Clay Travis Unveils Unexpected Week 1 NFL Picks That Could Change Everything

Well, here we are—another NFL season buzzing back to life, and if you’re anything like me, you’re half expecting the chaos and brilliance that make football the greatest show on Earth. Now, call me a rule-breaker, but instead of the usual six-pack of picks, I couldn’t resist tossing in eight. Because really, why limit the excitement? Everyone’s haunted by the obvious Eagles pick tonight, but what if the Cowboys, that lurking underdog crew, do a little better job dodging the storm than we all betted on? And the Chiefs—aged stars, tired lines, and that nagging question: can Patrick Mahomes and company really keep defying gravity forever? Spoiler alert: I’m hedging my bets with the Chargers. Then there’s the Steelers and Jets saga—Aaron Rodgers making waves but strangely almost background noise. The NFL’s stories are a labyrinth, and I’m ready to spin the wheel on some bold calls that might just rake in the riches. So strap in, and let’s see if this 8-0 week dream turns into a payday. After all, if football’s back, why not go all in? LEARN MORE.

Rejoice, we’ve all made it. 

Another season of NFL football kicks off today and with it comes another year of the OutKick NFL Six Pack, where, hopefully, I make all of you fabulous sums of money. 

In fact, I’m so fired up for the return of football this week that I picked eight different games. 

Yes, I know, it’s supposed to be a six-pack, but I’m too excited for football to be back to only have six picks this week. 

So here we go. 

Everyone on the planet is picking the Eagles tonight, so this is a bet that the Cowboys, while destined for mediocrity, at best, this season, may well weather the week one storm better than most anticipate. 

Plus, this is a pretty huge number for two teams that know each other really well and play twice each season. 

(If the Eagles do what everyone expects and blow the Cowboys out in week one I will pretend this pick never happened.)

I kind of think this is the year the Chiefs come back down to earth. 

An aging Travis Kelce, receivers that still aren’t that good, an offensive line with wear and tear, surely at some point Patrick Mahomes and company look human, right?

Right?

I’m betting it starts in week one with a Chargers outright win, but I’ll take the points in my pocket just to be safe. 

Did I make this pick just so I can call the Redskins the Redskins?

Maybe. 

But also Jayden Daniels is going to scalp the Giants. And lots of other teams this season too. 

Bring back headdresses at games!

I feel like everyone has kind of forgotten that Aaron Rodgers is on the Steelers now and that he used to be on the Jets and they are playing in week one. 

This is how great NFL storylines are that Aaron Rodgers going back to the Jets is around the 20th most interesting NFL story right now. 

But I sneaky like this combo. Mike Tomlin has his old, reliable warhorse quarterback and the Jets still can’t score. Give me the terrible towels for the road win by a field goal or more. 

Joe Burrow’s defense torched the season last year and this year I’m betting the Bengals get off to a better start and torch early-season opponents. 

Meaning they absolutely wallop the Browns in week one, winning by double digits. 

The Dolphins win outright against a Colts team that is a total mess on the field. 

Honestly, the Colts should just go ahead and mail it in this year and get a top five pick to go back into a loaded NFL draft for quarterbacks next season. 

As for the Dolphins, they’re kind of a mess too, but if they can keep Tua healthy, they’ll be fine. 

This is a huge number, but the TItans are awful and I think the Broncos are going to be pretty good this season. 

Plus, no one has any idea what to expect from Cam Ward — but based on what I paid for Titans season tickets in the new stadium, he better be fantastic in a few years. I’m hopeful he’ll eventually be good. But, remember, Marcus Mariota threw five touchdown passes in his first start and Will Levis threw four in his first start and neither of those guys worked out. 

So who knows what to expect here?

I’m taking the Broncos big. 

The wrong team is favored. 

The Bills win outright by a field goal. 

By the way, am I the only person who loves Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen? I’d like to see either of these guys in the Super Bowl over Patrick Mahomes at this point. 

…

My Super Bowl prediction is the same as last year’s: Lions vs. Bills, because it’s the Super Bowl all of America needs. 

Get rich, kids, let’s go 8-0 this week.