Let me begin the 2025 NFL picks column with a factual assertion:
My picks stunk final 12 months.
It was not my finest season when it got here to NFL picks. I wasn’t the worst of my CBSSports.com specialists picks crew, however it wasn’t excellent. None of us actually have been.
That adjustments now.
It is a new season, which suggests like each fan base and each crew, optimism is part of my equation. I might be higher. I’ve to be higher.
Week 1 picks are all the time 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 — an stop displaying my 2024 report.
All occasions ET
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Thursday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
The Eagles are the defending champs, which is why they open at house right here. They’re once more loaded and have the look of a crew that may repeat. The Cowboys are coming off buying and selling Micah Parsons final week, which might impression the crew psyche, however I do not assume it would. Dak Prescott will maintain Dallas in it, however the Eagles get to 1-0.
Choose: Eagles 27, Cowboys 24 | Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
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 dropping Rashawn Slater for the season. That issues. Patrick Mahomes with time is a nasty factor for a protection. and he can have that right here as he will get off to a quick begin in a season the place he’ll rack up massive numbers once more. Chiefs take it.
Choose: Chiefs 30, Chargers 21 | Odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook (the place new customers get $300 in bonus bets and over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket)
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
The Bucs are the favorites within the division, however the Falcons are thought of the highest menace. That makes this an enormous opener. Each groups have accidents on their offensive strains, which might impression the sport, however I believe 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.
Choose: Bucs 28, Falcons 24 | Odds by way of BetMGM
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
The battle of Ohio is all the time fascinating, and this one ought to be no totally different. That is Joe Flacco in opposition to Joe Burrow, which is an enormous edge for the Bengals. They need to proceed the place they left off final 12 months rolling up massive offensive numbers. The protection has questions, however the Browns will not be capable to sustain. It is shut, however Burrow wins it.
Choose: Bengals 30, Browns 27 | Odds by way of FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
This might be Daniel Jones making his Colts debut at quarterback in opposition to a Miami secondary that is not precisely stuffed with premier playmakers at nook. It is a terrific likelihood for Jones. The Dolphins ought to be capable to have success throwing it on the opposite facet, particularly if Tyreek Hill is again wholesome. Search for a high-scoring sport, with the Colts discovering a means at house.
Choose: Colts 33, Dolphins 30 | Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
That is the debut for Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who ought to enliven the offense. Search for Trevor Lawrence to play effectively right here and keep watch over the Travis Hunter utilization. The Panthers be ok with Bryce Younger after final season, however I believe the Jaguars get the most effective of him right here. Jaguars take it.
Choose: Jaguars 27, Panthers 21 | Odds by way of 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 can have Mike Vrabel making his debut as coach as effectively. The Patriots ought to be improved this season, however I believe Geno Smith will do sufficient right here to tug it out late. Carroll will get extra revenge in opposition to the crew that fired him.
Choose: Raiders 24, Patriots 23 Odds by way of FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
Opening on the highway within the NFL is all the time a tricky factor to do, even when this can be a Saints crew that is not anticipated to be that good. The Cardinals might be a lot improved over final season on protection, and I believe that exhibits up on this one. They may restrict Spencer Rattler as they get a highway victory, however it will not be straightforward.
Choose: Cardinals 23, Saints 20 | Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
That is the return of Aaron Rodgers to face the Jets in what ought to be the highest storyline to focus on the sport. Nevertheless it’s additionally Jets quarterback Justin Fields in opposition to his former crew from final season. This has the look of a defensive battle with the Jets discovering a means at house.
Choose: Jets 20, Steelers 16 | Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
Russell Wilson makes his Giants debut at quarterback, and does so with rookie Jaxson Dart wanting over his shoulder. He higher play effectively early. The Commanders will counter with Jayden Daniels in his second season after a powerful rookie displaying. The Giants can get after the quarterback, which might be an issue for Daniels. The Commanders will win it, however it’s shut.
Choose: Commanders 26, Giants 23 | Odds by way of BetMGM
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
This might be Cameron Ward’s first NFL begin for the Titans, and he is making it in opposition to one of many league’s finest defenses in one of many hardest locations to play. That is powerful 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.
Choose: Broncos 26, Titans 13 | Odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
The 49ers have gained seven of the final eight on this sequence, however Seattle gained the final one final November. These groups are quite a bit totally different now. The 49ers have 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 can have Sam Darnold making his first begin at quarterback. It is all the time powerful to play at Seattle, however the 49ers know find out how to win there. They may once more.
Choose: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17 | Odds by way of BetMGM
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 look like all-in with the transfer to get Micah Parsons from Dallas. How a lot can he impression this sport with out participating in camp is an enormous query. This has the look of a sport with a number of factors with Jordan Love pulling it out late.
Choose: Packers 35, Lions 30 | Odds by way of BetMGM
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
Rams quarterback Matt Stafford has been restricted all summer season with a again harm, which needs to be a priority. However he’ll begin they usually say he is nice. He faces a fierce Texans protection. C.J. Stroud is making an attempt to bounce again from his sophomore stoop, 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.
Choose: Rams 23, Texans 17 | Odds by way of FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
That is the premier sport 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 on the lookout for payback. I do not assume they get it. Being on the highway on a Sunday night time on your opener is a tricky factor to beat, however it’s actually powerful due to the opponent. Josh Allen and the Payments will win an in depth one.
Choose: Payments 34, Ravens 31 | Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN (Stream: Fubo — attempt without spending a dime)
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 ought to be higher with Johnson, whereas McCarthy is an enormous unknown. Making your first begin on the highway is all the time powerful. This might be no totally different. Bears take it in a small upset.
Choose: Bears 27, Vikings 21 | Odds by way of FanDuel Sportsbook
