PIGSKIN 2021: Week One

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week One

WELCOME BACK, and THANK YOU for making PIGSKIN one of my more popular features.  There is no PIGSKIN nor a Brooklyn Trolley Blogger without you.  I can not express enough how appreciative and grateful I am for your time and continued interest.

The New York Football Giants department of my blog: DO IT FOR THE DUKE.  Just so you know, I am a blue bleeding Giants fan.  I was a novice in the mid 1970's when John McVay still roamed the sideline.  The disciplinarian Ray Perkins followed and guided the Giants through my first playoff experience.  Bill Parcells takes over the reigns in 1983, and the rest is history.

The Jets department of my blog: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE.  I am not a Jets hater.  If you follow me you'll concur.  I just call it like I see it.  I'm one who enjoys the mayhem that comes with having so many pro teams playing within our metropolitan area.  I remember Joe Namath's last season in green and was just as dismayed as any Jets fan to see him in a Rams uniform.  Joe Klecko belongs in the Hall of Fame!  What on god's earth is Canton waiting for?  I also derived no joy from watching Richard Todd throw three interceptions in the 1983 AFC championship game at Miami - the game that got Walt Michaels unfairly fired.

Please allow me to reiterate my appreciation for your support.

RULES of PIGSKIN

• This is a friggin hobby, okay!  I do this for fun and entertainment purposes only.  PIGSKIN is not bookie.  If you lose money following PIGSKIN advice, tell it to the Marines.
• Otherwise, the PIGSKIN preferred unit of value is a good old Brooklyn deli BAGEL.  For what it's worth, my favorites are everything, pumpernickel, and cinnamon raisin, in that order.  Each PIGSKIN pick is worth one Bagel; the Schmear of the Week is worth three Bagels.
• I usually post PIGSKIN picks by Friday evening.  But I have a real-life, therefore sometimes my picks get posted on Saturday.
• Regardless of posting day, PIGSKIN uses the NFL line from Friday's NYP/NYDN.
• PIGSKIN only cares about Football Sunday.  Exceptions are on Thanksgiving Day and if the GIANTS/JETS play Monday/Thursday nights.
• PIGSKIN, for years, has openly protested the Washington D.C. Football Club and sees no reason to stop now.
• PIGSKIN is cool.  Tell your friends.

1st and Ten

• More Nickelodeon!
• Sam Darnold is free and faces the Jets in Week One.
• Seventeen game season?

2nd and Long

• J.J. Watt with the Cardinals?
• Big Ben ...
• T.J. Watt signs for big bucks ...
• Jameis Winston with the Saints?

No Gain

• Aaron Rogers' off-season hissyfit is finally over.
• Jets' new head coach, new quarterback ... expect the same subpar results.
• Dak Prescott makes his return and loses to the GOAT.
• Matthew Stafford with the Rams?

PUNT!

• This was the most inconsequential preseason in NFL history!
• Bill Belichick cut Cam Newton; no surprise there.
• Why do the Giants have eight home games, and the Jets get ten home games?

ICYMI:

• N.Y. Giants: All Eyes on Daniel Jones and the Man Who Drafted Him
• N.Y. Jets: Robert Saleh Era Cleared For Takeoff

WEEK ONE

Friday Line - NYP

Broncos -3 GIANTS

I will be very surprised to see the Giants pull this out.  An aspiring defense was overworked last season.  All eyes are on the offensive line ... again!  They either protect Daniel Jones and create daylight for the running game or play like the Keystone Cops.

WIN; 27-13 Broncos

PANTHERS -4 Jets

Sam Darnold gets to play with real players, and real coaches, and a real team with their own stadium.  His experience will serve him well.  There will be no more motivated person on planet Earth than Sam.  The Jets simply have too much to do before they can be labeled credible ... rookie quarterback, etc.  Honestly, how many points do you expect them to score?

WIN; 19-14 Panthers

FALCONS -3 1/2 Eagles

Maybe a new head coach does the Falcons some good ... maybe a new head coach does the Eagles some good.  Matt Ryan should be worth four points at home.

Loss; 32-6 Eagles

Steelers +6 1/2 BILLS

I think the Bills are on the shortlist of Super Bowl favorites, but after such a pathetic NFL off-season I just don't like them laying that many points against the Steelers in Week One.  For most starters across the league, Week One will be more like pre-season game four.

WIN; 23-16 Steelers

BENGALS +3 Vikings

A building block in the Joe Burrow era ... Vikings are a complete mystery.  Just when they win your confidence, they fail miserably.

WIN; 27-24 Bengals

49ers -7 1/2 LIONS

The Niners have much to prove ... to themselves.  Meanwhile, the Lions still have more problems than a math book.  They'll be vying for the number one overall draft pick.

WIN; 41-33 Niners

TITANS -3 Cardinals

JJ Watt will spend more time playing against the run than he will be hunting the quarterback.  The Titans are improved with Julio Jones and their run game will minimize Kyler Murray's time on the field.

Loss; 38-13 Cardinals

 

COLTS +3 Seahawks

Colts still have a very good offensive line.  They will dominate Seattle's defensive front.  The rest needs to work itself out.

Loss; 28-16 Seahawks

WASHINGTON +1 Chargers

Washington features a very formidable defensive front.  Ryan FitzMAGIC gives them a viable chance on offense.  We're only talking about one point here.  Chargers are another team that needs to show me.  They're good against pedestrian teams, not so good against others.

Loss; 20-16 Chargers

TEXANS +3 Jaguars

Week One Toilet Bowl: What can I say ... Trevor Lawrence?  Show me.  That said, I have no confidence in Houston.  Along with the Lions, I think the depleted Texans will be vying for the number one overall draft pick.

WIN; 37-21 Texans

Browns +6 CHIEFS

See the Steelers/BILLS game ... I just think that's a lot of points in Week One.  Consider the upcoming Browns officially experienced.  They're ready to win.  The Chiefs offensive line is perhaps the biggest question mark in all the NFL that no one is talking about.

WIN; 33-29 Chiefs

PATRIOTS -3 Dolphins

Welcome to the season's first opportunity to underestimate the Dolphins.   

Loss; 17-16 Dolphins

Packers -3 1/2 Saints (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Neutral site game ... just consider the season Aaron Rogers put up last year versus the season Jameis Winston is praying to have.

Loss; 38-3 Saints

RAMS -7 1/2 Bears

The Paper Tigers win because I have no idea where the Bears are getting points.

WIN; 34-14 Rams

Schmear of the Week

PANTHERS -4

WIN

POST-GAME

Week One Record: 8-6-0

Schmear of the Week: 1-0

Bagels in the Basket: +5

• MENU: skirt steak tacos w/ chimichurri, onions, tomato, and avocado; shrimp cakes; sweet potato fries

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday!