NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks - Early Games

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Fearless Rick & Coin Flip NFL Preseason Week 1 Early Games

All times Eastern

Click here for late games.

Thursday, August 7

Indianapolis Colts (-6, 36.5) at Baltimore Ravens, 7:00 pm - Looks like Anthony Richardson is going to get the nod to start this game. He and Daniel Jones are vying for the #1 QB spot, so both may get some PT. The Colts are gearing up to challenge Houston in the AFC South.

The Ravens are likely to sit many starters, including Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, which is why they’re home dogs. Keep an eye out for defensive rookies Malaki Starks at safety and Mike Green, a edge rusher. They were the two top picks by the Ravens in the draft and will get long looks.

Coin Flip: Baltimore

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 21 Ravens 13


Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5, 37.5) at Philadelphia Eagles, 7:30 pm - You won’t see either Jalen Hurts or Joe Burrow here, but it’s amusing that the world champs are home dogs in their preseason opener. Sure, Cincy is going to challenge the Ravens in the AFC North, but the Eagles are loaded and their top five draftees were all defensive players.


Jake Browing will likely start for the Bengals and Desmond Ridder will get into the game in the second half. That Brooks will get some carries.

The Eagles will probably rotate Tanner McKee and Kyle McCord. The second half should get interesting.

Coin Flip: Bengals

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Eagles 23 Bengals 17


Las Vegas Raiders (-4.5, 37.5) at Seattle Seahawks, 10:00 pm - Boy, the Raiders just plain stink (4-13 last season) and are probably destined for the basement in the AFC West. Will Geno Smith get in the game? Possible, especially since he was traded from Seattle. But, all eyes will be on Ashton Jeanty, the nation’s leading college rusher out of Boise State last season.

Sam Darnold comes over from the Vikings for Seattle, and he will probably get the start, but backups Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Drew Lock should have an edge over Aiden O’Connell and Cam Miller for the Raiders.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 16 Raiders 14



Friday, August 8

Detroit Lions (-3.5, 32.5) at Atlanta Falcons, 7:00 pm - After the way last season ended, one and done against Washington in the playoffs, the Lions have much to prove in 2025. They didn’t prove a thing in their 34-7 loss in the Hall of Fame game loss to the Chargers, so expecting some subtle wrinkles involving backup QB Hendon Hooker, and maybe a better effort.

Atlanta just missed the playoffs in 2024 and the team belongs now to Michael Penix Jr., who will see extensive playing time, possibly the entire first half. The Falcons aren’t kidding around this season and should prove worthy. The rest of the league is catching up to the Lions’ offensive style.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 20 Lions 7


Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers (-6.5, 32.5), 7:00 pm - The Browns have five QBs on their roster, but Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are probably not going to play, so the start belongs to Shedeur Sanders, sone of Neon Deion, out of Colorado. It’s his chance to make or break.

Carolina has Andy Dalton and Jack Plummer backing up Bryce Young, who has still yet to prove he belongs, so he may get a lot of action here. These are two lower-tier teams with limited offensive prowess, so expect the place-kickers to dominate in a close one.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns 16 Panthers 15


Washington Commanders at New England Patriots (-6.5, 34.5), 7:30 pm - There’s limited likelihood that Jayden Daniels will be involved at all. He’s already proven his ability. Sam Hartman and Josh Johnson will see the bulk of the action at QB for the Commanders, while the Patriots may want to give their #1, Drake Maye, some work.

The quarterback situation probably explains why the Patriots are favored here, but Washington is very much an up-and-coming team that has set their sights much higher than New England, which only seeks a small degree of respect, like improving on their back-to-back 4-3 seasons.

Coin Flip: Patriots

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 17 Patriots 13


Click here for late games.


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idleguy.com August 2025
IdleGuy.com August 2025, Vol. 2 #8