Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 3 NFL Picks

Week 2 Results: Rick 9-7; Flip: 10-6
Cumulative: Rick: 14-18; Flip: 19-13

Thursday, September 24

Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers (-5.5, 43) (8:15 pm, Amazon Prime Video) - Off to an 0-2 start after last week’s horrid, 34-3, home loss to the Panthers, the Falcons are saying Michael Penix Jr. is ready to play, fully recovered from his ACL surgery. If Penix is anywhere near 100%, that would be welcome news for Atlanta.

Green Bay has not lived up to expectations so far this season, blowing a lead to Minnesota in the opener, and having to go to overtime against the Jets for their first win. This is their home opener, however, so the knee-jerk reaction is to go with the Pack. Just seems a bit too easy and the score could be a lot closer than the line indicates.

Coin Flip: Green Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 20 Falcons 17

Sunday, September 27

New England Patriots @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-3, 45.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Jacksonville ran into a determined Denver squad last week, falling, 20-13, in mile-high air. Back at home, the Jags are likely to be on their game, especially on defense.

New England comes off a solid effort against Pittsburgh, though that doesn’t carry much weight. At this point in their careers, Trevor Lawrence is much more a threat than Aaron Rodgers. If the Jags can find pay dirt early, their defenders may make it a rough afternoon for Drake Maye and the Patriot offense.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 27 Patriots 17

Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5, 43) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 pm, CBS) - In two games, the Steelers have scored a grand total of 23 points, including just three last week in a 20-3 defeat at New England. Aaron Rodgers was 23-39 for 187 yards and a pick, sacked four times for 43 yards in losses. The Pittsburgh ground game accounted for a mere 91 yards. Pittsburgh’s hopes of winning anything this season with a quarterback well past his prime are pipe dreams.

Joe Burrow is off to an OK start for the Bengals, 68% completion rate, three TDs and one pick, but the key is that Cincy is 2-0 and a game up on the Ravens, Browns and Steelers and will be looking to extend their edge.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bengals 30 Steelers 13

Tennessee Titans @ New York Giants (-2, 39.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Tennessee almost pulled off the upset of Philly last week, but, as is their forte, lost the game on a late TD pass from Jalen Hurts to Darius Cooper, 24-20. Now they face a Giants’ team without Jaxson Dart and James Winston behind center. Winston looked rusty, at best, against the Cowboys, but will have a week’s worth of practice entering this contest.

The jury is still out on Tennessee QB Cam Ward, who has one TD pass and 0 picks this season, but still hasn’t lived up to the hype. The Titans have turned him into a manager rather than a game-breaker. This is a game the Titans can win, but they are already 0-2 and their road record last season was 2-6, the wins coming at Arizona and Cleveland.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Giants 17 Titans 13

Seattle Seahawks (-7, 40.5) @ Washington Commanders (1:00 pm, FOX) - The loss of Jayden Daniels sends Marcus Mariota behind center as the starting QB, which is not desirable facing one of the best defenses in the league, even if at home.

Very difficult to like the Commanders in this one. The Seahawks may start Sam Darnold, but if he’s still unavailable, Drew Lock will be a capable replacement. He was 19-for-26 for 235 yards and three scores, no INTs in last week’s 31-7 slaughter at Arizona.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 31 Commanders 10

Houston Texans (-3, 42) @ Indianapolis Colts (1:00 pm, CBS) - Both teams were expected to vie for the division title this year and they still might, despite 0-2 starts. Indy’s losses came against the Ravens and last week, at Kansas City, 33-30, in OT. Houston was topped by the Bills, 36-31 in week 1, and by Cincinnati, 20-6, both losses at home.

