Before we talk about the three big-time games from this Sunday, let's start with the game that took place on Thursday. Philadephia Eagles versus Atlanta Falcons was supposed to be a great game. It was a close game that the Falcons could have won at the end of it. Why did they lose to the Eagles again? Simply because they haven't figured out how to score in the red-zone. Forget about the divisional playoff game from last season, let's talk about the 2017-18 regular season. Atlanta Falcons did win ten games last year and made it to the playoffs as the sixth seed, but their scoring went down significantly. They were supposed to be a top-five scoring offense with all the playmakers on their side. They have a monster in Julio Jones, who in my opinion, should be the most dominant player in the red-zone besides Rob Gronkowski. Julio finished the regular season with only three touchdown catches. I have already talked about this before, but it still boggles my mind how he caught only three touchdowns all year long? He should have at least ten touchdown receptions every season!
I do know that the Philadephia Eagles have a very good defense, but it is not a top-ten defense of all-time. They are not the Chicago Bears of 85 or the Baltimore Ravens of the 2000s. In their last two meetings, Falcons have averaged eleven points against the Eagles' defense. In the playoff game, they scored ten points, and two nights ago for the season opener, they scored twelve points. Matt Ryan and the Falcons coaching staff really need to work on their offense. Lately, their defense has been playing really well. It is the offense that needs some re-tooling. Atlanta Falcons are too talented to not have a decent season this year. They have the potential to go all the way back to the Super Bowl.
Three big games from week one.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings. Is Jimmy Garaoppolo the next Joe Montana or the next Tom Brady? I have been hearing from every other expert that he has the potential to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Some are expecting a big year from Jimmy G this season, and some are expecting the 49ers to make it to the playoffs in a loaded NFC conference. We will find out how good Jimmy G really is in the next four to eight weeks. However, he has a tough task tomorrow, as he is going up against the Minnesota Vikings' defense that finished with the number one scoring defense last season.
Vikings themselves have a lot to prove this year. They have a great defense, two really good receivers, a nice tight-end, a good running game, and finally a top ten quarterback to lead the team. Last year, they made it to the NFC Championship game with Case Keenum. Here comes Kirk Cousins who is considered by everyone, a better player than Keenum. If Keenum can take the Vikings to the title game, then Cousins with this roster should lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Not just take them to the Super Bowl game, but lead them to win the game. I think that can happen, but most likely it will happen next year or in Cousins' year three with the Vikings. I see the Vikings win their home opener by a score of 27-17.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants. This should be a fun game, but it could turn out pretty ugly for the New York Football Giants. Yes, the New York Giants have weapons and an improved offensive line from last year, but they will be playing against a defense that gave a really tough time to Tom Brady at Foxborough in the AFC Championship game. The other thing is, the Jaguars' executive vice president, Tom Coughlin knows how to play Eli Manning. Coughlin was Eli's coach for a decade-plus, so he should know Eli's weakness. If the Giants' defense doesn't play foolish and give up unnecessary big plays to an offense led by Blake Bortles, this game could come down to the final possession. I have Jaguars winning this 28-20.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots. We got an early present in September last year. When these two teams played against one another in week three of 2017 season, the game came down to the wire. It was arguably the best one o'clock game last year. In that game, it was proven to us that Deshaun Watson belongs in this league. Indeed, he was a great player in college, but the NFL is a different animal. Many great college quarterbacks have struggled to play decently in the pros, but Watson can certainly play at the NFL level. Deshaun Watson is the real deal!
As great as Watson was against the Patriots last year, he was unable to get the W for his team. He didn't do anything wrong in that game. Tom Brady just played better than Watson. Brady in that game completed 25 of his 35 passes for 378 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. To put up such masterful numbers, and the Patriots barely winning the game, shows you how good the Texans were. Tomorrow afternoon, Texans will have a much better chance of beating the Patriots, as they have added another playmaker on the defensive side of the ball with Tyrann Mathieu. However, the Texans have never won in Foxborough as they are 0-6 against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. This is a tough game to predict, but I'm rolling with the Patriots to win 21-20.
Hope you all enjoy your first Football Sunday of the year!
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