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N.F.L. Week 1: Schedule, Predictions and Point Spreads
The N.F.L. kicks off with some strong matchups, including the Seahawks at Packers and the Giants at Cowboys. Here’s who we think will win.
By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/sports/nfl-week-1-schedule-predictions.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ffootball

Seahawks at Packers, 4:25 p.m. on Fox

Line: Packers by 3

The sheer talent of Aaron Rodgers can mask any number of imperfections on a team, and during last season’s incredible six-game winning streak to close out the season and qualify for the playoffs, it was easy to miss just how porous the team’s secondary had become. Not particularly strong before the injury bug hit, Green Bay’s secondary became a liability by the time the playoffs came around, and it was badly embarrassed in the N.F.C. championship game, with Atlanta’s Matt Ryan passing for 392 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-21 victory.

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Green Bay tried to make up for its shortage of quality cornerbacks by signing Davon House as a free agent and drafting Kevin King out of Washington. But for the Packers to truly compete, they are still going to need big performances from the team’s offense each and every week.

While few would doubt Rodgers’s ability to put up points against just about any team, Seattle presents a difficult test. Green Bay was able to waltz away with a 38-10 victory over Seattle at home last season, but the Seahawks played that game without Earl Thomas, the heart and soul of the defense. With Thomas back to full health, and the Seahawks defense made even stronger with the addition of Sheldon Richardson, it could be a tough start to the season for Green Bay. Pick: Seahawks


Giants at Cowboys, 8:30 p.m. on NBC

Line: Cowboys by 4

As Dallas dominated nearly every team it came up against in last year’s regular season, the debates seemed to focus on who should get the most credit. Was it Ezekiel Elliott, the much-heralded rookie running back? Dak Prescott, the Cinderella story at quarterback? Or was it simply a matter of the team’s dominant offensive line giving them so much room to work with that even a couple of rookies could not manage to be stopped? An announced suspension for Elliott, which came after a lengthy investigation into domestic violence allegations, seemed like it would provide an answer for where the credit should be placed, but with a federal judge granting a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent the suspension from starting, the whole band will be back together until further notice. Combine that with Odell Beckham Jr. being a game-day decision for the Giants, and things are not trending in New York’s direction. Pick: Cowboys