William Burns

(#958) Chicago Cubs | ML | .

Bubba Chandler (4-9, 4.25 ERA) vs. Matthew Boyd (8-4, 4.03 ERA) .

Pittsburgh had won four consecutive games. The Pirates have now dropped consecutive games against the Cubs in this series and I expect them to get swept on Sunday. Bubba Chandler gets the nod and although he's been solid, he's 3-6 on the road on a losing baseball team. That's nothing to hold his head high about.

On the other hand, Chicago will start Matthew Boyd. I know that Boyd has had much more success on the road this season, this is a game that the Cubs badly need. They are in a battle with the Phillies for the top wildcard spot at the moment, making every game crucial for home-field advantage in what would be a fantastic series. Hammer CHC.

Burns' Prediction: 6-2 Cubs.

(#206673) Sporting Lisbon | 3-Way ML | .

I'm a bit surprised with these odds this weekend. Sporting Lisbon is in flying form at the moment with five consecutive wins since the opening match of the season (drew 2-2 in the opener.) That includes a 3-1 win mid-week against a very solid Galatasaray opponent in the Champions League. I know that this is a road matchup. But, this is a game that Sporting should easily be winning.

Famalicao enters this contest as one of the final four winless teams in the Liga Portugal this season. Through five games, that's not exactly what a team wants to hear when going up against a powerhouse. In 10 straight meetings between these teams since October of 2021, Sporting has come away with a win. History repeats itself this weekend. Hammer Sporting Lisbon.

Burns' Prediction: 3-0 Lisbon.

(#469) New Orleans Saints @ (#470) Detroit Lions | OVER | .

New Orleans has been hyped up a bit this offseason. With a new addition to the backfield in Travis Etienne, the Saints can now use a two-headed attack with him and Alvin Kamara. Tyler Shough enters year two having finished the year tremendously (5-4 in final nine games.) Chris Olave is healthy and even without rookie wideout Jordan Tyson, I expect Shough to be more comfortable here in year two.

Detroit's offense speaks for itself. It was a down year for the whole squad a year ago. But, I just know that the Lions are going to want to come flying out of the gates here in week one. Detroit scored 28.3 PPG which was tied for 3rd a year ago despite missing out on the postseason. I wouldn't be shocked if that number increases here in 2026-27. Give me the "over."

Burns' Prediction: 34-26 Lions.

(#456) Jacksonville Jaguars | ATS | .

Cleveland comes into the new season with similar expectations. Just survive. From a contract standpoint, playing Deshaun Watson makes sense. But, from a development & future team standpoint, I believe that it's a smarter decision to put the ball in the hands of Sanders or Green. I just don't believe that Watson is the same player that he was back in Clemson & Houston.

Looking at the Jags, they really upgraded with this new Head Coach Liam Coen. He's an offensive mastermind in my eyes & I do not see the loss of Etienne to be that bad. Jacksonville will now lean on Bayshal Tuten & Chris Rodriguez, who both could have big years in '25-'26. Playing at home in week one, where they won last year's home opener 26-10, I expect another double digit win for the Jags here in this one.

Burns' Prediction: 34-13 Jags.

(#479) Dallas Cowboys @ (#480) New York Giants | OVER | .

Sometimes there's early season jitters to begin a new year. However, in a divisional game like this to open up a campaign, both of these teams are going to want to score & score in a hurry. There have been some real lopsided games when these two teams get together in the past. Last year though, these teams split the season series, with both games eclipsing the 50pt mark. I expect this one to have the exact same thing occur.

Dallas brings back Dak, along with his epic WR duo in Ceedee Lamb & George Pickens. Those three players alone could dominate a football game. Last season, the Cowboys defense allowed 30.1 PPG which was the worst mark in the NFL. Even with slight upgrades (Downs in the draft & Cobie Durant/Rashan Gary/Jalen Thompson,) that number from a year ago is exactly what new HC John Harbaugh & the rest of the Giants will be looking to capitalize on. The Giants have Malik Nabers back with this explosive young offense. Points should come often in this first Sunday Night Football (SNF) game of the season.

Burns' Prediction: 31-28 Cowboys.