Once again the day has finally come, football is officially back. Which also means against my better judgement, so is Bick’s Picks. Sure, I could make excuses about how unpredictable the 2025 season was but frankly I’d rather just take my lumps because there’s no sugar coating these numbers. My overall record for 2025 was an abysmal 29-49-1 which included a 24-37-1 regular season capped off by a gross 5-12 record in the playoffs. In seasons past the playoffs had been a strength for us here at Bick’s Picks but truth be told I was completely befuddled by the Patriots’ playoff run going 1-9 with my picks from the Divisional Round to the Super Bowl. However, I’d rather lie and say I was honoring Jayden by only getting 5 picks right, just no one tell his mom because I don’t want Jake’s Takes receiving any cease and desist letters. Now not only did we finish poorly last season, we also started things off on the wrong foot by going 0-4 in the openers for the 2025 season. Surely that won’t happen again right? Right?! I guess there’s only one way to find out, so let’s get into it.

Patriots @ Seahawks (-3)(Jaxon Smith-Njigba ATD)

I gotta admit I’m just thankful I don’t have to do a write up about the Eagles dropping another banner. Instead I’m coming into this season with a renewed sense of delusional optimism because frankly that’s how we do things around here. Not to mention I don’t mind taking another crack at this matchup after I got all my Super Bowl picks wrong. However for some of our Patriots’ readers this rematch might be an all too soon reminder of how their Super Bowl run ended last season. For others they might view it as a chance for revenge. Unfortunately I’m not so sure that’s how things play out. Now I’m not saying we see a repeat of the Super Bowl as I’m expecting a much more competitive game this time around but this is a tough spot for New England. Since they introduced the NFL Kickoff Game 25 years ago the defending champs have a 17-4 record. As many of you know, trends like that get our attention here at Bick’s Picks but I’ll admit I don’t love that I’m seeing that number referenced a lot leading up to this matchup. The public is all over Seattle and it just feels like no one is really giving the Pats a shot despite this being a pretty close line. Speaking of lines I have a feeling that this game will be decided in the trenches. The Seahawks’ defensive front was absolutely dominant the last time these teams faced off and that could really set the tone for how things go tonight. All eyes will be on Will Campbell this evening who at the very least will be healthier than he was during the playoffs but if he hasn’t taken a step forward in his development it could be a long evening for Drake Maye. That said I do think this game ends up being close and at times a little ugly which is why I was tempted to do the unthinkable and bet the Under. However I have a brand to maintain and we simply don’t do that here. Instead I pivoted to something I often struggle with and that’s picking someone to score a TD. I just got a feeling after a quiet Super Bowl where JSN almost had a couple big plays that tonight he actually gets one. I’ll admit these picks are kind of boring but sometimes the boring bet is the safe one. Also DraftKings has got Seattle at -3 but still seeing as -3.5 elsewhere but in the effort to play it safe we will take potential push. Either way let’s see if my struggles betting Pats games continue. Giddy up.

Seahawks -3 (-118)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba ATD (+135)

Parlay at Your Own Risk (+286)

The I Hope You Have Netflix Game

49ers (+3.5) @ Rams

Well last year I bitched about this game being on YouTube so naturally the NFL’s first ever Australia game will require Netflix. At this point we all agree it’s obnoxious the hoops the NFL makes us jump through to watch every game. Heck it’s such a known problem the NFL is actually being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice for their practices. Which of course will eventually work out for the fans because surely the multi-billion dollar industry will be punished for taking advantage of their consumers. All jokes aside we do have a game to pick and once again it’s a good matchup. Rams vs 49ers rarely disappoints as this as been one of the more compelling division matchups in recent years as both are often in playoff contention. Obviously the main story in this matchup though is LA’s offseason acquisitions which have much of the NFC concerned. McVay and company continued to say fuck them picks by trading for Myles Garrett which of course prompted the return Aaron Donald. Fortunately for Brock Purdy he’ll only be facing Garrett this time as Donald isn’t quite ready yet. Catching this break along with Kyle Shanahan’s knack for covering and often outright winning as an underdog in this rivalry has me leaning their way. Part of me thinks Rams could just blow doors and set the tone for a dominant season but my plums tell me this will be a close one down under. Gimme the Niners +3.5. 

49ers +3.5 (-102)