Estimated read time: 9-10 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time, KSL.com Sports is producing Pro Football Pick'em, which will follow teams from the NFL.
Similar to College Football Pick'em, you will choose a fan base, make your picks from all five games, and receive points for choosing the winner of each game. The closer the score, the more points you get.
The first game to pick on the slate is on Friday, so get your picks in early.
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (in Brazil)
Friday, Sept. 6 (6:15 p.m. MDT, Peacock)
The game between two of the better NFC teams features multiple in-state players and coaches. The Packers lead the all-time series with 28 wins to 16 losses.
Why the Packers will win:
Former Utah State Aggies quarterback Jordan Love exceeded expectations last year, ranking in the top 10 for yards, touchdowns and interceptions. Any defensive miscue and Love will take advantage of it.
The Packers surprised many people last year and are expected to be a better team this year, given a recent running back upgrade in Josh Jacobs from the Los Vegas Raiders.
A wideout room of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, paired with two tight ends in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, will give the Eagles defense fits.
A solid offensive line and excellent secondary, including former BYU player Zayne Anderson, give the Packers the needed defensive backs to handle the Eagles' stacked wideout crew.
Why the Eagles will win:
Jalen Hurts is a perennial star quarterback, and AJ Brown is a top-five wideout in the NFL. Oh, and they acquired one of the best running backs in the league in Saquon Barkley.
Brown, Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, and recently acquired Jahan Dotson provide Hurts with added weapons.
The Eagles' offensive line is one of the best in the NFL, despite losing center Jason Kelce to retirement. The Packers pass rush is solid, but the Eagles should be giving Hurts time.
The Eagles also have a solid defensive line in Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter and Bryce Huff, and it will be difficult for Green Bay to keep them out of the backfield.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson is a top-end safety given his recent contract extension, and Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) and Cooper DeJean (Iowa) were the two highest-rated corners coming into the NFL from the draft last season according to PFF and could take advantage of Love's mistakes.
Line: Philadelphia -3
Over/Under: 48.5
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, Sept. 8 (11 a.m. MDT, CBS)
It's a battle of the 2023 NFL draft QBs. Second-overall pick CJ Stroud and fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson will battle for AFC South divisional pride in hopes to take an early season lead.
Why the Texans will win:
Stroud proved to be one of the best draft picks for the Texans since Deshaun Watson. He threw for over 4,000 yards last season and will give the Colts defensive backs trouble.
Houston acquired Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills and now has a clear WR1 to pair with Nico Collins and Tank Dell who showed flashed last season.
The offense, in general, is stacked and will cause issues for a questionable Colts defense.
Danielle Hunter, who was top five in sacks last year, is paired with former No. 3 pick Will Anderson. Though the Colts offensive line is good, the two edges will give the young QB troubles staying in the pocket.
Why the Colts will win:
Richardson is healthy after playing in just four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Up to that point, the Colts were 2-2 and showed some promise. The rookie ran for 136 yards on just 25 carries, giving them another running option if the pocket collapses.
The other running option is Johnathan Taylor, who is no doubt one of the best backs in the league when healthy. Taylor rushed for 2,980 combined yards in his first two seasons, paired with 29 touchdowns — he ran for 1,800 yards alone in his second season.
The Texans will have to figure out a way to limit the long runs to stand a chance.
The Colts drafted wideout Adonai Mitchell out of Texas, adding more speed to their roster after he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in March. Michael Pittman was in the top five in receptions last year for the Colts with a backup quarterback, giving defenses issues when he was in the game.
Former Utes safety Julian Blackmon returns as the starting safety for the Colts, where the ballhawk will give Stroud fits trying to throw the ball deep.
Line: Houston -3
Over/Under: 48.5
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Sunday, Sept. 8 (11 a.m. MDT, FOX)
This game could go either way as both quarterbacks are capable of great things — and not-so-great things. Both teams are expected to have a down year, but an early season win could change that trajectory.
Why the Vikings will win:
Justin Jefferson is one of the best wideouts in the NFL and has been for three years. In just 10 games last year, Jefferson had over 1,000 yards of receiving and five touchdowns. It is just too hard to contain him for a whole game.
Jordan Addison had a great rookie campaign, catching 70 balls for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the team; however, Addison is listed as questionable after suffering an ankle injury.
