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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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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Sunday Sept. 9

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Should the Steelers be on upset alert against a franchise that didn’t win a game last season? Maybe so, since Le’Veon Bell has yet to show up and the Cleveland squad has made some changes in hopes of becoming a better team. Still, Ohio belongs to Ben Roethlisberger, and the Browns have to go through him and Antonio Brown if they even think of having a shot to win this game.

Game Score Prediction: Steelers 28, Browns 7

• Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: The Chiefs booted Alex Smith in favor of Patrick Mahomes, and that makes Chiefs football must-watch right from the start. On the other side is maybe the most exciting team in the NFL in the second half of the year. The Chargers are a legitimate contender for the AFC West championship, and with Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen as an offensive trio, that makes for a tough task for any defense to defend. The Chiefs have a lot to prove yet again with the QB change, but they too should have an exciting offense to watch, though Joey Bosa might have other plans.

Game Score Prediction: Chargers 27, Chiefs 23

• Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Here is a game that could go either way, just depending on which team gains the momentum in the fourth quarter. The Panthers are the favorites in Vegas, as Odds Shark has Carolina at +3, but with the offense of the Cowboys having Ezekiel Elliott, no team can overlook how he is capable of taking over a game. The same can be said about Carolina’s Cam Newton, as he’s a former MVP and still has the ability to take the Panthers to a Week 1 win.

Game Score Prediction: Panthers 24, Cowboys 21

• Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Welcome to the Adrian Peterson Bowl, where the future Hall of Fame running back faces one of the two teams he played for last season with the Redskins facing the Cardinals. The Redskins are hurting and should have a tough time in the game against an Arizona defense that looked impressive at times this preseason. Losing rookie Derrius Guice for the season hurts the Redskins, and it will show in Week 1.

Game Score Prediction: Cardinals 35, Redskins 13

• Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos

Game Preview: This has a Seattle win written all over it on paper, with Russell Wilson beginning yet another season in the NFL as one of the best quarterbacks around. This is Seattle’s game to lose, even if the Legion of Boom is no longer a thing due to free agency and retirements. Wilson and Co. will be just fine in Week 1, as the Broncos are still a bit of a mystery entering 2018, and just how long will Case Keenum be the Denver starting QB before they turn to Chad Kelly?

Game Score Prediction: Seattle 28, Denver 16

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