This article is part of our Staff Picks series.
Defending champ Kevin Payne continued his winning ways by taking Week 1 at 8-7-1. Payne was the only picker over .500, but Scott Pianowski was the only to nail his best bet.
Majority picks went 5-10-1 while unanimous picks were 0-3.
This week, the Saints (+6.5 at the Cowboys) are the only unanimous pick, though seven teams got four votes.
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| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | DEL DON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills +2.5 at Dolphins | Dolphins | Bills | Bills | Dolphins | Bills |
| Raiders +9.5 at Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Raiders | Ravens |
| Chargers -6.5 at Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Chargers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Saints +6.5 at Cowboys | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Buccaneers +7 at Lions | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Lions | Lions | Buccaneers |
| Colts -3.5 at Packers | Packers | Packers | Colts | Packers | Packers |
| Browns +3 at Jaguars | Browns | Jaguars | Jaguars | Browns | Jaguars |
| 49ers -6 at Vikings | 49ers | Vikings | 49ers | Vikings | Vikings |
| Seahawks -3.5 at Patriots | Patriots | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Patriots |
| Jets -3.5 at Titans | Jets | Jets | Jets | Jets | Titans |
| Giants +1.5 at Commanders | Commanders | Commanders | Commanders | Giants | Giants |
| Rams +1.5 Cardinals | Rams | Rams | Rams | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Bengals +6.0 at Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Bengals | Chiefs |
| Steelers -3 at Broncos | Steelers | Broncos | Steelers | Broncos | Broncos |
| Bears +7 at Texans | Bears | Texans | Texans | Bears | Texans |
| Falcons +6.5 at Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Falcons | Eagles |
| Best Bet | Ravens | Buccaneers | Texans | Bengals | Patriots |
| 2024 Record | 3-12-1 | 5-10-1 | 7-8-1 | 8-7-1 | 5-10-1 |
| 2024 Best Bet Record | 0-1 | 1-0 | 0-0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| 2024 |
Defending champ Kevin Payne continued his winning ways by taking Week 1 at 8-7-1. Payne was the only picker over .500, but Scott Pianowski was the only to nail his best bet.
Majority picks went 5-10-1 while unanimous picks were 0-3.
This week, the Saints (+6.5 at the Cowboys) are the only unanimous pick, though seven teams got four votes.
Odds from BetMGM. Use the BetMGM Bonus Code for a risk-free bet up to $1,000.
| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | DEL DON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills +2.5 at Dolphins | Dolphins | Bills | Bills | Dolphins | Bills |
| Raiders +9.5 at Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Raiders | Ravens |
| Chargers -6.5 at Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Chargers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Saints +6.5 at Cowboys | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Buccaneers +7 at Lions | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Lions | Lions | Buccaneers |
| Colts -3.5 at Packers | Packers | Packers | Colts | Packers | Packers |
| Browns +3 at Jaguars | Browns | Jaguars | Jaguars | Browns | Jaguars |
| 49ers -6 at Vikings | 49ers | Vikings | 49ers | Vikings | Vikings |
| Seahawks -3.5 at Patriots | Patriots | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Patriots |
| Jets -3.5 at Titans | Jets | Jets | Jets | Jets | Titans |
| Giants +1.5 at Commanders | Commanders | Commanders | Commanders | Giants | Giants |
| Rams +1.5 Cardinals | Rams | Rams | Rams | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Bengals +6.0 at Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Bengals | Chiefs |
| Steelers -3 at Broncos | Steelers | Broncos | Steelers | Broncos | Broncos |
| Bears +7 at Texans | Bears | Texans | Texans | Bears | Texans |
| Falcons +6.5 at Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Falcons | Eagles |
| Best Bet | Ravens | Buccaneers | Texans | Bengals | Patriots |
| 2024 Record | 3-12-1 | 5-10-1 | 7-8-1 | 8-7-1 | 5-10-1 |
| 2024 Best Bet Record | 0-1 | 1-0 | 0-0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| 2024 Unanimous Pick Record | 0-3 | ||||
| 2024 Majority Pick Record | 5-10-1 | ||||
| 2023 Record | 133-131-8 | 125-139-8 | 129-135-8 | 140-124-8 | 127-137-8 |
| 2022 Record | 127-136-8 | 149-114-8 | 124-139-8 | 131-132-8 | 133-130-8 |
| 2021 Record | 129-140-3 | 134-135-3 | N/A | 145-124-3 | 136-133-3 |
| 2020 Record | 121-127-8 | 128-120-8 | N/A | 115-133-8 | 118-130-8 |
| 2019 Record | 126-124-6 | 140-110-6 | N/A | 127-123-6 | 134-116-6 |
| 2018 Record | 125-122-9 | 134-113-9 | N/A | N/A | 120-127-9 |
| 2017 Record | 117-125-14 | 128-114-14 | N/A | N/A | 98-144-14 |
| 2016 Record | 140-111-5 | 130-121-5 | N/A | N/A | 132-119-5 |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | N/A | N/A | 121-127-8 |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | N/A | N/A | 128-123-5 |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | N/A | N/A | 128-118-10 |
| 2012 Record | 110-140-6 | 125-125-6 | N/A | N/A | 123-127-6 |
| 2011 Record | 121-128-7 | 134-115-7 | N/A | N/A | 127-122-7 |
| 2010 Record | 129-122-5 | 134-117-5 | N/A | N/A | 134-117-5 |
| 2009 Record | 123-130-3 | 132-121-3 | N/A | N/A | 126-127-3 |
| 2008 Record | 132-114-10 | 128-118-10 | N/A | N/A | 130-116-10 |
| 2007 Record | 127-120 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | 130-117 |
| 2006 Record | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Record | 121-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Record | 124-124 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Record | 121-126 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Record | 113-136 | 123-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Record | 124-113 | 117-120 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 Record | 123-117 | 134-106 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| WRITER | COMMENT |
|---|---|
| Erickson | The Ravens have extra time to prepare and should run wild against a Raiders defense that got dashed by J.K. Dobbins last week, with the added benefit of the Raiders having to travel. |
| Pianowski | Detroit's secondary still has plenty of exploitable holes, and Tampa Bay has the right personnel to take advantage. |
| Whalen | While Houston failed to cover in its win over Indy in Week 1, the Texans completely dominated the game from a time-of-possession perspective and shouldn't have to worry about giving up three plays of 50-plus yards against this Bears' offense. Chicago's defense can keep this game close, but I don't trust the Bears to put up enough points in Caleb Williams' first road start to keep up. |
| Payne | If the refs and Mrs. Mahomes don't interfere ... |
| Del Don | Seattle was shaky during its Week 1 win, so give me the home dog in New England. |
The players:
• Jeff Erickson: RotoWire Senior Editor, 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016 Staff Picks champ. Writes the Weekly Rankings. Covers and roots for the Bengals.
• Scott Pianowski: Fantasy expert for Yahoo! Sports, and also contributes to RotoWire. 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the Patriots.
• Nick Whalen: RotoWire Senior Media Analyst. Writes Beating the Book. Roots for the Jaguars.
• Kevin Payne: RotoWire Staff Writer, 2021 and 2023 Staff Picks champ. Writes our Waiver Wire column. Roots for the Bills.
• Dalton Del Don: Fantasy Expert for Yahoo! Sports, 2007 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the 49ers.
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