Why the Texans are favored here is a good question. They haven’t shown a winning profile yet and the offense was one-sided against the Bengals, only 18 rushes for 60 yards. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud completed 30 of 55 passes yet failed to deliver a single touchdown. Houston has no run game and Indy will make their defense pay for that.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 24 Texans 20

Los Angeles Chargers @ Buffalo Bills (-7, 50.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - So far this season, the Bills have looked simply unstoppable and Josh Allen is playing lights out. How the Chargers plan to stop the Buffalo offensive juggernaut is a real problem, just as is their 0-2 start to the 2026 campaign. Identical 26-14 losses, at home, to Arizona and Las Vegas, is an embarrassment.

The Chargers and Justin Herbert especially, have been hyped incessantly for the past three years but have failed to deliver the goods. Herbert has a QBR of 29.3 this year and has thrown more picks than TDs (3-to-2). Bills should romp at home.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 38 Chargers 17

New York Jets @ Detroit Lions (-6.5, 47.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Lions’ defense is a joke. They’ve allowed 71 points in two games, second only to Indy’s 74 allowed. They’re only 1-1 because they managed to win at home over New Orleans, 31-30 in OT. Last week’s 41-31 loss at Buffalo showed just how porous their defense really is and it’s been a problem for two years. It’s not going to get fixed in time for this game and the Jets are hungry for a win.

New York took the Packers to OT last week, falling, 20-17. It was a second strong effort in a row after the week 1, 23-10, win at Tennessee. The Jets’ defense has been solid, the offense capable, but still in need of chunk plays. They should get a few against Detroit and spring the upset.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jets 28 Lions 26

Carolina Panthers (-2.5, 42.5) @ Cleveland Browns (1:00 pm, FOX) - Cleveland stunned Tampa Bay last week, winning, 23-19, while the Panthers made quick work of the Falcons in a 34-3 laugher.

After the win over Tampa Bay, Deshaun Watson remains the start for Cleveland. He was 24-for-30 passing for 238 yards and a pair of TDs without throwing a pick. This being the home opener for the Browns, expect them to give a solid effort and send Carolina home a loser.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns 24 Panthers 21

Kansas City Chiefs (-11.5, 46.5) @ Miami Dolphins (1:00 pm, CBS) - If the choice in this game comes down to the QB, is it Miami’s Malik Willis or KC’s Patrick Mahomes?

That about settles the debate for this game, a match-up of the 2-0 Chiefs against the 0-2 Dolphins. Sure, upsets happen, but this doesn’t look like one of them. Miami’s lasses have both come on the road, but they were so one-sided, home field is probably not going to afford much of an advantage. They lost at Las Vegas, 27-13 in week 1, and at San Francisco, 35-13, last Sunday.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chiefs 31 Dolphins 10

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5, 42.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:05 pm, FOX) - Surprise, surprise. The Vikings are 2-0 and the Bucaneers are 0-2. Minnesota has done it with a wrecking crew defense, which started making noise in the second half of their win over Green Bay in week 1 and carried through to last week’s 9-3 tour de force at Chicago.

Tampa Bay has gone in the other direction, giving up 56 points in back-to-back losses at Cincinnati and at home (23-19) against the Browns. The Vikings have announced Kyler Murray good to go at QB, though Carson Wentz has done a solid job in his absence. This could be a very close call in a low-scoring environment. Look for Baker Mayfield to lead a late rally.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 16 Vikings 13

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers (-8.5, 48) (4:05 pm, FOX) - The Cardinals shocked the Chargers in week 1, 26-14, but where throttled by Seattle last week, 31-7. San Fran has rung up two big wins over the Rams and Dolphins, the defense allowing only 20 points, third lowest in the league, behind New England (16) and Seattle (17).

Wideout Mike Evans is questionable for this contest, but, otherwise, the 49ers have their full complement of offensive weapons. Hard to see Arizona keeping this one close.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Fearless Rick’s Pick: 49ers 31 Cardinals 10

Las Vegas Raiders @ New Orleans Saints (-3, 44.5) (4:25 pm, CBS) - A couple of upstarts face off in what could very well turn into a shootout. The Raiders are 2-0; the Saints 1-1, but their loss was in OT to Detroit, so they’ve displayed quality on offense, especially in last week’s stunning upset of the Ravens, 24-17.

