Want to know the score of the Giants or Jets game before it happens? Visit us every week during football season for the return of Mac’s Picks!
New York Giants (0-0) at Washington Commanders (0-0)
Sunday 1p FOX
Last season, the Washington Commanders and their rookie QB Jayden Daniels fashioned a turnaround for the ages. They improved from 4-13 in 2023 with a negative 189-point differential, to go 12-5 in 2024 with a positive 94-point differential. Their dream season didn’t end until they earned a trip to the NFC Championship Game. While many pundits are predicting a step back, they are still a solid 6 ½ point favorite in their season and home opener.
Coming off a 3-14 season with a negative 142-point differential in 2024, the New York Giants are dreaming about a Commander-like turnaround. They have their own rookie QB in Jaxson Dart, but he will start the year backing up veteran Russell Wilson. I’m looking at Wilson and the Giants’ improved defense to keep this one close.
Washington Commanders 24 New York Giants 18
Mac’s Pick – Giants +6 ½
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0) at New York Jets (0-0)
Sunday 1p CBS
The New York Jets have won their season opener only once in the last nine years. Ironically, that was the “Aaron Rodgers Achilles Flag Game” in 2023. Meanwhile, over the same period the Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2-1. Aaron Glenn is the Jets’ 5th head coach in these nine years. Mike Tomlin is just the third head coach the Steelers have had since 1969.
Stability, winning pedigree, a QB seeking revenge, and an estimated 39,600 Steelers fans attending the game in Met Life Stadium add up to Pittsburgh being a 2 ½ point favorite. Despite that, our gut feeling is that Glenn is going to walk off the field victorious in his head coaching debut.
New York Jets 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 19
Mac’s Pick – Jets +2 ½
Disclaimer: Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. “Mac” is not a professional prognosticator and doesn’t claim to be able to able to predict the future. Use this information at your own risk.