The Vikings recently acquired Aaron Jones from free agency, giving the offense a solid running back option in addition to the wideouts.
Expected starter Sam Darnold is on his fourth team since 2018. He recently played for the San Francisco 49ers, where he appeared in 10 games and threw for 297 yards and a touchdown.
Why the Giants will win:
After losing Saquon Barkley to the division-rival Eagles, the Giants are sort of in figure-it-out mode.
Daniel Jones had a poor performance in his six games last year before suffering an ACL tear. But in the previous year, Jones looked like a star throwing for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns to just five picks.
Still, Jones is a threat with his legs, where he rushed for 708 yards two years ago with seven touchdowns. His mobility can keep the Vikings defense guessing on which way the Giants want to run the offense.
Malik Nabers out of LSU is an great prospect and instantly becomes WR1, giving Jones options in the field.
The Giants recently traded for Brian Burnes, who is one of the better edge rushers in the league. Pairing him with Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibadeaux will give the Vikings offensive line issues trying to get to the edge.
Line: Minnesota -2
Over/Under: 41.5
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, Sept. 8 (2:05 p.m. MDT, CBS)
No spies for this one, it will be a great matchup between AFC West opponents. Both teams are healthy after a year of injuries, and the defenses will be the focal point in this matchup.
Why the Chargers will win:
It's Jim Harbaugh season in Los Angeles where he has a great quarterback at his disposal.
Justin Herbert, the 2020 Rookie of the Year, finally has a solid offensive line for the first time in his career. Herbert averages over 270 passing yards per game since his rookie year, which means the thin defensive back room of Las Vegas could be in for a long day.
The Chargers defense has been up and down over the years. Derwin James is one of the best safeties in the NFL and is healthy, while Khalil Mack is aging but still a force rushing the passer.
Even solid play from the Chargers defense should get them the win in this game comfortably.
Why the Raiders will win:
The Raiders are one of the most questionable teams this year. They have a great wideout in Davante Adams, two great tight ends in Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, and a solid WR2 in Jakobi Meyers.
Gardner Minshew is the starting quarterback after he took over for the injured Richardson last year. He threw for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Colts last year.
Maxx Crosby is a dynamic edge rusher, finishing with 14.5 sacks last year. Former Miami Dolphins star Christian Wilkins signed with the Raiders to bolster their defensive line.
Same as the Chargers though, a good defensive effort could let them pull away with a win. The offense has enough talent to win the Raiders games, but the defense needs to give some buffer room.
Line: Los Angeles -3
Over/Under: 40.5
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, Sept. 8 (2:25 p.m. MDT, FOX)
After another disappointing postseason exit for the Cowboys, it seems like they have one last chance. The Browns got their quarterback healthy, and the Cowboys extended their best offensive player.
Why the Cowboys will win:
Quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off, statistically, the best year of his career. He has a great WR1 in CeeDee Lamb who signed a massive extension to stay in Dallas.
The Cowboys brought back running back Ezekiel Elliot, who went to New England for a year, and have one of the best offensive lines in the league despite losing Tyron Smith to the New York Jets.
DeMarcus Lawrence is a great edge rusher, and Mazi Smith, who had an underwhelming rookie year, is expected to be getting a starting role at defensive tackle.
Then there is Micah Parsons. While having 14 sacks last year, Parsons is a force and will give every team issues, especially a team like the Browns who run a typical shotgun RPO offense.
Why the Browns will win:
It's hard to win at the Dawg Pound. The Browns were 8-1 at home last year, 6-3 in 2022, and 6-2 in 2020.
Cleveland has one of the better offensive lines in the game and get better every year. Deshaun Watson is healthy and got another receiving option in Jerry Jeudy from the Browns.
Jerome Ford was great in his role last season, totaling 813 yards and four touchdowns as the waiver-wire hero to fantasy football players last year.
Myles Garrett, the reigning defensive player of the year after a 14-sack performance last year, will give offensive lines issues. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is one of the most underrated linebackers in the league coming off a season where he totaled 101 tackles.
The secondary is also loaded with Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Greg Newsome.
The Browns defense is deep and will give the Cowboys offense issues no matter what happens. It will be a defensive game with two of the best in the NFL going at it.
Line: Cleveland -2.5
Over/Under: 41.5
