Happy Sunday everyone! It’s finally the first NFL Sunday of the season, which means everyone will be staying inside and watching NFL RedZone all day. Today will be loaded with great games, but as I didn’t do a post on Thursday (sorry about that), I will be making my NFL Award and Super Bowl picks. Anyways, I’m not going to waste any more time. Here we go:
NFL MVP: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
As a Patriots fan, this hurts to write. However, Josh Allen has been spectacular to watch over the past few seasons. Without Davante Adams, I can’t see Aaron Rodgers winning three straight MVPs. Josh Allen has an incredible arm with incredible speed. I have no doubt he will contend for the MVP trophy this season.
Runner-up: Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
With Deshaun Watson suspended and I don’t trust Jacoby Brissett to lead the Browns’ offense. The Browns have a strong offensive line headlined by Joel Bitonio, and Nick Chubb has been phenomenal in the past few seasons.
Runner-up: Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
I will always pick Aaron Donald as long as he’s still in the league and playing up to his standard. He’s a future Hall of Famer, but he hasn’t won the award since 2020. This year breaks the short drought.
Runner-up: Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Kenny Pickett isn’t starting for the Steelers just yet, and Hall may become the top running back for the Jets early on in the season. Right now, it’s Michael Carter, but I think Hall could take over. It’s anyone’s award to take, as there’s no clear favorite right now.
Runner-up: Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jordan Davis, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis has been by far my favorite defensive player in April’s draft, and I want to see him win the award. Travon Walker, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Aidan Hutchinson are also in the mix for the award.
Runner-up: Travon Walker, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
After McCaffrey dealt with injuries that had him sidelined most of last season, I expect the top running back to have a bounce-back year, earning him the Comeback Player of the Year award. If Brian Robinson comes back after being shot, he could also win it.
Runner-up: Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders
NFL Coach of the Year: Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
I’m going with Sirianni here because I think the Eagles have a shot at the NFC East. Adding A.J. Brown helps on offense, while I think Jordan Davis will excel as possibly the Eagles’ top defensive player. However, being in the same division as the Cowboys can be difficult. If the Eagles win the NFC East, I can see Nick Sirianni winning the award.
Runner-up: Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos
Super Bowl Champion: Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Los Angeles Chargers
I’ll take the Bucs to win it because I want Tom Brady’s career to end with a Super Bowl Championship. It would be fitting for the greatest player ever. The Los Angeles Chargers have gone all-in, adding Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson to help the defense.
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (-3)
The Patriots never seem to win in Miami, and this would be deja vu as the Dolphins beat them last year during Week 1. I’m not sure how the defense will hold up, and I have doubts about Matt Patricia calling the offense. As a Patriots fan, in Bill we trust, but I have to take the Dolphins here.
Tune into Patriots at Dolphins at 1 PM ET on CBS.
New Orleans Saints (-5.5) at Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons may be at home, but they will have growing pains. As for the Saints, they look strong, especially on defense. I think the Falcons finish last in the NFC South, which is why I’ll take the favorite again in this matchup.
Tune into Saints at Falcons at 1 PM ET on FOX.
San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) at Chicago Bears
Soldier Field is a mess right now, which could be an advantage for the Bears. However, the Bears could actually be the NFL’s worst team. The 49ers have gone to Jimmy Garoppolo again, which is a head-scratcher with Trey Lance still waiting to start. I’ll take the 49ers in a blowout.
Tune into 49ers at Bears at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (-7)
The AFC Champions begin their road back to the Super Bowl with a home matchup against the Steelers. The Steelers look awful, as there’s no clear sign of what will the offense look like this season. The Bengals look to stay the AFC’s best team, and I think they’re promising again this season.
Tune into Steelers at Bengals at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) at Detroit Lions
Like I said earlier, the Eagles could win the NFC East this season. I like the future of the Lions. I think they’ll surprise people this season. However, the Eagles are just a better team as of right now.
Tune into Eagles at Lions at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Baltimore Ravens (-6.5) at New York Jets
The Jets have yet to impress me recently, as they continue to disappoint their fanbase. Lamar Jackson is in the final year of his contract, declining an extension. He’s looking for more money, which means he could play like an MVP again this season.
Tune into Ravens at Jets at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders (-3)
I’m not trusting the Commanders yet. Actually, neither team is worth trusting. The Jaguars are set to be better this season, and I think it’s worth picking them to upset the Commanders today.
Tune into Jaguars at Commanders at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers (-1)
It would be awesome to see Baker Mayfield get his revenge on the Browns, but I think the Browns’ defense is what changes this game.
Tune into Browns at Panthers at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Indianapolis Colts (-7) at Houston Texans
The Colts have a stronger defense and Jonathan Taylor is set to have a monster season. The Texans do not even come close to what the Colts have.
Tune into Colts at Texans at 1 PM ET on CBS.
New York Giants at Tennessee Titans (-5.5)
Derrick Henry is back and the Giants are not at the level they plan on being at. Give me the Titans.
Tune into Giants at Titans at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-2)
This is my favorite game not in the primetime window. I think Aaron Rodgers will cook the Vikings’ defense, despite losing Davante Adams in the offseason.
Tune into Packers at Vikings at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
The Chargers may not have a great fanbase, but they are all in. They are my AFC Champions, so I’ll take the Chargers to win a close battle in Inglewood.
Tune into Raiders at Chargers at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) at Arizona Cardinals
The Chiefs look weaker with Tyreek Hill gone. However, they replaced him with JuJu Smith-Schuster. I’ll take Patrick Mahomes against an untrustworthy Cardinals defense.
Tune into Chiefs at Cardinals at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) at Dallas Cowboys
This will be a close game, but I think the Bucs will go on to win this year’s Super Bowl. Tom Brady is back again, and I will never bet against him.
Tune into Buccaneers at Cowboys at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
Denver Broncos (-6.5) at Seattle Seahawks
There is no way I trust the Seahawks offense with Drew Lock at quarterback. Russell Wilson knows the Seahawks inside and out, which makes me think the Broncos dominate on Monday night.
Tune into Broncos at Seahawks on Monday at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN.
Calhoun's Corner 