NFL 2015 Kickoff Gameplan

I was just here.

I dropped the 2015 NFL Hypothesis Report this week, which is usually a full plate.

But I have to drop the picks and say a little something, so I’m back for a minute.

Due to major time constraints (and, despite my marketing efforts, severely low ratings), we’re limited to one sentence per matchup. Of course, that’s not stopping the masses from engaging with me, so let’s discuss:

2015 #NFL Week 1 picks (151-104-1 in 2014): NE, IND, GB, HOU, JAX, NYJ, SEA, WAS, ARI, DET, BAL, CIN, TB, DAL, PHI, MIN

— Law Murray (@LawMurrayTheNU) September 10, 2015

Pittsburgh at New England: Both teams have missing parts at WR, C, RB, but the Patriots are used to that; the Steelers have a major task on hand to slow down NE QB Tom Brady.

Indianapolis at Buffalo: 2011 Orange Bowl rematch between IND QB Andrew Luck and BUF QB Tyrod Taylor is going to be closer margin, but the same result.

Green Bay at Chicago: I’m sure the Packers are happy to see the rebuilding Bears in Week 1 instead of the NFC West teams that have whipped them to open the season the last three years.

Kansas City at Houston: One of the best special teams units against what has been one of the worst; this defensive struggle may turn on a big play from Chiefs WR De’Anthony Thomas in the return game.

Carolina at Jacksonville: This will be another defensive struggle, one that will be decided by a momentous turnover that the Jaguars force in Carolina’s backfield late in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland at New York Jets: The Browns, with relatively scant offensive talent at the skill positions, have lost ten straight season openers; the Jets have hosted six in a row, winning the last four.

Seattle at Saint Louis: SEA SS Dion Bailey is on the spot as he replaces holdout Kam Chancellor, but the Rams, likely starting RB Benny Cunningham, are going to need to pull some tricks to get four scores on the Seahawks again.

Miami at Washington: The only Super Bowl rematch of Week 1 will be an upset if Washington gets RBs Alfred Morris and rookie Matt Jones a combined 30 rushes.

New Orleans at Arizona: The last time the road team won between these two teams was 2000; the Saints don’t have the pass rush to exploit the Arizona OL in Glendale.

Detroit at San Diego: The Lions have never won in San Diego (0-4), but they’ll get it done if DET rookie RB Ameer Abdullah has a bigger day than higher-drafted SD rookie RB Melvin Gordon.

Baltimore at Denver: The Ravens should be much more prepared for this trip to Denver than they were two years ago when DEN QB Peyton Manning hung 7 TD passes on them; the highly-regarded BAL OL should pay dividends in this matchup against the strong pass rush of the Broncos.

Cincinnati at Oakland: The Bengals are 0-10 all-time in Oakland (1-4 in Los Angeles though!); CIN WR A.J. Green has the biggest mismatch in this one.

Tennessee at Tampa Bay: #1 pick vs. #2 pick won’t determine this game; someone besides Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy taking advantage of a one-on-one matchup will.

New York Giants at Dallas: The Cowboys are looking for a runner to step up against a NYG defense in Week 1 shambles on every level.

Philadelphia at Atlanta: Falcons WR Julio Jones might threaten for 200 yards, but the Eagles might threaten for 500 yards.

Minnesota at San Francisco: The last time MIN RB Adrian Peterson had a comeback season, it was with a second-year QB who was drafted first overall; the 49ers aren’t dealing with a player coming off a torn ACL or Christian Ponder this time around.

24 hours from right now?! Football. #PITvsNE #Kickoff2015 pic.twitter.com/DC467aqmSZ

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2015