NFL picks, Week 1: Chiefs-Texans odds are close but KC wins

It's time to make our picks for Week 1. The Kansas City Chiefs go on the road to face the Houston Texans. Not surprisingly given it's the optimistic time of year, most of us are predicting the Chiefs to beat the Texans.

Here is Fox Sports picks:

Surprised so many Texans picks. Here is Fox Sports http://t.co/Mk24Mj0pez pic.twitter.com/bcWjmW09Ql

— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) September 13, 2015

And ESPN:

ESPN closer to a split http://t.co/dIfx73BgRi pic.twitter.com/A70gNgBd2R

— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) September 13, 2015

Here's what the Arrowhead Pride staff thinks:

Joel Thorman: Chiefs 20 | Texans 13

The Texans are a 1-point favorite but the Chiefs defense should give Brian Hoyer some trouble. Without Arian Foster playing, the Texans drop this game.

NJ Chiefs Fan: Chiefs 27 | Texans 13

The new Smith-to-Maclin combination and three TE sets compliment a heavy dose of screens to Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs are able to put some points on the board. No KC fan feels sorry for Hoyer as he's harassed, sacked, confused, and picked off by a reinvigorated Chiefs defense.

Super G: Chiefs 20 | Texans 10

This will be a defensive slugfest. The Texans will have a hard time moving the ball with the injury to Foster. The Chiefs offense proves to be just a bit more potent than Houston's. Smith will need to use his legs for a number of first downs in this game. Given the defensive nature of this game, turnovers by either team could make a huge difference in the outcome.

MNChiefsfan: Chiefs 24 | Texans 9

It's the start of the season, and thus the time for the largest amount of Kool-Aid (thus the biggest potential fall, if last year's debacle against the Titans taught us anything). Beyond that, there's nothing about the Texans offense that scares me besides Hopkins. They don't have their best running back, they lost their zone blocking wizard coach to Denver, there's no more Andre Johnson ... I mean, Nuk is great, but he's one receiver without a quarterback. I just don't see it. Barring a total and utter surprise, the Chiefs defense is going to be really, really good. They hold the Texans to no TDs and get us all really hyped up for Week 2 vs. Denver.

On defense, the Texans have a very solid front 7. J.J. Watt is a scary man. But have you looked at their secondary? There's nothing to write home about. The Chiefs offense isn't predicated on the quarterback having a dominant game. It's predicated on misdirection, game planning, and execution. The Texans defense is tough, but the Chiefs have improved JUST enough on offense to not be totally stymied by a tough defense.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 20 | Texans 9

The Texans defense will be an immediate test from a formidable unit for the remade Chiefs offense, but the Chiefs boast an equally stout defense of their own. If it comes down to the Houston Carousel O'QBs and Arian Foster's Shadow vs. Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles, this might not even be close.

Clay Wendler: Chiefs 14 | Texans 20

I don't believe at all in the Chiefs reconfigured offensive line. It's mostly a rearrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic. Houston's defensive line will have Alex running for his life. Meanwhile, the Texans (and a very underrated Brian Hoyer) will pick on the Chiefs inexperienced corners and that will be plenty to bring home the win.

Now make your own prediction!