PFT's Week One Picks

Panthers at JaguarsMDS’s take: Cam Newton is going to have to do it himself a lot this year, as the Panthers’ receiving corps is weak. I’m not sure that bodes well for Carolina’s season, but in Jacksonville, Newton doing it himself is enough to eke out a close win against a bad team.MDS’s pick: Panthers 21, Jaguars 20.Florio’s take: While the outcome won’t mean that the winner is a contender or that the loser isn’t, the perpetually-downtrodden Jags start the season off right for fans that have been far more loyal than recent performances would warrant.Florio’s pick: Jaguars 24, Panthers 17.Saints at CardinalsMDS’s take: The Cardinals were as good as anyone last year before Carson Palmer got hurt. I’m not sure if Palmer can stay healthy for 16 games this year, but he’s healthy for now, and he’ll lead Arizona to a win over New Orleans.MDS’s pick: Cardinals 28, Saints 24.Florio’s take: The Saints have made plenty of changes as part of a calculated effort to improve. And they improvements could be immediate. And it likely won’t matter when the first game out of the gates is played against the Cardinals on the road.Florio’s pick: Cardinals 27, Saints 21.Eagles at FalconsMDS’s take: For as long as Sam Bradford is healthy, he’ll be a good fit in Chip Kelly’s offense. For now, at least, Bradford is healthy.MDS’s pick: Eagles 31, Falcons 21.Florio’s take: With all the talk about whether the Eagles can get it done offensively, most have forgotten that they have a surprisingly good defense. Good enough to outscore a work-in-progress revamping of the Falcons.Florio’s pick: Eagles 27, Falcons 20.Titans at BuccaneersMDS’s take: It’s not Marcus Mariota vs. Jameis Winston, it’s Mariota vs. the Buccaneers’ defense and Winston vs. the Titans’ defense. I like Lovie Smith to have his defense ready to shut Mariota down thoroughly, and as a result I like the Bucs to win the opener.MDS’s pick: Buccaneers 14, Titans 6.Florio’s take: The Bucs and the Titans both earned their potential franchise quarterbacks by being awful in 2014. The Bucs have the tools to be a little less awful to start the new season.Florio’s pick: Buccaneers 23, Titans 16.