Wild Card Betting Preview: Picks for the opening weekend of action
Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of selected picks.
Season record: 138-109-9
Tennessee Titans (+8.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
The Titans have struggled to run the ball in recent weeks, and without DeMarco Murray, they will need a big game out of Derrick Henry to get the win in Kansas City. Luckily for the former Alabama star, the Chiefs have the 25th-ranked rush defense in the league, allowing 118 yards per game. If the Titans can move the ball on the ground, Marcus Mariota should be able to hit some big plays off play-action and open up the Chiefs defense.
After failing to hit the 90-yard mark in seven straight games, six of which were losses, Kareem Hunt has regained his star form for the Chiefs. The talented rookie averaged 120 yards over his last three games of full work to end the season, and the KC offense relies heavily on him loosening up the opposition. That's bad news against the league's fourth-best rushing defense. The Titans will make Alex Smith beat them on Saturday, and that's not good for Kansas City. Tennessee pulls off the shocker. Titans 24, Chiefs 23
Atlanta Falcons (+6) at Los Angeles Rams
The experienced Falcons against the youthful Rams is the most unpredictable game of the opening weekend. The Rams are undoubtedly the better team, but the Falcons' core has been through a deep playoff run before and won't be affected by the moment. While Matt Ryan and Julio Jones get the publicity, it's actually the Falcons' defense that has carried the team this year. Atlanta ranks eighth in the league in points allowed, and has held opponents under 24 points in six straight games.
If the Falcons can slow down the league's top-scoring offense, and get some timely plays from Ryan and their own attack, they can pull off the upset. If you aren't feeling bold enough to pick them outright, at least grab them on the spread. Rams 27, Falcons 24
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (-8)
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
After qualifying for the playoffs thanks to the Bengals' dramatic last-minute touchdown to oust the Ravens, the Bills head to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars. It's a matchup of strength versus weakness, as the Jaguars' top-ranked rushing attack faces the league's 29th-ranked rushing defense. Leonard Fournette should run wild and get the home crowd fired up in Florida.
On the other side of the ball, LeSean McCoy's injury puts the Bills offense in a tough spot, as the electric running back is by far the most dangerous player on the unit. Whether he plays or not remains to be seen, but he certainly won't be at 100 percent against the league's second-ranked defense. The inability to move the ball by Buffalo will make this one comfortable for Jacksonville. Jaguars 27, Bills 14
Carolina Panthers (+6.5) at New Orleans Saints
The Panthers are hoping third time is a charm this season, as the Saints have already beaten their NFC South opponent twice on the schedule. Both wins were by double digits, so New Orleans should definitely be expected to advance with a home win. Carolina's front seven will be the key, as the Panthers need to hold the dynamic duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara down to have a chance. Carolina didn't allow any opponent to rush for over 120 yards this season... except the Saints, in both games.
As divisional opponents, these two teams know each other very well, so it will be tough to surprise with a wrinkle in the game plan. Look for the Panthers to call on Cam Newton to run the ball more than he usually does and keep the Saints' offense off the field with time-consuming drives. That will make this one close, and Carolina will cover the number. Saints 28, Panthers 24
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