Week 1 Picks

The picks for week 1 in the league...where they play......for pay...

Thursday, September 9
Minnesota @ New Orleans - The Saints beat Brett Favre up in last season's NFC Championship game at the Superdome, which the Vikings vow will not happen again. The Vikings may do a better job of protecting Favre, but he'll still be without Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice, which certainly will not help their cause. One thing the Vikings can't promise is that Favre won't do THIS! Pick: NEW ORLEANS

Sunday, September 12
Miami @ Buffalo - Last season the Bills were 30th (out of 32) against the run and Miami loves to run the football. (What, you thought they would run the basketball?) Miami quarterback Chad Henne also has a new favorite target in Brandon Marshall, acquired during the off-season from Denver. The Bills are not without talent, however, and CJ Spiller, their #1 pick in the draft should be fun to watch...unless you're a Dolphins fan. Pick: MIAMI

Detroit @ Chicago - The Lions are finally starting to get past the Matt Millen (more on him in future posts) era. I mean, it's been [3] YEARS since they've drafted a wide receiver with their first pick! Matthew Stafford seems like he could be a franchise quarterback, and you certainly can't question his toughness after he led the Lions to victory by throwing a game-winning touchdown with a separated shoulder. The Bears are still the better team. Pick: CHICAGO

Oakland @ Tennessee - Tennessee almost made the playoffs last year after starting 0-6; they won't have to wait that long for their first victory this year. Pick: TENNESSEE

Cincinnati @ New England - I think this is a toss-up game, but I like the Patriots at home. Pick: NEW ENGLAND

Carolina @ New York Giants - The Giants closed down the old Giants Stadium by basically giving up and getting blown out by these same Panthers last season. This season there are still some questions for the Giants, especially on the offensive line and how will the defense respond to their new defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell, but they'll find a way, most likely through the air, to open the new Giants Stadium with a win. Pick: NEW YORK GIANTS

Atlanta @ Pittsburgh - Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger earned himself a 4 game suspension to start the season, so the Steelers will rely on backup Dennis Dixon to keep them alive until Big Ben comes back. Pick: ATLANTA

Cleveland @ Tampa Bay - These two teams are bad and hopefully Tampa Bay can use home field advantage to their benefit in this one. Pick: TAMPA BAY

Denver @ Jacksonville - Denver looked great through their first 6 games last year in starting 6-0, but fizzled out and went 2-6 to close out the year. Denver is probably the second best team in the AFC West, but that doesn't say much. Pick: JACKSONVILLE

Indianapolis @ Houston - This should be an outstanding game, but I'm still not betting against Peyton Manning. This guy seems to be obsessed with him.... Pick: INDIANAPOLIS

San Francisco @ Seattle - San Francisco will win the NFC West. Pick: SAN FRANCISCO

Green Bay @ Philadelphia - I just don't like the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay is pretty good. If the Eagles were playing the Browns or Lions, for instance, then I would pick Philadelphia, but not here...Pick: GREEN BAY

Arizona @ St. Louis - Even without Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin the Cardinals are still better than the Rams. Pick: ARIZONA

Dallas @ Washington - The Redskins will be much improved this year under Head Coach Mike Shanahan and Quarterback Donovan McNabb, but Dallas is much better. Pick: DALLAS

Monday, September 13
Baltimore @ New York Jets - This one should be a fairly low scoring game considering the ability of the two defenses; however, I think Baltimore has the more potent offense and that's why they'll win...and they have Ray Rice. Pick: BALTIMORE

San Diego @ Kansas City - San Diego is still the class of the AFC West and should be a top threat to win the AFC again. Pick: SAN DIEGO

*Note: All picks are straight up and not against the point spread*