SANTA CLARA — In a blink of a sucker-punched eye, 2020 brings us the NFL season tonight. Will it end on time Feb. 7, with the Lombardi Trophy on a Tampa Bay catwalk? Hold on, one prediction at a time, and let’s cut to my Week 1 nasal swabs:
Chiefs 24, Texans 17: The defending Super Bowl champs paid off their QB, tight end, head coach and GM. The 49ers pretty much did the same, minus the championship ring engraved with how the Chiefs overcame a 10-point deficit in SBLIV. (Line: Texans +9 1/2)
49ers 31, Cardinals 16: George Kittle vowed at the Super Bowl to go on a Revenge Tour, and it starts with an opponent that took out his ankle, knee and two ensuing games last year.