Best In The World Challenge. The Final Showdown. Week 1 Picks.

Two years ago, Conner Fleegle and I faced off, comparing picks, trying to figure out who the best in the world really was.

In year one, I won the regular season by the slimmest of margins, only to have Conner win by correctly predicting the Super Bowl.

In year two, I fell behind early, but eventually was able to claim the victory.

Now, it's year three. The final season.

We will decide who the best in the world really is.

Now, in the coming weeks, we'll have more time and our picks will have much more detail. But... as you know, I almost exclusively write for Last Word On Sports, and I get kinda busy!

Carolina v Denver- Carolina

Trevor Who? Josh What? Some new names in new places, some old faces in strange places. I think the Panthers defense eat the Broncos alive.

Tampa Bay v Atlanta- Atlanta

Please. Tampa Bay is on the way up, but Atlanta has all the potential in the world. Taking the Falcons here.

Buffalo v Baltimore- Baltimore

Baltimore is insanely underrated. They'll easily win this one.

Chicago v Houston- Houston

That Bears offensive line is terrrrrrible. The Texans shouldn't have any problem ruining Re- I mean Jay Cutler.

Green Bay v Jacksonville- Green Bay

The Jags are on the way up, but man, against a Packers offense like this? Don't get your hopes up.

San Diego v Kansas City- Kansas City

The Chiefs are not, the Chargers arrrrrre not.

Oakland v New Orleans- Oakland

Actually...

Cincinnati v New York (Jets)- Cincinnati

This should be a good physical game, but I'm taking the Bengals because they can make big plays and it's never a good idea to pay Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Cleveland v Philadelphia- Cleveland

oh.... oh god.... flipping a coin. Cleveland it is.

Minnesota v Tennessee- Minnesota

Even without Bridgewater, the Vikings have a great running attack and a good defense. What do the Titans have? Heisman trophies? Fantastic. NEXT.

Miami v Seattle- Seattle

HAHAHAHAHA. Please.

New York (Giants) v Dallas- New York

Once upon a time, this result would've been flipped. But several injuries and suspensions later... Not happening.

Detroit v Indianapolis- Indianapolis

Guess who's back, back again, Luck is back, tell a friend. Luck is back, Luck is back, Luck is back, danana.

New England v Arizona- Arizona

In prime-time? Without Brady? Against that D? Please.

Pittsburgh v Washington- Pittsburgh

The Redskins are going to get pummeled by all of last year's elite teams, and this is the first example.

Los Angeles v San Francisco- San Francisco

What an ugly game... 49ers? I guess?

Time to settle the score in year 3!!!!! Here we go.....

Carolina @ Denver: Until the Denver offense shows me something post Peyton, I can't pick them. Carolina kicks the season off with a win.

Minnesota @ Tennessee: Toss up game. I expect AP and DeMarco to get heavy work due to each teams QB. I'll take the Vikings because I think their defense is a tick better than the Titans.

Chicago @ Houston: Intrigue here. I've always been a fan of Jay Cutler and think he catches a lot of unnecessary heat at times (even though he DOES turn it over a lot). But, with this game being in Houston, you have to lean to the Texans. Mainly because, whose gonna block JJ Watt? Give me Houston in this one.

Cleveland @ Philadelphia: E-A-G-L-E-S. by a lot.

San Diego @ Kansas City: Total toss up, but I think the Chiefs pick off Philip Rivers 2-3 times and turn it into a win at home.

Oakland @ New Orleans: I know for a fact Ryan and I will disagree on this game. Look, I think Oakland is in for a BIG year, but I think it'll take a week or two for them to warn up. Plus, I have a Drew Brees man crush, and this games in the dome.....give me the Saints.

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta: Oh god. Uhhhhh.....Falcons?

Cincinnati @ New York Jets: Debated on this for a few minutes. Don't be surprised to see the Jets sneak it out, but I think Cincy is the better team, so give me the Bengals.

Green Bay @ Jacksonville: Packers by 3 touchdowns. Next!

Miami @ Seattle: There's a lot of really good teams that don't stand a chance in Seattle.....so what makes you think the Dolphins have a prayer? Seahawks, big.

Buffalo @ Baltimore: It can't get any worse for my Ravens, right? Harbaugh gets a pass for last year due to injuries, but the heat is on if the ravens don't perform this year. But, I think Baltimore has a bounce back year, and it starts Sundaywith a win over Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills.

New York Giants @ Dallas: Eli is due for a bounce back year. Plus, Tom Coughlin and his awful clock management won't be in Dallas! Close game here, but until Dak Prescott shows me something, gotta go Giants.

Detroit @ Indianapolis: The post Calvin Johnson era behind in Detroit, so lets see just how good this offense is. Colts are due to bounce back with a fully healthy Andrew Luck, and they get it started with a win in week 1.

New England @ Arizona: No Brady, no win in the desert. That simple. Cardinals win.

Pittsburgh @ Washington: Lets see if Kirk Cousins can do it again.....I don't think he can, and he won't on Monday might. Big Ben and the Steelers win.

St. Louis......errrr......Los Angeles @ San Francisco: What's higher, the over/under, or the amount of times ESPN talks about Kaeperjoke? I actually like the Rams in this one. Start it off with a bang, ya know?

Well, there you go. Week 1 is here! Here's to another great year!

-Conner

He took the Eagles, I took the Browns.
He took the Aints, I took the Raiders.
He took the Rams, I took the 49ers.

Okay! Three disagreements! Nothing too crazy. Let the hot takes begin!