Home opener for the Saints gives them a slight edge.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Saints 34 Raiders 29

Baltimore Ravens (-3, 52.5) @ Dallas Cowboys (4:25 pm CBS, Rio De Janeiro) - This should be a whale of a game as both teams fly to Rio with identical 1-1 records. The Cowboys are still not proven defensively, as last week they knocked out the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels at the end of the first half and were able to keep backup Marcus Mariota in check throughout the second half for a 37-20 victory.

Baltimore blew an 8-point lead in the fourth quarter last week, falling to the Saints, 24-17, the game-winner a one-yard Tyler Shough plunge with 1:28 left to play. Ravens up against a Dallas offense clicking on all cylinders looks tough.

Coin Flip: Baltimore

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 34 Ravens 24

Los Angeles Rams (-2.5, 45.5) @ Denver Broncos (8:20 pm, NBC) - Whale of a game to close out Sunday’s best. The Rams and Broncos are both coming off needed wins after delivering flops in their respective openers. Both teams were playoff-caliber last season and probably will be there at the end again this year.

This could be a Super Bowl preview with Denver having the edge at home. The Vegas line prefers the Rams, but defensively, Denver should be able to rise to the occasion.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 23 Rams 17

Monday, September 28

Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5, 42) @ Chicago Bears (8:15 pm, ABC, ESPN) - Bears’ QB Caleb Williams is probably a no-go for this one, and #2 Tyson Agent is in concussion protocol, making Case Keenum the likely starter at QB for Chicago. He’s not to be overlooked as he has plenty of experience.

Philly is off to a 2-0 start and looking pretty solid. Last week’s 24-20 win at Tennessee was unexpectedly close, with QB Jalen Hurts leading a surge at the end of the game to win. Week 1, the Eagles narrowly topped the Commanders, 24-22, so, are close games becoming a signature for the Eagles? If so, taking the Bears with points at home might prove prescient.

Coin Flip: Philadelphia

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 24 Eagles 20

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 2 NFL Picks

Week 1 Results: Rick 5-11; Flip: 9-7

Thursday, September 17

Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills (-4.5, 53.5) (8:15 pm, Amazon Prime Video) - Both defenses displayed vulnerabilities in Week 1 victories, though Detroit’s was more egregious, allowing the Saints to rally and send the game into overtime. Besides, the Lions were at home, whereas the Bills played at Houston.

Buffalo chewed through Houston’s defense effectively. As usual, it was mostly QB Josh Allen (334 yards passing, 2 TDs, 23 rushing, 2 TDs) doing the most damage. Expect more of the same against a porous Detroit defense.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 34 Lions 27

Sunday, September 20

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots (-5.5, 41.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Pittsburgh’s defense played well against Atlanta in their 20-13 win, but the offense struggled to run the ball, gaining only 58 yards on the ground. That’s unlikely to work against the Patriots, who come off a tough Super Bowl rematch loss to the Seahawks, 13-10.

NE QB Drake Maye threw three picks in that loss, but don’t expect Pittsburgh to do the same. In fact, the numbers may be reversed as the Patriots pester Aaron Rodgers into errors. He’s not as mobile as he used to be.

Coin Flip: New England

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Patriots 24 Steelers 10

Green Bay Packers (-4.5, 44) @ New York Jets (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Packers got steamrolled by Minnesota’s defense in a horrific, 39-22 loss last week that does not bode well for them making their second straight road start.

The Jets had little difficulty downing Tennessee, 23-10, and their balance on offense should work to their advantage. New York has newfound confidence and should surprise with an upset.

