Time: 1 p.m. ET
Reasoning: Normally I don't like laying double-digits in the NFL, but my power rankings say the Eagles should be favored by 13 points. Philadelphia posted a team-record 442 points last season, and that was with inconsistent Alex Henery as its kicker. The Eagles won seven of their last eight games in 2013. Nick Foles had a 27-to-2 TD/INT ratio, the best in NFL history and thus he led the league with a 119.2 QB rating (third-best all-time). LeSean McCoy put up a franchise-high 1,607 rushing yards. Jeremy Maclin, who missed all of 2013, is back, and watch for rookie Jordan Matthews to showcase his considerable skills in this one. Add to that Riley Cooper's 521 yards and six scores in the final eight games last year. Defensively the Eagles allowed 22 or fewer points in 11 of their last 12 games and Malcolm Jenkins was brought in to shore up the unit. Jacksonville's QB, Chad Henne, had more INTs (14) than TDs (13) last season. Life shouldn't get any easier on Sunday as WRs Justin Blackmon and Ace Sanders are suspended and Cecil Shorts III and Allen Robinson are battling hamstring injuries. The Jags put up just 293.8 ypg, worst in the AFC. Defensively the Jaguars stink as well, so I can see Chip Kelly's offense putting up Oregon Duck-like numbers at Lincoln Financial Field. Jacksonville allowed 131.8 yards per game rushing, fourth-worst in the league last season.
Play: Cincinnati +2 -108
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Reasoning: My power rankings say the line should be where it is, but I think the result will be a decisive victory for the Bengals. Cincinnati is coming off of three straight postseason appearances and Baltimore went 8-8 last year. The Ravens head into this one without the services of Ray Rice (suspended for two games) and will have to run Bernard Pierce out there. He gained just 436 yards and scored only two TDs in 2013. Rice, who had a hip injury last season, rushed for only 660 yards and four TDs, his lowest totals since his rookie year in 2008. As a team Baltimore averaged a league-worst 3.1 yards per carry rushing, the lowest in the NFL since San Diego's 3.0 ypc in 2000. The Ravens have a shaky offensive line that will be exploited by a Bengals defense that will be helped by the return of DT Geno Atkins who tore his ACL last October. Cincinnati's defense ranked seventh in the league last year, allowing 282.2 yards per game, and the unit was second in the NFL in pass defense (159.2 ypg). Joe Flacco finished 2013 with 19 TDs against a career-high 22 interceptions (10 more than he allowed in his previous five seasons). Defensively, Baltimore is a shell of its former self (it ranked only 12th in both points and yards allowed, and it allowed 134 fourth-quarter points). I like the Bengals chances at moving the ball with Andy Dalton (whose numbers have improved in each of his first three seasons) calling the shots. Dalton has A.J. Green at his disposal, and all he did was set career bests in catches (98) and yards (1,426) while scoring 11 TDs for the second straight campaign. Green has more catches (260) in his first three seasons than any player in NFL history. Balancing Cincinnati's attack is fleet-footed sophomore Giovanni Bernard (1,209 scrimmage yards) and bruising rookie Jeremy Hill. The Bengals played the Ravens close last season in Baltimore, forcing overtime before falling 20-17.
Play: Chicago -6.5 -108
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Reasoning: The Bears are better defensively and shouldn't have a hard time stopping second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel. The Florida State product had an inconsistent and injury-plagued rookie campaign and he and his starting offense went 18 straight possessions without a TD this preseason until they finally scored in the second half against Tampa Bay on Aug. 23. Buffalo was 28th in the NFL in passing (193.9 yards per game) in 2013. To improve the unit the Bills drafted Sammy Watkins fourth overall but he has been slowed by bruised ribs. Chicago improved its defense by bringing in five-time Pro Bowler Jared Allen, versatile LaMarr Houston and Willie Young to improve the line. On offense, under new coach Marc Trestman, the Bears improved from 29th to fifth in passing and from 28th to eighth overall. And that was with backup Josh McCown appearing in eight games and starting five in place of Jay Cutler, who was limited to 11 games due to ankle and groin injuries. Still, Cutler threw for 19 TDs against 12 interceptions, his QB rating was a career-high 89.2 and his completion percentage (63.1%) was his highest since 2007. He also has a rebuilt offensive line that should neutralize Buffalo's great pass rush. Weapons-wise for Chicago you have Pro Bowlers Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall (who combined for 189 receptions, 2,716 yards and 19 TDs) at wide receiver along with Santonio Holmes who was recently brought on board. At running back the Bears have Matt Forte (1,339 rushing yards, 1,933 scrimmage yards, nine TDs). Buffalo allowed 150-plus yards seven times in 2013 and it will be without Kiki Alonso, who suffered an ACL injury that required surgery shortly after he reported to training camp. Also on defense Chicago boasts the ageless Charles Tillman (30 interceptions and 30 forced fumbles since 2003) and S Chris Conte (concussion) has been cleared to play in this one. A little history: The Bears have won five straight home openers. The Bills have never won in Chicago and have been outscored there 135-39. Buffalo also hasn't tasted the playoffs in 15 years.
Play: New England -3.5 -107
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Reasoning: Last season Tom Brady, who turned 37 last month, had his lowest passer rating (87.3) since 2003. He still threw for 4,000 yards and led the Patriots to a 12-4 record and an appearance in the AFC championship game for the third straight season. And Brady did this without his top five receivers from 2012. This year he could have his his top nine receivers back including Rob Gronkowski, who said he'll play Sunday. New England also traded for TE Tim Wright and WR Brandon LaFell. Brady also loves playing the Miami, as he as accumulated a 17-7 record and 42 TDs against 20 interceptions in his career against the Dolphins. The Pats have won seven of the last eight against Miami. On defense the Dolphins will be without DL Dion Jordan and starting safety Reshad Jones for four games as they failed drug tests. New England's defense will have Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork back (they combined for just 10 games in 2013) and the unit also added Darrelle Revis. The Pats could go crazy against a Miami line that allowed Ryan Tannehill to be sacked an NFL-high 58 times last season.
Record: 185-132-7 (58.4%)
Bankroll: +149.10%
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