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Right here we go once more. My sixth season of selecting NFL winners — not towards the unfold, however relatively straight up. Scoreboard winners.
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Final season was my greatest but: 65.8%, after success charges of 64.5% in 2016, 64.1% in 2017, 65.2% in 2018 and 63.9% in 2019.
That’s a five-year common of 64.7% — simply so you already know what you’re getting right here, for higher or worse. My aim every season had been to be appropriate at the least 65.0% of the time.
This 12 months: 66.0%. You’re getting higher or getting worse, proper? Set targets accordingly.
To Week 1:
Dallas at Tampa Bay, Thursday
KRYK PICK: Tampa Bay
Didn’t suppose the Cowboys would look so sharp offensively. Bodes effectively. The Bucs assault was much more strong, although, when it wasn’t turning it over.
Philadelphia at Atlanta, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
(CTV2 Toronto, Ottawa, London/Windsor, Atlantic; by way of FOX)
KRYK PICK: Atlanta
So many unknowns. Rookie head coaches sq. off: Philly’s Nick Sirianni vs. Atlanta’s Arthur Smith. At QB, still-raw Jalen Hurts leads the Eagles. Go together with Falcons vet Matt Ryan.
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Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
(CTV Toronto, Montreal, Kitchener, Ottawa, Northern Ontario, Saskatchewan, Atlantic; CTV2 BC, Alberta; by way of CBS)
KRYK PICK: Buffalo
How a lot weaker is Pittsburgh’s defence after low season participant departures? Josh Allen and the high-charged Payments assault ought to offer these solutions quickly sufficient.
N.Y. Jets at Carolina, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
KRYK PICK: Instantly, new Panthers QB Sam Darnold faces the group that gave up on him. He ought to outplay his rookie successor, Zach Wilson.
Minnesota at Cincinnati, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
(TSN3; TSN5; CTV Winnipeg; by way of FOX)
KRYK PICK: Minnesota
QB Joe Burrow is again from his ACL tear to guide the Bengals. The Vikings really feel that accidents undid them a 12 months in the past, and that they’ll get again on a playoff observe. Time to show it.
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San Francisco at Detroit, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
KRYK PICK: San Francisco
Dan Campbell makes his head-coaching debut for the Lions. We should see simply how robust his activity is towards a 49ers group that may run it down the Lions’ throats. And hello Jared Goff.
Jacksonville at Houston, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
KRYK PICK: Jacksonville
No. 1 general decide Trevor Lawrence debuts for Jags, as professional QB place-holder Tyrod Taylor begins for Houston — and the most effective QB within the constructing, Deshaun Watson, watches in sweats.
Seattle at Indianapolis, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
(CTV BC, Alberta; by way of FOX)
KRYK PICK: Seattle
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson begins Yr 10 within the constructing the place he led Wisconsin to a Large Ten title 10 years in the past. Carson Wentz is healed from his foot damage and debuts as Colts QB.
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Arizona at Tennessee, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
KRYK PICK: Tennessee
Titans nonetheless battling COVID-19 points, and query marks stay on their defence that was one of many NFL’s worst by season’s finish in 2020. Nonetheless, Derrick Frickin’ Henry.
L.A. Chargers at Washington, Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
KRYK PICK: Los Angeles
Upset decide. Brandon Staley debuts as L.A. head coach. Justin Herbert, 2020’s rookie QB phenom, has low season seasoning beneath his belt. He should conjure extra magic than Fitz.
Cleveland at Kansas Metropolis, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT
(CTV nationally besides Montreal and Atlantic; by way of CBS)
KRYK PICK: Kansas Metropolis
The Ok.C. O-line that bought eaten by the Bucs within the Tremendous Bowl seven months in the past? Yeah, the complete starting-five has been changed — and upgraded. Mahomes will be Mahomes once more.
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Miami at New England, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT
(CTV Montreal; CTV2 Atlantic; by way of CBS)
KRYK PICK: New England
Miami head coach Brian Flores, a Invoice Belichick disciple, will fluster rookie Pats QB Mac Jones. However Belichick will rattle Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa much more. Low-scoring slugfest.
Inexperienced Bay ‘at’ New Orleans, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT
(TSN3; TSN5; by way of FOX)
KRYK PICK: Inexperienced Bay
Relocated to Jacksonville as a result of Hurricane Ida ravaged New Orleans. There’s a purpose Tampa Bay gave up on new Saints QB Jameis Winston; he was a turnover machine. Is he nonetheless?
Denver at N.Y. Giants, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT
KRYK PICK: Denver
Two sturdy defences. Is new Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater significantly better than third-year Giants QB Daniel Jones? Nope. However Jones is a gaffe-meister, and Broncos coaches comprehend it.