Coin Flip: New York Jets

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jets 26 Packers 23

Cleveland Browns @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8.5, 41) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The line seems rather large for a team (Tampa Bay) coming off a loss, but, after all, they are at home against the Browns, who insist on starting washed-up QB Deshaun Watson, who was sacked five times by the punishing Jacksonville defense. Playing another week in steamy Florida weather isn’t going to help their cause.

The Bucs only had 53 plays from scrimmage in their 33-27 loss, which says they were quite efficient offensively. Could be a second straight blowout loss for the Browns.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 38 Browns 17

Philadelphia Eagles (-7, 39.5) @ Tennessee Titans (1:00 pm, FOX) - Philly looked to be on top of their game in last week’s 24-22 win over AFC East rival, Washington. The defense let down a bit in the fourth quarter, but that happens when Jayden Daniels is running the offense. That shouldn’t be a problem against the Titans. Cam Ward is no Jayden Daniels.

Tennessee is still years away from being a contending team in the NFL. Ward, so far, has been a bust, but the Titans don’t have many options. They’ll stick with him until they lose more games or Ward gets injured.

Coin Flip: Philadelphia

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Eagles 31 Titans 14

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (-4.5, 49) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Viking QB Kyler Murray is still questionable leading up to this NFC North showdown, seems likely to get the start after concussion protocol. Even if he doesn’t go, backup Carson Wentz threw three TDs against the Packers in Minny’s 39-22 wipe-up and the defense was ferocious in the second half. Vikings out-scored the Packers 29-3 in the third and fourth quarters.

If Minnesota’s defense is as good as advertised and the offense avoids turnovers, they will keep this one close. Chicago rushed for 291 yards in their 59-37 rout of Carolina. That’s not going to happen again. The Bears allowed 478 yards of offense to the Panthers, a bit much, even in a romp.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 31 Vikings 30

Carolina Panthers (-3, 43.5) @ Atlanta Falcons (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Falcons lost at Pittsburgh, 20-13, which tells the story of a team with limited offensive weaponry. They may be able to match that total against the Panthers, but probably not much more.

Carolina got ambushed by the Bears, a team that may be the best in the league after all is said and done, so draw a line through their 59-37 home loss. Bryce Young wasn’t bad - 23-37, 361 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT - so things look good for the up-and-coming Carolina squad.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Panthers 27 Falcons 13

New Orleans Saints @ Baltimore Ravens (-8.5, 47) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Tyler Shough proved he can hurl it in last week’s 31-30 OT loss at Detroit,, hitting 35 of 56 passes for 410, 3 TDs, 2 INTs. The Saints will need to run the ball more effectively, though, if they hope to stay close to the Ravens

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry led a 41-23 romp in Indianapolis last week and appear to be everything they’re supposed to be. Henry looks exceptionally fit and powerful and the Saints will have issues trying to contain him. Baltimore appears ready to take no prisoners.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Ravens 34 Saints 16

Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans (-3, 46.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - With Joe Burrow back and healthy, the Bengals have considerable upside after outlasting Tampa Bay last week, 33-27.

This is an important game for the Texans, who are home for a second straight week. Starting off 0-2 is not what they have planned, but they showed holes on defense against the Bills last week in their 36-31 loss, an Burrow will take full advantage, especially if he’s not pressured. Tough call, but Cincy has things going in the right direction.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bengals 24 Texans 21

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos (-3, 44.5) (4:05 pm, CBS) - The Broncos could not have played much worse than they did in their Week 1, 31-10, defeat at Kansas City. The offense never found a rhythm and the defense missed multiple tackles throughout the game. They need to fix these issues and one week of practice isn’t going to cut it.

The Jags made easy work of Cleveland in their 34-10 rout of Cleveland, and proved last season to be one of the best all-around teams in the NFL. Even if Denver was cooking on all burners, they’d have trouble toppling the Jags. Hard to believe the Broncos are favored here.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 30 Broncos 20

Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers (-7, 43.5) (4:05 pm, CBS) - It seems like every year, we hear how great the Chargers are going to be and every year, they disappoint. Opening the season with a 26-14 loss at home to an Arizona team that’s not supposed to be competitive, wasn’t the start the Chargers expected and now they meet a divisional foe that looks very much alive. The Raiders easily topped Miami last week, 27-13.

