NFL Week one game predictions, picks against the spread

Greetings, Raider fans! Since the season begins today, that means it’s once again time for the Silver and Black Pride staff pick’em contest. Your boy Raiderdamus will be running things this year, and I’ll do my best to knock off reigning, defending, undisputed world’s heavyweight pick’em champion, Levi Damien, who won the contest by one game last year over yours truly.

This year we’re pleased as punch to have nine participating pickers, including some newer members of the S&BP staff. And in another twist this year, we’re not just picking the games straight up. We’re picking against the spread. That will add another layer of challenge to the contest for us and also all of you. I’m confident our readers will prove themselves to be sharp this season.

As the spreads can be tricky, there are only two games this week in which the staff have unanimous picks- Atlanta over Philly and Baltimore over Buffalo. I am going out on a limb thinking the Bucs will cover the spread against the Saints, and I’m alone in that feeling. Levi is the only one who is taking Denver over Seattle. The Raiders and Rams have four pickers each, an even split.

For the benefit of the community, I’m going to list the point spreads here. The teams listed on the right side are the home teams.

Eagles -2.5 vs. Falcons
Bills vs. Ravens -7
Bengals vs. Colts -3
Texans vs. Patriots -6.5
Jaguars -3 vs. Giants
Steelers -5.5 vs. Browns
49ers vs. Vikings -6
Buccaneers vs. Saints -9.5
Titans -1 vs. Dolphins
Chiefs vs. Chargers -3
Cowboys vs. Panthers -2.5
Seahawks vs. Broncos -3
Washington vs. Cardinals Pick ‘Em- no favorite
Bears vs. Packers -7.5
Jets vs. Lions -6.5
Rams -5 vs. Raiders

Best of luck to you all. The staff picks are as follows: