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 consultants picks crew, however it wasn’t excellent. None of us actually have been.
That adjustments now.
It is a new season, which implies like each fan base and each staff, optimism is part of my equation. I will probably 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 document 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 exhibiting my 2024 document.
All instances ET
Wager NFL Week 1 video games and NFL odds at DraftKings, the place new customers get $300 in bonus bets and over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket. Click on right here to get began:
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
The Bucs are the favorites within the division, however the Falcons are thought of the highest risk. 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.
Choose: Bucs 28, Falcons 24 | Odds through BetMGM
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
The battle of Ohio is all the time attention-grabbing, and this one ought to be no totally 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 massive offensive numbers. The protection has questions, however the Browns will not have the ability to sustain. It is shut, however Burrow wins it.
Choose: Bengals 30, Browns 27 | Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
This will probably 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 excellent likelihood for Jones. The Dolphins ought to have the ability to have success throwing it on the opposite aspect, particularly if Tyreek Hill is again wholesome. Search for a high-scoring recreation, with the Colts discovering a means at residence.
Choose: Colts 33, Dolphins 30 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
That is the debut for Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who ought to brighten up the offense. Search for Trevor Lawrence to play effectively 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 very best of him right here. Jaguars take it.
Choose: Jaguars 27, Panthers 21 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
This can be 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 feel Geno Smith will do sufficient right here to drag it out late. Carroll will get extra revenge towards the staff that fired him.
Choose: Raiders 24, Patriots 23 Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook, the place new customers get $300 in bonus bets with a profitable $5 wager:
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
Opening on the highway within the NFL is all the time a troublesome factor to do, even when this can be a Saints staff that is not anticipated to be that good. The Cardinals will probably 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, however it will not be simple.
Choose: 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 ought to be the highest storyline to focus on the sport. However it’s additionally Jets quarterback Justin Fields towards his former staff from final season. This has the look of a defensive battle with the Jets discovering a means at residence.
Choose: Jets 20, Steelers 16 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
Russell Wilson makes his Giants debut at quarterback, and does so with rookie Jaxson Dart trying over his shoulder. He higher play effectively early. The Commanders will counter with Jayden Daniels in his second season after a powerful rookie exhibiting. 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 through BetMGM
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
This will probably be Cameron Ward’s first NFL begin for the Titans, and he is making it towards one of many league’s finest 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 aspect. The Broncos get off to a quick begin, whereas the protection closes the door by limiting Ward.
Choose: Broncos 26, Titans 13 | Odds through DraftKings Sportsbook
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
The 49ers have received seven of the final eight on this sequence, however Seattle received the final one final November. These groups are loads totally different now. The 49ers have been banged up final 12 months, however Christian McCaffrey and left sort out Trent Williams are two of their stars who’re again. That can matter. The Seahawks can have Sam Darnold making his first begin at quarterback. It is all the time robust to play at Seattle, however the 49ers know easy methods to win there. They’ll once more.
Choose: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17 | Odds through BetMGM, the place new customers stand up to $1,500 in bonus bets in case your first wager loses:
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
These are two of the higher groups within the NFC, which is a good 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 influence this recreation with out collaborating in camp is an enormous query. This has the look of a recreation with a whole lot of factors with Jordan Love pulling it out late.
Choose: 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 season with a again damage, which must be a priority. However he’ll begin and so they say he is wonderful. He faces a fierce Texans protection. C.J. Stroud is making an attempt to bounce again from his sophomore hunch, however his offensive line won’t be a lot better than it was a 12 months in the past. The Rams get after him and win it.
Choose: Rams 23, Texans 17 | Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
That is the premier recreation of the week, that includes two of the Tremendous 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 assume they get it. Being on the highway on a Sunday night time to your opener is a troublesome factor to beat, however it’s actually robust due to the opponent. Josh Allen and the Payments will win an in depth one.
Choose: Payments 34, Ravens 31 | Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN (Stream: Fubo — attempt free of charge)
This will probably 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 robust. This will probably be no totally different. Bears take it in a small upset.
Choose: Bears 27, Vikings 21 | Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook
