Let me begin the 2025 NFL picks column with a factual assertion:
My picks stunk final 12 months.
It was not my greatest season when it got here to NFL picks. I wasn’t the worst of my CBSSports.com consultants picks crew, but it surely wasn’t excellent. None of us actually had been.
That adjustments now.
It is a new season, which implies like each fan base and each workforce, optimism is part of my equation. I might be higher. I’ve to be higher.
Week 1 picks are at all times a problem, however I really feel fairly good about these. The report is 0-0 proper now, so the slate is clear.
New season. New hope. Loads of perception in my picks.
Final season is within the rear-view mirror, so let’s get this rattling season began — and stop displaying my 2024 report.
All instances ET
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Friday, 8 p.m. ET on YouTube
The Chiefs seem to have solved their offensive-line points whereas the Chargers suffered an enormous loss there shedding Rashawn Slater for the season. That issues. Patrick Mahomes with time is a nasty factor for a protection. and he may have that right here as he will get off to a quick begin in a season the place he’ll rack up large numbers once more. Chiefs take it.
Decide: Chiefs 30, Chargers 21
LIVE updates: Observe together with all of the motion because the Chiefs tackle the Chargers in Week 1
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
The Bucs are the favorites within the division, however the Falcons are thought-about the highest menace. That makes this an enormous opener. Each groups have accidents on their offensive strains, which might influence the sport, however I feel Baker Mayfield is prepared for an enormous 12 months. The Falcons nonetheless have some defensive questions, which can present up. Michael Penix Jr. will not sustain. Bucs take it.
Decide: Bucs 28, Falcons 24 | Odds through BetMGM
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
The battle of Ohio is at all times attention-grabbing, and this one needs to be no completely different. That is Joe Flacco towards Joe Burrow, which is an enormous edge for the Bengals. They need to proceed the place they left off final 12 months rolling up large offensive numbers. The protection has questions, however the Browns will not have the ability to sustain. It is shut, however Burrow wins it.
Decide: Bengals 30, Browns 27 | Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
This might be Daniel Jones making his Colts debut at quarterback towards a Miami secondary that is not precisely crammed with premier playmakers at nook. It is an important probability for Jones. The Dolphins ought to have the ability to have success throwing it on the opposite facet, particularly if Tyreek Hill is again wholesome. Search for a high-scoring recreation, with the Colts discovering a method at dwelling.
Decide: Colts 33, Dolphins 30 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
That is the debut for Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who ought to brighten up the offense. Search for Trevor Lawrence to play nicely right here and regulate the Travis Hunter utilization. The Panthers be ok with Bryce Younger after final season, however I feel the Jaguars get the most effective of him right here. Jaguars take it.
Decide: Jaguars 27, Panthers 21 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
It is a lengthy first journey for the Pete Carroll-led Raiders. The Patriots may have Mike Vrabel making his debut as coach as nicely. The Patriots needs to be improved this season, however I feel Geno Smith will do sufficient right here to drag it out late. Carroll will get extra revenge towards the workforce that fired him.
Decide: Raiders 24, Patriots 23 Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook, the place new customers get $300 in bonus bets with a winning $5 bet:
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
Opening on the highway within the NFL is at all times a troublesome factor to do, even when this can be a Saints workforce that is not anticipated to be that good. The Cardinals might be a lot improved over final season on protection, and I feel that exhibits up on this one. They’ll restrict Spencer Rattler as they get a highway victory, but it surely will not be straightforward.
Decide: Cardinals 23, Saints 20 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
That is the return of Aaron Rodgers to face the Jets in what needs to be the highest storyline to focus on the sport. However it’s additionally Jets quarterback Justin Fields towards his former workforce from final season. This has the look of a defensive battle with the Jets discovering a method at dwelling.
Decide: Jets 20, Steelers 16 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
Russell Wilson makes his Giants debut at quarterback, and does so with rookie Jaxson Dart wanting over his shoulder. He higher play nicely early. The Commanders will counter with Jayden Daniels in his second season after a formidable rookie displaying. The Giants can get after the quarterback, which might be an issue for Daniels. The Commanders will win it, but it surely’s shut.
Decide: Commanders 26, Giants 23 | Odds through BetMGM
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
This might be Cameron Ward’s first NFL begin for the Titans, and he is making it towards one of many league’s greatest defenses in one of many hardest locations to play. That is robust sledding. I search for Bo Nix to have success throwing it for Denver on the opposite facet. The Broncos get off to a quick begin, whereas the protection closes the door by limiting Ward.
Decide: Broncos 26, Titans 13 | Odds through DraftKings Sportsbook
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
The 49ers have received seven of the final eight on this collection, however Seattle received the final one final November. These groups are loads completely different now. The 49ers had been banged up final 12 months, however Christian McCaffrey and left deal with Trent Williams are two of their stars who’re again. That may matter. The Seahawks may have Sam Darnold making his first begin at quarterback. It is at all times robust to play at Seattle, however the 49ers know find out how to win there. They’ll once more.
Decide: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17 | Odds through BetMGM, the place new customers get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses:
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
These are two of the higher groups within the NFC, which is an effective way to open the season. The Lions have two new coordinators on offense and protection, which is one thing to look at. The Packers seem like all-in with the transfer to get Micah Parsons from Dallas. How a lot can he influence this recreation with out collaborating in camp is an enormous query. This has the look of a recreation with plenty of factors with Jordan Love pulling it out late.
Decide: Packers 35, Lions 30 | Odds through BetMGM
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
Rams quarterback Matt Stafford has been restricted all summer time with a again harm, which must be a priority. However he’ll begin and so they say he is fantastic. He faces a fierce Texans protection. C.J. Stroud is making an attempt to bounce again from his sophomore droop, however his offensive line won’t be significantly better than it was a 12 months in the past. The Rams get after him and win it.
Decide: Rams 23, Texans 17 | Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
That is the premier recreation of the week, that includes two of the Super Bowl favorites. The Payments beat the Ravens within the playoffs final 12 months, so Lamar Jackson and gang are searching for payback. I do not suppose they get it. Being on the highway on a Sunday night time in your opener is a troublesome factor to beat, but it surely’s actually robust due to the opponent. Josh Allen and the Payments will win a detailed one.
Decide: Payments 34, Ravens 31 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN (Stream: Fubo — attempt totally free)
This might be J.J. McCarthy making his first NFL begin at quarterback for the Vikings, whereas Ben Johnson makes his teaching debut for the Bears. The Chicago offense with Caleb Williams needs to be higher with Johnson, whereas McCarthy is an enormous unknown. Making your first begin on the highway is at all times robust. This might be no completely different. Bears take it in a small upset.
Decide: Bears 27, Vikings 21 | Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook
