“Pick ‘Em or Kick ‘Em”™: FGT VS. Urban Sports Scene 2021 Week 1 NFL Picks

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head to head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 4 seasons.  Why?  Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys!  This year we’ll have their picks up right HERE, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Week 1 Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

Last year I ended up with a 68.1% record for the season, so that’s six years in a row with over a 60% pick rate.  Plus, I had a 87.5% record on Locks of the Week and a 50% record on Upsets of the Week.  Don’t worry, I don’t plan on stopping now!

Let’s get to that Lock (for Survivor Leagues) and Upset for Week 1…

Lock of the Week ➡ Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) over Houston Texans

It’s tough to pick a lock in Week 1, as we haven’t gotten a good full-game look at any starting 53 yet.  But I do have a good feeling about Jacksonville Jaguars, as number 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence looks to have developed solid chemistry with Marvin Jones Jr., and knows how to hit standout sophomore Laviska Shenault.  And let’s not forget about DJ Chark returning from injury.  On the other side, the Houston Texans are a mess.  Tyrod Taylor being named the starter does them no favors, and who knows if he’ll be able to get the ball downfield to Brandin Cooks or…hmmm…who else is on that team again?  Yeah, like I said, it’s a mess.  No stats available in Week 1 to support my pick, but I’m going to lock in the Jaguars.

Upset of the Week ➡ New York Jets (+5.5) over Carolina Panthers

I’m going to buy into the hype and bet on Zach Wilson and the revamped Jets offense to out-perform the Jets’ former QB, Sam Darnold and the questionable Panthers.  Listen, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers win this as predicted, particularly on the back of Christian McCaffrey, who looks to be 100%.  But the Wilson looked like the real deal in the preseason, and he had a terrific connection with a rejuvenated Corey Davis.  I know there’s the #Revenge theme in the background with Darnold facing his old team, but I’m just not sold on him changing for the better just yet, even with the improved receiving options.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Joanne’s Thoughts:

New York Jets @ Carolina Panthers

This is a very interesting match-up.

Yes.  I said interesting.  It’s an adjective that was rarely used regarding both teams last season.  Turn to the calendar to 2021 and you have new quarterbacks for both teams.  The New York Jets will start rookie QB Zach Wilson, while the Carolina Panthers will be starting the Jets former QB, Sam Darnold.

Let’s start with the Carolina Panthers.

Sam Darnold, wearing an unfamiliar blue and black uniform, will need to accomplish something as a Panther that he could rarely do as a Jet — WIN.  His career as a Jet was filled with disappointment, due in part to ineffective footwork and bad mechanics, ending his time with the Jets with a disappointing 2-14 record in 2020.  Luckily for Darnold, the Panthers have a lot of offensive weapons, including wide receiver pair DJ Moore and Robby Anderson (former of the Jets) against a very green secondary of the Jets (no pun intended), as well as a returning a healthy Christian McCaffery.  Unfortunately, dynamic wide receivers won’t be very effective if Darnold isn’t able to get them the ball.

The Jets showed a very capable Zach Wilson during the preseason under the guidance of new head coach Robert Saleh, formerly the 49ers defensive coordinator.  Of course, preseason is preseason and the regular is season is what counts to make it to the playoffs.  The Jets have a stacked group of wide receivers, including a rejuvenated Cory Davis, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole and dynamic rookie Elijah Moore, to challenge cornerback Jaycee Horn and AJ Bouye.  With significant improvement in the offense, this Jets team could take the win.

With little to indicate that Sam Darnold has suddenly become a great quarterback, I’m going against the grain and picking the New York Jets to win.

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

We made it to Week 1, finally.  There are some interesting matchups this week and I’m going to take it very slow.  No major upsets, just trying to figure out what we have to deal with after another useless preseason.  I’m also taking the Ravens in knockout leagues and a two leg parlay with the Rams and Ravens money line.

Wole’s Picks

Wole’s Thoughts:

Check out Wole’s thoughts on his picks in the recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Ray’s Picks

Ray’s Thoughts:

Check out Ray’s thoughts on his picks in the most recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Will’s Picks

Will’s Thoughts:

Check out Will’s thoughts on his picks in the most recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

Welcome to 2021 and welcome to some upsets in week 1.

Beginning with a team whose turmoil in the offseason has gone almost unnoticed. Mike Zimmer is having issues with the players and Kirk Cousins is wearing out his welcome fast between the underwhelming regular seasons and his comments about COVID. Joe Burrow’s return buoys Cincinnati to a home upset. Houston’s offseason has been similarly disastrous but Tyrod Taylor is the right QB for this team in this awful moment they are in. And David Culley might be the right coach too. Urban Meyer looks like another college coach out of place in the NFL. Take the Texans.

The Patriots decided to go with Mac Jones. The Dolphins excellent secondary will profit and Miami will win in Foxboro. So with a new coach, Brandon Staley, and a new offense, the Chargers thought it was a good idea for Justin Herbert to not take a snap in the preseason. They could get away with that against some defenses but not Washington’s. At least 1 pick 6 will be the difference in a win for the WFT. Matthew Stafford opened his final season in Detroit against Chicago. And he threw a 4th quarter pick as a 20-point Lions lead melted away. Bears won’t need such a huge comeback this time but expect another late Stafford INT to hand them an upset.

Check back next week for our Week 1 results and Week 2 picks!

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