NFL Week 1 Picks: Games Most Likely to Result in a Blowout

The 2014 NFL season is officially underway, and we've already witnessed the first blowout of the season when the Seattle Seahawks pummeled the Green Bay Packers to the tune of 36-16 on Thursday Night Football. While that was the first lopsided victory of the year, it certainly won't be the last. In fact, we can assume several more are in store on Sunday.

Some teams are already struggling with injury issues, others are unsettled at the quarterback position, and more just simply don't look very good on paper. There are a few teams that fall into at least one of these categories set to face off against a far superior squad to open the season. This is the situation that leads to a blowout.

With 15 more games left of the Week 1 slate, let's overview the three likeliest to result in a rout.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

In what should come with very little surprise, the Jaguars will be on the wrong end of a blowout when they face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Let's sum up this contest with one very telling stat line: In 2013, Jacksonville finished with the league's 27th-ranked defense, while Philadelphia boasted the NFL's No. 2 offense. While each team has made some changes over the offseason, don't expect either team to begin the 2014 season looking much different.

The Eagles are looking for quarterback Nick Foles to pick up where he left off one season ago—he threw for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions in 13 games. He'll be without playmaking wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but a healthy Jeremy Maclin and the addition of the shifty Darren Sproles should make up the difference nicely.

As far as the ground game goes, LeSean McCoy may be the most exciting running back in the league this season. Last season, he led the NFL with 2,146 yards from scrimmage while adding 11 scores. The Jaguars defense doesn't have the firepower to contain him for 60 minutes.

Making matters worse for Jacksonville, Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com noted how efficient McCoy has been in the team's openers:

Blake Bortles outplayed Chad Henne throughout the preseason; however, head coach Gus Bradley decided to start the season with the rookie on the bench. While the game's end result may not have been different with Bortles at the helm, Jacksonville has an even smaller chance to remain competitive with Henne under center.

Prediction: Eagles 31, Jaguars 10

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots

Expect the Patriots to kick the season off with a big win over division rival Miami Dolphins thanks to improvements on both sides of the ball.

Tom Brady has plenty of weapons at his disposal to start the year. A healthy Danny Amendola, the shifty Julian Edelman, a more experienced Kenbrell Thompkins and, perhaps the most important, the return of Rob Gronkowski will make this offense electrifying out of the gate.

Even if Gronkowski is on a pitch count, Adam Levitan of Rotoworld tweeted the tight end's ability to maintain a high level of production:

On the defensive side of the ball, New England's run defense should be expected to be vastly improved from its 30th ranking in 2013 due to the return of Vince Wilfork on the interior. A run-stuffing defensive tackle, the Patriots sorely missed him last season when he went down with an Achilles injury. The team also brought in a cornerback by the name of Darrelle Revis over the offseason. Miami wide receiver Mike Wallace may have his work cut out for him on Sunday.

While the Dolphins are expecting quarterback Ryan Tannehill to take another step forward this season—he improved in 2013, but interceptions were an issue—the franchise may have to wait until Week 2 before he begins to show progress.

Prediction: Patriots 35, Dolphins 17

Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills

The Bears finished the 2013 season with a disappointing 8-8 record; however, there are plenty of reasons to believe that number will improve this year. It will begin on Sunday against the Bills.

Last season under first-year head coach Marc Trestman, the Bears owned one of the NFL's most prolific offenses, ranking eighth in the league despite losing quarterback Jay Cutler for five games. Much of that success was due to the trio of Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte.

The team's wide receivers are nearly impossible to contain, and the Bills can be expected to have a rough time with the task considering cornerback Stephon Gilmore doesn't appear to be 100 percent for the contest, as he's currently struggling with a groin injury and recovery from offseason hip surgery.

To make matters worse, Forte proved to be a versatile weapon in Trestman's system last year, compiling 1,339 rush yards, 594 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns. Buffalo may find it difficult to contain the running back considering the losses of safety Jairus Byrd to the New Orleans Saints and linebacker Kiko Alonso to injury.

With the Bears expected to put up massive points, the Bills' best chance is to keep pace in a shootout. That's unlikely to happen with second-year quarterback EJ Manuel still adjusting to life in the NFL and rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins possibly hampered with a rib injury.

Prediction: Bears 30, Bills 13