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

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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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears participates in warm-ups before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on August 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bills defeated the Bears 28-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears participates in warm-ups before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on August 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bills defeated the Bears 28-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Primetime Games

Sunday Night Football

• Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (8:25 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Even if you don’t follow either one of these teams, the name of Packers vs. Bears just brings chills and excitement for the hardcore football fan. Though the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and are the favorites, don’t overlook or undervalue the Bears in this game because they have the ability on offense to surprise some folks and become a very good offense with Mitchell Trubisky, Jordan Howard and Allen Robinson, to name a few. Plus, having Khalil Mack on defense won’t hurt matters, either. Still, until the Bears show otherwise, the division still belongs to the Packers and their quarterback.

Game Score Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 17

Monday Night Football

• New York Jets at Detroit Lions (7:10 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Here we go with new eras for both the Jets and Lions, and this time it just might actually work for an extended period of time. For the Jets, their change is at starting quarterback with rookie Sam Darnold given the reins to be the quarterback who finally steps out of the shadow of Joe Namath and gets this franchise back to the Super Bowl. The problem is that isn’t happening all on Monday night. The Lions have a new head coach in Matt Patricia, and now it is time to see what he learned from his mentor Bill Belichick. It also helps Matthew Stafford is his quarterback, too.

Game Score Prediction: Lions 20, Jets 3

• Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders (10:20 p.m. ET)

Game Preview: Get some extra caffeine and stay awake to watch this contest where the Rams, who are hyped to be one of the top NFC teams once again, face the Raiders, who seem to be be in a state of confusion at the moment. Jon Gruden now leads the Raiders, and their fanbase isn’t exactly happy with his decisions as of late. It will be interesting to see how his fans greet him on Monday night.

The Rams are the superior team in this game on paper and should just give the ball to Todd Gurley and block away for him. That alone should be enough to defeat the Raiders to conclude Week 1.

Game Score Prediction: Rams 38, Raiders 10

Schedule