The Chargers might find a way to win this game, but it’s not going to be easy. Vegas had its way with the Dolphins and the defense played smart. If the Chargers can’t contain Ashton Jeanty, they’re in for a long afternoon. This could come down to a late field goal or OT.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chargers 23 Raiders 20

Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers (-13.5, 46) (4:25 pm, FOX) - Ouch. Largest line on the board says the 49ers are geared to go and Miami has no offense.

Unless the ‘Niners have jet lag after their 27-7 stomping of the Rams, this could get ugly, early. There aren’t many big mismatches in the NFL, but this sure looks like one.

Coin Flip: San Francisco

Fearless Rick’s Pick: 49ers 42 Dolphins 10

Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys (-3.5, 51) (4:25 pm, FOX) - Dallas still doesn’t have adequate defense, as demonstrated quite clearly in their Sunday night loss at the Meadowlands, the Giants controlling the tempo start to finish.

The Cowboys are another one of the teams with high hopes but still with flaws and they are vulnerable to an offense that will not quit, such as Washington showed in their 24-22 loss at Philly last week. Dallas won both meetings last season, but the Commanders can take it to them this time around.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 27 Cowboys 24

Seattle Seahawks (-4, 41.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (4:25 pm, FOX) - The Cardinals lost a Week 4 meeting in Arizona to the Seahawks last year, 23-20, and will look to keep things close again versus the reigning league champs.

Seattle managed to slip by New England in the season opener, 13-10, and have had plenty of rest, the game played last Wednesday. Their defense is likely to clamp down on Jacoby Brissett and maybe force a few turnovers. Seattle’s offense isn’t exactly world-class, but they will score enough to make this one a laugher.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 24 Cardinals 6

Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs (-6, 47.5) (8:20 pm, NBC) - The Colts are really up against the odds heading into Kansas City, especially after Patrick Mahomes showed no ill effects fro last season’s injury and their feature running back, Kenneth Walker III was exceptional in their 31-10 rout of Denver.

Indy got spanked by Baltimore, 41-23, and they may suffer another setback if their defense can’t keep the Chiefs offense off the field. KC also has as solid a defense as can be found in the league and that may ultimately prove to be the difference.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chiefs 31 Colts 21

Monday, September 21

New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams (-7, 48.5) (8:15 pm, ESPN) - Maybe the Giants aren’t as good as their 28-20 win over Dallas suggests and maybe the Rams aren’t the dynamic, Super Bowl-bound team everybody suggested preseason.

The Rams got stuffed good and hard by the 49ers in Australia last week in a 27-7 humbling loss, and though they’ve had time to adjust, they’ll be without Myles Garrett, who didn’t log a defensive stat against the 49ers and now is out at least four weeks. It’s a problem and NY’s Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo will gladly take full advantage.

Coin Flip: New York Giants

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Giants 24 Rams 20

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 1 NFL Picks

Preseason Week 3 Results: Rick: 10-6; Flip: 4-12
Cumulative Preseason: Rick: 27-22; Flip: 24-25

Wednesday, September 9 New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks (-3.5, 44) (8:20 pm, NBC) - The champs are back in action in a re-match of last season’s Super Bowl. The Seahawks may actually be better than they were last year and that spells trouble for the visitors.

Can Sam Darnold duplicate his 2025 season? That’s a key question surrounding this game and the remainder of the season, but one thing is certain: the Seattle defense will be a force with which to reckon. The Pats also will be better on defense and the addition of A.J. Brown to the New England receiving corps will provide QB Drake Maye some big time playmaking.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 20 Patriots 13

Thursday, September 10

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams (-3.5, 48.5) (8:35 pm Netflix, Melbourne) - OK, we get it. The Rams are la creme de la creme in the NFL. They will probably win this game - the first ever in Australia - against their NFC West rivals, the 49ers, who have the usual injury issues already, with no less than 11 starters listed as questionable a week before the game.

