ProFootballDoc: Top 5 Actionable Injury Issues for NFL Week 1

Is everyone ready for another successful season? We can only hope to equal last year's 50-30-5 record picking games on Saturday night using the FanDuel lines. Every Sunday morning we picked five games against the spread and ended the regular season with a +20 margin. These selections are based on the www.profootballdoc.com Field View using the SIC Score for the unseen health advantages to make picks. Use the injury info to reinforce your wagering/DFS/fantasy opinions.

Here are our injury advantages this week:

SEA -3 (at IND)

The visiting Seahawks hold a 17.2 point SIC score advantage over the Colts which is the biggest differential on Sunday. The key is the Seattle healthier pass offense and defense vs the banged up Indianapolis pass offense and defense. Carson Wentz will play but he is not 100% coming off his foot surgery and has had very few practices with his COVID-19 absence with his new team. Other key Colts offensive injuries include T.Y. Hilton, Eric Fisher and Quenton Nelson (who is playing but not full go). Defensively Indy is missing Kemoko Turay and Xavier Rhodes as well. Flip the field view to see the "all green" healthy Seahawks on both sides vs the "colorful" Colts.

CAR -3.5 (vs NYJ)

The Panthers should be in position to cruise with five out of the projected Jets defensive front seven dealing with injury. Hover over the interactive Field View to see the issues for Carl Lawson, Vinnie Curry, Jarrad Davis and others. Add the new coaching regime/system in New York and the "revenge" factor for Sam Darnold and Robbie Anderson making this matchup favorable for the home Carolina team.

DET +8.5 (vs SF)

The Lions may be undermanned personnel wise but factoring in the health, getting over a touchdown at home seems to be the play. Detroit has an eight point SIC score team advantage and even with Nick Bosa playing, the San Francisco defense grades out 17.6 points lower. We get the nervousness as the Dan Campbell regime begins but our thoughts are purely based on injury grades indicates the FanDuel line of 8.5 points is too big but the Lions may still lose.

DEN-3 (at NYG)

The Giants are dealing with injury issues for their top RB, WR and TE. Saquon Barkley will play but his individual SIC score is 49 meaning we expect about 50% his normal production/output if he were healthy. This is his first game action and he was just officially cleared to play. Kenny Golladay will be active but coming off hamstring injury and has not really practiced with his new team. Evan Engram is out with a calf injury. The Broncos have a tough and healthy defense. This paves the way for Teddy Bridgewater to do enough to win.

LAR-7.5 (vs CHI)

The Bears are the only team to start the season with "yellow" grades for both offense and defense while the Rams are fairly healthy. The long trip and facing a rejuvenated Matthew Stafford will be a daunting task. This projects to be a lower scoring game with the Rams strong defensive line helping to potentially cover a large spread given the Bears offensive line issues.

Good luck to all who tail. Go to www.profootballdoc to see the analysis for the entire Sunday slate to assist with your wagering decisions.

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Written by
David Chao, MD -- known digitally as Pro Football Doc -- is an expert contributor for Outkick. Chao spent 17 seasons as the team doctor for the San Diego Chargers (1997-2013) and is part of the medical team at OASIS in San Diego where he treats and specializes in orthopedic sports injuries, working with high-profile professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB.