable against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. This might not be the most exciting game on the schedule, but for Miami, it means the return of Ryan Tannehill, and it will be interesting to see what type of game he has after missing all of last season. This will be a battle of the quarterback in who is fastest to gain the momentum needed to win this game.

Game Score Prediction: Titans 16, Dolphins 7

• Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: This is all about the running backs, at least in the hype machine with Leonard Fournette of the Jaguars against Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants in his NFL debut. This is a very exciting matchup with the future of the NFL front and center with Fournette and Barkley. Both have the ability to take the game over, but Barkley has a tougher task with the Jaguars defense waiting for him on the other side.

Game Score Prediction: Jaguars 28, Giants 14

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