The Rams may get the assistance on defense of Aaron Donald, who has been working out with the team, but they’re unlikely to need him. Going with the Rams just on hype. After this, we’ll see.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rams 27 49ers 20

Sunday, September 13

Buffalo Bills (-1.5, 44.5) @ Houston Texans (1:00 pm, CBS) - Houston, we have a problem, and it’s called C.J. Stroud. The Texans signal-caller was horrible in the playoffs last season and has plenty to prove heading into the regular season. The Bills have revamped their defense and will be pressuring most of the afternoon.

Buffalo still has Superman, aka Josh Allen, and his wingman, James Cook III, both of whom will be all-pro again this season. Add in D.J. Moore at wideout and the Bills have the look of a team that could finally go all the way.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 31 Texans 14

New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans (-1, 38.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Judging by the preseason performance of Tennessee QB Cam Ward, there’s still work to be done. Ward didn’t impress at all last season and was pretty much ineffective throughout the preseason.

What the Jets have going for them is a revamped defense, Geno Smith at QB and another season with Aaron Glenn as head coach. Both teams were 3-14 last year, so this game is a tough one to call, but give the Jets the nod on Geno Smith’s experience behind center.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jets 24 Titans 16

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5, 48.5) @ Indianapolis Colts (1:00 pm, CBS) - This one should perk up everybody’s NFL antennas with Daniel Jones returning for the Colts after last season’s performance and season-ending injury. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are back for the Ravens with new head coach Jesse Minter.

Indy was headed for the playoffs in 2025 until Jones’ injury left them leaderless. There’s a very good possibility that the Ravens may be a little overrated here especially against a quality Colts team at home. Baltimore’s defense was nothing special last season and they may not be much better in 2026.

Coin Flip: Baltimore

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 31 Ravens 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 50) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Joe Burrow starts another season in Cincinnati and hopes to remain healthy for the duration. Over on the Tampa Bay side, it’s still summer, meaning the Buccaneers won’t have weather issues and may actually be better suited for playing in the heat.

Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield will have Bucky Irving by his side, and that may make all the difference for the Bucs’ offense. Irving missed seven games last season, and, including the 31-25 loss to Philly in which he was injured, the Bucs were 3-5. Tampa missed the playoffs by a hair but are likely to rebound in 2026. This one looks like a shoot-out.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 34 Bengals 31

Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-7.5, 41) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The line says it all. The Jags were a few plays away from making the AFC Championship and have high hopes for this season. Trevor Lawrence may vie for MVP and Jacksonville’s defensive prowess is already well-known.

Cleveland (5-12 in 2025) will start discredited Deshaun Watson over Shedder Sanders in the first of two consecutive road games. The idea is that Watson will either make or break in those two games giving the Browns’ brass reason to start Sanders at QB for the home opener, or not. Either way, give the points. Could be a romp.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 34 Browns 9

Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 41.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Toss up game for both teams, though the Steelers are favored because they’re home and ageless QB Aaron Rodgers will be starting for new - and former - head coach Mike McCarthy.

Atlanta seems to have figured out its QB rotation, for now, with Tua Tagovailoa getting the call over injured Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush. Atlanta can lean on RB Bijan Robinson while the Steelers are still in search of a running game. Defenses appear equal. Razor’s edge to Atlanta.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 20 Steelers 17

Chicago Bears (-2.5, 47.5) @ Carolina Panthers (1:00 pm, FOX) - Two teams on a collision course in the long race to the playoffs. The Panthers surprised many by winning the NFC South last season while the Bears were shockingly good, taking the NFC North.