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Chicago at L.A. Rams, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT
(TSN; CTV2; by way of NBC)
KRYK PICK: Los Angeles
First soccer recreation at SoFi Stadium to accommodate followers. They should have a lot to cheer about, as ex-Lion Matthew Stafford reveals why Sean McVay wished him so badly.
Baltimore at Las Vegas, Monday, 8:15 p.m. EDT
(TSN; CTV2; by way of ESPN)
KRYK PICK: Las Vegas
Baltimore at all times is among the most injury-unlucky groups and it begins 2021 with RB and WR models in tatters. Raiders? First recreation at Allegiant Stadium with followers? Monday? Take Vegas.
BYES THIS WEEK: None.
SEASON RECORD: 0-0 (.000).
LIONS LINE TAKES A HIT
The Detroit Lions have misplaced beginning left offensive sort out Taylor Decker for some time.
After Decker injured a finger in follow on Wednesday in a routine pass-blocking “punch,” NFL Community reported he requires corrective surgical procedure, is headed for injured reserve, and is anticipated to overlook a month.
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Not precisely what new Lions quarterback Jared Goff wished to listen to. Left sort out is an important offensive-line place for any right-handed QB, as that lineman protects his bottom towards a defence’s right-side edge rusher.
Penei Sewell, Detroit’s No. 7 general draft decide within the spring, may transfer from beginning proper sort out over to left.
“If that’s the place we ended up going with it, that’s what he did play in school (at Oregon) and it’s one thing he’s snug with,” new Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated Friday.
The Lions face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Matt Nelson and Logan Stenberg are Detroit’s different LT choices, Campbell stated.
The Niners will throw three top-notch edge rushers at whoever strains up at LT for Detroit: 2019 NFL defensive rookie-of-the-year Nick Bosa (limitless now after recovering from an ACL tear final 12 months), Arik Armstead and Dee Ford.
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Good luck, Jared.
EAGLES LOCK UP TACKLE
5 years in the past Jordan Mailata had by no means performed North American soccer.
On Saturday the towering offensive sort out from Sydney, Australia, signed a contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles price at the least $64 million over 4 years, NFL Community reported.
Mailata, 24, is listed at 6-foot-8, 346 kilos. He’s the Eagles’ new beginning left sort out. Previous to coming state-side as Philly’s seventh-round draft decide in 2018, Mailata grew up taking part in rugby league down beneath, rising to the skilled degree.
COWBOYS LOSE RIGHT TACKLE
Lower than 24 hours after the Dallas Cowboys misplaced their opener at Tampa Bay, they misplaced their beginning RT La’el Collins for greater than a month.
In the event you didn’t hear, the NFL suspended Collins for 5 video games for violating the league’s substance-abuse coverage. ESPN reported the seventh-year participant didn’t fail any drug assessments.
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It’s one other blow to the Dallas entrance.
EXTRA POINTS
Indy prolonged RB Nyheim Hines … Cleveland elevated LB Elijah Lee and PK Chris Naggar from the follow squad … Miami activated OT Austin Jackson off COVID-19/reserve.
FIVE BIG QUESTIONS
- How will the rookie QBs fare? Trevor Lawrence (Jags), Zach Wilson (Jets) and Mac Jones (Patriots) will begin. How a lot of Trey Lance (49ers) and Justin Fields (Bears) may we see?
- Is Aaron Rodgers nonetheless Aaron Rodgers? Coming off one other MVP season and some of the environment friendly by a passer in NFL historical past, but in addition off a risky low season wherein he mulled retirement, is he nonetheless all-in?
- Does Josh Allen decide up the place he left off? The Payments QB burst into superstardom final season. Positive didn’t appear like a fluke. After signing a $258-million extension, expectations are up.
- Will ‘LDT’ begin or again up? Montreal physician Laurent Duvernay-Tardif had his first limitless week of follow in a month, after injuring a hand. Does he get his outdated RG job again?
- How will Matthew Stafford play towards Chicago? The ex-Lion is used to going through the Bears. What the brand new Rams QB just isn’t used to is being surrounded by quite a few first-rate receivers, in such a intelligent play-action assault as Sean McVay’s.
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THE BIG NUMBER
69.9
Share of video games final season (179 of 256) that have been inside one rating (eight factors or much less) in some unspecified time in the future within the fourth quarter.
FUNKIEST FACTOID
How necessary is a victorious begin to the season? Fairly necessary. The NFL revealed this week that of the 55 earlier Tremendous Bowl winners, 44 started their championship season with a win. And since 1978, groups that win their opener are greater than twice as more likely to make the playoffs.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Each time they pee, you need it to look clear.”
— Matt LaFleur, Packers head coach, on urging his gamers to always hydrate this week earlier than Sunday’s relocated recreation in sultry Florida.
JoKryk@postmedia.com
@JohnKryk
