NFL Week One Expert Predictions

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Games of week

Aug 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) prepares to throw the ball during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings at 49ers

The Vikings were everyone’s favorite tea before the preseason started in 2015. With Adrian Peterson returning and Teddy Bridgewater improving near the end of the season, it’s hard not to agree. The Vikings didn’t show up as most thought they would in the preseason and Bridgewater notoriously checked down almost every thrown he made and the Vikings offense ranked 16th in the NFL. Defensively the Vikings looked the part finishing 7th in total defense.

While the vikings still have to prove a lot in the NFC North, they should have an easy win in San Francisco.

Vikings: Payton, Mack, Stahl, DeGain, Williams, Pursel, Platte, Baligian, Risdon, Meinke

49ers: Ackerman

Packers at Bears

Despite the loss of Jordy Nelson, the Packers are quite able to absorb it. The Packer offense did exactly what many thought it would do when it finished second in total offense. The Defense however looked like it’s old self as the Packers allowed 21 points and 300 yards per game.

The Bears are clearly in rebuild mode. That rebuild is going just as many would expect it to go. Not so well. The bears lost a starting receiver of their own in first round pick Kevin White and the offense is the lowest ranked offense of any team in the NFC north at 23rd. Surprisingly the Bears defense ranked 8th in the NFL through the preseason. But you still have to take the Packers here.

Packers: Payton, Mack, Stahl, DeGain, Williams, Pursel, Platte, Ackerman, Baligian, Risdon, Meinke

Bears:

Lions at Chargers

We won’t get too far into it here. The Chargers are usually a very consistent team and are definitely a worth opponent for the Lions in week one. The Chargers ranked 1oth in defense during the preseason, just one spot ahead of Detroit. Their offense however ranked 24th in the NFL through the preseason and is due to be missing Antonio Gates to a suspension. That’s big for the Chargers as Gates was their number one receiving threat in 2014. Leading the team in receiving touchdowns while finishing second in receptions and receiving yards. The Lions should be able to get a big week one win in San Diego.

Lions: Payton, Mack, Stahl, DeGain, Williams, Pursel, Platte, Baligian, Meinke

Chargers: Ackerman, Risdon

Next: Sirius NFL's Jim Miller picks Lions to win Super Bowl

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