Caleb Williams may be gunning for MVP this season. He was lights out last year and should be ready to roll. Carolina QB Bryce Young still needs some fine-tuning, but he was on the right path in 2025. No reason to believe he won’t be better this year. Tough call in a game that may be won by a field goal or possibly in OT.

Coin Flip: Chicago

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Panthers 27 Bears 24

New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions (-7, 49.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Lions don’t need to prove to anybody that they can score from anywhere on the field, but the defense still lacks killer instinct. A healthy Aidan Hutchinson sold help in that regard.

New Orleans goes with Tyler Slough over Spencer Rattler at QB, though neither of them hold a candle to Detroit’s Jared Goff, which is why giving seven is probably not enough for Saints’ backers.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Lions 30 Saints 17

Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders (-3, 41) (4:25 pm, FOX) - OK, both of these teams stunk up the place last year, but hopes are high for both squads, and, since it’s Week 1, why not?

This is one of the more unimportant games of the week, but eyes will be focused the Raiders and starting QB, Kirk Cousins, who gets the nod over #1 pick, Fernando Mendoza. How long Cousins keeps his job runs somewhere between three and five losses and this could be #1. Miami goes with Malik Willis at QB and DeVon Achane at RB, who could be the missing link for Miami’s offense.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Dolphins 27 Raiders 17

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Chargers (-10, 46.5) (4:25 pm, CBS) - The Cardinals won just three games last season, and they’re sure to lose at least six in their own division, against the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks.

They appear wildly overmatched on the road against the Chargers, an 11-6 team in 2025 that has higher aspirations in 2026. LA should rip here.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chargers 42 Cardinals 20

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (-1.5, 45) (4:25 pm, CBS) - Even though there are question marks on both sides of this affair, the Vikings have the more considerable ones, with Kyler Murray taking over as starting QB in place of J.J. McCarthy, who, for all intents and purposes, looks like a career backup.

After a sub-par 9-7-1 season, despite making the playoffs, the Packers need to prove they are a contender in the division and conference. They have proven ability and can probably force more than a few turnovers by the Vikings. Although these games are often close, the Vikes seem to be behind the eight ball this season. Have to like the Packers’ chances of starting off 1-0.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 24 Vikings 19

Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5, 45.5) (4:25 pm, FOX) - With Jayden Daniels back after an injury-ridden season, the Commanders may surprise some people, including the arch-rival Eagles. Washington has a slew of weapons on offense which the Eagles will be hard pressed to slow.

While the Eagles have a decided edge on defense, the offense, which will run through Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, lacks downfield threats outside of DeVonta Smith, though the Commanders’ secondary has ample resources with which to cover him. Philly may win this, but it’s likely to be closer than the spread indicate.

Coin Flip: Philadelphia

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 27 Eagles 23

Dallas Cowboys (-2.5, 49) @ New York Giants (8:20 pm, NBC) - Oh, well, here we go agains the great NFC East debate. The Giants have a new head coach in John Harbaugh, as do the Cowboys, with Brian Schottenheimer. Harbaugh has proven ability, but maybe not the personnel he needs, though with Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, the makings of a solid offense are there. Malik Nabers is questionable and may be a game-time decision.

Dallas has all the offense it needs, but the defense is still lacking the kind of players that can halt drives, and that’s a problem in a game that may go down to the final seconds.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Giants 26 Cowboys 23

Monday, September 14

Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs (-3, 42) (8:15 pm, ESPN) - Patrick is supposedly ready to go for the season opener, which is welcome news for the Chiefs. Denver has a healthy Bo Nix at QB and a defense that was top-shelf last season.

Denver won both contests against their AFC West rival last year and took the division with a 14-3 record. Without Nix at QB, they could not generate any offense in a 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC Championship. Given a healthy Bo Nix and a team three points short of a trip to the Super Bowl, are we to believe the Chiefs will rebound from a 6-11 season (losing all six of their last games) to challenge the AFC again. Color is doubtful.

Coin Flip: Kansas City

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 30 Chiefs 17