Blazin' 5: Colin Cowherd Gives His Five Best NFL Bets For Week 1
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2021 Blazin' 5 record: 39-47-1 (Colin made bonus picks in Week 4 & 5)
Browns at Panthers (SPREAD: CAR -0.5)
“Carolina at home minus half a point, I like Baker Mayfield here at home against his ex-teammates. First of all, the Panthers had the most blown leads in the NFL last year, 10. They were in a lot of games, Sam Darnold made too many mistakes. Their defense was excellent and it was all year, third fewest yards per play last year, and now it’s against Jacoby Brissett, missing his starting center, who has a career passer rating in the low-80’s, and struggles to complete 60% of his throws. Carolina back-to-back has had drafts that I like, Cleveland is using a career average backup, and Baker has a history of being inspired in individual games. I’m going to take the Panthers and Baker, 27-23.”
Colin's prediction: Panthers 27, Browns 23.
Colin's pick: Carolina -0.5
Eagles at Lions (SPREAD: PHI -4)
“Detroit +4, you may be able to get 4.5 today. Lions were 3-3 their final six games and once Jared Goff got comfortable at the end of the year he completed 69% of his throws, 11 TDs, and 2 picks. The Lions have two of the best tackles in football, I love their tackle tandem. The Eagles could not get to the quarterback last year, second fewest sacks. Detroit, an inspired football team, not a great one, but they’re at home as a dog, and Dan Campbell if nothing else is a great motivator. I’m going to take the Lions to win one of the more entertaining games of the weekend. Take the points, 27-26.”
Colin's prediction: Lions 27, Eagles 26.
Colin's pick: Detroit +4
Colts at Texans (SPREAD: IND -7)
“I know you think I’m nuts, I’m going to take the Texans +7. I like the number more at 7.5 but I’ll go with 7 and here’s why… Davis Mills was good last year, you just didn’t watch him play. He was second as a rookie in completion percentage, touchdown passes, and passer rating. The Colts have lost eight straight season openers, they’re on another quarterback in Matt Ryan, and they don’t have a number two receiver yet. I think the Colts will win the division but they’re not dynamic offensively. If you shut down Jonathan Taylor there’s limitations over the top of what they can do. Davis Mills is young and ascending, Matt Ryan is 35 and last year REALLY looked old, did he not? I’m going to take the Texans and the points in a very close game, Colts win narrowly, but it’s an in-division game and just too many points to lay for a team, Frank Reich and the Colts, who have been terrible in season openers.”
Colin's prediction: Colts 24, Texans 23.
Colin's pick: Houston +7
Jaguars at Commanders (SPREAD: WAS -2.5)
“Like it? I LOVE IT, Jaguars +2.5, I think they’re going to win outright. First of all, the Jaguars spent over $300 million in free agency, and teams that spend that kind of money in free agency usually improve. They got Trevor Lawrence an offensive coach. They got him Evan Ingram at tight end, they got him Zay Jones and Christian Kirk at receiver, and they upgraded the offensive line. Trevor Lawrence looked pretty good in that Week 18 game last year, and he’s a bounce-back kid. Carson Wentz – this is total disarray for this franchise, and it’s another quarterback, he didn’t have a great camp, there’s controversy… Alex Smith said about two months ago ‘you can’t concentrate on football with this organization.’ The Commanders defense last year, for all the personnel, struggled mightily against the pass. I think the Jags are one of the surprise teams in the league this year. They won’t be great but in that division they’ll be a real threat week to week. I have them beating the Commanders, 28-20.”
Colin's prediction: Jaguars 28, Commanders 20.
Colin's pick: Jacksonville +2.5
Packers at Vikings (SPREAD: GB -1.5)
“First of all, I’ve been on this one for about six months, Vikings +1.5, I don’t know how they’re getting points at home. They were in the most one possession games last year and that’s with a lot of injuries, and with a quarterback who didn’t feel supported. Kirk Cousins was one of two quarterbacks who had over 30 touchdowns and fewer than 10 picks. Only Aaron Rodgers did that in the league last year. The Packers are usually great at home but they were only a 5-4 road team last year, and they have struggled through the years with Minnesota. Allen Lazard is hurt, Christian Watson is hurt, Elgton Jenkins is hurt, Robert Tonyan is off an ACL... The Packers are beat up, they don’t have a number one receiver. Eventually I think this receiver group is tasty, but in game 1 against a new coach, McVay’s system, at home? I don’t know. I think the Vikings should be favored. I’m going to take them 26-23 over the beat-up Packers.”
Colin's prediction: Vikings 26, Packers 23.
Colin's pick: Minnesota +1.5
All spreads are provided by Fox Bet.
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