“Pick ‘Em or Kick ‘Em”™: FGT VS. Urban Sports Scene 2023 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 6 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:
After a 64.7% record two seasons, I ended last season 63.3% (178-103). So that’s eight years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. I also ended up 16-4 for Locks of Week (80%) and 8-12 for Upsets of the Week (40%) which is also eight years in a row of Locks being over 70%. But that was the past, and this is now, and shooting for nine in a row!
Let’s get to that Lock (for Survivor Leagues) and Upset for Week 1…
Lock of the Week ➡ Baltimore Ravens (-10.0) 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 the Ravens are going to contend for the playoffs with Lamar Jackson extended and a completely revamped receiving core including OBJ and rookie Zay Flowers. On the other hand, the Texans are in the midst of a major rebuild around rookie QB CJ Stroud. The Texans are likely a season away from relevance and the Ravens are playing for now so I like the Ravens as the lock of the week.
Upset of the Week ➡ Cleveland Browns (+2.5) over Cincinnati Bengals
I can’t imagine that Deshaun Watson is bad as he was last year. Maybe a full offseason helps get him back on track with top wideout Amari Cooper and running back Nick Chubb. The Bengals are tough team to beat and may be in line for a Super Bowl run this season, but Joe Burrow only returned to practice on August 31 after sustaining a calf injury back in July. He’s apparently clear for Week 1, but I suspect they’ll limit his exposure since he won’t be 100%. Does that mean the Bengals will lose to their home state rivals? Not necessarily, but I do like the potential upset here.
Joanne Kong’s Picks
Scott King’s Picks
Scott’s Thoughts:
Week 1 is here and there will be upsets and teams we thought were good that will suck. I think the lions over but lose. I’m actually taking the Bears to win, go Fields. Let’s roll.
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!
Ryan’s Picks
Coming Soon!
George’s Picks
George’s Thoughts:
So we’ve all started out the season with a loss but don’t you worry this is the best place to come for NFL picks throughout the season.
Let’s start with a minor upset. Cleveland has been a thorn in Joe Burrow’s side since he got to the NFL and who knows about Burrow’s health going into the season opener. Being immobile facing that front line is a bad idea. Browns upset the Bengals.
Believe in these teams that will win division openers on their way to winning a division title this year. Atlanta in the NFC South and Jacksonville in the AFC South.
Don’t believe in Seattle or Dallas who will both win their divisional openers but neither will win their divisions. The Cowboys will make the playoffs but Geno Smith’s renaissance might only last 1 year.
Ryan Tannehill’s days as Tennessee starter will be numbered after they lose to the Saints and the Jets will fall to the Bills in a harbinger for a very disappointing season.
And if you aren’t using the Commanders as your eliminator this week then what are you doing?!
Check back next week for our Week 1 results and Week 2 picks!