Jesse’s Predictions for Week 1 NFL and Week 2 College

My weekly picks are coming back with the NFL season back in action. As I did last year, I’ll be putting 5 college and 5 NFL games with predictions using ESPN’s spread and moneyline predictions. Let’s cut to the chase and get started!

NFL

Browns @ Jaguars

ESPN Sportsbook: Jags -8.5

My Predictions: Browns +8.5

Reason: As mentioned in my article on my expectations of the Browns, the Jaguars is the 1 playoff team I think got worse sufficiently this offseason. I think they can still contend, but I expect them to struggle and most likely miss the playoffs this year.

Buccaneers @ Bengals

ESPN Sportsbook: Bengals -3.5

My Prediction: Bucs +3

Reason: I actually think the Bucs win this game. Everyone knows the trouble the Bengals have in the 1st 2 weeks of the season with Zac Taylor as coach, and I think QB Baker Mayfield has much to prove this year.

Packers @ Vikings

ESPN Sportsbook: Vikings — 1.5

My Prediction: Packers -1

Reason: Although the Packers won’t have Josh Jacobs, I think this team will still play well under LaFleur. Vikings play good defense, but I don’t have faith in their run game or Kyler Murray really.

Ravens @ Colts

ESPN Sportsbook: Ravens -3.5

My Prediction: Ravens -3.5

Reason: The Ravens are an all around better team than the Colts, and I’m still not sold on Daniel Jones or Alec Pierce being a WR1. What I will watch for is to see if the Ravens defense can be a dominant force.

Broncos @ Chiefs

ESPN Sportsbook: Chiefs -1.5

My Prediction: Broncos -1.5

Reason: I think the Broncos are maybe the most complete team in the AFC. Also, with the Chiefs LT Simmons being listed as out and Mahomes first game back from an injury, I think Denver takes advantage of that.

College Football

Oklahoma @ Michigan

ESPN Sportsbook: Oklahoma -5.5

My Prediction: Oklahoma -3

Reason: Michigan is still a pretty good team on defense.I have to account for that at least even though they basically lost to Western Michigan in my books. I think people believe that Oklahoma will crush Michigan because of that, however, I’m conservative in the aspect that I’ve seen Notre Dame lose to Northern Illinois and then make it deep into the playoffs. I think people should be cautious of the idea of Oklahoma blowing them out, even if it is the most likely scenario.

Alabama @ Kentucky

ESPN Sportsbook: Alabama -10

My Prediction: Alabama -10

Reason: This will be Kentucky’s new Head Coach Will Steins first real test. They had an easy game against Youngstown St, but Alabama is a different beast even if it isn’t the same team it was when Saban was there. Keelon Russell will be the player to watch to see how he performs being the new starter this season for Alabama.

Mississippi St @ Minnesota

ESPN Sportsbook: Miss St -1.5

My Prediction: Minnesota -1

Reason: I’m probably wrong on this one, but I am a fan of Darius Taylor and Drake Lindsey of Minnesota who accounted for 3 touchdowns in their opener. Mississippi State looks like they want to compete, but this will be the first litmus test to see a path for Kamario Taylor and how far he can lead this team.

Ohio St @ Texas

ESPN Sportsbook: Texas -1.5

My Prediction: Ohio St -1

Reason: This is the make or break season for Texas. Based on what I saw against Texas State, Arch still has work on making better reads and Texas seems to still struggle to run the ball, which is my key factor in this game. Texas being able to run and the defense forcing stops. As of now I think Ohio State is the better team in those aspects, but I do hope I am wrong.

Iowa State @ Iowa

ESPN Sportsbook: Iowa -14

My Prediction: Iowa -3

Reason: Again, just being conservative, this is the first test for both teams, but I love how Iowa is a dominant force in the trenches and has great abilities to make even good teams struggle on offense.

These are just opinions, please bet responsibly if you choose to do so. Benchwarmer Broadcasting is not responsible for any losses.

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Author — Jesse Robertson(Benchwarmer Broadcasting Co-host)